Anyone in the UK 'upgraded' their Model Y suspension?

[browellm]

Far more people report being happy with it than there have been reviews slating it.

Which in no way rebutts the point that it's been mentioned in nearly every single review. Respond to what I've written, rather than what you think/hope I've written. I was responding to the poster's comment saying "I hope this is a one-off".

 

[DeejUK]

I test-drove a MYLR for ~20 minutes, and whilst it seemed a bit more firm than my '17 90D Model X, it wasn't problematic. Tyres were over-inflated (48psi I think?) too. This was on A-roads around the Dartford service centre. I've not driven many cars, and am by no means a 'car person' who'd really pick up on finer details.

In summary, the test-drive wasn't enough to make me cancel my order (and I've ordered a MYP which will be even stiffer), but my comparisons and experience are limited.

 

[dangrenade]

Which in no way rebutts the point that it's been mentioned in nearly every single review. Respond to what I've written, rather than what you think/hope I've written. I was responding to the poster's comment saying "I hope this is a one-off".

I will certainly try to in any future comments. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Speedking99887]

doesn't seem to be an issue in my model y no different than my model 3 performance great car I've lowered the psi down to 42 as 50 is on the high side maybe the guy just doesn't like the car and moaning about niggles. Model y is a great car i have an etron 50 as well and personally the model y is a better car. Build quality audi is better theres no denying that. But overall the model y is great and the range is phenomenal. All these car reviewers might well report the hard ride but like people have said have they changed the tyre pressure’s I'm even running on 20s

 

[Mr H]

Having done over 20k miles on 2 different M3, IMO the MY is harsher, it's a lot more 'jiggly'. There is a lot of worn shellgrip around here and it's just dreadful going over it, i had no such concerns with either M3 including several long EU trips, as long as the new kit softens it slightly then i'll be happy.

 

[prabhu]

Currently, at 3,700 miles, I find the suspension on the 19inch wheel to be fine. It will not be comparable to air suspension and will be an involved experience on local roads, but with the right tyre pressure, long journies are very good. If you have some money for upgrades perhaps upgrade to EAP or even FSD which you wouldn't regret. Oh, don't believe the YouTube reviewers and traditional car journalists since they don't make any money from Tesla marketing.

 

[browellm]

They make their money from tinfoil sales now.

 

[Tevo Solutions]

Suspension 'comfort' is a subjective thing but I don't think anyone could say there isn't a big difference between driving a MY around on well maintained motorways/A roads and doing the same on potholed city/town/country roads.
On good roads it's fine. On bad roads it's awful. Teslas have never beed tuned for UK roads and as our roads get worse the problem continues.

The Y suspension is an improvement in some ways over the 3 but in other ways it's much worse IMO. The crashiness isn't there so much but the control and damping is very lacking. All IMO of course, but if you own a Y and feel the same we may be able to help.

Tevo has started development of suspension kits which will dramatically improve the ride and handling of the MY. Our current M3 Ohlins/Bilstein kits would work on the MY, but I think the result would be too 'sporty' and stiff for those owners wanting a more comfortable ride.

There will be a few options available from us, at different price points, hopefully sometime in the summer.

 

[spdpsba]

Everybodies experiences seem to be different. Coming from a M3LR, I really noticed the ride being harder and more skittish. I think the higher driving position and higher centre of gravity doesn't help. I reduced the tyre pressures to low 40s but it didn't feel much different to me.

I thought I just needed time to get used to it but after 2 x 150 mile drives and feedback from others, it was clear to me that it wasn't as enjoyable to drive as the M3. Shame as I was really hoping to like the Y as much as the 3 but didn't work out that way.

I've read a lots of reviews here and online and most people seem to be happy but it really depends on your expectations as well as what you've been used to in your previous vehicle.

Hmmm, I thought the only drawback of M3 is its ride quality compared to other German luxury cars and Rangerovers. Now it sounds like Y is worse than M3 leaves me with no other choice next time round then!

 

[blert]

Hmmm, I thought the only drawback of M3 is its ride quality compared to other German luxury cars and Rangerovers. Now it sounds like Y is worse than M3 leaves me with no other choice next time round then!

I went from a Velar to a MY and would say that, as a very boringly average but probably typical driver, the suspension on the Y doesn't bother me one bit.

 

[spdpsba]

I went from a Velar to a MY and would say that, as a very boringly average but probably typical driver, the suspension on the Y doesn't bother me one bit.

That’s reassuring still miss my Velar for its ride quality and sound proofing.

