Hi everyone,
I raise this question to get a gauge with the level of customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction levels are typically high in North America, but I have a suspicion it may be much lower in Hong Kong due to service issues. Service issues matter more for a Tesla compared to other cars, due to the build quality.
So let me start with my answer: NO.
Would I buy another electric car? YES, ABSOLUTELY. But not a Tesla. If there was a German vehicle with comparable range and performance, I would go German in a heartbeat.
Ultimately it comes down to poor build quality, and lack of servicing infrastructure in Hong Kong. If the latter was excellent, it may make me reconsider the verdict.
I have owned my S70D for just over a year and I will list all of the problems I have had:
1) Countless headliner noise issues. (had to take it in 3-4 times and now I have rediscovered new noises over the weekend). The car should be silent - which makes interior noises all the more annoying.
2) Car Panel fit is poor with big gaps. Take a close look at your Tesla and look at the alignment of the doors (in my case the front door sill looks lower than the rear door). Compare the fit and finish to an equivalent Mercedes or BMW and you can tell there is a difference. There is also a large gap between the bonnet and the rest of the body. My car is not the only one - I have inspected many other Teslas.
3) Interior fit is poor. My glove box squeeks when I rest my leg against it, the healiner does not look solid (moves around too much when I touch it). Rear seats are too firm - although that is not really a build quality issue.
4) Had issues with the charging port not opening (was a problem in the beginning although seems to have corrected itself).
5) Had to have the rear door handle replaced as the motor was faulty and needed to be replaced.
6) Wiper blades needed replacing due to excessive noise.
7) Electric window on driver side makes noise after it rains. Service guys told me that is normal - but then why only the driver's one?
8) Mobile app doesn't always find my car (this is relatively minor compared to other issues).
9) Brakes make noise.
10) Other small trivial things (like having to replace interior light bulbs etc).
For a car that is just over 1 year old - this is intolerable especially for a car that costs close to US$100,000.
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Finally, it comes to service. I go through hell every time. Can take up to a week between when the car is taken and when they even start looking at it - due to issues with capacity. The new service center should be opening soon which would help the issue. However, they are getting more stingy on loaner cars. I have had to take my car in 4-5 times and need to do it again. That is 1 time every 2 months in my case. This is clearly unacceptable.
This is an immense shame. If the car was built properly, I would love it - driving the car would be quite enjoyable due to the powertrain and general drive. The electric drivetrain is by far the best thing about the car and soon others who know how to build cars properly will offer the same thing - the Tesla supercharger network is becoming less of a selling point given the difficulty in finding one that is not occupied.
I have had people ask me whether they should buy a Model X. Judging from the issues I have had with the Model S (which in comparison is a much simpler vehicle) - I simply cannot recommend another Tesla, especially the X due the complexity of the doors etc - there have already been well documented issues experienced in North America regarding its build quality. Tesla should get its priorities straight - the X would sell purely because of its electric drive train, performance and space efficiency. Nobody buys one for the doors or the self opening handles etc - all that does is cause problems and turn people off.
Interested in your thoughts.
Cheers.