This is how a used Japanese spec Tesla Model 3 got upgraded for Malaysian use
So, what’s it like to buy a used Tesla from Japan and run it in Malaysia? Well here is a personal review from Amar Gencos (En. Izzudin) who purchased a used Tesla Model 3 from Go Daddy Motorsport for a reasonable RM99,000 and got his Tesla charging adapters and software updates from Tesla specialist Exotic Mods.
“Hallo gais. I’d been a silent reader and member in this very informative group for quite some time now. And finally my first EV car has arrived.
I didn’t do any homework on how to operate, charge, or how to drive Tesla nor do I have any previous experience with any kind of EV until I sat down in the car this morning. It is a recond unit of Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus from Japan. Yes, it is the RM99k Tesla from Go Daddy Motorsport.
There are quite some mileage with the car but pretty damn good overall condition. Bargain doesn’t justify it. Jackpot deal it is for me. They have 2 units that have just arrived, and one of them is this particular unit. The other unit gonna arrive tomorrow and I’m sure it will be a hot cake too.
So I heard lotsa hearsay of “Japanese version gonna be a lot of trouble for the user here cause cannot chargelah, cannot use this, cannot use thatlah”. Okeh some issues today were like the battery was already low when it arrived as expected. The car also does not have any granny charger. And the car does not equipped with Chademo or CCS2 port.
I forgot the type of port in the car. Inside apps is all in Japanese but I manage to change it to English. My car comes with Full Self Driving package and Japan navigation. Let’s get to these two later.
First thing we did today is to get it charged since it was only around 30% battery left. Tried some nearby DC charger but was dumbfounded that we can’t use it cause obviously different charger port head ahahaha.
So I contacted Rachel from Exotic Mods to help us. Luckily they have everything that we need in order to make the Japanese Tesla “usable” here in MY. So we went there terus. All done at Exotic Mods today; So for JDM Tesla, you need a CCS2 combo adapter in order to be able to plug in Malaysia AC or DC charger into the car.
But wait, you still cannot charge the car! It will display charging error due to internal problem. To solve that, you need to do retrofit/swap some electronic board in order for the JDM Tesla to be able to receive juice for the battery. And finally we are able to charge the car. Only 1 hour to do the modification.
We did our first 90% charge at Naza Automall Jom Charge from 12% today. I installed apps like Jom Charge and Gentari when I was there and Setel is already in my phone. 90% charging ada 300km distance estimation.
Around RM60. Dunno if it is cheap or not. Ada sikit range anxiety mula-mula scared if cannot charge ahahaha. With this retrofit modification, the JDM Tesla can also use Tesla Supercharger now.
Will try Supercharger tomorrow. So other optional things you can do at Exotic Mods to “localize”/unlock your Tesla are: Update navigation apps to Malaysia version.
Mine comes with Japan map package obviously. So it is useless for now. And although the car comes with FSD, I cannot fully utilise it here. Can say just forget about it terus. Software update and car internet connectivity to connect the car with Tesla app if you wanna checkout/remote start/find your car from anywhere in the world. Buy Granny/Mobile charger for 3 pin use.
As for the first drive feel today, lets save it for next time. But the on demand torque is really really really syiok. Being someone who never drive EV, no wonder some people never turn back to ICE. I don’t have wall charger at home at the moment.
As for me, EV paling perfect for town use/daily commute/short travel aje. Adaptive cruise – Traffic jam no problem. Plenty of public charger in town. Can use home charger at night when sleeping. Lagi jimat oso. Long distance or balik kampong, no balls.
I would rather go with my petrol MPV. Less headache and save time with instant refueling. TLDR; For a newbie, this Tesla feels like driving an iPhone on wheels! Thank you for reading till the end gais! *Turbine wheel cap gonna put it back soon.”
