Tesla Model S-enomics?
Discussion
In a similar way to the fat Audi thread running, I was wondering if an older Tesla Model S could be a decent cheaper 'luxury' EV, or are they just money pits?
I've read about their failing door handles, but the aging battery packs generally seem OK.
Has anyone out there bought an older one and ran it for a fair while, cheaply?
I've read about their failing door handles, but the aging battery packs generally seem OK.
Has anyone out there bought an older one and ran it for a fair while, cheaply?
I am up to 130,000 miles now on my 85D.
You can see all my costs here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
My battery is still at 88% capacity (lost just under 12% over 8 years and 130k miles)
You can see all my costs here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
My battery is still at 88% capacity (lost just under 12% over 8 years and 130k miles)
Similar position to op.
An EV is ideal for my needs, school run and ferrying kids to clubs 5 days a week. Commute to ‘’local’ office is 60 miles round trip once a week max.
So far pretty much any EV would do, something like an i3, Cupra Born maybe.
However, around once a month (or even less) I need to do a 400 mile round trip to a different office. I like the idea of a car that either can do one leg of that journey without stopping, or has decent charging infrastructure (e.g., Tesla?) which eliminates any range anxiety.
This had me looking at M3LRs as the best buy for my budget (£30k max) as it appeared to tick both those boxes, but started wondering if a Model S seems better value/makes more sense? Or any other EVs for that matter.
For context my other car is an e-tron (work SS lease) that my wife uses for her commute.
An EV is ideal for my needs, school run and ferrying kids to clubs 5 days a week. Commute to ‘’local’ office is 60 miles round trip once a week max.
So far pretty much any EV would do, something like an i3, Cupra Born maybe.
However, around once a month (or even less) I need to do a 400 mile round trip to a different office. I like the idea of a car that either can do one leg of that journey without stopping, or has decent charging infrastructure (e.g., Tesla?) which eliminates any range anxiety.
This had me looking at M3LRs as the best buy for my budget (£30k max) as it appeared to tick both those boxes, but started wondering if a Model S seems better value/makes more sense? Or any other EVs for that matter.
For context my other car is an e-tron (work SS lease) that my wife uses for her commute.
Edited by riskyj on Sunday 10th March 22:32
riskyj said:
Similar position to op.
An EV is ideal for my needs, school run and ferrying kids to clubs 5 days a week. Commute to ‘’local’ office is 60 miles round trip once a week max.
So far pretty much any EV would do, something like an i3, Cupra Born maybe.
However, around once a month (or even less) I need to do a 400 mile round trip to a different office. I like the idea of a car that either can do one leg of that journey without stopping, or has decent charging infrastructure (e.g., Tesla?) which eliminates any range anxiety.
This had me looking at M3LRs as the best buy for my budget (£30k max) as it appeared to tick both those boxes, but started wondering if a Model S seems better value/makes more sense? Or any other EVs for that matter.
For context my other car is an e-tron (work SS lease) that my wife uses for her commute.
Can you charge at the office? If not, you'll have to stop on the way so there's no benefit to being able to do 200 miles in one go. Heart says S, head says 3.An EV is ideal for my needs, school run and ferrying kids to clubs 5 days a week. Commute to ‘’local’ office is 60 miles round trip once a week max.
So far pretty much any EV would do, something like an i3, Cupra Born maybe.
However, around once a month (or even less) I need to do a 400 mile round trip to a different office. I like the idea of a car that either can do one leg of that journey without stopping, or has decent charging infrastructure (e.g., Tesla?) which eliminates any range anxiety.
This had me looking at M3LRs as the best buy for my budget (£30k max) as it appeared to tick both those boxes, but started wondering if a Model S seems better value/makes more sense? Or any other EVs for that matter.
For context my other car is an e-tron (work SS lease) that my wife uses for her commute.
Spunagain said:
I am up to 130,000 miles now on my 85D.
You can see all my costs here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
My battery is still at 88% capacity (lost just under 12% over 8 years and 130k miles)
Half the miles, but not too different in age. 75D X, 75K, just under 7 years, degradation sitting at around 7-8% depending on temperature. You can see all my costs here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
My battery is still at 88% capacity (lost just under 12% over 8 years and 130k miles)
The lack of 'drama' touching wood, from our has been pretty good since about 50K and Tesla finally fixed all the stuff that should have been fixed at new.
What's your plan when the battery does eventually go? 3/Ys used are pretty cheap these days, but I would find it very hard to move to a Y from the X, equally I would find it impossible to justify spending £100K on any brand new EV given all these things pretty much drive the same, and work the same.
