Tesla test drive. Thoughts
Discussion
wyson said:
LHRFlightman said:
Newer builds are much improved. Watch some Munro Live teardowns. The car looks the same, but the construction methods underneath are massively different. 
Personally, I wouldn’t want an early batch of any Tesla having seen the teardowns. They were winging it and those cars would have been considered engineering or production shakedown samples by larger manufacturers that would end up crushed.
Edited by wyson on Tuesday 7th February 02:13
hepy said:
I'm looking at a model Y for my next company car, the cheapest RWD model.
Anyone seen any reviews for them either video or text? All the ones I have found are for the 2 more expensive models.
It's this or an MG4 - one made by a loon (but a clever one) and the other by a despotic government.
I've got one, ask me any questions. Not many reviews about on them at all and i took a bit of a punt due to the reduced costs making it cheaper than a kia I had on order.Anyone seen any reviews for them either video or text? All the ones I have found are for the 2 more expensive models.
It's this or an MG4 - one made by a loon (but a clever one) and the other by a despotic government.
Register1 said:
wyson said:
LHRFlightman said:
Newer builds are much improved. Watch some Munro Live teardowns. The car looks the same, but the construction methods underneath are massively different. Personally, I wouldn’t want an early batch of any Tesla having seen the teardowns. They were winging it and those cars would have been considered engineering or production shakedown samples by larger manufacturers that would end up crushed.
Edited by wyson on Tuesday 7th February 02:13
As already mentioned, pre China built cars from Fremont were poorly built, which was much improved when they opened in China
However, with all the chip shortages during covid, Tesla used non auto grade chips in their cars and recoded them. Wow, isn't that amazing from the IT department people gushed. It still doesn't change the fact that the cars are loaded with non auto grade chips. How long will they last? We don't really know, but once you're out of warranty, its pot luck.
I wouldn't buy a used car knowing its made with non auto grade parts.
Register1 said:
The China Shanghai build cars are so much better quality.
By all accounts, the Berlin cars, at least the Model Y’s are a step on again. They only do LHD cars though, at least when I was researching getting a Model Y a few months ago. This is Tesla so that might have changed.Going back to the OP, similar experience for me at Tesla Manchester - was testing the MY, stuck the childseat in the back, he told me how to use it and off we went. I'd even told them beforehand that I'd likely be salary sacrificing, i.e. not buying through them, and they couldn't have been more helpful.
soupdragon1 said:
The problem I have with used Teslas:
As already mentioned, pre China built cars from Fremont were poorly built, which was much improved when they opened in China
However, with all the chip shortages during covid, Tesla used non auto grade chips in their cars and recoded them. Wow, isn't that amazing from the IT department people gushed. It still doesn't change the fact that the cars are loaded with non auto grade chips. How long will they last? We don't really know, but once you're out of warranty, its pot luck.
I wouldn't buy a used car knowing its made with non auto grade parts.
Is that a fact or hearsay? I’ve never heard that before, how do you know?As already mentioned, pre China built cars from Fremont were poorly built, which was much improved when they opened in China
However, with all the chip shortages during covid, Tesla used non auto grade chips in their cars and recoded them. Wow, isn't that amazing from the IT department people gushed. It still doesn't change the fact that the cars are loaded with non auto grade chips. How long will they last? We don't really know, but once you're out of warranty, its pot luck.
I wouldn't buy a used car knowing its made with non auto grade parts.
Piginapoke said:
Is that a fact or hearsay? I’ve never heard that before, how do you know?
It's a fact that SpaceX used non-space grade stuff in their rockets, which is one reason why they are so much cheaper than their competitors. Guess what though, they are just as reliable as has been proven many times.So, if it is true, then it may well be the same story, i.e. a non-issue.
wyson said:
Register1 said:
The China Shanghai build cars are so much better quality.
By all accounts, the Berlin cars, at least the Model Y’s are a step on again. They only do LHD cars though, at least when I was researching getting a Model Y a few months ago. This is Tesla so that might have changed.LHD only may be due to the proximity of Japan/Australia to Shanghai, with Japan + Australia volume vs UK volume.
Also they're only building MY in Berlin atm.
