About to order a 75D Model X and worried I'm missing something major!

[SimonR]

If all goes well, later today I'm going to order a 75D Model X (as I can put it through my ltd company so save on corporation tax!). I've read loads of the very helpful forum posts, but having never paid £70k for a car before I'm having a major wobble!

The spec I'm going to go for is the 'basic' car in a five seat layout (I've got a Golden Retriever who'll be going in the boot!), plus Midnight Silver Metallic Paint and the Black Premium Interior.

I haven't gone for the Premium Upgrade Package or Enhanced Autopilot mainly because they're bloody expensive, but also I'm not sure I see the value either in all that extra cost (even if I could afford it).

From what I've read, I think I'll also go for the Tesla Wall Charger rather than the government grant ones.

If I've missed something massive I'd love to hear about it before placing the order later. Having previously driven a Porsche Cayman and currently an S3, this is a whole new world for me and I'm a little bit nervous about it!

On the flip side, I still can't get over how cool the falcon wing doors are!!

 

[Jebus]

Hey Simon,

Sounds like you’re making a great decision with all pretty reasonable concerns. I’d never spent this much on a car before buying a £64k Model S, that was in April 2016! I’ve actually never kept a car so long and now can’t find anything better I can replace it with.

The premium upgrades always strike me as worth it, both for the added comfort and resale value st the other end (always think that’s what I’d look for buying a used one). Although since I purchased they’ve included things like air suspension and security package as standard so less value than before.

I’ve had a government charger and am now changing it for a Tesla one. Looks nice and the button on the cable to open the charge door. Small things

Only obvious thing is to make sure you use a referral code to get supercharging included free (shameless plug for using mine). If you were buying a charger you can have the one they give me for the referral if you pick it up

Any questions about ownership or want a less formal test drive, happy to meet up. Leicestershire area for me.

 

[SimonR]

Thanks Jebus, that's very kind (on all counts). I've already got a referral code from someone via linkedin who was very helpful a while back, so sadly won't be able to take you up on your generous offer as I feel I'd be doing them a disservice.

I agree about the Premium Upgrade, but just can't reconcile the £5.7k for what essentially amounts to a decent air filtration system, upgraded stereo and a few heated bits! If it was a grand I'd probably go for it.

 

[WannabeOwner]

Enhanced Autopilot mainly because they're bloody expensive

Yeah. Back when I bought AP1 I think it was a £1,500 option ...

... much harder to justify circa £5K (its £1K more if added later, unless Tesla happen to do a fire-sale ...) ...

... but I love AP1 and use it all the time on Motorways, and on any reasonably long distance A-road trip. Before mine arrived I took with a pinch of salt folks (in USA, back then) saying it reduced tiredness, thinking that tootling along the motorway hardly required any effort, just engage cruise control and steer ... but having owned it I now know that it makes a huge difference. I have a fairly regular trip from Cambridge to Bristol, there and back in a day, and I arrive (at both ends) much more rested than I used to ... long journeys that end well into the night are no problem, and even if I did doze off the car would bring itself to a halt - and the alarms should wake me up. Not actually tried that one though!!

It also reduces my stress levels! and ankle-ache when in stop-start bumper-to-bumper traffic.

But, yeah, "lot of dosh"

Just in case you weren't aware: the Cruise Control on non-AP cars is NOT traffic aware, so just constant speed.

Dunno if there are some safety features that require AP to be engaged? I've had the car move sideways when someone encroached my lane, and on a number of occasions brake - sometimes wrongly thinking that a gap was too small, but also on other occasions when I was looking at dashboard and car in front braked. Dunno if you need AP to have that benefit?

AP2 rollout is seriously late ... I would have been very very disappointed if I had bought my car a year ago, got HW2 (not from choice) and then had mediocre AP2 for 12 months ... but ... I reckon that AP2 is pretty much on par with AP1 now, so over the coming year, and beyond, it will pull ahead. Whether it will get to "Take me to work James" and "Go and earn some money being a taxi, and then pick me up at 5PM" by the time you replace the car is anyone's guess ...

if I was buying again I would pay the £5K ... but I would definitely wince!

