2020 Model S Long Range Plus

[TonyDC]

Hi All,

I am about to pull the trigger on a 2020 Model S Long Range Plus and am curious on what peoples experience have been when moving from a gas SUV to an EV. I have always had sport SUVs (most recent one is a Porsche Cayenne Turbo) so this will be a major move for me.

Do others feel like the Model S is has more road noise than the comparable German sedans or SUVs? I drive about 2 hours a day, any issues with a Model S as a daily driver? The Sirius XM was not activated in my test drive, so curious what that system is like when you add the subscription? What has the service experience like? I was told a service tech will actually come out to you, does that happen? Snow, how do these handle in snow (I'm in Portland, Oregon where our snow is pretty wet and gross)? Any other quirks or things I should look out for?

Hope everyone is having a great week and look forward to learning about your experiences with a new Model S.

Tony

 

[dirkbike1]

I can comment on a few of your concerns:
I find the interior fit and finish acceptable, but not anywhere near the level of your Cayenne.
The road noise is substantially higher, significantly higher than my GMC Sierra Denali, Bluetooth phone calls at freeway speeds are almost not worth it, the noise level your recipient experiences is unacceptable.
I find Slacker radio to be way better than XM
I have had no service needs, except for an alignment, but feel it is grossly unacceptable that Tesla will not answer a phone. The app works fine, but for 100k vehicle, answer the damn phone.
If you want a 4 door sedan, I think the S is the nicest car you can buy, Tesla just needs to step up.

 

[2101Guy]

Coming from a E55 AMG
Road noise in the Model S may seem higher because there is zero exhaust/engine noise. But if one were to check decibel levels, i suspect the Model S is rather quiet, especially on the long range with the all season tires. When i went from the 19" wheels with all seasons to 21" Arachnids with High Performance tires, the road noise increased by roughly 15% in my opinion.

Model S is an AWESOME daily driver and highway cruiser. Small things like the ability to keep the AC going while you run into the store on a blazing hot day, but yet, no engine is running. The quiet smooth acceleration that you can use (0-40, 20-60, 60-80, etc) in day to day driving is phenomenal. No worry of gearshifting, downshifting unexpectedly, etc. Its just smooth, quiet (no transmission jerks) insane acceleration. Even in non performance models.

Im coming from a long line of //M BMWs, AMG benzes...and I can honestly say, Im never going back to EV. Would be a huge step back. Yes, Audi RS7 and Panamera Turbo are GORGEOUS cars. (two of my favorites) interiors in those far above Tesla. But tech wise? YEARS behind. And falling behind every day. Tesla is the only maker that has ability to update every system, over the air. Literally send out improvements to the cars on a regular basis.

And when considering that EV's today are in their infancy, and gas cars have had over a hundred years to develop, and when consider that almost all major car manufacturers have announced that they are shifting primarily towards producing EV's over the coming years and away from combustion engines......the choice to me was obvious...

 

[f205v]

Noise level in my Model S 100D is way lower than it was in my Mercedes GL.
Driving stress is also way lower, especially on long commutes.

 

[Babaron]

We own both a Model S and a Cayenne. Unless it is for a long highway trip, my wife and I fight over who gets the Tesla. Even for a long highway trip, I have no problems with the Tesla. Wife hates waiting to charge.

MS has lower road noise, very good service experience and no issues at all with snow.

Tesla FTW!

 

[SilverGS]

I have a 2016 75D and its very quiet - bluetooth streamed calls to the car are perfectly fine and zero issues. The interior fit/finish/quality will not be up to Porsche standards, however they are very good and I have zero complaints.

As far as driving in snow, its the best car I've ever had in snow. The AWD is so precise in its power delivery, its just fantastic. The Tesla AWD electric drivetrain has to be one of the best drivetrains in existence today and that is comparing it to ICE vehicles as well. Its as if your brain is connected to the wheels. You think and the car moves forward. There are hardly any moving parts between your foot and the forward motion of the car - electrons move from the battery to the motor and the motor turns the wheels. That's it.

A gas car doesn't even come close in terms of smoothness, immediacy of power/torque and always max torque at any speed. Unlike a gas car that has to be in the sweet spot of the power band for it to have that instantaneous thrust.

I'm a die-hard gear head and would never go back to an ICE car ever.

 

[IslandHydro]

Love Love Love my MS, best car I've ever owned. If you keep reasonable tires on it, it does fine in the snow.

 

[SilverString]

Well I come from 20 years of Jaguar ownership - not German but I did own an XJ8 with a Vanden Plas (Rolls Royce) interior as well as an XJ8L with regular interior. That being said the MS is not in the same league when it comes to paint and interior fit and finish, and I would assume the same is true with Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, etc.

On the other hand the MS is superior in all other ways, more fun to drive, and super cool. Despite the mediocre paint and interior I still think it looks fantastic and I have never enjoyed a car as much as my 2019 MS 100D.