Piginapoke said:
soupdragon1 said:
The problem I have with used Teslas:
As already mentioned, pre China built cars from Fremont were poorly built, which was much improved when they opened in China
However, with all the chip shortages during covid, Tesla used non auto grade chips in their cars and recoded them. Wow, isn't that amazing from the IT department people gushed. It still doesn't change the fact that the cars are loaded with non auto grade chips. How long will they last? We don't really know, but once you're out of warranty, its pot luck.
I wouldn't buy a used car knowing its made with non auto grade parts.
Is that a fact or hearsay? I’ve never heard that before, how do you know?As already mentioned, pre China built cars from Fremont were poorly built, which was much improved when they opened in China
However, with all the chip shortages during covid, Tesla used non auto grade chips in their cars and recoded them. Wow, isn't that amazing from the IT department people gushed. It still doesn't change the fact that the cars are loaded with non auto grade chips. How long will they last? We don't really know, but once you're out of warranty, its pot luck.
I wouldn't buy a used car knowing its made with non auto grade parts.
https://www.spiegel.de/international/business/tesl...
/
https://uk.pcmag.com/cars-auto/134709/tesla-copes-...
somouk said:
hepy said:
I'm looking at a model Y for my next company car, the cheapest RWD model.
Anyone seen any reviews for them either video or text? All the ones I have found are for the 2 more expensive models.
It's this or an MG4 - one made by a loon (but a clever one) and the other by a despotic government.
I've got one, ask me any questions. Not many reviews about on them at all and i took a bit of a punt due to the reduced costs making it cheaper than a kia I had on order.Anyone seen any reviews for them either video or text? All the ones I have found are for the 2 more expensive models.
It's this or an MG4 - one made by a loon (but a clever one) and the other by a despotic government.
On our scheme the Tesla is £100 (net of tax) more than the MG4, so need to decide if it's worth the extra. Currently have an Eniro, and that's pretty plasticy, so the cheaper finish on the MG4 won't bother me.
Every reveiw I see of Teslas say they are game changing...is it really that good, even without the warp factor acceleration?
How easy are they to work? My wife will be using it as well, and if she has to faff around with a touchscreen, it will put her off...it took me 2 years to convince her to use an automatic car!
Unlikely to do more than 200 miles in a day, so the Supercharger network isn't a big selling point for me.
They are incredibly easy to use, the phone app is better written than the junk that is VWs WeConnect or BMWs My BMW, and once paired as your key, it’s seamless and touchless to enter and start the vehicle.
Configure your drivers profile in the car and you’ll likely find yourself rarely touching the touchscreen, I think the most common things I do are bringing up/swiping down the trip computer, entering a navigation destination, or switching between Chill and Sport for the acceleration.
90% of features can be voice controlled, and not in the usual clunky way my 440i handles voice control, but in a natural language way that is very accurate and not particularly prone to error. For example telling the car you have a cold bottom would turn on the seat heating, as would explicitly asking for the seat heating.
My wife loves driving my Model 3, moreso than her more traditional Passat PHEV that she adored until the Model 3 arrived.
Configure your drivers profile in the car and you’ll likely find yourself rarely touching the touchscreen, I think the most common things I do are bringing up/swiping down the trip computer, entering a navigation destination, or switching between Chill and Sport for the acceleration.
90% of features can be voice controlled, and not in the usual clunky way my 440i handles voice control, but in a natural language way that is very accurate and not particularly prone to error. For example telling the car you have a cold bottom would turn on the seat heating, as would explicitly asking for the seat heating.
My wife loves driving my Model 3, moreso than her more traditional Passat PHEV that she adored until the Model 3 arrived.
paradigital said:
They are incredibly easy to use, the phone app is better written than the junk that is VWs WeConnect or BMWs My BMW, and once paired as your key, it’s seamless and touchless to enter and start the vehicle.
Configure your drivers profile in the car and you’ll likely find yourself rarely touching the touchscreen, I think the most common things I do are bringing up/swiping down the trip computer, entering a navigation destination, or switching between Chill and Sport for the acceleration.
90% of features can be voice controlled, and not in the usual clunky way my 440i handles voice control, but in a natural language way that is very accurate and not particularly prone to error. For example telling the car you have a cold bottom would turn on the seat heating, as would explicitly asking for the seat heating.
