Telsa should offer the M3P with an option to buy 19" wheels

I actually think they should offer them an 18s with an all season. I have had summer tires and don’t want them. I would like the additional range

18” is much better. Slap a set of apex wheels on there. That’s that I did.

They used to offer this, when I ordered my 2020 M3P I actually ordered this trim (I think with 18” rims) and they called me and casually informed me that they had changed the terms of the deal and pray they didn’t change them further. Really strange conversation.

Everyone’s talking about an M3P with the 18’s, but the Performance brake rotors don’t fit under the stock 18’s and never have. Now, they could redesign the stock 18’s, and I don’t recall if the 19’s would clear the rotors, but I agree. A little less contact patch and less acceleration/handling but a lot cheaper wheels and tires and more range would be a nice option.

There are aftermarkets that fit over the rotors. If other companies can offer 18s that fit, so could Tesla if they wanted to.

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Just get a Premium instead

Oh I know. That’s why I was saying they’d have to redesign theirs.

Buy a long range 🤷‍♂️. Trying to maximise range on a performance model seems counter productive. It’s also not like the range is that bad on the performance. I’d rather have the recommended amount and right type of rubber on my high performance car, than save a few cents a day. Also the wheels are not the only reason it loses range. So if you want range… buy the long range.

Yeah not understanding why put anything smaller on the performance. Have one and wouldn’t even consider anything smaller than the 20s. If I were concerned about range I wouldn’t have gotten the M3P, would have gone MY or MX.

In 2018 and 2019 they made a “stealth” Performance model for $10,000 less. I wish they occasionally made a batch of those. I would love to trade in my 2019 for a 2026.

Reducing wheel size doesn't have a negative affect on grip. The same tire compound on 18, 19, or 20" wheels will have approximately the same grip. Many Tesla autocross drivers run 18" wheels.

On the first gen Model 3, the 20" wheels are actually hurting the performance. They are much too heavy and are really only for looks and handling feel. The forged wheels on the higland performance are much lighter.

You joke, but this was actually a thing on the unofficial stealth performance model.

Ok makes sense

I'm 100% not joking, that's the car I ordered, that's the car I wanted, and I hated the 20" rims on the one I got. I no longer have that car.

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My understanding was all the original motors could support the higher power and then they started to produce the other motors at a lower cost and those are ones that ended up in the regular old non-stealth all-wheel-drive cars - the ones that no longer easily updated to the maximum performance tesla would unlock. There are controllers that can unlock any of the motors, but I think that durability was Tesla‘s concern. I have a 2018 stealth performance that I put 19 inch rims on and my own minor brake upgrades Good mix of performance and pothole resistance

Second this. Changed to 19“ for winter - the overall feel is better for daily driving/road driving. Riding over bumps also feels so much more forgiving :) thinking about buying a set of 19“ for summer too for my M3P Highland.

The stock 19s from my old 3 fit on my dad’s Y performance, so I imagine they would fit a 3 as well.

The front 20" forged Warp wheels on a Tesla Model 3 Performance Highland (2024-2026) weigh 22.7 Ibs without covers, and the rear wheels weigh 23.4 Ibs without covers. The covers weigh approximately 1.5 pounds per set. So the wheels with covers weigh around 24.2 Ibs in the front and 24.9 Ibs in the rear. I’m not sure how much the old wheels weigh but they were significantly heavier.

True though it’s fairly easy to just bolt on a different tire size during manufacturing. It was understandable when Tesla was in the first few years of making the Model 3, but it’s entering its 10th year and a different tire size is a way easier option to add than some other options they do offer like white vs black seats, and they already do offer other sizes on the non-P obvs.

19" wheels almost always fit around the brakes, 18" wheels you have to be careful because many will not fit due to the brake calibers rubbing. You have to specifically look for 18's for M3P that will fit.

I am sure Tesla could design 18s that fit.

Maybe I want the performance seats and suspension

Larger diameter wheels do not mean better performance. Usually it means worse performance and worse grip, it's entirely just for looks. Absolutely nobody is buying 20s with rubber band tires for track or autocross use.

Overall grip will reduce because of sidewall flex, but oftentimes the unsprung weight reduction is worth the trade off.

I did the same. Ditched the 20s at about 25k miles and went with 18s. I’m so happy that I made the switch. Quieter, smoother ride, no curb rash and I don’t have to dodge pot holes like my life depended on it.

It’s called the model 3 Premium LR with Acceleration Boost. Smaller brakes. So you can fit 265/40r18. Slightly less acceleration than the m3p Slightly less top speed than the m3p It’s a very exclusive option tho. You must purchase a ‘Vińtāāge’ model 3 premium long range first. Or if you must have a new one. they will put you on a waiting list and only when they feel you are truly deserving of the package, they will offer you the privilege of sending them more money for more speeeeeed.

I am so glad I have a Stealth Performance. 18" wheels and standard brakes, but the performance motors, track mode, etc. Perfect for everything except track driving, but I never do that. About half the price on wheels and brakes do make a difference over the years. The only downside is the little difference in the softer side walls, so a little adaptation is needed.

