Fixing Tesla Model 3 Ride Quality - Before & After TEST
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- čas přidán 13. 02. 2018
- The Model 3 has got a bit of a bad reputation for having a rough ride. I’ve had mixed feelings about it personally. In this video, I show the before and after from lowering my Model 3 by 1.5” (moderate) and testing the vibrations. Get these updates in your inbox at teslanomics.co/join
Before we get too deep into the weeds here, this is a sponsored post. Unplugged Performance in LA hooked up these springs for me and are giving away a set to one lucky winner of their raffle. Enter to win below:
Enter to win a free set of lowering springs for your Model 3 here! teslanomics.co/m3springs
After getting my 20” turbine wheels from EV Wheel Direct something just wasn’t right about the look of Tez, my Model 3. So I called up my friends at Unplugged Performance and they let me know about a new set of suspension which lowers the car 1.5” (moderate) and also should improve the ride comfort.
View My Results - teslanomics.co/improving-mode...
Here are the full details on the springs themselves which retail for $335 w/o installation
Full details here - unpluggedperformance.com/prod...
// Concept
This ambitious engineering project began with a review of factory spring rates and led to a goal of the following:
1. Target an increase in comfort in daily driving situations. Solution by studying factory spring rates and producing a softer but proportionate spring rate front and rear.
2. Target an increase in performance when cornering. Solution by utilizing the highest technology partner and producing a secondary more sporty performance spring rate that engages when cornering g forces are loaded.
3. Target an increase in range. Achieved by lowering the car as height is proven to correlate to aerodynamic efficiency.
4. Every day improved performance at significant value. Solution by producing in bulk volume in a direct manufacturer partnership produced to proprietary Unplugged Performance developed specifications.
// SPECIFICATIONS:
* Produced in an engineering partnership with Formula 1 and 50+ consecutive Indy car winning spring supplier HYPERCO
* Proven Dual Rate spring technology allows for best of both worlds. The car rides at noticeably softer spring rates around town. When sporty handling is desired, natural cornering g forces activate the spring’s 30% sportier secondary spring rate which reduces body roll and gives noticeable difference in both feel and handling at the limit
* Physics proven benefits of range efficiency by lowering center of gravity and reducing underbody air turbulence
* Three unique offerings - Mild provides near factory ground clearance and softest ride. Moderate provides a ground clearance equivalence to modern sports cars. Low provides a ground clearance equivalence to modern hypercars. Mild is approximately 0.7″ drop, Moderate is approximately a 1.5” drop, Low is approximately a 2.1” drop
* Designed, Engineered and Produced in America
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Ben, this is a great example of why I am subscribed to this channel! Excellent info and Tez looks so much better without the huge wheel gaps!
great vid bro, love how you’re not afraid to mod such a new car lol
Thanks for posting the video. Installed the moderate springs and they are great!
you should do the test again after 300 miles, so that your new springs have time to actually break in and give you more accurate results.
I know this is a popular thought, but the precise properties of a spring is that they return to their original shape even after flexing millions of times. Springs do no break in. Now other parts of the suspension might settle a bit, which is probably what makes people think the springs have a break-in period. But because the properties of a spring are that they perform exactly the same, over and over again - the ride results would be identical, if not worse because while the spring won't change, the perch, seat, and other parts will tighten up and any play in the system will work its way out.
I can clearly say bu own experience thatsprings settle. I had a volkswagen polo and lowered it extreme,in the front 80mm and back 60mm (as per spring manufacturer specs). As far as u remember the springs started out at 75/55 and went down to 85/65 after a few days!
a misconception similar to burning in headphones.
Sounds like the springs work great. Looks good too with less wheel well gap. When I get my 3, I have to see how it works with my steep driveway. Lowering it may scrape the front end.
Just saw it at the SC. The service manager and I were very impressed with the look of it. Just makes such a difference in looks. I thought it was an S at first. Love it. I asked them to lower mine while it was there :)
I'd love to see this data compared to a Model S with air suspension, and some comparable ICE cars too.
