Model S long term reliability
Discussion
As the itch for a new car starts to rear its head, I think about joining the ever popular bandwagon of electric cars
The Model S is currently the only electric car which appeals to me - I have an XJ now, and whilst the I Pace is an excellent proposition, I much prefer saloons to the high driving position of SUV types
The Tesla is just coming into budget - and certainly will be in about 2 years, when I’m more financially able to afford a large (for me) purchase
Obviously, the models I will be looking at will be well used, with plenty of miles on - so what problems with a Tesla emerge after, let’s say, 5 or 6 years and 50-60k?
I’m still doing research, but I’ve heard some horror stories of the early models and their electrical freezes and journey-ending glitches etc so I’m trying to figure out whether this ‘early generation’ of EV is worth investing into, or to wait until whatever generation is next.
TL,DR big mile Tesla, yay or nay?
The Model S is currently the only electric car which appeals to me - I have an XJ now, and whilst the I Pace is an excellent proposition, I much prefer saloons to the high driving position of SUV types
The Tesla is just coming into budget - and certainly will be in about 2 years, when I’m more financially able to afford a large (for me) purchase
Obviously, the models I will be looking at will be well used, with plenty of miles on - so what problems with a Tesla emerge after, let’s say, 5 or 6 years and 50-60k?
I’m still doing research, but I’ve heard some horror stories of the early models and their electrical freezes and journey-ending glitches etc so I’m trying to figure out whether this ‘early generation’ of EV is worth investing into, or to wait until whatever generation is next.
TL,DR big mile Tesla, yay or nay?
We have a 2014 Model S 85, owned since new and now on 124k miles. It has been very reliable and never left us stranded, which is more than can be said for some Land Rover products I've owned! I would have no hesitation jumping in it and crossing Europe.
There is a 4 yr/ 50k miles warranty for most of the car and an 8 year unlimited mileage on the battery and drive train. Tesla have changed the motor two years ago in ours because they felt it was abit noisy. Honestly we didn't really notice a difference and had not requested this but had no issue with Tesla doing that. They also sent our battery off to Holland for checking and supplied us with a replacement battery while it was away. Again this is something they picked up while the car was with them and wasn't something we requested.
Other than that we have had a couple of issues with two of the door handles. Either not presenting when the key is in proximity or not releasing the door when you pull the outside handle. The second was dealt with under warranty and the first I think we paid for.
That's it. The car continues to run and run and run. It honestly drives as well as it did on day one, it certainly doesn't feel like a car that has done a high mileage.
There is a 4 yr/ 50k miles warranty for most of the car and an 8 year unlimited mileage on the battery and drive train. Tesla have changed the motor two years ago in ours because they felt it was abit noisy. Honestly we didn't really notice a difference and had not requested this but had no issue with Tesla doing that. They also sent our battery off to Holland for checking and supplied us with a replacement battery while it was away. Again this is something they picked up while the car was with them and wasn't something we requested.
Other than that we have had a couple of issues with two of the door handles. Either not presenting when the key is in proximity or not releasing the door when you pull the outside handle. The second was dealt with under warranty and the first I think we paid for.
That's it. The car continues to run and run and run. It honestly drives as well as it did on day one, it certainly doesn't feel like a car that has done a high mileage.
An excellent insight, thanks very much!
Now, with the range of performance models, I feel like a ‘mid power’ spec is going to be more than adequate when coming from a slushmatic diesel - how do you rate the performance of yours (in terms of real world stuff, round town punch and overtaking - top speed I think is rather pointless these days)
The 85, in one of its guises, is probably the stand out model to me - more affordable than, say, the P90D and better grunt than the baser models
ETA: my jaaag has been very reliable - one minor electrical gremlin with the headlight stalk when I first got it but recently (and very ironically) it left me stranded a few miles from home as the battery, of all things, had given up and no longer had to oomph to turn it over!