 

[dabbler]

I have been driving a Model S for 5 years as my only vehicle. Both short and long road trips are less stressful. Plenty of power when needed. Very quite, smooth and effortless driving. The autopilot AP1 is very functional for my requirements.

MY brother-in-law just took delivery of a 2020 S LR and loves driving it. He came from a long line of MB's, BMW's, Caddy's, you name it, he owned one. He thinks the Model S is the best car he has ever owned. He was not initially convinced 2 years ago when I gave him his first ride. After his first test drive last Jan. he purchased and inventory car on the spot.

Any service issues I have had were quickly handled either by Ranger service or scheduled at service center. It is unsettling to not be able to speak to someone on the phone for a service issue. Remember this is not a dealership to customer relationship. It takes some getting used to how they do business. The cars are amazing because the technology is very impressive compared to ICE vehicles.

You will also have to get used to never pumping gas again!

 

[azmodls]

Hi All,

...The Sirius XM was not activated in my test drive, so curious what that system is like when you add the subscription?


Tony

I activated XM in my MS Long Range (not plus), and service has been very spotty. It often does not get reception. Maybe the antenna in the hatch glass is not very effective? The UI is primitive compared to the Sirius phone app, just very basic functionality. I doubt I will renew once my intro pricing plan expires unless it gets significant improvements.

 

[SSedan]

I have an older RWD S and it.is quieter than AWD loaners I have had.
I notice a noise difference if I forget to fold down the privacy cover in back.

I know some folks who live in crime infested areas will take the cover out completely so as to show would be thieves nothing is there. Wonder if that applies to folks who think it is too loud for a phone conversation?

 

[buzescu]

I can comment on a few of your concerns:
I find the interior fit and finish acceptable, but not anywhere near the level of your Cayenne.
The road noise is substantially higher, significantly higher than my GMC Sierra Denali, Bluetooth phone calls at freeway speeds are almost not worth it, the noise level your recipient experiences is unacceptable.
I find Slacker radio to be way better than XM
I have had no service needs, except for an alignment, but feel it is grossly unacceptable that Tesla will not answer a phone. The app works fine, but for 100k vehicle, answer the damn phone.
If you want a 4 door sedan, I think the S is the nicest car you can buy, Tesla just needs to step up.

A quick fix for Bluetooth. I pulled the grill that hold the microphones and shoved a 5x5 inch sponge, half an inch thick between that and the roof. The bluetooth since, best I ever had. It is just noise, it is too close to the roof.

 

[r1200gs4ok]

A quick fix for Bluetooth. I pulled the grill that hold the microphones and shoved a 5x5 inch sponge, half an inch thick between that and the roof. The bluetooth since, best I ever had. It is just noise, it is too close to the roof.

where is the microphone located and where is the grill I need to pull out...thanks in advance

 

[buzescu]

where is the microphone located and where is the grill I need to pull out...thanks in advance

Up top above the mirror. Just pull with bear hands. I pulled it to get a line for a radar detector and I realized how stupid it is not to have insulation and also how by is good at low speeds with no rain.

 

[PickledRamps]

Moved into Model S LR about 6 mo ago form a long line of BMW and Audi. I am sure you can look up a comparison of cabin noise, but it will likely depend on wheel/tire set up. Model S with 19" all season seems quieter than my 3 Series (which used run flat performance tires). BTW, I have always veered towards 20-21" wheels, but did not do so because of range on the Model S. In grey I think the 19" wheels are just fine, for me.

Satellite radio is not as reliable as the German vehicles, but good enough. I guess it is an antenna issue? I've also had to reboot a few times to reset. On the other hand, it is very nice have Spotify as a native app.

Interior finish comparison gets a lot of attention. I have come to really like the interior. Unless you had a new Cayenne, I would say I now like the Tesla better than Porsche's previous interior which seems horribly cluttered by comparison. Although Porsche is still Porsche, and the materials still feel m ore refined on a Porsche, Audi or Mercedes. I don't see that as concern anymore.

There are issues in wintery conditions. The defrost and heating are not quite as robust. The handles can get stuck. The battery performance is effected significantly.

Never liked SUVs, but always wanted a little more utility. Plenty of space in Model S for what I need.

Paying attention to temperature becomes important. If possible, you will always want it plugged-in. You will want to "pre-condition" the battery as much as possible before driving (scheduled or with app), even in moderate temperatures; this has a big impact on performance.

I live in New England and drive....spiritedly. I use about 360Wh/mi; 2/3 of advertised range, even with the mild winter we had.

I would not go back to ICE vehicle. Until Germans can match the charging network it will be tough for me to seriously consider an alternate EV, even if the Taycan is incredible.

 

[quickstrike12]

A quick fix for Bluetooth. I pulled the grill that hold the microphones and shoved a 5x5 inch sponge, half an inch thick between that and the roof. The bluetooth since, best I ever had. It is just noise, it is too close to the roof.