I think I'll also go for the Tesla Wall Charger rather than the government grant ones

Seems to me that if you have government grant then fitter charges you Max Price, if you don't then you can get a Time & Materials price ... so the two might well work out around the same price.

The Tesla unit is attractive, has the button to open the charge port (as mentioned already) and also has the ability to balance load when your second Tesla is sitting on your drive charging too!

resale value at the other end

Yes, that may well be key. I've heard of "base models" that have been sitting around for some time (at dealers) unsold ... but I suppose if you Lease then not-your-problem.

If you were buying a charger you can have the one they give me for the referral if you pick it up

Good idea!

I'd happily tootle over to Dunstable if you want a chat, but Jebus is probably closer ...

 

[SimonR]

Yes, that may well be key. I've heard of "base models" that have been sitting around for some time (at dealers) unsold ... but I suppose if you Lease then not-your-problem.

I'm actually going to be buying it outright, but I'm hoping that in a few years I'll just trade it in with Tesla for a new one, so hopefully it won't be too much of an issue.

Am I right in thinking that AP1 is what they're calling "Enhanced Autopilot", and if so where does AP2 come into it?

 

[WannabeOwner]

I'm actually going to be buying it outright, but I'm hoping that in a few years I'll just trade it in with Tesla for a new one, so hopefully it won't be too much of an issue.

I did that too - planning to keep mine a while. Car does 25K miles a year, and previously chopped cars in at 3 years as likely to start having trouble after that, but I'm expecting with EV that that won't be the case ... time will tell! (or I will get itchy feet for new Tech)

Am I right in thinking that AP1 is what they're calling "Enhanced Autopilot", and if so where does AP2 come into it?

Sorry, I should have clarified.

Original was "Autopilot", That had fewer cameras. Basically it stays in lane (on motorway, or any road with good markings, personally I don't think that just-a-curb, without a paint-line, is good enough), around curves, and will change lane on Motorway if you indicate. Cruise control is adaptive (to traffic conditions). It can either stay-n-line or follow-car-in-front, at slow speeds, such as bumper to bumper or, for short distances, if lane markers are poor - Bjorn posted a video recently where he was on AP following a car on a snow covered road with no markings ... presumably not a good idea if the car in front heads for the ditch!

Then New Autopilot (with new hardware) came out ... it had more cameras, half are activated for Enhance Autopilot and you can pay more to get the remainder activated. To avoid confusion, I suppose, the forum starting referring to HW1 / AP1 as Hardware One and the original Autopilot, and HW2 / AP2 for the new one. The hardware has been upgraded since, so sometimes now referred to as HW2.5

The AP1 stuff came from Mobile-eye, a company specialising in autonomous vehicles. Tesla fell out with them, bought it all in-house, and I think? expected to continue a separation-period with Mobile-eye which, for whatever reason, didn't happen, and so Tesla went it alone on the software front. That has taken longer than Elon predicted ...

There are some things that AP2 doesn't yet do (most noticeable is that Rain Sensing Wipers are going to be controlled by HW2, rather than a dedicated sensor, and that update has not been released. Elon Tweeted recently "coming soon" ...)

But I think it would be fair to say that AP2 will follow a curb (with no paint-line), so in that sense is better than AP1, although its other areas is less smooth than AP1. Basically the two are, at this time, much-of-a-much-ness

AP2 should, in near future, get:

Detect, and stop for,a red light.
Take motorway exit (based on SatNav route). (AP1 was promised that too)
Ability to drive non-divided roads (Currently I reckon AP1 needs paint-lines, AP2 will manage with a grass verge etc.)

and then the theory is that the HW2 hardware will be sufficient, once all the software is built [plus Regulatory stuff etc.], for the car to drive from A to B

 

[DJP31]

Personally, and although it seems a lot I think the Premium Upgrade is worth it. The HEPA filter is brilliant, no matter what filth belching diesel you might be following not a whiff enters the cabin. I also think the sub zero features are great.

The AP2 depends on what type of driving you do, munching motorway miles on autopilot - good value. Pottering around town/surburbia - less good value.

I’m sure you already know this but forgive me for mentioning it, the corporation tax saving is somewhat offset on resale as the sale of the car is a taxable receipt for the company. Effectively you are getting tax relief on the difference between the purchase and sale price, i.e. the depreciation.

