Replacing my Model 3 battery

Discussion in 'Tesla' started by bwilson4web, Apr 27, 2025.

  1. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    In a week, I will pay $9,000 to replace a 715 lb, 73-77% capacity , battery. I am replacing 700 / 3,800 = 18.4% of the car to get another 6 years and 150,000 miles. In effect, a lightly used Model 3 for $9,000.

    Bob Wilson
     
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  2. MAX2

    MAX2 Senior Member

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    What is the remaining percentage of capacity in the original battery?

    When replacing it, do they take it to the service or leave it with you?
     
  3. Zeppo Shanski

    Zeppo Shanski Active Member

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    Next month I will have finally saved enough $$$ without any stupid issues blowing holes in that savings to replace the battery in my '05-G2. $1,650 OTD.
    3-yrs / 50,000 laps.
     
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  4. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    205 Ah from my battery when new. As of yesterday (28,674 miles) it was reporting 196.25 Ah. That's roughly 4% degradation so far. Looking at my ODB-II video I captured a year ago (13,697 miles), it stated the value as 198.5 Ah. That's a 2.25 Ah difference over 14,931 miles or 1.1% of the battery capacity.
     
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  5. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    73-77%

    They take it and rebuild it for the next customer.

    Bob Wilson
     
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    consider yourself fortunate. most places are getting 3k these days
     
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  7. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    If you have 73% capacity left, how much range do you gain with a new battery? Is it really necessary?
     
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  8. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    146 mi (indicated range) / 83% = 176 mi maximum range​

    An expensive, $9,000 decision has many reasons:
    • damaged thermal valve - this prematurely aged the battery pack
      • long term battery curve shows increasing rate, loss of capacity
    • efficiency - this car get between 4.0 to 5.2 miles per kWh which is the 3d highest on the EPA database
    • affordable - to get a zero time battery EV for $9,000 is a steal!
      • Tesla has reduced production of 2170 cells as they move to 4860s
    • (3800 - 710) / 3800 = 81.3% - by weight of a GOOD car is worth keeping
    • preservation of investment - what I have already In the car
      • $1,200 - rock protecting windshield film with three impact points already mapped
      • $8,000 - replacement cost of Full Self Driving, bought in 2019 for $6,000
      • $1,200 - 2" receiver tow hitch
      • $1,100 - improved upper control arm linkages
      • $1,000 - light weight wheels for efficiency
      • $1,000 - light weight, 60,000 mi tires for efficiency
      • $200 - aerodynamic, homemade pizza pan wheel covers
    I know it is popular to tout "range" but I am only interested in "efficiency". Efficiency is what drives my cost per mile. This car is too efficient to let a failing battery take it out of my hands. BTW, I've done this before. When I returned from Okinawa in 1973, I found my 1500 cc VW MicroBus engine was dead. In 10 days, I rebuilt it and it served three more years before I replaced it with a 500 cc motorcycle and Cherokee 140 airplane.

    Bob Wilson
     
  9. MAX2

    MAX2 Senior Member

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    #9 MAX2, Apr 29, 2025
    Last edited: Apr 29, 2025
  10. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Good luck with the swap!
    I 'suspect' a detailed report will follow.... :)
     
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  11. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    My battery was a refurbished one with 216 mi estimated range when returned from service. Certainly better than the 173 mil range when I took it in. The only problem was diagnosis and repair of the front suspension.

    The worst was a worn tire (I didn't catch) resulted in getting $600 of new Tesla tires for the rear. Tuition in the school of hard knocks.

    Bob Wilson
     
  12. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

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    Sounds expensive. What was the bottom line? Was the suspension just worn or damaged? Was thew tire wear the result of the suspension problem?
     
  13. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    I'm keeping one active thread up over at:
    My battery replacement | Tesla Owners Online Forum

    Not that I don't like PriusChat but when we go deep down the technology rabbit hoe, I prefer to start with those who have "a dog I n that fight." I'll share summaries here like scheduling the car to a local shop in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday. Hopefully, we'll get the problem(s) diagnosed before I return to Huntsville.

    Curious thing about this second "time share sales" junket since my wife died:
    • Trump International Hotel Las Vegas - what a disappointment as I could hear conversations seven stories below from the street through the large window facing the airport (I like planes.) The valet parking was a scam that only 2 of 3 nights actually charged my car. <GERRR>
    • Marriott Maritime Hotel Fort Lauaderale - like Trump International, it had seen better days and was relatively under populated. So I'm on the 6th floor over looking the commuter train rails (I like trains too) adjacent to I-95. The motel is charging me $17/day, parking but least I know I'm getting an EV charge.
    My late wife and I attended a 'time share' pitch two or three decades ago. We both knew within a few minutes that it promised more than we could afford and walked away. Back then, they tried separate efforts on each of us. But "time share scams" have their usefulness:
    • Pay Motel 6 prices for distressed property you only get to visit for a couple of weeks per year (and pay additiona mortgage-likel fees.) The trips are useful if you have other goals in mind like visiting distant relatives, playing games at a real casino, or quality sea food meal at the tip of Florida.
      • I didn't come to Florida to eat at McDonalds ($93.09 BILLY'S STONE CRAB HOLLYWOOD FL)
    Bob Wilson
     
    #13 bwilson4web, May 12, 2025 at 11:02 PM
    Last edited: May 13, 2025 at 1:54 AM
  14. mikefocke

    mikefocke Prius v Three 2012, Avalon 2011

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    Read the thread. Good gosh it make my why did the low tire pressure problem occur quest trivial.
     
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    we've had marriott timeshare for 20 years. breakeven was at 10, kinda like solar.
    the last 10 saved us a lot of money, and they have a buyback program, albeit pennies on the dollar in all likelihood
     
  16. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    There was only one part, their last 'manager-to-customer' presentation that made sense:
    • $4,000 for their "points" (currency conversion)
    As I explained to them, their program makes a lot of sense for:
    • employed - those who need to coordinate their time off with their employer
    • families - gals and kids need better comfort than what this former Marine, widower needs
    • Quarterly 'overnight' - I typically take a 1-3 day overnight stay every quarter to:
      • Watch Starship rocket launches
      • Visit casinos in Mississippi
      • Munro Associates open house
      • Engineering technical shows about electric car technology, airplanes, and rockets
    • MUST HAVE FREE EV CHARGING - I want to wake up with my Tesla fully charged
      • I would rather camp out at an RV park with outlets than any place without EV charging
    I don't know if any of what I said got through. They are in a mass market business and that often leads to institutional 'deafness.'

    Bob Wilson