Now that’s something I haven’t heard yet. Interesting idea. Might need to try a before and after radio call recording and try this simple fix. I haven’t noticed or heard complaints about my call quality from anyone but doesn’t mean it couldn’t be better.

 

[.FP.]

Model S is an AWESOME daily driver and highway cruiser. Small things like the ability to keep the AC going while you run into the store on a blazing hot day, but yet, no engine is running. The quiet smooth acceleration that you can use (0-40, 20-60, 60-80, etc) in day to day driving is phenomenal. No worry of gearshifting, downshifting unexpectedly, etc. Its just smooth, quiet (no transmission jerks) insane acceleration. Even in non performance models.

Is there a setting for this? How do you enable that?
Thanks.

 

[SO16]

Is there a setting for this? How do you enable that?
Thanks.

Before you go in to the store, tap the fan icon and then in the lower left, you can see the options.

You do have to set this each time and isn’t available when under 20% charge.

 

[SO16]

Hi All,

I am about to pull the trigger on a 2020 Model S Long Range Plus and am curious on what peoples experience have been when moving from a gas SUV to an EV. I have always had sport SUVs (most recent one is a Porsche Cayenne Turbo) so this will be a major move for me.

Do others feel like the Model S is has more road noise than the comparable German sedans or SUVs? I drive about 2 hours a day, any issues with a Model S as a daily driver? The Sirius XM was not activated in my test drive, so curious what that system is like when you add the subscription? What has the service experience like? I was told a service tech will actually come out to you, does that happen? Snow, how do these handle in snow (I'm in Portland, Oregon where our snow is pretty wet and gross)? Any other quirks or things I should look out for?

Hope everyone is having a great week and look forward to learning about your experiences with a new Model S.

Tony

Road noise on 19” is much less than 21.

Best car I have ever owned but also the most expensive. The interior doesn’t feel as “ritzy” as some other manufacturers but I still prefer the S large display and dash layout. Would not trade my 2017 S90D in for anything except maybe the plaid S or Cybertruck. But if you haven’t driven the performance Model S yet (and you haven’t purchased yet), test drive the performance version.

My standard S is plenty quick with 0-60 of 4.2 but after driving a P90D loaner, wow....just wow. The pull even at the higher speeds is noticeable. When I buy again, definitely going with the performance version. That’s why I have the Tri motor Cybertruck on reserve. Even though I rarely floor it from zero, it’s at the highway speeds that I really like the added quickness for passing speeds.

 

[craigger]

Hi All,

I am about to pull the trigger on a 2020 Model S Long Range Plus and am curious on what peoples experience have been when moving from a gas SUV to an EV. I have always had sport SUVs (most recent one is a Porsche Cayenne Turbo) so this will be a major move for me.

Do others feel like the Model S is has more road noise than the comparable German sedans or SUVs? I drive about 2 hours a day, any issues with a Model S as a daily driver? The Sirius XM was not activated in my test drive, so curious what that system is like when you add the subscription? What has the service experience like? I was told a service tech will actually come out to you, does that happen? Snow, how do these handle in snow (I'm in Portland, Oregon where our snow is pretty wet and gross)? Any other quirks or things I should look out for?

Hope everyone is having a great week and look forward to learning about your experiences with a new Model S.

Tony

I have a 2020 Model S Perf w/FSD and my wife drives a 2016 Porsche Cayenne S so I can directly compare the two on many aspects.

1. When I bought the MS, I realized I was buying a technology platform. This comes with all the cutting-edge technology, features, and bugs of any other tech platform (like the latest/greatest smartphone). One example is that 1 day after I got it, I had to have my car into the service center twice to realign the front camera that was keeping cruise/autopilot/FSD from working. Annoying, but I went into this eyes wide open.
2. The fit and finish of the Porsche wins, hands down. Quality of materials, workmanship, and things just feel more 'solid'.
3. The Porsche feels more planted. More glued to the road. Porsche has had almost 90 years to perfect chassis/suspension and it shows. That being said, the MS has such a low center of gravity, it feels wonderful going through fast corners.
4. Getting in and out of the Cayenne is much easier than the MS - this should be obvious going from SUV -> Sports Coupe
5. I moved my SXM subscription from my truck over to the MS. It's has a great UI on the huge touchscreen but I seem to get drop-outs more often than in my truck (weaker antenna) and a couple of times, my SXM just disappeared from my MCU like it never existed. It comes back the next day (or later in the day) but really, really weird.
6. The acceleration on the MSP is insane. I've never had the breath squeezed out of my lungs the way it does in that car. I'm sure you'll feel similar in a LR but one of the great things is that you can be 'stealthy fast'. In other sportcars, there's no mistaking your intent to blow the doors off of someone else, the subtlety of the electric motors is really fun.
7. Have no real comment for snow-driving - I'm in Southern CA where it's 75 and sunny year round

Good luck on your purchase and post pics when you pick it up! Tried to give honest feedback on mine, but I do have to say I don't regret my purchase one bit and I really love this car.

-craigger.