Tesla Model Y
Author
Discussion

surveyor

Original Poster:

18,618 posts

208 months

Monday 30th March
quotequote all
First step into pure ev ownership.

This started after the latest surge in fuel prices led me to work out just how much I was underwater when using my Range Rover for work. It was clear that something needed to change, and it seemed that it was very much not going to be my mileage rate.

I then did some lazy maths with chat gpt on a sample journey to the in-laws in Bristol and back. It looked like this.

1. Range Rover £95
2. Wife’s BMW 225 XE £50
3. Tesla on home electric at each end £4
4. Tesla on more realistic home charge plus public Charge. £20.

The saving is considerable and too much to ignore.

I considered a new one on Salary Sacrifice which would be very tax efficient if my employers offered it. They are considering it, but along with a general look at staff benefits worldwide. It seems unlikely to deliver a speedy result, it’s very uk oriented policy which might see us not adopt it. The pricing of the deal look to me like the biggest winner are the lease companies.

The decision was therefore to buy used myself.

I like a bit of height and am of a size that I prefer to not bend like Beckham to get into a car. Therefore a Model Y was required

I had been sensible for long enough, therefore a performance would be required with a 0-60 of 3.5 seconds.






Picking it up was bumpy. It had been plugged in the previous evening and the workshop promptly unplugged it. Before I had chance to think about it the garage said they would pay for a fast charge. The Tesla supercharger did not recognise me so I ended up at very expensive instavolt facility. I’m now properly setup to use Tesla chargers.

The tech is impressive but going to take time to adjust to. The performance is eye watering. I’ve not driven a car like this and looking forward to trying it more along with a home charger in a couple of weeks.

SE2

238 posts

160 months

Monday 30th March
quotequote all
How far is the trip to Bristol for you? From Torbay to Bristol and back in the same day, I did it on 82% of the battery in my Model 3 Dual Motor. I charged it to 80% on the Wednesday night, drove to work on the Thursday and then charged it from 58% to 100% that night. Without doing the equation, it was £3 or so.

At these prices, I now regret not getting a slightly older Performance with slightly higher miles, but next time, I absolutely will.

surveyor

Original Poster:

18,618 posts

208 months

Monday 30th March
quotequote all
About 420 mile round trip

SE2

238 posts

160 months

Monday 30th March
quotequote all
surveyor said:
About 420 mile round trip
If I was doing that sort of distance, there's little this side of a luxobarge I'd want to be in than a Tesla. Enjoy.

andrew-6xade

462 posts

27 months

Monday 30th March
quotequote all
Great choice, they are such a good car.

I'm 17 months and 23k in owning my 72 plate YLR. Apart from the firm ride, I couldn't think of a much better daily.

Mad Maximus

930 posts

27 months

Monday 30th March
quotequote all
Looks smart in blue. Not normally a fan of black wheels but it suits it.

surveyor

Original Poster:

18,618 posts

208 months

Yesterday (20:35)
quotequote all
Coming up to a week now and not driven it lots yet. Getting a handle on the technology and how not to drain the battery when sitting on the drive.

As a driving experience it’s unique. Very fast but silent, firm suspension and direct steering. After a Range Rover it feels very planted.

I’ve spent £34 on super charging this week, which has given me around 500 miles. That compares very favourably with the Range Rover but I need the home charger due to be installed later this month for it to really make sense.

My daughter’s boyfriend commutes 40 miles a day and as a result there is now a second Tesla on the driveway. There will be no competition for the charger!

ShortBeardy

739 posts

168 months

Yesterday (21:17)
quotequote all
Does your car have adaptive damping or fixed?

If fixed you can readily swap the dampers out for the current revision Juniper suspension as pick up points did not change. Complete front struts and rear springs and dampers available direct from Tesla for about 900something US. Very easy to do - lots of youtbe videos and various tesla forum posts about this
Rsymons (see youtube channel) has done this and may let you drive one of his converted cars - he is a great source of information

Get the Tesla supercharger account sorted out - its a game changer for long distance travel.
ps congrats

Edited by ShortBeardy on Friday 3rd April 21:21

surveyor

Original Poster:

18,618 posts

208 months

Yesterday (21:31)
quotequote all
ShortBeardy said:
Does your car have adaptive damping or fixed?

If fixed you can readily swap the dampers out for the current revision Juniper suspension as pick up points did not change. Complete front struts and rear springs and dampers available direct from Tesla for about 900something US. Very easy to do - lots of youtbe videos and various tesla forum posts about this
Rsymons (see youtube channel) has done this and may let you drive one of his converted cars - he is a great source of information

Get the Tesla supercharger account sorted out - its a game changer for long distance travel.
ps congrats

Edited by ShortBeardy on Friday 3rd April 21:21
Pretty sure it’s not adaptive. I managed to get supercharger access on the 1st night using my invoice..

LivLL

12,256 posts

221 months

Yesterday (21:36)
quotequote all
I'm guessing the adaptive dampers need new wiring harnesses etc on an older Performance Y?

ShortBeardy

739 posts

168 months

Yesterday (23:17)
quotequote all
So if you swap in the current generation (Juniper), Model Y dual motor suspension, I think it will raise your ride height a little bit. But likely it will all just bolt up. You could get on the tesla forums and ask (or maybe the subforum here), or perhaps sidle up to you local service centre.
but drive a current non-performance dual motor and see if you like the difference in the suspension. Its pretty noticeable.