Congrats in advance too!

 

[SimonR]

I did that too - planning to keep mine a while. Car does 25K miles a year, and previously chopped cars in at 3 years as likely to start having trouble after that, but I'm expecting with EV that that won't be the case ... time will tell! (or I will get itchy feet for new Tech)



Sorry, I should have clarified.

Original was "Autopilot", That had fewer cameras. Basically it stays in lane (on motorway, or any road with good markings, personally I don't think that just-a-curb, without a paint-line, is good enough), around curves, and will change lane on Motorway if you indicate. Cruise control is adaptive (to traffic conditions). It can either stay-n-line or follow-car-in-front, at slow speeds, such as bumper to bumper or, for short distances, if lane markers are poor - Bjorn posted a video recently where he was on AP following a car on a snow covered road with no markings ... presumably not a good idea if the car in front heads for the ditch!

Then New Autopilot (with new hardware) came out ... it had more cameras, half are activated for Enhance Autopilot and you can pay more to get the remainder activated. To avoid confusion, I suppose, the forum starting referring to HW1 / AP1 as Hardware One and the original Autopilot, and HW2 / AP2 for the new one. The hardware has been upgraded since, so sometimes now referred to as HW2.5

The AP1 stuff came from Mobile-eye, a company specialising in autonomous vehicles. Tesla fell out with them, bought it all in-house, and I think? expected to continue a separation-period with Mobile-eye which, for whatever reason, didn't happen, and so Tesla went it alone on the software front. That has taken longer than Elon predicted ...

There are some things that AP2 doesn't yet do (most noticeable is that Rain Sensing Wipers are going to be controlled by HW2, rather than a dedicated sensor, and that update has not been released. Elon Tweeted recently "coming soon" ...)

But I think it would be fair to say that AP2 will follow a curb (with no paint-line), so in that sense is better than AP1, although its other areas is less smooth than AP1. Basically the two are, at this time, much-of-a-much-ness

AP2 should, in near future, get:

Detect, and stop for,a red light.
Take motorway exit (based on SatNav route). (AP1 was promised that too)
Ability to drive non-divided roads (Currently I reckon AP1 needs paint-lines, AP2 will manage with a grass verge etc.)

and then the theory is that the HW2 hardware will be sufficient, once all the software is built [plus Regulatory stuff etc.], for the car to drive from A to B

Great - thanks for the clarification!

 

[SimonR]

I’m sure you already know this but forgive me for mentioning it, the corporation tax saving is somewhat offset on resale as the sale of the car is a taxable receipt for the company. Effectively you are getting tax relief on the difference between the purchase and sale price, i.e. the depreciation.

Thanks for the heads up. I was aware of this, and I'm going to be speaking to my accountant just to make sure I'm solid - but I'm assuming that if I keep getting Tesla's then I'll just keep deferring the tax, as the 'old' one will just be rolled into the price of the new one. I'm hoping I'm right on that!

On a totally separate note, I'm now thinking that the premium white interior is the way to go!!

 

[SimonR]

Ordered it!!!! Thanks everyone for your help - I'm looking forward to being part of what seems to be a very nice community!

 

[DJP31]

Thanks for the heads up. I was aware of this, and I'm going to be speaking to my accountant just to make sure I'm solid - but I'm assuming that if I keep getting Tesla's then I'll just keep deferring the tax, as the 'old' one will just be rolled into the price of the new one. I'm hoping I'm right on that!

On a totally separate note, I'm now thinking that the premium white interior is the way to go!!

Always best to check with the accountant but I think you are correct, the tax payable on the sale of the car will be more than offset by the cost of the new one. The only proviso being that the 100% FYA is still around.

Re the premium upgrade, there are of course budgetary constraints but seems a shame to lose the self presenting doors, and the heated streetimg wheel is rather nice too

 

[Carl]

If I had to choose between premium interior and AutoPilot, I wouldn't hesitate one second. AutoPilot is really a game changing thing (and the standard interior looks quite OK). Of course, activating AP afterwards is only a click away, whereas it's a bit more difficult and costly to change an interior

BTW if you want to feel good about not having gone for a X100D, play around with A Better Routeplanner; you'll notice the price difference between 75 and 100 is in many cases hard to justify in places, like yours, where SuperChargers are numerous.

