Disappointed with my S75

[Wilsonuk]

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and I'm going to start with some negatives. I love the idea of Tesla and purchased a brand new Model S 75 in October 2017. After 3,500 miles I have been totally unimpressed to the point where I'm considering trading it in for something else. The purpose of the post is to see if I've been unlucky, or if other Tesla owners have had similar issues, and if so do the issues get resolved/do you get used to the problems in time!

The issues I have with the car part poor build quality and (more worryingly) part failings of the design in my opinion. The list is as follows:

1. The range indicator is totally misleading. I have never managed to get more than about 60% of the stated 240 mile range driving at 'normal' UK motorway speeds (80mph)
2. I find the windscreen wipers baffling to use and ineffective. I also get 'Washer Fluid Low' warning all the time when it's full, but that's just one of the build quality issues and i'm sure it's easily fixable.
3. Faulty door handles - passenger side doesn't retract at all. The drivers side handle pings back in like it has been fired at the car from a catapult.
4. Rear lights have condensation in them, which I assume is because of poorly fitted seals. Again, easily fixable I'm sure, but it reduces confidence in the all round quality of build/assembly.
5. The Interior trim around the door frames is not well fitted which leads to inconsistent closing of windows and excessive noise.
5. Handling - in the dry, it is twitchy. In damp conditions it is VERY twitchy. In wet conditions it feels to me rather like how I would imagine it would feel riding a Moto GP bike in the wet over cobbles. On slick tyres.
6. Auto Pilot is useful in slow moving traffic, but nervy at motorway speeds. It doesn't react to cars moving into my lane and sometimes brakes hard for (apparently) absolutely no reason. Auto lane change is inconsistent. The dealer told me that the car 'learns' as it gets used, but I'm not convinced!
7. Automatic Park inconsistent, and not always offered. I think this might still be in Beta, which is fair enough, but one of my colleagues had a VW Passatt 8 years ago with this feature fully working.
8. Never managed to pair my calendar with the vehicle. A minor niggle, but it shouldn't be offered as a feature if it doesn't work.
9. The toggle on the steering wheel used to select phone contacts slips easily, making it difficult to send and end calls.
10. Quality of switch gear is very poor. I didn't think I would mind this when I was test driving the car, but it actually annoys me more every time I use the vehicle.

I do like the large screen and the ability to warm the car before I enter, but other than that the only reason I can think to keep the vehicle is for price/environmental reasons. So, my experience has been poor, but I'm willing to be convinced of the merits of keeping it by more experienced users! I really want to like it!!

Sorry for so many negatives, but I am genuinely trying to get feedback to help with my decision to change the car or not.

All (constructive) feedback appreciated!

Andy

 

[Shawn Snider]

Guessing this is a CPO, as they haven't offered RWD in a LONG time. What year CPO?

 

[azred]

I’ve had my car for 13months and while it has had some warts, Tesla has promptly fixed them. I love my car and will probably keep it at least ten years.

But that’s me. As for you, I’d highly recommend that you sell the car ASAP. Your list will only get longer.

 

[croman]

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and I'm going to start with some negatives. I love the idea of Tesla and purchased a brand new Model S 75 in October 2017. After 3,500 miles I have been totally unimpressed to the point where I'm considering trading it in for something else. The purpose of the post is to see if I've been unlucky, or if other Tesla owners have had similar issues, and if so do the issues get resolved/do you get used to the problems in time!

The issues I have with the car part poor build quality and (more worryingly) part failings of the design in my opinion. The list is as follows:

1. The range indicator is totally misleading. I have never managed to get more than about 60% of the stated 240 mile range driving at 'normal' UK motorway speeds (80mph)
2. I find the windscreen wipers baffling to use and ineffective. I also get 'Washer Fluid Low' warning all the time when it's full, but that's just one of the build quality issues and i'm sure it's easily fixable.
3. Faulty door handles - passenger side doesn't retract at all. The drivers side handle pings back in like it has been fired at the car from a catapult.
4. Rear lights have condensation in them, which I assume is because of poorly fitted seals. Again, easily fixable I'm sure, but it reduces confidence in the all round quality of build/assembly.
5. The Interior trim around the door frames is not well fitted which leads to inconsistent closing of windows and excessive noise.
5. Handling - in the dry, it is twitchy. In damp conditions it is VERY twitchy. In wet conditions it feels to me rather like how I would imagine it would feel riding a Moto GP bike in the wet over cobbles. On slick tyres.
6. Auto Pilot is useful in slow moving traffic, but nervy at motorway speeds. It doesn't react to cars moving into my lane and sometimes brakes hard for (apparently) absolutely no reason. Auto lane change is inconsistent. The dealer told me that the car 'learns' as it gets used, but I'm not convinced!
7. Automatic Park inconsistent, and not always offered. I think this might still be in Beta, which is fair enough, but one of my colleagues had a VW Passatt 8 years ago with this feature fully working.
8. Never managed to pair my calendar with the vehicle. A minor niggle, but it shouldn't be offered as a feature if it doesn't work.
9. The toggle on the steering wheel used to select phone contacts slips easily, making it difficult to send and end calls.
10. Quality of switch gear is very poor. I didn't think I would mind this when I was test driving the car, but it actually annoys me more every time I use the vehicle.

