No Tesla forum area?

[kalibre46]

Hi all,

Well I just pushed the button on a Model S P85D and thought I'd come along and introduce myself to the Tesla forum area on PH, given that all my previous marques have been represented on here in some shape or form. However, it seems to me that there is no Tesla area, just the general EV threads. Is that correct or have I missed it? Must be quite a few owners out there I would have thought?

[kalibre46]

Thanks for the replies thus far.

jamoor said:

But jaguars are built with parts sourced from other suppliers and you could keep it running until the end of its service life without issue much like Saabs
This connected car however is a different story moreso when you take into account that the supercharger network is owned by them.

It depends on how you're buying/financing it. Currently they are convincing as company cars because of the low BIK. I've opted for a fully maintained agreement so in the event of Tesla folding the maintenance becomes the fleet companies problem. With that said you can't justify a P85D using man maths alone, but there has got to be an emotional attachment to the performance at some level that makes you go the extra jump in price.

I'm quite liking the notion that I know the car that arrives in October/November will be better than the one I've spec'd now due to software and potentially hardware updates during the build process. To say I can't wait is an understatement!

[kalibre46]

Jonsv8 said:

The suspension is the same across all current teslas with an option for air suspension.

3.8k upgrade cost for vanity wheels is where the real joke is

Expensive yes, but in-line with other brands that have a 21" option. I chose them on my P85D spec because my car will be fully maintained and the maintenance charge was the same as 19", so the tyre cost was a non-factor.

[kalibre46]

Jonsv8 said:

I'm looking at one as a company car and the option wound need to be paid over the 30 month lease. 3.8k less vat is about 3.2k, factor in tax saving is 1.6k so about £50 a month. On the one hand not much, on the other it all adds up.

The reviews suggest the 19s are a slightly better ride, the 21 slightly better handling but the post I responded to that implied they were pretty much essential is wrong in my book, I've had too many bmws with bigger alloys and regretted it, My Aston Martin also runs on 19 quite happily.. The 21 certainly look good though, I'll give them that..

It does add up, but the retained value also lessens the blow when it comes to resale/residuals. TBH I've gone for 21 without Air suspension because I felt that the ride was too disconnected in the test cars I drove.

Re the Aston (I think we've spoken before in that forum too) a Vantage sits well on 19" but I always felt with my DB9 that it could have done with 20" or even 21s" because of the weight and ride.

Living with the 21s and not curbing them constantly is probably my biggest challenge. I've seen some state-side rim protectors that look pretty cool, so I might have a play with those when the car arrives.

[kalibre46]

twoblacklines said:

If I could afford one I would ditch petrol for one any day of the week but at £80k for a full spec P85...nah

A Model S isn't going to be for everyone, partly due to the cost but also because your driving habits, routines and performance demands need to match what it can deliver.

Ignoring any badge bias you are essentially looking at an 85D being the equivalent in size and road performance as as an M5 which you'd still have to splash £70k+ on. Factor in fuel savings etc etc and it's a very real prospect for quite a few people.

The P85D is harder to justify on paper given the increase in cost, however it's down to how much you value the performance? Afterall who can justify a 911 Turbo S over a standard 911 or a V12 Vantage S over a V8V? At that level it's whatever floats your boat.

I love performance cars so I did the maths and pitched for the P85D, but I fully understand those that think it's too expensive.

[kalibre46]

twoblacklines said:

For me the problem is...I like performance cars to sound fast too. A silent Aventador or F12 would not do. So I would buy a car like a Tesla for its advantages; no congestion charge, free journeys, etc, not for performance. I guess an S85D would be better but even then..I am a guy who goes out to Plymouth for a night driving, gets bored and ends up in Aberystwith the next morning...no Superchargers there...I would be fked.

Sounding fast on the outside or the inside? The unexpected thing for me when test driving the Model S was the motor 'whine' when under hard acceleration, it's nice to have that audible feedback and it's also quite addictive. The dual motor versions obviously have more of this noise going on also which is cool. Having noise on the outside is nice in tunnels etc in traditional cars, however you can easily look like a prize n0b dipping into that power around town etc because it's obvious. The Model S is kinda stealth in that regard, you can dart around traffic without sounding like a boy racer. Just a different way of looking at it I guess. Don't get me wrong I miss the burble of the 6L V12 that was in my DB9.

Regarding chargers there are thousands out there and you don't 'need' superchargers to charge quickly. Simple buy a CHAdeMO cable and many more options open up to you. Have a browse on ZapMap to get a feel. Lots of charging options in Aberystwyth BTW.

[kalibre46]

supermono said:

Had to laugh at this. http://wattsupwiththat.com/2015/05/28/friday-funny...

Lol, but I seriously doubt anyone would be using the generator as a viable alternative to the abundant Californian supercharger network. The generator isn't going to get even close to the 320 amp or so output they offer.

As for the battery swapping, Elon Musk recently implied that the program would probably be stopping soon because of the lack of up-take from customers wanting to use the service. It seems the supercharger network has rendered it defunct for all but the most impatient clients.

[kalibre46]

JonV8V said:

To charge a tesla from empty to full costs around £10 at home. I think you'd look to charge up while your out where you can do long as it's not massively inconvenient.

Anyway, it's back on the agenda for me as the company car lease provider has finally stumped up sensible numbers

Glad to hear it, I'm busy renegotiating with mine about squeezing in the 90kwh battery and Ludicrous mode before I take delivery!

[kalibre46]

JonV8V said:

I've ordered mine today. Decided against the P as the more I read it really only comes into its own if you go Ludicrous - the power delivery seems to be limited to around 450 bhp otherwise as thats all the batteries can sustainably give - and I need max range as a 250 mile round trip is not unusual. So its a 90D and auto pilot as I think that's the area where new developments will come steadily over time.

Congrats, when is your estimated delivery? My whole order is hanging in the balance after discussions with Tesla. It's seeing who will flinch first currently.....

[kalibre46]

ChrisW. said:

But they are the Godzilla approach to electric power ...

Which kinda misses the point ?

How so?

[kalibre46]

4 New SCs announced though, so the coverage is growing.