Anyway, welcome to the community and have fun with the MX!

 

[DJP31]

Ordered it!!!! Thanks everyone for your help - I'm looking forward to being part of what seems to be a very nice community!

Congratulations! What did you go for in the end?

This forum is a great source of information, and there is also a closed Facebook group that will help soak up some time while you endure the Long Wait. You need to be an owner or have a car on order to join, here’s a link if you are interested

Log into Facebook | Facebook

 

[WannabeOwner]

You need to be an owner or have a car on order to join

... and be a facebook user Natch!

I don't know how many people that net catches, might just be me ...

 

[DJP31]

... and be a facebook user Natch!

I don't know how many people that net catches, might just be me ...

It’s the only Facebook page I use, and I made sure a young person set me up to be as invisible as possible.

The Tesla group is really pretty good, as is the website that has grown from it

The Tesla Owners' UK Club & Discussion Groups - Approved by Tesla UK

Happy New Year to all too!

 

[JonG]

As you’ve time even after ordering, are you aware of the high BIK rates for the next two years?
Has anyone explained company mileage rates and that the company can only reimburse you receipted costs as HMRC don’t allow a pence per mile rate on company EV cars? If you’re a highish business mile driver then owning privately can be worth 5-6k cash free per year.
If you’re looking at new inventory, or Tesla try to switch you, the rear bench had only recently become folding. Don’t rely on the current spec being what the car might have.

 

[WannabeOwner]

I have an 80 miles round-trip commute (call that 18K p.a. before I've gone anywhere else), which ain't business mileage sadly!, so although quite a bit of business mileage also a lot of private mileage (which will hurt 2nd hand value), so I think company car works better for me.

Charge at work as Electricity not BiK for fuel (yet ...), but obviously you can do that whether company car or not.

I also have a second company car (predecessor to the current one). BiK works out at about £1,500 p.a. which is pretty close to service/etc costs p.a.., however company picks up any additional costs that might be incurred - such as insurance for a learner driver ...

 

[CotswoldSara]

Hi @SimonR & welcome

What spec did you plump for in the end? I have a MS which is white outside & in and it does look stunning - even if I say so myself

There are some things that AP2 doesn't yet do (most noticeable is that Rain Sensing Wipers are going to be controlled by HW2, rather than a dedicated sensor, and that update has not been released. Elon Tweeted recently "coming soon" ...)

Rain sensing wipers are just starting to be rolled out. The update is being seen by some folks on the FB group, not had it myself yet but very much looking forward to it given the current weather!

But I think it would be fair to say that AP2 will follow a curb (with no paint-line), so in that sense is better than AP1, although its other areas is less smooth than AP1. Basically the two are, at this time, much-of-a-much-ness

My EAP HW2.5 car does seem reasonably happy on A roads that just have lines up the middle i.e. just a curb or hedge at the passenger side. It mostly gets it right but there are still places where it looses the plot I have to take over, usually large junctions where there's no real markings or reasonable corners where there's a vague hedge/road edge so it can't work out it needs to go round a corner.

I drove a large portion of my morning commute down A roads on autopilot, followed a queue of traffic behind a couple of tractors for a few miles & that was excellent as TACC & autopilot did all the work for me

Auto lane changing on the motorway is pretty cool too. Not got it to take an exit yet though, not sure if it's supposed to or not yet. Every time an update arrives it's like Christmas all over again

 

[WannabeOwner]

My EAP HW2.5 car does seem reasonably happy on A roads that just have lines up the middle i.e. just a curb or hedge at the passenger side.

Sounds excellent I wouldn't be happy in AP1 on a route like that ...

Not got it to take an exit yet though, not sure if it's supposed to or not yet.

Don't think that's supposed to be available as yet, but I doubt it will be long now.

 

[CotswoldSara]

@WannabeOwner I take it back, auto lane change did just take J12 on the M5 when I indicated so the feature must be there. Caught me by surprise as I was expecting to need to steer Didn't work this morning going the other way off at J13, don't know what was different. I'll try again when I do the same trip next week