I just rejected my Model X delivery :(

[Zaphod]

I wonder if that's actually due to the load rating of the wheel

Or load rating of the tires, more likely. Shorter sidewalls usually have lower load rating.

 

[loganintx]

3 beefy bicycle wheels to minimize surface area as much as possible

Same reason why trains use steel wheels on steel rails with very small surface area making contact between the two.

 

[Boston]

I have to think that it's actually friction (from a greater surface area) not air resistance that BMW went with narrow tires. In University, we built a solar powered EV race car with 3 beefy bicycle wheels to minimize surface area as much as possible for this exact reason.

@ Vandacca BMW marketing literature specifically cites reduced air resistance for the narrow tire design choice. Tire diameter was increased to compensate for the lost contact area. The gains must have been substantial to justify the use of a completely new tire profile requiring them to get the tire companies on board. I agree that rolling resistance is also a factor but I believe that air resistance is the primary consideration.

 

[ohmman]

@ Vandacca BMW marketing literature specifically cites reduced air resistance for the narrow tire design choice. Tire diameter was increased to compensate for the lost contact area. The gains must have been substantial to justify the use of a completely new tire profile requiring them to get the tire companies on board. I agree that rolling resistance is also a factor but I believe that air resistance is the primary consideration.

In cycling, it's known that wider tires have lower rolling resistance, but higher air resistance. If you cyclo commute at slower speeds, wider tires are better both from a ride and resistance standpoint. Once your speed increases enough to where air resistance becomes more meaningful than rolling resistance, thinner tires make sense.

So I think with vehicles, you are likely right. Air resistance is probably more important of a factor.

 

[goneskiian]

In cycling, it's known that wider tires have lower rolling resistance, but higher air resistance. If you cyclo commute at slower speeds, wider tires are better both from a ride and resistance standpoint. Once your speed increases enough to where air resistance becomes more meaningful than rolling resistance, thinner tires make sense.

So I think with vehicles, you are likely right. Air resistance is probably more important of a factor.

Yup. Good ol' frontal area. I and many others actually run a larger tire in the rear for the rolling resistance reduction (it's out of the wind) and a slightly narrower tire in the front for the aerodynamics.

Road racers are finally realizing how great fat tires roll.

 

[mark80908]

... So I denied pickup. I'm now totally depressed.

So what's the final resolution? Did you get an X? Which wheels...?

 

[Bignikk]

Tesla customer service is really sucking it......they should have swapped the tires and credited you the $4,500. Thats how you make a customer happy, and earn future business, any other car dealer would do the same in 2 seconds.

Lmao!!! Are you serious? A dealer give a customer something for free because the manufacturer was unable/willing to budge? LOL. Clearly you've never worked for a dealer (I have worked for 3 dealers and have been in theAutomotive industry for ocer 20 years). Or you're just trolling. Either way. I disagree with your assessment of what a dealer would do in this situation.

 

[F123456]

Lmao!!! Are you serious? A dealer give a customer something for free because the manufacturer was unable/willing to budge? LOL. Clearly you've never worked for a dealer (I have worked for 3 dealers and have been in theAutomotive industry for ocer 20 years). Or you're just trolling. Either way. I disagree with your assessment of what a dealer would do in this situation.

The post to which you're referring mentioned what Tesla "should" do; not what a "dealer would do," as you said.

Part of the benefit of buying a Tesla is that there is no dealership -- one less middle man, one less layer of middle management, etc. Now, Tesla is clearly imperfect, and does not always go out of the way to make the customer happy. But working with them to purchase and own a vehicle is still infinitely more sane, reasonable, and efficient, than going through a conventional dealer. And that's without even getting into the benefits of the car itself!

 

[AnOutsider]

Lmao!!! Are you serious? A dealer give a customer something for free because the manufacturer was unable/willing to budge? LOL. Clearly you've never worked for a dealer (I have worked for 3 dealers and have been in theAutomotive industry for ocer 20 years). Or you're just trolling. Either way. I disagree with your assessment of what a dealer would do in this situation.

Your reasoning seems to hinge on the word "dealer", which doesn't really apply here.

 

[Monkey]

...And yet, my P90D was delivered with the all-season tires instead of summer performance tires simply because I asked for them.