My Model S Performance vs My RS6 Performance
Discussion
So, I took the plunge and sold my 3 year old RS6 Performance last week and just picked up a new Tesla Model S Performance to replace it. Funny they have the same naming...
Like many I was worried about:
- Tesla customer service and collection (not delivery, they don't do that) process.
It is terrible, collection sucked, waited around for hours, generally ignored. Prepare yourself.
- Tesla build quality
I had some niggles, the paint is not great, but my detailer with machine polish it before a full car PPF goes on so that will be sorted. The drivers seat "leather" has a weird crease on it which they will sort. But, the panel gaps and overall quality are fine. No rattles, squeaks or anything else.
- Charging
The range I see on the screen matches the range I get. And I do have a heavy right foot. 250 miles done so far and the range has matched closely what I drove. Charging up has been no hassle. I have free supercharging so get 350 miles for free (or around £10 at home) compared to 350 RS6 miles for £90.
So, how does it compare?
- Speed
The Tesla would destroy the RS6, even round corners. Instant torque, no gear changes, similar power makes for much fastness. Ignore the 0-60 times, it is the 30-80 time which is most impressive. It will destroy anything.
- Handling
Well, the RS6 was a bit of a barge and so is the Tesla. I would rank them equally. Difference is in the Tesla, you slow for the corner (Newton's laws apply to 2.5 tonnes in both cases) then half way round you boot it and it just takes off, no worrying about gear or lag or anything.
- Comfort / interior noise
Hard to tell, you notice more road noise in the Tesla but then there is no thumping V8 to cancel it out. The seats are comfier for me in the Tesla. But the rear floor is higher than the RS6 so the back seats are less comfy for my 6 foot son.
- Stereo
Tesla wins
- Dials / Gadgets
No need to say, Tesla wins
- Autopilot
The Tesla wins, I had active cruise and lane assist on the RS6 but the Tesla Autopilot is years ahead. Just remember to keep putting pressure on the steering wheel or it turns it off "for the rest of this drive" and gets grumpy with you.
Do I have any regrets, am I grumpy about the niggles? No not at all. I actually love it and feel embarrassed for having not bought one three years ago. My Aston has similar niggles but all are forgiven when I drive it. Same with the Tesla.
Like many I was worried about:
- Tesla customer service and collection (not delivery, they don't do that) process.
It is terrible, collection sucked, waited around for hours, generally ignored. Prepare yourself.
- Tesla build quality
I had some niggles, the paint is not great, but my detailer with machine polish it before a full car PPF goes on so that will be sorted. The drivers seat "leather" has a weird crease on it which they will sort. But, the panel gaps and overall quality are fine. No rattles, squeaks or anything else.
- Charging
The range I see on the screen matches the range I get. And I do have a heavy right foot. 250 miles done so far and the range has matched closely what I drove. Charging up has been no hassle. I have free supercharging so get 350 miles for free (or around £10 at home) compared to 350 RS6 miles for £90.
So, how does it compare?
- Speed
The Tesla would destroy the RS6, even round corners. Instant torque, no gear changes, similar power makes for much fastness. Ignore the 0-60 times, it is the 30-80 time which is most impressive. It will destroy anything.
- Handling
Well, the RS6 was a bit of a barge and so is the Tesla. I would rank them equally. Difference is in the Tesla, you slow for the corner (Newton's laws apply to 2.5 tonnes in both cases) then half way round you boot it and it just takes off, no worrying about gear or lag or anything.
- Comfort / interior noise
Hard to tell, you notice more road noise in the Tesla but then there is no thumping V8 to cancel it out. The seats are comfier for me in the Tesla. But the rear floor is higher than the RS6 so the back seats are less comfy for my 6 foot son.
- Stereo
Tesla wins
- Dials / Gadgets
No need to say, Tesla wins
- Autopilot
The Tesla wins, I had active cruise and lane assist on the RS6 but the Tesla Autopilot is years ahead. Just remember to keep putting pressure on the steering wheel or it turns it off "for the rest of this drive" and gets grumpy with you.
Do I have any regrets, am I grumpy about the niggles? No not at all. I actually love it and feel embarrassed for having not bought one three years ago. My Aston has similar niggles but all are forgiven when I drive it. Same with the Tesla.
So, 8 weeks in, 2,700 miles done.
Most have been super-charged miles at Tesla stations for free (3 trips to Scotland and back due to a sick relative) so cost of electricity is probably about £50 compared to £500+ on petrol in the RS6.
All great, except that the range in this weather if you drive it without any EV considerations is obviously quite a lot less than the maximum. I average 400 consumption which means a real-range full-empty of 250 miles but given you really use it between 10% and 90% is 200 miles, this compared to a theoretical 350 miles advertised. No great shocks there and honestly stopping every 170-200 miles for a 30 minute charge up is no great hardship, but it IS different from the RS6.
I console myself with Coffee, Pastries & a newspaper which I regard as free as I am not buying petrol.
For normal use around home of course you just don't care about range, I put it on charge overnight every few days.
Even after all this I have not thought about the RS6 once and would not go back.
Most have been super-charged miles at Tesla stations for free (3 trips to Scotland and back due to a sick relative) so cost of electricity is probably about £50 compared to £500+ on petrol in the RS6.
All great, except that the range in this weather if you drive it without any EV considerations is obviously quite a lot less than the maximum. I average 400 consumption which means a real-range full-empty of 250 miles but given you really use it between 10% and 90% is 200 miles, this compared to a theoretical 350 miles advertised. No great shocks there and honestly stopping every 170-200 miles for a 30 minute charge up is no great hardship, but it IS different from the RS6.
I console myself with Coffee, Pastries & a newspaper which I regard as free as I am not buying petrol.
For normal use around home of course you just don't care about range, I put it on charge overnight every few days.
Even after all this I have not thought about the RS6 once and would not go back.
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