larmor
Active Member
Love the updates-- wasn't the "+" suspension for the P85D supposed to be close to handling of a maclaren?
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Lhshockey24
Member
I totally forgot the P85+ was all about the sport tuned suspension. Now the P100D+ thing makes more sense. Sorry if I missed that earlier.
busaman
Member
i have a p85d and have driven a mclaren there is no comparison they are like chalk and cheese
Does yours have the + suspension? Only early ones did. It was an option on the RWD P85, which added the + badge. The early P85D included it as standard equipment (without the + badge), but it was dropped completely in a couple of months (early 2015).
But yes, the lore is Elon drove the early P85 and didn't like the handling. He wanted it more like the McLaren, so the + option package was born.
To be fair, there are almost no cars in the world that come close to McLaren F1 handling. You'll probably have to get into the like of P1, 720S, LaFerrari, and etc. in order to really match what the McLaren F1 is able to do. There is a reason people still reference that car today, even in today's hypercar discussions.
You definitely don't have the + then (too late). Also, 21" wheels were a separate option, so 21's doesn't necessarily mean +; you could order a P85+ with 19's or 21's. The + was a $8750 option, the 21's were a separate $4500 option.
The + handles way better than the standard suspension of the day. I don't have any experience with a McLaren. I do own a 996 GT3 and have lots of track time in it. The P85+ handles very well, but I wouldn't consider it as good as the GT3.
I have a Dec 2014 P85D with the "+" suspension and the ludicrous upgrade with the staggered 21's. It's definitely a unicorn I'm never going to sell. That being said, I've have had a P90D and P100D loaner and there is a definite noticeable difference in the suspension. A lot more roll without the "+" suspension. But for everyday driving, it's a big rough and hard in the bumps and pot holes even when I switch to the 19' for winter. Someone told me how to can check to see if you have the "+" suspension when I first got it by checking the serial number/barcode on the front suspension. I can't remember what but mine says "(P) 1030608-01-A (S) MJ 0027611". Something in that means it's the "+"!
Uncle Paul
Well-Known Member
Don't forget, Elon owned a McLaren in his Paypal days. He understands what a great handling car is all about.
Also, he wrecked that Mclaren F1 flying off a freeway onramp, so he has some experience knowing how far is past the limit with that car!
Also, I heard a distant rumor that Tesla engineers wrecked a newer Mclaren when they took one on a test drive to see how it compared to Model S.
So they may have pushed one too far as well.
Also, I heard a distant rumor that Tesla engineers wrecked a newer Mclaren when they took one on a test drive to see how it compared to Model S.
So they may have pushed one too far as well.
He was showing off to the passenger Peter Thiel on Sand Hill Road on the way to a business meeting. Young Elon Musk Totaled a McLaren F1 Car On a Joyride With Peter Thiel | Inverse
He did have the car repaired. Currently(ish), he has a Model T and a Jaguar Series 1 1967 E-type Roadster (his first love). Billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk reveals he owns two gas cars and one is his ‘first love’
I hope the Jalopnik guys don't strain their back from moving all those goalposts.
And all the compromises that come with a great handling car. There is a reason why even the best sports sedans or grand touring cars can't come close to something like a 911 or Cayman, let alone the really top tier sports cars.
FYI, early versions of Model 3 had a stiffer somewhat more responsive suspension. The one that I got has some intermediate step where they made it somewhat softer and apparently later production is softer still.
Most customers use their cars as commuters & trip cars, not as track cars or canyon carvers. So the tendency is to favor more comfort instead of ultimate handling.
When someone buys a Ferrari, Porsche, or Maclaren (for instance), I think the presumption is "more track ready and sporty" and less about comfort.
But Tesla is trying to be appealing to a wider audience, not just "sports car nuts".
I consider myself a "sports car enthusiast", but I end up using my car mostly for commuting, so I appreciate those compromises that Tesla decided to do with the suspension.
Most customers use their cars as commuters & trip cars, not as track cars or canyon carvers. So the tendency is to favor more comfort instead of ultimate handling.
When someone buys a Ferrari, Porsche, or Maclaren (for instance), I think the presumption is "more track ready and sporty" and less about comfort.
But Tesla is trying to be appealing to a wider audience, not just "sports car nuts".
I consider myself a "sports car enthusiast", but I end up using my car mostly for commuting, so I appreciate those compromises that Tesla decided to do with the suspension.
Now it’s looking like even that bit about said legendary driver is false. Reports out that they’re using a driver who’s a specialist for the ‘Ring. Apparently Jalopnik took a single tweet saying the guy could try it out to mean that he was their one and only driver.
willow_hiller
Well-Known Member
Not so much false as unlikely: Tesla Nurburgring record: The real reason Nico Rosberg isn’t driving | CarAdvice
Supposedly all drivers on the ring need to take several days of training, which Nico hasn't done, despite his F1 experience. It still might happen if the track makes an exception for him, though.
As good as Nico is, Ring is a different animal. Much better to hire an experienced Ring master like Horst, Sabine, or Christian to run the laps. I bet even Lewis Hamilton will have trouble being competitive against these 3 without having a good number of laps under him.
Love the picture with the hood up as if they are prepping the engine to do something special.
