Dear Guys,
I was interested in an S, so when my roadster went in under warranty issues I asked for loaners.
The first was a Model S with air suspension and ACC, the second was a performance model with spring suspension.
I currently believe that I cannot proceed with a purchase of an S based on my observations, but I wanted to post here to see how my observations over 2 weeks of driving in subfreezing temperatures matches up with others.
Battery Life:
Poor. Between 66% and 50% expected from car predictions. First car in range told me 272 miles, and I got 138 actual with just 30 miles left of charge. That was during 15 degree F temps in Brooklyn NY. All days started with fact that I could not utilize regenerative braking as battery was too cold. Over time I could incrementally get better regeneration. Second car was marginally better with 66% predicted mileage, but still regenerative issues at 35 and 43 degrees F. I was expecting a car that gets decent mileage in cold/warm/normal temps. I expected a car that would not get crappy mileage due to the battery needing more heat than my feet.
I was told that Brooklyn driving (ie.: City Driving) in the cold is too much for the battery. I was told the battery burns energy keeping warm unless I use the cellphone app to keep it warming while charging, but that without owning the car I could not test or utilize that app to prove it would give better mileage.
I was also told NYC driving will drastically reduce my actual miles seen. All this does not work for me.
Icing of windshield fore and aft:
During driving snow, wipers bog down. Also they can't be locked in an upright position overnight to keep them from freezing to the windscreen. The little area they tuck into also freezes solid making wiper cleaning and de-icing and extraction a chore.
The rear windscreen has too little of an angle so Ice from the roof falls back and then sticks and gets stuck on the rear window, obstructing view. Without a rear wiper this also becomes a chore.
Tires:
The stock all season Pirelli's suck in snow and ice and slush.
Suspension:
The air suspension allows a great deal of play, and was preferable to the spring suspension in my mind. The air suspension allowed for hard ride when wanted, but softer ride when needed by road conditions. The springs were just horrible on rough roads. My kidneys are still sending me hate messages. I actually loved the air suspension
EZ Pass issues:
For whatever reason, my bridge and toll device would not work properly behind the windshield of either car. I had to open the window and hold it up and out from the car while driving through toll plazas. Not a pleasant chore when driving in rain and snow.
Rear leg room:
Needs 4 more inches. I like to occasionally be driven to work while I do paperwork. Mercedes and BMW have better rear legroom.
Cruise control:
ACC is the way to go. Just wish the +/- would move in increments of 2MPH and not 5MPH. Makes dialing in MPH annoying.
Too many stalks near the directional stalk make things confusing at first also. Move cruise controls to the wheel.
Window switches and my left knee:
I thought I had a ghost opening my windows. It was the poorly positioned window switches being hit by my left knee.
Radio Controls:
While listening to Slacker, songs would jump as the fast forward switch is too sensitive. I do however love the volume control.
Did/does anyone else have these issues OR am I off center here.
After owning the Roadster I expected I would buy a Sedan SD Performance. Now I don't think so.
Best,
T
I was interested in an S, so when my roadster went in under warranty issues I asked for loaners.
The first was a Model S with air suspension and ACC, the second was a performance model with spring suspension.
I currently believe that I cannot proceed with a purchase of an S based on my observations, but I wanted to post here to see how my observations over 2 weeks of driving in subfreezing temperatures matches up with others.
Battery Life:
Poor. Between 66% and 50% expected from car predictions. First car in range told me 272 miles, and I got 138 actual with just 30 miles left of charge. That was during 15 degree F temps in Brooklyn NY. All days started with fact that I could not utilize regenerative braking as battery was too cold. Over time I could incrementally get better regeneration. Second car was marginally better with 66% predicted mileage, but still regenerative issues at 35 and 43 degrees F. I was expecting a car that gets decent mileage in cold/warm/normal temps. I expected a car that would not get crappy mileage due to the battery needing more heat than my feet.
I was told that Brooklyn driving (ie.: City Driving) in the cold is too much for the battery. I was told the battery burns energy keeping warm unless I use the cellphone app to keep it warming while charging, but that without owning the car I could not test or utilize that app to prove it would give better mileage.
I was also told NYC driving will drastically reduce my actual miles seen. All this does not work for me.
Icing of windshield fore and aft:
During driving snow, wipers bog down. Also they can't be locked in an upright position overnight to keep them from freezing to the windscreen. The little area they tuck into also freezes solid making wiper cleaning and de-icing and extraction a chore.
The rear windscreen has too little of an angle so Ice from the roof falls back and then sticks and gets stuck on the rear window, obstructing view. Without a rear wiper this also becomes a chore.
Tires:
The stock all season Pirelli's suck in snow and ice and slush.
Suspension:
The air suspension allows a great deal of play, and was preferable to the spring suspension in my mind. The air suspension allowed for hard ride when wanted, but softer ride when needed by road conditions. The springs were just horrible on rough roads. My kidneys are still sending me hate messages. I actually loved the air suspension
EZ Pass issues:
For whatever reason, my bridge and toll device would not work properly behind the windshield of either car. I had to open the window and hold it up and out from the car while driving through toll plazas. Not a pleasant chore when driving in rain and snow.
Rear leg room:
Needs 4 more inches. I like to occasionally be driven to work while I do paperwork. Mercedes and BMW have better rear legroom.
Cruise control:
ACC is the way to go. Just wish the +/- would move in increments of 2MPH and not 5MPH. Makes dialing in MPH annoying.
Too many stalks near the directional stalk make things confusing at first also. Move cruise controls to the wheel.
Window switches and my left knee:
I thought I had a ghost opening my windows. It was the poorly positioned window switches being hit by my left knee.
Radio Controls:
While listening to Slacker, songs would jump as the fast forward switch is too sensitive. I do however love the volume control.
Did/does anyone else have these issues OR am I off center here.
After owning the Roadster I expected I would buy a Sedan SD Performance. Now I don't think so.
Best,
T