I’m another running an old S. Mine’s the 85 rwd, late 2014, 135k, battery at 86%
Apart from a new wiper assembly required and a failed front spring which could happen with any car, it’s been completely reliable and with the free Supercharging , it’s saving me £6k per year in tax & fuel vs the previous XF. The insurance is a bit more costly though so need to knock probably £400 out of the savings.
When the battery fails, I’ll probably get a new battery put in it because everything else on the car is perfectly fine.
Apart from a new wiper assembly required and a failed front spring which could happen with any car, it’s been completely reliable and with the free Supercharging , it’s saving me £6k per year in tax & fuel vs the previous XF. The insurance is a bit more costly though so need to knock probably £400 out of the savings.
When the battery fails, I’ll probably get a new battery put in it because everything else on the car is perfectly fine.
If the battery goes on mine, depending on the cost
a) Get the battery replaced by Tesla and keep it a while longer
b) Get the battery fixed by Cleevely EV and then Part ex it for something else
At the risk of getting political, right now I could not bring myself to put any money in Musk's pocket so another Tesla is out of the question. This is a shame as a Model 2 could fit the bill, as hopefully by the time I do get a replacement the kids will have either moved out or will have their own cars so we won't need such a large car.
I'll be watching out for a hatchback with decent range and performance but right now I have no idea what!
a) Get the battery replaced by Tesla and keep it a while longer
b) Get the battery fixed by Cleevely EV and then Part ex it for something else
At the risk of getting political, right now I could not bring myself to put any money in Musk's pocket so another Tesla is out of the question. This is a shame as a Model 2 could fit the bill, as hopefully by the time I do get a replacement the kids will have either moved out or will have their own cars so we won't need such a large car.
I'll be watching out for a hatchback with decent range and performance but right now I have no idea what!
I think you need to keep on top of the common issues and do preventative maintenance when necessary, but even then you’re a bad day away from a 4 figure bill
Can’t remember exactly what it’s called but the battery fuse/connector cover is starting to rust on many, it’s a cheapish fix before it rusts through (a few hundred) but a new battery if it goes as water enters the battery. It’s a battery off the car job so not something you can’t easily see let alone do. Heater matrix is something that some seem to get through and is a grand to replace. I’m seeing more and more reports of the air suspension having issues - hardly surprising if it was 7 or 8 years old, although there are plenty of cars on coil suspension, although that might need work as any older car might need. The older cars still with the original computer and screen are on a ticking time bomb, a memory fix is a few hundred, a new screen last time I heard was £1400. Being a EV doesn’t make it immune from a lot of issues that cars get regardless, rubber seals, sun roof, general car electric’s, and Tesla hadn’t had a lot of experience designing and making cars 6 or 7 years ago. And another aspect is how long a car might be off the road if you end up waiting for a part from Tesla, they’re not known for being fast.
Of course there are plenty that don’t get issues, or are happy to live with a gremlin like a rear door handle, and some that are happy to do their own repairs with salvage parts from eBay and save themselves money, it depends on your view of risk.
Can’t remember exactly what it’s called but the battery fuse/connector cover is starting to rust on many, it’s a cheapish fix before it rusts through (a few hundred) but a new battery if it goes as water enters the battery. It’s a battery off the car job so not something you can’t easily see let alone do. Heater matrix is something that some seem to get through and is a grand to replace. I’m seeing more and more reports of the air suspension having issues - hardly surprising if it was 7 or 8 years old, although there are plenty of cars on coil suspension, although that might need work as any older car might need. The older cars still with the original computer and screen are on a ticking time bomb, a memory fix is a few hundred, a new screen last time I heard was £1400. Being a EV doesn’t make it immune from a lot of issues that cars get regardless, rubber seals, sun roof, general car electric’s, and Tesla hadn’t had a lot of experience designing and making cars 6 or 7 years ago. And another aspect is how long a car might be off the road if you end up waiting for a part from Tesla, they’re not known for being fast.
Of course there are plenty that don’t get issues, or are happy to live with a gremlin like a rear door handle, and some that are happy to do their own repairs with salvage parts from eBay and save themselves money, it depends on your view of risk.
AyBee said:
Can you charge at the office? If not, you'll have to stop on the way so there's no benefit to being able to do 200 miles in one go. Heart says S, head says 3.
No, supercharger at Tebay I think is the closest. I like the idea of Tesla infrastructure and not having to worry about public charging (experience with the e-tron and Chageplace Scotland has been inconsistent to put it politely) but concerned about Tesla build/issues etc.
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