I'm expecting my finalize email soon (12,848) and will be soon the 85kwh. I've been told by the reps at the Tesla store that if I choose air suspension I could jump the line since many 40/60 kwh reservations are without air as an option. Can anybody provide some empirical data to back this up. I may elect to go for 85kwh with air if it means I will get my car sooner than later given non air cars don't start production until March. Comes down to how many people before me are not getting air. Thoughts?
I think you should choose whichever would make you happy/content. You'll have to live with this decision far longer than the extra time for delivery. Timeline wise, I'd guess that choosing air suspension would eliminate any delays.
I think 85KwH standard + air suspension is the sweet spot for earliest delivery. They have (or at least had) a shortage of performance parts because more people orderd the Perf option than expected. If the non-air cars don't start production until March, that means even 85KwH non-air cars won't be produced until then.
I've taken 4 test drives and have to say I'm very impressed with the air suspension. any car with 21" wheels I have driven is harsh in comparison. Air suspension makes the road a lot smoother! do what will make you happy, either way, the time will fly!
Over on TM, a post requested 60 kWh configs, and eyeballing it (three dozen+) most seem to be getting air and S.C. Don't know if that would apply to 40s. Another 60 kWH post | Forums | Tesla Motors
There is a thread on the forums at TMs website where people are listing details of their 60 kWH configurations. I think all of them have active air suspension.
Only about 10% of the people who reserve go to any of the forums, and people who frequent forums may not be representative of the average purchaser.