I do like the large screen and the ability to warm the car before I enter, but other than that the only reason I can think to keep the vehicle is for price/environmental reasons. So, my experience has been poor, but I'm willing to be convinced of the merits of keeping it by more experienced users! I really want to like it!!

Sorry for so many negatives, but I am genuinely trying to get feedback to help with my decision to change the car or not.

All (constructive) feedback appreciated!

Andy

Range depends on temp. Since you got your car in winter, you are getting the low end of the range. In summer it will vastly exceed that. If you use a lot of heat (which it sounds like you do), that uses battery pack energy unless on shore power.

All the rest of your issues are either user error or easily correctable quibbles. Go ahead and trade it in. Someone else will get those issues addressed in a service center visit and enjoy an amazing car.

 

[croman]

Guessing this is a CPO, as they haven't offered RWD in a LONG time. What year CPO?

They actually offered the S75 until very recently (even with a new DU that goes 0-60 in 4.3s). They might even still sell you one new if you ask nicely.

 

[Wilsonuk]

Guessing this is a CPO, as they haven't offered RWD in a LONG time. What year CPO?[/QUOTE It's a brand new, built to order car ordered June 2017...

 

[Wilsonuk]

I’ve had my car for 13months and while it has had some warts, Tesla has promptly fixed them. I love my car and will probably keep it at least ten years.

But that’s me. As for you, I’d highly recommend that you sell the car ASAP. Your list will only get longer.

Thanks for the feedback! What kind of warts are we talking here!? Similar to my experience, or things I am yet to discover!?

 

[Wilsonuk]

Range depends on temp. Since you got your car in winter, you are getting the low end of the range. In summer it will vastly exceed that. If you use a lot of heat (which it sounds like you do), that uses battery pack energy unless on shore power.

All the rest of your issues are either user error or easily correctable quibbles. Go ahead and trade it in. Someone else will get those issues addressed in a service center visit and enjoy an amazing car.

Thanks, so you think that the range driving at those speeds is achievable in warmer months? Nearly the full 240 miles without climate on?

 

[croman]

Thanks, so you think that the range driving at those speeds is achievable in warmer months? Nearly the full 240 miles without climate on?

I get 300+ miles with climate on but I don't drive at 80+mph. You'll get above 280 miles even with climate if its not >95F. RWD does not torque sleep though (which D motors do). So highway efficiency is not as much but yes, summer makes a huge difference.

Speed might be what is killing you more than necessarily heat. If you tone it down to 75mph, you'll see 10% better range. Gains will be even higher if you can manage 70mph. Also crosswinds or wind directly at the car really affect range.

 

[Wilsonuk]

I get 300+ miles with climate on but I don't drive at 80+mph. You'll get above 280 miles even with climate if its not >95F. RWD does not torque sleep though (which D motors do). So highway efficiency is not as much but yes, summer makes a huge difference.

OK, great, thanks for the input.

 

[Shawn Snider]

Every different countries Tesla site must be different, In Canada the RWD models were quietly wiped from the options on the site, as of like, last Spring or something.

But for a brand new 2017, that's extremely disappointing... Sounds like a list from a 2013 or 2014....

 

[comanchepilot]

Guessing this is a CPO, as they haven't offered RWD in a LONG time. What year CPO?

they were selling new inventory RWD's as late as Dec 2017 . . . might be an earlier 2017 build - but they had a ton of them in inventory in early Dec.

 

[BerTX]

I get 300+ miles with climate on but I don't drive at 80+mph. You'll get above 280 miles even with climate if its not >95F. RWD does not torque sleep though (which D motors do). So highway efficiency is not as much but yes, summer makes a huge difference.

Speed might be what is killing you more than necessarily heat. If you tone it down to 75mph, you'll see 10% better range. Gains will be even higher if you can manage 70mph. Also crosswinds or wind directly at the car really affect range.

Huh? You get 300+ miles with a 75 at highway speeds? You need to write a book on how you do that!

Us mere mortals can sometimes get the 259 miles of rated range if we stay below 65 mph and are careful.

 

[Shawn Snider]

Every 5mph reduction is quite a substantial gain in range. Rain / Snow wreak havoc on range.

Search Youtube for Bjorn Nyland, TeslaBjorn. Very informative videos!

