1. Panel gaps. Yes you’re probably over-analyzing, especially if you have been reading online because the reports of Tesla panel gap issues are greatly exaggerated and lead to FIA. That doesn’t mean yours aren’t out of line, just that the general issue is exaggerated. My understanding is they can adjust the trunk and other panels for you at the Service Center, just make an appointment. I wouldn’t know as my fit and finish were flawless upon delivery (Oct 2018). Maybe have a trusted friend look at them with you to help you determine if the issue is real or more FIA.
2. The heat issue. None of us know how widespread this is right now, could affect a small number of cars or all of them. As you said, it doesn’t really impact you but best to have it looked at and fixed under warranty so it doesn’t hurt your eventual resale value. Perhaps combine the appointment with your panel gap adjustment.
3. FSD. I did not purchase and won’t until it actually works really, really well. Yes that will cost me more money (eventually) but I still think Tesla is years away from a really solid, reliable FSD product. They are making good progress and the current beta on city streets looks amazeballs. IMO you have a long wait ahead of you before you can plug in an address and the car drives you there while you do something else (Nap, read, etc).
4. The car. Still for me, this is the best car I have ever owned by a wide margin. That’s after 2+ years and over 99k miles. Had a Lexus ES in the past, wife currently has a Volvo S60, and neither of those or anything else I’ve ever driven can compare.
Cheers for the thoughts and detail.
On a couple things though. The heat isn’t just for resale but I also plan on making road trips again with this car. I will want the heat to work. Even in Cali the cold at night during winter can get down to 30-45 degrees. In fact, there is only a couple months a year where the night temp doesn’t get below 50 so that one is more than a resale issue.
This morning, and I should tell you I gave my plug in hybrid Chevy Volt to my ex-wife and I went this morning to look it over and there is no visible gaps to be seen. There are a couple on my m3 and I am fine with them all but for the one on the trunk because maybe I’m looking at something that will get worse as I open and close the trunk over the years. Who knows if it’s causing leaking and eventually mildew over time? That one at the very minimum, I noticed on my own while I didn’t notice the other ones until I started to do a deeper inspection after seeing it. I figured the online stuff would sway me so I did a full once over before taking delivery (even did not let them put the money down and deliver the car because I didn’t want to give them my money until I looked it over), however I am still within the 7 day period so I can tell them whatever I want and if I feel it should be fixed, it probably should be because I’m forgiving and pretty laid back about such things.
I am sure there are things I’m not mentioning because I consider them to be within my threshold of tolerance. I find it commendable to be that way and appreciate your attitude about it. People can be too over the too and I also believe there are a lot of people that by the M3 and are probably spending more than they have on any car they’ve ever owned and want perfection and don’t we all but I am a realist.
My volt was a bit less than my Tesla as taken and I only have 2021 SR+ and I am pretty sure that their QC couldn’t have been more (if there was any) because I happen to know the day mine was assembled (friend at the line) and it was in LA within 16 hours of being assembled which is great but doesn’t lend itself to much QC.
That you would even consider the possibility of the heat not working as an option but for the resale shows you’re kinder than even me in this regard and I haven’t met my match on tolerance until I think you. I find the online community to be more of a help (“ok Adam, you’re not crazy”) as some of the stuff I have learned even since yesterday is stuff that I had thought but figured was for other reasons (see below) which you might say is just an inversion of the process we discussed of reading the problem.
For instance, I got a new booster for my daughter with a new mat to put on the passenger side back seat and every time she shuts the door, it didn’t close all the way, which is a new problem for any of our cars and she drives around in 3. Often I have to get out of the drivers seat and to reclosd the door for her because it doesn’t close all the way. Turns out this is a know issue with adults closing doors from even the outside. I put the blame on the new car seat but no, I have to slam the door pretty hard to make it close. Didn’t think much of it and frankly can even live with it but it’s definitely a QC issue and I knew noting of it and found it annoying but didn’t learn it from the forums because I didn’t know about it but learned after the fact so I can’t blame my mind for that one and adults are having to close the door with almost a slam to get it to shut.
As for the FSD, the sales rep assured me it would be there by the end of the year or middle of February and she is extra nice and would not lie and say didn’t say that. If I paid 10k for a smart summon that won’t work and a lane changer than I will be getting a beta or a refund for my FSD. I wouldn’t pay 10k for that ever. I figured since they just released the beta and hiked it to 10k from 8k in a couple weeks or a month that he must have plans to release it soon. Combined with the fact that they are moving to Cali and so probably no special favors from Cali in the future, my doubt went high. It is one thing to be sign something and another to be told “for sure” something for a sale. I even, with her consent, recorded her saying that it was going live by mid February at the latest.
Sounds like I don’t like the car, but to the contrary, for the first time since I had my Volt (which when I had it I liked better than my 750il), I look forward to driving it daily. It’s such a wonderful car and experience to drive but that doesn’t mean that they should get a pass for absolutely terrible QC.
Sure I hope they make their half milk quota but they should still take the time to QC the cars. Back to my earlier statement of they are not rushing then out, well it’s certainly possible, as I know the case with mine is that the QC never really happened and I’ve seen videos on line where a person that ordered a car in October (same exact one as mine but for color and they make them in batches of color), waited 9 weeks for his and had the different color tape marked all over in areas that needed fixing and they weren’t fixed so mine that was ordered in mid November was delivered on the exact same day, Dec 27th.
So I don’t think they are making the cars faster and causing problems as it’s all automated but I am not going to foot the damage that should have been QC’d and fixed at the factory regardless of whether or not they can match Elon’s statement this year from 2014. I get that it’s free publicity and a feather in his proverbial hat and I am a fan of his as a modern day developer of things including all his other endeavors but I want and deserve my car to be at least a 75% acceptance rate of a new car in a mid-luxury price.
Still think you’re getting a lot for your money when you buy a Y or a 3 but it’s a hefty purchase and I want what is wrong (just the major things) to be fixed. I still don’t know if the parking issue is me or the car now. I was blaming everything technical on me as a user because I never used the GUI on a Tesla ever before now but some things don’t add up.
If it was 2014 and they were building 600 by hand a year, I would look at everything with different eyes but losing function so this publícalo traded S&P blue chip stock, should deliver.
In general I do agree with you though, thanks for the response!
Adam