Now, with the range of performance models, I feel like a ‘mid power’ spec is going to be more than adequate when coming from a slushmatic diesel - how do you rate the performance of yours (in terms of real world stuff, round town punch and overtaking - top speed I think is rather pointless these days)
The 85, in one of its guises, is probably the stand out model to me - more affordable than, say, the P90D and better grunt than the baser models
ETA: my jaaag has been very reliable - one minor electrical gremlin with the headlight stalk when I first got it but recently (and very ironically) it left me stranded a few miles from home as the battery, of all things, had given up and no longer had to oomph to turn it over!
I find the performance plenty for the day to day stuff. You have all that torque from zero rpm so overtaking is effortless. No getting the revs up or dropping a gear like in a normal car. It cruises at 70-80 no problem, it will of course go faster but then you start eating into the range.
When I bought the 85, I couldn't see the advantage of the P85. It was quicker but the 85 is more than quick enough so the amount you would pay for the extra performance vs the amount of time you actually need that performance did not add up. I've never been in the 85 and wished I had more power! The 85 was the best option when I bought ours, the 60 has a smaller range. Dual motors was not an option then.
The one area you will find yourself spending more money than perhaps a normal performance saloon is tyres. It's a heavy car with lots of torque so it goes through them quite quickly. But then we do a reasonable mileage in the car each year, if you're doing less then obviously tyre wear will not be as significant.
We also run a Model X 100D which we bought new in 2018, just before they stopped the free supercharging for life. Again I did not feel the extra £30k (at the time, I believe prices have been reduced recently) difference for the P100D was worth it. Yes it can do 0-60 in 2.9 secs but how often are you going to do that?? The 100D does it in I believe 4.2 secs which is still pretty fast, similar 0-60 to the 997 Turbo I used to have! I believe the 85 0-60 is 5.5 secs? Again, not exactly slow.
When I bought the 85, I couldn't see the advantage of the P85. It was quicker but the 85 is more than quick enough so the amount you would pay for the extra performance vs the amount of time you actually need that performance did not add up. I've never been in the 85 and wished I had more power! The 85 was the best option when I bought ours, the 60 has a smaller range. Dual motors was not an option then.
The one area you will find yourself spending more money than perhaps a normal performance saloon is tyres. It's a heavy car with lots of torque so it goes through them quite quickly. But then we do a reasonable mileage in the car each year, if you're doing less then obviously tyre wear will not be as significant.
We also run a Model X 100D which we bought new in 2018, just before they stopped the free supercharging for life. Again I did not feel the extra £30k (at the time, I believe prices have been reduced recently) difference for the P100D was worth it. Yes it can do 0-60 in 2.9 secs but how often are you going to do that?? The 100D does it in I believe 4.2 secs which is still pretty fast, similar 0-60 to the 997 Turbo I used to have! I believe the 85 0-60 is 5.5 secs? Again, not exactly slow.
My 2015 Model S 85 has done around 56k miles. No major issues, just a few niggles sorted under warranty. It's had the drive unit upgrade - quieter and I think faster than it was. Don't accept any motor whining noise! There is certainly some appeal in driving RWD Teslas Vs AWD. Also unlimited supercharging and no road tax on the earlier cars.
I may be selling mine soon (buying a new Tesla) - PM me if you are interested.
I may be selling mine soon (buying a new Tesla) - PM me if you are interested.
I've had 2 model s Tesla's. S85 for 2 years and 53,000 miles then my current S90D, picked up at the end of January 2017 with 0 miles, now at 81,000 miles. warranty on non battery/drive train ran out at 50,000 and I have had to have one part replaced, a steering joint (probably thanks to our wonderful pot holed roads in Shropshire). Part was around £30 plus the labour. Only running costs really are tyres.
sambucket said:
My question about reliability would be to do with lost time to repair collision damage. Any uk experiences to share anyone?
Feverishly touching wood and keeping fingers crossed, I’ve no personal experience to share.However, anecdotally I would say it’s an extreme way of keeping the mileage down on the car for an extended period. Long delays at approved body shops exacerbated by a slow parts supply.
It wouldn’t put me off buying one but I’m under no illusions if it’s off the road it ain’t likely to be quick.
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