 

[BinaryField]

I've had very good results with autoparking (despite the perpendicular mode being very slow). I do think that the manual is a little bit unclear about exactly you need to do and expect to use the feature. This video gives a very good explanation:

 

[chispas]

Guessing this is a CPO, as they haven't offered RWD in a LONG time. What year CPO?

I bought a new S 75 RWD a month ago, they weren’t listing them in their website but they had them built already

 

[croman]

Huh? You get 300+ miles with a 75 at highway speeds? You need to write a book on how you do that!

Us mere mortals can sometimes get the 259 miles of rated range if we stay below 65 mph and are careful.

I usually go 70mph (its the limit through OH and they have tons of troopers pinging people).

Maybe I should write a book? I had no idea it was so rare. I have a 75D. Thanks for the encouragement .

 

[CuriousG]

1. The range indicator is totally misleading. I have never managed to get more than about 60% of the stated 240 mile range driving at 'normal' UK motorway speeds (80mph)
2. I find the windscreen wipers baffling to use and ineffective. I also get 'Washer Fluid Low' warning all the time when it's full, but that's just one of the build quality issues and i'm sure it's easily fixable.
3. Faulty door handles - passenger side doesn't retract at all. The drivers side handle pings back in like it has been fired at the car from a catapult.
4. Rear lights have condensation in them, which I assume is because of poorly fitted seals. Again, easily fixable I'm sure, but it reduces confidence in the all round quality of build/assembly.
5. The Interior trim around the door frames is not well fitted which leads to inconsistent closing of windows and excessive noise.
5. Handling - in the dry, it is twitchy. In damp conditions it is VERY twitchy. In wet conditions it feels to me rather like how I would imagine it would feel riding a Moto GP bike in the wet over cobbles. On slick tyres.
6. Auto Pilot is useful in slow moving traffic, but nervy at motorway speeds. It doesn't react to cars moving into my lane and sometimes brakes hard for (apparently) absolutely no reason. Auto lane change is inconsistent. The dealer told me that the car 'learns' as it gets used, but I'm not convinced!
7. Automatic Park inconsistent, and not always offered. I think this might still be in Beta, which is fair enough, but one of my colleagues had a VW Passatt 8 years ago with this feature fully working.
8. Never managed to pair my calendar with the vehicle. A minor niggle, but it shouldn't be offered as a feature if it doesn't work.
9. The toggle on the steering wheel used to select phone contacts slips easily, making it difficult to send and end calls.
10. Quality of switch gear is very poor. I didn't think I would mind this when I was test driving the car, but it actually annoys me more every time I use the vehicle.

1. I don't know if you're using ideal range or rated range but for an S75 to get 240 miles @ 80mph is a pipe dream. Whomever told you take is just plain wrong.
2. Take to service center
3. Take to service center
4. This is a problem that has plagued Tesla for a long time. Not even sure if the problem is fixed at this point. Suggest you contact service center
5a. Take to service center
5b. Never had a problem with my tires but then again I have AWD. The RWD loaner I used had bald and under inflated tires that was scary.
6. I take it you have EAP? Make sure you're on the latest firmware. My understanding is EAP has been getting better with each iteration. I think EAP in Model 3 performs better than original AP but I came in while EAP was working better rather than the earlier iterations. Take the car in to service and they automatically put on on the latest version.
7. I think this has always been the case, in fact now with EAP it tends to overcompensate by showing parking spaces available when it should like when you're next to a car at a light.
8. You need to use the Tesla app on your phone for it to sync.
9. I don't think I've had issues with contacts using the wheel but I've vented my panoramic roof by accident more than a few times. Take it to service center.
10. I take it you mean the gear stalk? Never had issues with mine. How is it poor quality?

In case this hasn't set in to you, a lot of these issues should be taken care of through your service center. You never mention if you've taken it in so it doesn't make sense to air these grievances before Tesla has a chance to make things right.

 

[croman]

I usually go 70mph (its the limit through OH and they have tons of troopers pinging people).

Maybe I should write a book? I had no idea it was so rare. I have a 75D. Thanks for the encouragement .

I also got 239 miles of range from my 60D in one go (yes, at 70mph) and it was up and down mountains (Erie PA SC to outside of Ithaca NY). That was actually the toughest feat. Or maybe it was doing that exact leg while it was 27F this Thanksgiving with only 10kwh more juice available.

 

[Wilsonuk]

Every different countries Tesla site must be different, In Canada the RWD models were quietly wiped from the options on the site, as of like, last Spring or something.

But for a brand new 2017, that's extremely disappointing... Sounds like a list from a 2013 or 2014....

Yeah, thanks, that's kind of how I'm feeling. Just a bit let down, but like I say I'm giving them a chance to fix everything on the list that they can and if the tips I've had from @croman work maybe the range won't be such an issue either.