Thanks for the informative post!
Nice, I enjoy the FFT method aswell. Would really like to see air suspension in the graph too
Tesla is now installing softer coils in new builds...I had them replace my early 3 with the newer suspension and the ride quality is significantly improved (still not as good as the S/X) but still much better. They also replaced the power inverter (no more high pitch noise) and I got a new charge port (even though my old one didn't have any issues).
I posted to Ben in a reply below - but on many cars that have forward collision avoidance and emergency braking, the sensor systems could be affected by changing the ride height and/or the front/back ride balance. We lowered my wife's Audi and because we didn't lower the front and back equally, the forward looking radar was affected. We didn't get any warnings or anything, we just knew from an online forum that the system needed to be checked and re-calibrated.
So unless you know all of the car's systems, it can be hard to predict if the changes you made are safe and good all around.
Awesome...I don't have a Model 3 but this seems to be a must do modification for the car. Looks great and as you have concluded...makes a significant difference in the ride quality of the vehicle. If I do get a Model 3 at some point I will do the same. Really enjoy 'Teslanomics'.
There is a retrofit available for early Model 3’s. They switched the production line over to softer front dampers and front+rear springs at ~VIN 2400. Likely has a similar result minus the lowering.
Hi Ben, thanks for all your great videos. Can you please do a followup video to give detailed feedback about living with the moderate lowering springs for 6 months. Many people on the model 3 forums are searching for this feedback and would greatly appreciate a review. Thanks!
Chandu Damavarapu YES!!!
Nice analysis! It'd be good if you can look at how it's affected body roll during corning, and braking dive.
Check the description, more details and link to product page with even more, and thanks!🤘
I wonder how this would play out in a colder climate with lots of speed bumps, potholes, and streets that have not been plowed.
Mark Lawrence totally. There seems to be a lot of talk in the Tesla community about the look of tires, wheels, these rims are great, I could never use those, etc. Lots of attention on the look rather than the function of an actual tire. That’s why I think this video is interesting- smoother ride? WTH?
low profile tires by themselves are enough to get a bad damage from a pothole. Trust my first person experience. No matter how low the car is :D
Wondering how it affects your range now?
Great video and great looks on the Model3.
I like the tighter wheel well look with the new springs, but would be concerned if the travel in the suspension is reduced, as others have mentioned. It may ride smoother until the road gets rougher past the point where the suspension tightens up. It would be good to see a comparison of the OEM setup along with the before and after lowering. I'll have to look at one of the earlier videos.
Good info - I would have placed your phone on the floor. You're probably getting a lot of load attenuation through the dash and phone mount. Good results though
Please post vibSensor results for the same course with your Model S, and if possible a non-Tesla for comparison. I have a 2013 Volt, but have the Model 3 on preorder. Thank you!
that looks so much better. i'd throw some spacers also to get rid of the sunken look, but that's just me.
Back in my "fast and furious" I had lowered a tuner SiR Civic. After lowering I noticed my wheels started to angle outward. A Camber kit eventually solved the problem, a set of tires burned out on inside later and horrible traction developed over time. Wondering if you were aware of such issues with lowering and if your installers brought this to your attention. Maybe this "slight" lowering will have no affect.
Super cool! One question came to mind when you showed the 20% decrease slide: can you get data on what % of variance in vibration on average you see between different rides? Or did you already account for that by doing multiple rides and using some average data when you presented your findings? Keep up the great work! Loving my Model 3 so far up here in Seattle.
I am about the lowered life. Prior to recently purchasing my model 3. I owned a 2018 Mustang GT, I lowered it with progressive lowering springs didn't really sacrifice that much in terms of ride quality. I mean in the end, if the road sucks, the ride is going to suck regardless. But the the lowering really improved the handling. Considering these springs, love the stance.
Looks really good lowered, really aggressive and sporty.
