Difference between "P" & "S" suspensions

[TommyT]

Difference between Air & No Air Suspension

Hi, everyone. I'm curious about something, I'm sorry if this has been discussed before.

I own an MS40 (with Active air suspension) and had a P85 loaner (no Active air suspension) and fell in love with the feel of it's suspension... this were my observations from another thread:

"The P85's suspension felt much more refined than my MS40's Air Suspension. For example, it handles speed bumps with much better isolation and felt a bit more solid in the ground. I really have to slow down to under 5mph in my MS40 when I go through a speed bump or I'll feel a clunk and the tires will jump a little bit. Not so with the P85, felt more solid like a BMW suspension." *Both cars have similar mileage and 21" wheels.

My questions are:
Is the difference I feel while driving this two cars mostly because of one being an "S" and the other being a "P"? or does the Air Suspension change the feel of the ride too? (I thought the Air Suspension only raised or lowered the car but the feel would be similar.)

Thanks,
Tommy

 

[qwk]

The air suspension changes ride comfort and handling also. It's not just for raising/lowering the car.

 

[TommyT]

The air suspension changes ride comfort and handling also. It's not just for raising/lowering the car.

Ok, then in this case I like the ride of the "non air suspension". Then again, what I might be liking the Ride of the Performance 85 suspension, and that is the basis of my main question.

 

[qwk]

As far as I know there is only one standard suspension.

 

[TommyT]

As far as I know there is only one standard suspension.

Ok, that's really helpful. If "S" and "P" have the same suspension the that would narrow it down to just Air versus Standard.

 

[simplesolar]

I believe all the cars have the same air suspension setup except the P85+. I driven all 3, p85+ > P85 no air > P85 air from a handling perspective. Ride quality is exactly the exact opposite P85 air > P85 no air > P85+

 

[brianman]

I'm not going to call the previous posts "incorrect" but I definitely found them confusing.

Here's my recollection...

In 2012, Model S suspension options were:

• standard suspension
• air suspension

This was the same across 40, 60, 85, and P85 (85 with Performance package) vehicles. Later the 40 kWh offering became a "software variant" of the 60 kWh vehicle, so that simplifies the hardware discussion somewhat.

In 2013, Model S suspension options expanded to include another choice:

• plus package

So far at least, this option is only offered for P85 vehicles, changing them to "P85+".

Thus you have the following combinations:

1. standard suspension available on 40, 60, 85, P85
2. air suspension available on 40, 60, 85, P85
3. standard suspension on P85+
4. air suspension on P85+

Technically there is another couple variants but we haven't heard much about them lately:
5. standard suspension on P85, with plus retrofit
6. air suspension on P85, with plus retrofit

The price I heard at one point was $13,500 for the retrofit but I haven't met anyone in person that has had the retrofit, nor ridden in or even seen a vehicle with said retrofit. My fuzzy recollection is that "80% of the plus package" is included in the retrofit, and there are threads with lots of visits by people like lolachamp with more details.

Hope this helps.

 

[Jason S]

The tires used make a pretty big difference. Our car is a P85 (Conti tires), and we recently drove a P85+ (Mich PSS2 tires) for a few days. The differences were basically as noted in other threads re: P85 vs P85+ -- the P85+ has improved road feel and seems more solid on the road.

Air vs normal suspension; air improves matters. The Tesla normal suspension is pretty nice tho.

Optimal 'normal' ride might be 19" Mich Super Sport tires (aftermarket) on air suspension. The 21" with P85+ for extreme performance desires and the looks.

 

[gocken2]

TommyT I also have the MS40 with air suspension. I think there may be something wrong with yours. I can go over speed bumps faster in the MS than I can with my Jeep.

 

[TommyT]

TommyT I also have the MS40 with air suspension. I think there may be something wrong with yours. I can go over speed bumps faster in the MS than I can with my Jeep.

Faster than in a Jeep! Well, now I definitely feel there might be something wrong with my suspension! LOL If I pass a speed bump faster than 4 or 5 mph if hear and feel a big "clunk".

 

[Smop]

Technically there is another couple variants but we haven't heard much about them lately:
5. standard suspension on P85, with plus retrofit
6. air suspension on P85, with plus retrofit

The price I heard at one point was $13,500 for the retrofit but I haven't met anyone in person that has had the retrofit, nor ridden in or even seen a vehicle with said retrofit. My fuzzy recollection is that "80% of the plus package" is included in the retrofit, and there are threads with lots of visits by people like lolachamp with more details.

Hope this helps.

I do not think it is possible to do the standard suspension P85+ retrofit since the air springs are different on the P85+ and part of the factory package. I guess it is possible to change the suspension bits + rims/tires (minus the air springs) but I think that may lead to unpredictable handling.

 

[apacheguy]

Does a P+ suspension add weight to the car and thus affect acceleration and energy consumption? I've heard that a difference as small as 150 lbs can cause performance to take a hit. I wonder about W/mi between a P and a P+, both with 21 inch wheels.

 

[Smop]

Does a P+ suspension add weight to the car and thus affect acceleration and energy consumption? I've heard that a difference as small as 150 lbs can cause performance to take a hit. I wonder about W/mi between a P and a P+.

Not any more weight than what is on a normal P Air Suspension vehicle. The W/mi is actually better on the P+, I believe this is due to the lower rolling resistance of the PS2 tires.