I'll eat my words if you can find a test that shows better skidpad performance with a 1-2" change in wheel diameter and everything else kept the same. Sidewall flex shouldn't change lateral grip, but it certainly will change handling feel such as turn-in sharpness. Wider tires, wheels, or softer compound, regardless of wheel diameter, are what you want for better grip.

I immediately switched to 19’s on previous gen m3p and was all the better for it but I love these new 20’s on the newest one. Lighter weight, wider, FORGED, which if you are in the market for new wheels you’ll see the price difference and weight difference between forged, fake-forged, etc

5-8lbs per wheel depending on year and model. The heaviest wheels were 31.5lbs.

https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a15130598/upsized-wheels-tires/

100% I’ve been on 18s now and let me tell you, this is the set the car should default to. Better in every possible way. Bonus, up to 67 more miles of range.

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Some 18's fit; here's Unplugged Performance UP-03 18"x9.5" with Pilot Sport 4S 265/49R18. I ordered another set of 18" rims for my winter set. https://preview.redd.it/isd7uapsos9g1.jpeg?width=4682&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ec13d7f4cf6876b222be4ec7bdd23b08251762a6

Well, I’ve had my M3P for three months now. Definitely not used to 20s but I’m really not that bothered by it. If anything they should’ve gave us Alcanterra or a suede headliner in the performance model… seems to me that would’ve made it stand out more while I’m driving and giving it a more luxurious feeling which it should have with the higher cost than a regular model 3… honestly if you’re trying to save a couple bucks and you want practicality you should’ve not chosen the performance model…

Not sure if having the option of buying 19" wheels would have resulted in more sales. With that said, I am thinking about what to do when I need to get new tires. Should I keep the same wheels or get smaller 19"...

Send me a link? I love my 20s though, always has people ask "what are those?" https://preview.redd.it/cwj04fzw3t9g1.jpeg?width=4624&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e7c9e638c9acf6437755915ac1575f281235a947 But, I do want to increase my range 😂

We don't want their default - they're ugly asf. Make a unique performance one

That option was the bomb. I’d own one now if they still offered it. I’ve taken out 8 tires on potholes in the last two years. Thank god for discount tire.

18" should be an option. But just buy apex and sell oem.

So 18’s fit over M3P callipers?

Yes. Then go into the settings and change wheel settings to 18” so it doesn’t mess up the traction control, speedometer, odometer, etc.

Why would it? Don’t you keep the rolling radius the same?

It’s a very slight difference. Use a tire size calculator online and you can see. But they have it as an option to change it in the settings so might as well.

I got some 19s forged with thicker sidewalled continentals. Car drives so much better

Which 19s do you have? I may go down the same path.

I google it every time someone asks me.

Big things are the odometer and range estimation imo

i simply bought the long range with 19" wheels. Its very close to the M3P but the 'daily driver' version of it.

This guy gets it.  Most people are basically saying "why doesn't the M3 come with an option for tri motor with carbon fiber rotor."  It's product strategy, everyone!   Feel free to get whatever you want in after market.

https://preview.redd.it/o9icvlivrz9g1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4171609c29674f85b73a0bfbf4314c0b980524f3 18”s are the better option imo

I went with a company called symmetry forged. 19X9.5 +35 offset. Tires are 245 40 19.

Notice any gain in range?

I can’t tell because I don’t drive that far, but these wheels are 10 pounds lighter each compared to the uber turbines

I got the staggered 235/265 19” warp that Tesla sells in asia, here in europe I can only legally drive on the 235/275 20” or 235/265 19” https://preview.redd.it/xys3of74y0ag1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=124fafd6907f2baf073a44c9b7260ca0b5b5062b

https://preview.redd.it/7kmulrwf02ag1.jpeg?width=5087&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d9bbc238aaf077801fd375ddbfcf385797a8f7b8 Switched to 19’s as well. 19x10 +35 with 265/35/19 tires.

Those look so good.

I have a 2019 stealth performance with 19in sport wheels!

Isn’t the luxury version of the Tesla sedan , the model s? And 3 being the “affordable entry level”. Leaving the model 3 performance, the affordable track-happy slot, without the niceties of the S category.. what do you think about that perspective?

Performance Or plaid models should be the pinnacle of the product.

I just wish they'd redesign the 18" Model 3 OEM aero rims so that they'd clear the Performance calipers, so Performance owners could swap down to the 18's and get maximum range. The 18" OEM clear the front calipers, but the barrel doesn't clear the rear caliper. I've considered sourcing a set of LR 3 rear calipers, and seeing if it affects braking bias little enough that that would be an option, but I keep second guessing that as the anesthetics would bother me I think.

I see most product pinnacles in a completely different price bracket than the company’s budget line. Cheapest model s is $95k? Most tricked out m3p is barely scratching $63k? Thats a whole extra car between them🤷🏻‍♂️ I get what you mean though. Make it more racer-boi. crabone fibrè wheel, air suspension, splitter/diffuser. More than a red underline, stiffer foam and tweaked motor windings.

Yeah stopped me from getting the p. The smaller tires are better all the way around.