My wife loves driving my Model 3, moreso than her more traditional Passat PHEV that she adored until the Model 3 arrived.
Sorry but I have to step in here and correct a few things. Configure your drivers profile in the car and you’ll likely find yourself rarely touching the touchscreen, I think the most common things I do are bringing up/swiping down the trip computer, entering a navigation destination, or switching between Chill and Sport for the acceleration.
90% of features can be voice controlled, and not in the usual clunky way my 440i handles voice control, but in a natural language way that is very accurate and not particularly prone to error. For example telling the car you have a cold bottom would turn on the seat heating, as would explicitly asking for the seat heating.
My wife loves driving my Model 3, moreso than her more traditional Passat PHEV that she adored until the Model 3 arrived.
1. We connect is continually updating and I'm on the latest app and the latest car software. It works seamlessly.
I haven't tried anything other than setting the charging from the app, sending a destination to the satnav and warming the car 5 mins before I set off. All work as expected.
It's a very simple, clutter free interface
2. If voice control doesn't work in the Tesla, you're in for some frustrating times
Eg. In the so called crappy VW, to change climate you press the hotkey under the screen and you're presented with a selection of tiles, warm my hands, warm my feet, demist the screen. Just tap what you want and off you go. The heated seat and steering wheel icons are there too. All quick and easy
When a passenger leaves, the car automatically turns off their heated seat and their ventilation. Nice bit of code that.
Compare that to Tesla climate control. You need to bring up the climate menu and then you're presented with the full array of options, screen/face/feet blowers, fans speeds, air temperatures. You're going to be there a little while getting it to do what you want, obviously, with your eyes off the road while you do it
And say you want to warm your hands/face. Not a problem...it just means your passenger gets that too, even if they don't want it. There is no way to have it for the driver but not the passenger. Well, at least without having to fudge around with the screen even more.
Once you set the climate to warm your hands from the central vent, this is the steps you need to take if your passenger doesn't want it:
- On the left side, select the floor or windshield vent
- turn off the face vent
- turn it back on
- then turn off the floor vent
Simple eh? I mean, WTH? That's just not good enough to complete a basic climate request
And if you happen to forget that 4 sequence work around or get them in the wrong order, you'll be frustrated as hell.
It's well documented on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/7HiD_c0MRcQ
Have a read through the comments. It's just poor design from Tesla, plain and simple.
soupdragon1 said:
paradigital said:
They are incredibly easy to use, the phone app is better written than the junk that is VWs WeConnect or BMWs My BMW, and once paired as your key, it’s seamless and touchless to enter and start the vehicle.
Configure your drivers profile in the car and you’ll likely find yourself rarely touching the touchscreen, I think the most common things I do are bringing up/swiping down the trip computer, entering a navigation destination, or switching between Chill and Sport for the acceleration.
90% of features can be voice controlled, and not in the usual clunky way my 440i handles voice control, but in a natural language way that is very accurate and not particularly prone to error. For example telling the car you have a cold bottom would turn on the seat heating, as would explicitly asking for the seat heating.
My wife loves driving my Model 3, moreso than her more traditional Passat PHEV that she adored until the Model 3 arrived.
Sorry but I have to step in here and correct a few things. Configure your drivers profile in the car and you’ll likely find yourself rarely touching the touchscreen, I think the most common things I do are bringing up/swiping down the trip computer, entering a navigation destination, or switching between Chill and Sport for the acceleration.
90% of features can be voice controlled, and not in the usual clunky way my 440i handles voice control, but in a natural language way that is very accurate and not particularly prone to error. For example telling the car you have a cold bottom would turn on the seat heating, as would explicitly asking for the seat heating.
My wife loves driving my Model 3, moreso than her more traditional Passat PHEV that she adored until the Model 3 arrived.
1. We connect is continually updating and I'm on the latest app and the latest car software. It works seamlessly.
I haven't tried anything other than setting the charging from the app, sending a destination to the satnav and warming the car 5 mins before I set off. All work as expected.