 

[Meanbean]

Did you test drive one before taking delivery?

I've done two test drives and thought it was fine. I currently drive a Merc c200 sport. Definitely felt more of the road, but also felt it handled speed bumps far better. Definitely firm but in no way 'crashy'

 

[Toblerone]

I have a MYLR on order. My current cars are an Audi Q5 & A5, both on 20” wheels. The A5 tyres are low profile.

I went into the MY test drive expecting the worst. The car was on 20s and it drove absolutely fine around the roads of Leeds for 45mins.

I purposely drove over manhole covers, etc. I would say the MY felt heavy or planted, but the ride was OK and comparable to the Q5 and better than the A5.

It may not be as much of a drivers car, but it’s quicker than the 3.0 v6 A5 which it is replacing.

I therefore ordered the MY on 20s.

Edit to say Mrs Toblerone also agreed!

 

[GeorgeSymonds]

My experience is it’s far from a strength of the car but better than I expected based on the reviews. Tesla have never had a quality set up in any car in my experience and I’ve now owned MS on coils, MS in air, a M3 and now a MY, it’s just not an area they excel at and they kind of get away with the handling with a low centre of gravity, a firm setup, AWD helping pull you out of a corner and the acceleration making you feel like a superhero.

I wouldn’t pay money to improve it though either, if it’s not OEM you’re entering a world of dealing with insurance companies declaring mods and warranty debates at every turn.

 

[Sparkeur]

I've had a 3LR for two years now and I'm testing a Y next week so will be interested to see the difference.

 

[Casss]

Set them when cold. There’s no way to get a consistent pressure doing it warm unless you have a specialist tyre thermometer so you can relate temperature and pressure. By all means observe the changes in pressure when warm for “information”. Any quoted tyre pressures in the manual or on the forum are cold.

Oops, you're right adopado. Brain said "cold", typed "warm".

 

[X-Cile]

I'm agreement with the firm ride. I just cant justify spending another couple grand on top of the 56K+ already spent on the car to 'fix' the suspension. I came from having an Audi Q3 S-line for 8 years which was pretty firm too but the MY has a different type of firmness.

On smooth straight line roads with the sudden speed bumps, the MY can handles those fine and I felt it was softer than the Q3 which felt like the underside was collapsing every time it goes through a speed bump. However on those uneven twisty country roads, I get thrown around side to side like a rag doll in the MY even at low speeds <30-35mph whereas the Q3 felt more forgiving on those very same roads.

I'm on 19" gemini's with the tyre pressures set at 42psi cold and personally feel it didn't make much of a difference.

That said, we're still enjoying the car very much and the pro's (infrastructure, tech, space, acceleration etc.) far outweighs all the cons, so we're okay to compromise on a couple things about the car.

 

[WannabeOwner]

Which in no way rebutts the point that it's been mentioned in nearly every single review.

Yup, definitely something in that. Might be explained by how the Press-Cars were prep'd. I'd like to think that Tesla mechanics were "all over them" before handing over to Press ... but maybe not. And maybe they were fitted with wheels / tyres for the "Best look" rather than the Best Ride.

Quite possibly the same press cars for all press reports ... and likely (given publication lag) a long time before actual cars got here. (But that said LHD was available a long time before RHD was made, so presumably they wouldn't have been pre-production, per se.)

 

[Casss]

Personally there are a few things I never take a reviewers word on... ride and comfort is one of them. It's too subjective and often these days very skewed one way or the other.

If it hurts your arse or spine, don't buy it. Or buy it and make changes. Simples. And if you buy a car without test driving it, or keep it long enough that you can't return it, then whine about it, personally I think you've made the rod for your own arse (pun intended and I'll take the points).

Telling people they made the wrong decision because you've heard or read that lots of "reviewers" complained about the ride though - find something better to do with your time.

 

[spdpsba]

However on those uneven twisty country roads, I get thrown around side to side like a rag doll in the MY even at low speeds <30-35mph whereas the Q3 felt more forgiving on those very same roads.

You’ve hit the nail on the head - that’s how I feel if I sit in the back in my M3. Uneven twisty country roads, sitting at the back in my 18” wheels I get thrown around side to side. I am lucky most of the time I drive so no need for me to sit there but my son never had such an uncomfortable journey in any of our previous cars. I was (still I am) hoping Y would improve the ride comfort even if I lose some dynamics. It looks like it is a mixed bag. Will see whether M3 gets better in 2023!