Wheels and ride height look amazing. I wonder how long your struts will last?
Keep in mind Ben, Springs have to settle. I would do this again after 5k miles and see the results.
Once the springs settle a little more, it should look even better. Nice mod. I interpreted the data differently though. There is less travel in your suspension since the spring is more compressed, and this makes the ride typically more harsh. The new springs' spring rate might be better mated for the stock shock absorbers, and it just feels better. If your bottom tells you it feels better, that's all that matters!
I wish you had a side by side picture of the old springs and new springs so we can see how much variable rate is built into each. Normally lowering the car will make the ride worse, or be so soft and low the suspension bottoms out easily. But if the new springs have a lot more variable coils than the Tesla springs it can actually ride softer over a small bump while having the required high spring rate to prevent bottoming out.
IMHO check the description for technical info about them or on their site
Hi ben,did you discuss this with tesla? Any warranty loss?did you gain battery miles?? Which rim in which size is that you ride? -thank you for all your effort!
Great vid, Ben. Wanted to know about how this might affect the factory warranty? Have 2 M3s on order & 1 week before my delivery estimator window opened, I got the email saying it was shifted... only a month though. I’m in Phoenix.
This will be on my mod list after tint,ppf, and coating.
What do they charge for installation
Hey Ben, Thanks for the video. I was wondering if you had a chance to check Mountain Pass Performance too? and why you decided to go with Unplugged Performance? just trying to decide. Gracias!!!
Well done.
I wonder if the springs still apply in 2022-23 for ride quality.
Awesome this is the route I want to take, 20s and a slight lowering. To get that sexy stance.
have you scratched the bumper by hitting the road? Like coming out of a parking lot? or when parking?
Lots of negative comments about noises ecc from this springs, what’s your opinion after more than a year with them, if you are still using it?
Tesla Model 3 arrived in Europe this month and the suspension seems lower, without the big gap over the rear wheels. Has Tesla improved this issue?
Ben,
As the 20" Sport wheel/tire package is now on Tesla website (3/21/18), i see they also come with 2 x rear upper fore links. What parts are those referring to and how they compare to what you did? Curious as to what kind of upgrade you think were needed for the 20" wheels that you have and if you have had any rubbing issues etc with your wheels. Maybe you can reach out to the people who put them on your car and ask them for their opinions. I want 20" wheels but see this now on teslas site and wonder if they are needed for safety or performance purposes?
The ride quality issue is the one sticking point holding me back from clicking on purchase with the model 3. Maybe a 2021+ M3 with these springs and 40 Psi in the tires would help with long trips on bumpy interstates....
Any info on camber specs before and after? Any built in adjustment?
I would be interested in how this affects traction while stopping or cornering over a bumpy surface. Typically, springs that give a softer ride will bounce more and lower traction.
These are dual rated, check the description for more details
Extremely soft springs without good shocks, maybe, but the spring rates are still stiff compared to the land yachts of the 70s and 80s.
These springs still offer adequate support for the vehicle and the stock shocks have plenty of damping. Not an issue.
I'm trying to figure out if you simply got back the height of the rim by changing the springs.
Did adding the new wheels add to the ground clearance of the car or was the rim diameter offset by a shorter tire wall?
There are three versions of the springs available, which ones did you use?
Hey Ben, wanted to know if all these customisations are covered under warranty?
Does a house settle after being built?
Do you know if unplugged performance has done anything like this comparing their mild and moderate springs?
Dude I’m sold! How much was installation?
How much should you lower it if you have the performance version. I heard it is already lower than the standard model 3.
Wrap it matte black and here you go! Look good man
It would be good to have a "control" version of the test with a Model 3 with original wheels and original suspension.
Yeah, this. The 18 inch wheels and stock tires probably rode a hell of a lot better.
How does it affect the range after lowering it does it improve a little bit like they claim by 7%
Does this kit require camber adjustment? What was total cost installed? Thanks
Would you consider something similar for the Model Y? I'm looking at the mild springs (softer spring rate & 0.7" lower than stock), hoping it would make the ride more tolerable for my dog.