It's a very simple, clutter free interface
2. If voice control doesn't work in the Tesla, you're in for some frustrating times
Eg. In the so called crappy VW, to change climate you press the hotkey under the screen and you're presented with a selection of tiles, warm my hands, warm my feet, demist the screen. Just tap what you want and off you go. The heated seat and steering wheel icons are there too. All quick and easy
When a passenger leaves, the car automatically turns off their heated seat and their ventilation. Nice bit of code that.
Compare that to Tesla climate control. You need to bring up the climate menu and then you're presented with the full array of options, screen/face/feet blowers, fans speeds, air temperatures. You're going to be there a little while getting it to do what you want, obviously, with your eyes off the road while you do it
And say you want to warm your hands/face. Not a problem...it just means your passenger gets that too, even if they don't want it. There is no way to have it for the driver but not the passenger. Well, at least without having to fudge around with the screen even more.
Once you set the climate to warm your hands from the central vent, this is the steps you need to take if your passenger doesn't want it:
- On the left side, select the floor or windshield vent
- turn off the face vent
- turn it back on
- then turn off the floor vent
Simple eh? I mean, WTH? That's just not good enough to complete a basic climate request
And if you happen to forget that 4 sequence work around or get them in the wrong order, you'll be frustrated as hell.
It's well documented on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/7HiD_c0MRcQ
Have a read through the comments. It's just poor design from Tesla, plain and simple.
soupdragon1 said:
As a side note, they also decided to remove a steering chip for level 2 autonomy and didn't tell customers
https://www.spiegel.de/international/business/tesl...
/
https://uk.pcmag.com/cars-auto/134709/tesla-copes-...
That Der Spiegel article doesn't sound plausible, I know Tesla's steering system, it is a level 2 system, always was.https://www.spiegel.de/international/business/tesl...
/
https://uk.pcmag.com/cars-auto/134709/tesla-copes-...
The next gen stuff due out later this year is intended to go L3+.
They removed the radar as they couldn't get parts, the parking sensors are cost saving.
paradigital said:
They are incredibly easy to use, the phone app is better written than the junk that is VWs WeConnect or BMWs My BMW, and once paired as your key, it’s seamless and touchless to enter and start the vehicle.
Configure your drivers profile in the car and you’ll likely find yourself rarely touching the touchscreen, I think the most common things I do are bringing up/swiping down the trip computer, entering a navigation destination, or switching between Chill and Sport for the acceleration.
90% of features can be voice controlled, and not in the usual clunky way my 440i handles voice control, but in a natural language way that is very accurate and not particularly prone to error. For example telling the car you have a cold bottom would turn on the seat heating, as would explicitly asking for the seat heating.
My wife loves driving my Model 3, moreso than her more traditional Passat PHEV that she adored until the Model 3 arrived.
Your 440i must be running older tech. My BMW iX does the same thing as you are saying, i.e. Hey BMW, my bottom is cold will turn on the heated seat. Even MBUX has been doing that for a few years when they started it with the A class. Configure your drivers profile in the car and you’ll likely find yourself rarely touching the touchscreen, I think the most common things I do are bringing up/swiping down the trip computer, entering a navigation destination, or switching between Chill and Sport for the acceleration.
90% of features can be voice controlled, and not in the usual clunky way my 440i handles voice control, but in a natural language way that is very accurate and not particularly prone to error. For example telling the car you have a cold bottom would turn on the seat heating, as would explicitly asking for the seat heating.
My wife loves driving my Model 3, moreso than her more traditional Passat PHEV that she adored until the Model 3 arrived.
Yes, agreed, the Tesla app is way better than the apps from legacy car companies.
annodomini2 said:
That Der Spiegel article doesn't sound plausible, I know Tesla's steering system, it is a level 2 system, always was.
The next gen stuff due out later this year is intended to go L3+.
They removed the radar as they couldn't get parts, the parking sensors are cost saving.
They did however remove the data capability from the armrest USB-C ports without telling anyone. At the time this also removed some games from the system too, as you couldn’t use controllers any other way.The next gen stuff due out later this year is intended to go L3+.
They removed the radar as they couldn't get parts, the parking sensors are cost saving.
The games issue is resolved now, and I resolved the front USB port data issue by replacing the module with one that does carry data (as the car was still wired for it).
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