yo, congrats on the M3P! honestly that first curb scare is literally a rite of passage lol. I've been driving mine for three years and I've tried everything to save those Überturbines. Since ur on a budget, skip the expensive alloys for now and grab AlloyGator Rim Protectors in matte black. They're like $100 and blend in sooo well, plus they've saved my wheels from drive-thru disaster more than once!!

For the brake dust nightmare, dont bother with a pro coating. I used CarPro DQUARTZ Wheel Coating Kit myself and it makes cleaning a breeze for way less money. Also, definitely get a set of Tesmanian Jack Pads for Tesla Model 3 for like $30... seriously, dont let a shop touch ur car without 'em. I just use the stock lug covers cuz the fancy ones get scratched anyway tbh. Altogether you're looking at maybe $200, which leaves plenty of cash for car wash soap! gl! 👍

> Beyond just protection, I’m interested in what you all use for maintenance. Are there specific ceramic coating kits that work best for these wheels to make cleaning easier?

I went through this last year. Honestly, keeping those Überturbines clean is basically a part-time job lol. In my experience, the brake dust on the M3P is just brutal and I've tried many things to manage it without spending a fortune.

I compared two routes: a DIY coating vs. a heavy-duty sealant. I first tried CarPro CQuartz DLUX Wheel and Trim Coat 30ml because I wanted that long-term protection, and it really made the dust slide off with just a pressure washer. But, it’s kinda pricey and the prep is a lot of work. Later, I experimented with Gtechniq C5 Wheel Armour 15ml on a buddy's car. It’s definitely more of a "pro" finish but honestly, for the price difference, I think the DLUX is better value for a starter pack.

Also, I totally feel u on the jack pads. I grabbed the ZEVcentric Tesla Model 3 Jack Pad Puck Kit and they’ve saved me so much stress at the local tire shop... worth every penny to protect that battery rail! Anyway, good luck with the new ride, it's a blast to drive tho!

sooo i'm also kinda new to the M3P life, but i'm a huge safety nerd and i've been super worried about damaging the battery during service. honestly, for your $300 budget, you gotta prioritize the Reverse Logic Tesla Model 3 Jack Pad Puck Adapter set first because those cheap rubber ones sometimes slip and that's like a total nightmare scenario for ur battery rails. for the lug nuts, dont just do covers—they're basically just plastic and look cheap. if you want real security, i'd look at Gorilla Automotive 71643NBC Black 14mm x 1.5 Thread Size Acorn Wheel Lock sets since they actually protect against theft too. i'm not 100% sure if the finish matches perfectly but they're way safer than stock. anyway, good luck with the new ride!! peace

Same setup here, love it

Came here to say the same thing lol. Great minds think alike I guess.

basically i get the anxiety but r u planning on keeping the 20s for winter too?? also r u doing the maintenance urself or taking it to a shop? just curious...

Good to know!