It’s been a while since you asked, but this is just the springs, not the coilovers. The springs are about $450 for the parts. Depending on where you get them done, if you aren’t a DIY guy, $300-700 for installation.
Did the suspension change alter handling, braking, braking nose dive etc.?
Hello, Heard you raised your model 3 later on
I have a model performance live in Michigan pot hole city so on the fence if I should do the lowering or not any advice ?
HI Ben,
Consider these spring but concerned about the wear this has on the cambers and risk of scrapping on the bottom. Any insight on this regarding if you had to change any other components (ie. shocks, cambers) since installing? As well, for the everyday drive have you had issues with battery scraping? Would you have considered a different product? Thanks !
I’m looking for smoother ride quality on my model y performance. Would these springs help? And if so is it worth the near $3k upgrade ?
Greetings from Spain!
¡Bienvenidos!
Ben - it's quite possible to lower the car AND make it ride better. The tradeoff is that you have substantially reduced resistance to the suspension bottoming out and creating very large forces on the car - both on the battery and the frame. The stock springs and ride height are set to deal with a wide range of road and driving conditions. Now I'm a fan of the LOOK, and I've lowered my own cars before. But the combination of losing 1.5 inches of ride height and the reduced resistance to suspension bottoming of the softer springs are a recipe for substantial damage if you happen to hit a pothole or large(r) bump at any significant speed.
I think what you did is right on point - as long as you drive on smooth roads without notable road hazards. Otherwise - it is possible it carries substantial risk. I don't know what the repair is for damage to the battery compartment, which is a structural part of the car.
Model S on low is lower than 1.5 drop on a Model 3 and no one bottoms out in the S. It's fine but more pressure on the shocks over time. Mild springs are the best
So the 20" wheels from EV wheels direct you already had on the car, and just changed the springs and kept the factory shocks?
Thanks for the Vid. Car looks awesome.
Does this affect Tesla warranty or is it limited to the part that was changed?
Any calibration needed for the cameras?
Lowering wont void the entire warranty. However, if you have issues with shocks, etc. You may not be covered. Since, you went with aftermarket springs.
Updates on the roadster 2.0???
does it void warranty? and how much drop ?
What sunglasses do you wear? Thanks
What did you do with dampers?
I’m 6’5”, would I be comfortable in the Model 3 or way too small for a tall person?
What about the warranty on the rest of the suspension?
where are your wheels coming from?
How can you lower the car and get better ride quality?
Greets from Germany! Hope i can see a Model 3 in near Future :/
MegaXbladerx and test on the Autobahn.
Did the lower Tesla effect autopilot in any (good or bad) way?
Details in regards to model springs they used and how much? Was it only the springs the replaced?
Check the description
Hey Ben, car looks great. I assume the warranty is now voided now that you've replaced the springs? Thanks
on the springs maybe, everything else still covered
Have you tried to see how easy it bottoms out now? If its lower and softer its much more likely to bottom out easier.
dual rate springs
The car looks great lowered. Did you get curb rash already on the front passenger wheel?
Yes, she's not allowed to drive the car anymore
How does lowering the car improve ride comfort?
I was hoping there would be a lowering option out there for mine when I finally get it. It want it lower for aesthetics mostly.
Any tire rubbing?
Was there any abnormal tire wear because of negative camber?
Ben, does it also lower the total clearance height at the front bumper? 1.5" lowered stance looks great but I guess it will also lower entire vehicle so it will increase chance of scratching the front lip.
right, down to 6.5" from 8" - the actual lowest point of the car however is just behind the back doors, a little rubber fearing drops down just before the back tires
just plain 'sick'
love it!
Man. I'm so lost with what to choose. I have a 2022 model 3 Performance and I know it's alot softer compared to a 2018 model. But I want to go lower but NOT affect ride quality. How to these spring a compare to a new interior update model 3 performance. ?
