2019 Tesla Model 3 Cost of Ownership Update — 41,110 Miles, 4 Years & 4 Months

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It’s been just a few months since my last Tesla Model 3 cost of ownership update. Since then, I’ve had an air filter changed and I received 4 new tires. Let’s dig in and see the place I stand 4 years and 4 months after shopping for my Tesla Mannequin 3 Commonplace Vary Plus (SR+).

Initially, the air filter is an easy factor. The unlucky factor is that this has gone up in value prior to now 12 months. In October of 2022, I received it changed for $57.78. Then, 7 months later, the value was $64.63. Extra not too long ago, on November 10, it value me $82.28 for the air filter substitute. I’m beginning to contemplate if I ought to actually get the instruments and components and battle by the DIY movies to strive to do that job myself. (No, that’s not going to occur, however ugh.)

So, that cell service go to introduced my long-term cost of maintenance to $2096.86. However I knew the entire was about to get rather a lot greater, as a result of it was time for brand spanking new tires.

The primary time I had my tires modifications, at a bit below 17,000 miles, I had it accomplished by Tesla. The fee was $1,671.64. Many readers responded that I shouldn’t have Tesla exchange my tires for the reason that firm prices significantly greater than a standard tire place. Again then, I used to be a bit nervous about having a non-Tesla store mess with my Tesla. At this level, although, Teslas are in every single place and I anticipated that any tire place ought to be a lot accustomed to Teslas to not break my automotive. (Because it seems, there have been nonetheless notable points … however I’ll come again to that in one other story.)

Certainly, it was less expensive having the tires changed at a neighborhood Mavis. Tesla was going to cost about $1600 once more, whereas the associated fee at Mavis was $1000.05. Properly, after the very fact, they introduced up an prolonged care/guarantee supply to buy as properly, however this did appear value the associated fee and is one thing I wouldn’t have gotten from Tesla both approach. That was one other $102.68. I nonetheless felt fairly good about saving $500 … apart from the complications concerning the tire sensor software program that I’ll return to at one other time.

So, the place are we? That brings my upkeep prices at 4 years and 4 months to $3199.59, or $61.53 a month. Not too shabby, however it could be good if tires lasted longer and didn’t value a lot — and the identical goes for air filters.

When it comes to mileage, the Mannequin 3 SR+ was at about 41,110 miles when the tires had been modified. (I really feel like I’m driving half of the day, however apparently, I’m nonetheless properly under the nationwide common at fewer than 10,000 miles per 12 months. And that involves about 7.8¢ per mile in upkeep prices.

I’m out of warranty now on the automotive, besides with regards to the battery and drive unit (which have a warranty for 8 years or 120,000 miles, whichever comes first). So, want me luck in not getting hit with some severe issues that value some huge cash to repair! If I can go one other 2–3 years earlier than changing the tires once more, that may be nice! I’m (usually) driving far more calmly and gently lately to be able to protect the tires, and so they spend far more time shaded than they did within the first 12 months or two of possession. Within the meantime, I’ve mainly simply received the air filter replacements and … something that breaks. Wiring for the rear digicam and trunk lock was changed at one level without charge to me, about 6 months earlier than a recall was issued for this matter; and the steering wheel was changed professional bono when it began effervescent for some motive. In any other case, there’s been little of notice to repair or exchange. I’m afraid the subsequent 4 years can be a bit completely different, and I’m particularly involved concerning the infotainment display. Want me luck!

Oh yeah, so far as whole value of possession: I don’t have that tracked. I’ve primarily charged free of charge — largely at Tesla Superchargers because of referral credit, and in addition at free ChargePoint stations in my space. I by no means anticipated that to be the case for most individuals. Insurance coverage prices are very private, however are about the identical as they had been for my earlier automotive, a BMW i3 REx. Then there are the funds for the automotive itself. The opposite huge think about whole value of possession, although, is depreciation, or resale worth. That isn’t nearly as good as I had hoped it could be at this level (the trade-in worth is seemingly round $20,000, down from the $47,190 order value), however I can’t know for positive with out promoting the automotive. Personally, I didn’t plan to promote the automotive at round this level. I’m protecting it indefinitely. However within the curiosity of contemplating the entire components that go into whole value of possession up thus far, resale worth needs to be famous.

Any questions or ideas? When you’ve got a Tesla Mannequin 3 or Mannequin Y and preserve observe of those prices, be at liberty to share them as properly down within the feedback!