A cool fact "Tez" ( Te-zz) in hindi means fast.😝😝
What is the over all affects on range for the car with larger wheels and lower suspension? Less - same - more range?
Haven't done an exhaustive test, likely the biggest factor is the stickiness of the new tires
What rims are these?
interesting but didn't the 20 inch wheels make the ride much more firm than stock size? why not just stick with the 18 inch wheel and avoid all the mods?
where's the fun in that?
If you have to ask you're too old. ; )
Hi Ben. This topic touches on something that I've questioned for years and is the core of many discussions I've had with my brother :) ... Basically, if car manufacturers of which I'm sure Tesla is no exception, spend Millions and Millions of Dollars on the research and development of their vehicles in terms of aerodynamics and reliability (MTBF etc), how can the average Joe think that spending a couple of hundred bucks on their car can create an improvement, without compromising some other aspect of the car?
An example might be....someone sticking a big spoiler on the rear thinking that they are improving the aerodynamics. Or someone adding an Induction Kit to improve the Air Intake of the old ICE.
Do you not think that by lowering your new car, you are compromising the Aerodynamics and possibly the reliability of the suspension?
Regardless, Many thanks for the great videos :)
John
The factory springs are single rated, these are dual giving smoother cruising and better handling. Tons of tech went into these springs, details in the description and on the product page. Hope this helps!
Single rate springs have more predictably handling characteristics than dual rate. Lowering the car on a softened initial spring rate will increase the likelihood of scraping the bumper on driveways and speed bumps. Lowering on stock struts is not ideal for strut performance and longevity. The better option is a full coil over set with height adjustment, and struts designed for the springs.
Yes, a car company spends billions on development - but that's for thousands of parts for the car! On a per-part basis, Tesla, like most companies, takes what is available on the market already without re-inventing the wheel. Making a 35k car means they cannot put top-of-the-line EVERYTHING in the car. So there are BETTER things out in the market, be it springs, tires, ... and other parts. It's a function of "how much can the engineering department spend on this one single part VS how will it impact performance VS is it important to the customer VS will the average Joe pay for it or will the above-average Joe get a retrofit after market". A careful balance...!! So yes, absolutely, after-market parts are often better, have more research funding, and may be more reliable without compromising the "balance" of the overall car!
Michael Schauer Tesla - like other companies? Hardly. Tesla is one of the only companies that DOESN'T do this. I'm a large investor in the company and as such I have had the opportunity to learn quite a bit about how they design and build cars. I can assure you that they would never EVER compromise the end goal by just using an off-the-shelf component and accept whatever shortcomings it has. Even when using a 3rd party supplier, they spec the parts exactly how they need and have them manufactured to spec.
Eric Fontaine Hmmm a false qualifier... having invested in the company gives you some kind of special knowledge? And you are so wrong. Though I don’t have or even been in a Tesla, I heard that the steering wheel and it’s surrounding equipment is pretty much a Mercedes product? And did Tesla ask their suppliers to spend billions to re-engineer super round wheels, the worlds smoothest ball-bearings? Is their first generation self driving system not an off the shelf product from mobile eye? are their batteries not an off the shelf product from Panasonic?
What program do you use for regression analysis?
Tableau
How much is the cost? I like it because it is not super low. Very clean looking.
Oh Snap!
This was interesting video. I liked it. However I don't think that was probably the song choice in my opinion.
Interesting. But here in Colorado ground clearance is precious. The stock 3 is borderline; I wouldn't want to lower it.
Greta vid! How much does this setup cost?
$335 for the springs, check the link in description for details
Anyone try installing lowering springs on the Model 3 themselves? I have done a few myself on other types of cars. But never on a double wishbone suspension on the front and mult-link suspension for the rear like what the Model 3 has.
How would Tesla react with warranty with these customizations? the same as any other car manufacturer?
so far they've reacted positively
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