Model S underside

[GreenDB]

Hi I’m thinking of getting a Model S and asked the 3rd party dealer to send me pics and video of the underside of the car. Can anyone comment on what you see? Does it look ok?

 

[serendipitous]

What are you expecting people here to notice? As expected, it's a completely featureless undercarriage. There's no sign of anything being poked or broken so in that sense it looks fine. Doesn't look like it was ever high-centered or struck anything.

Might be more useful to get a pic of the battery label to see what pack and revision it is. It's on the battery skateboard (what you're seeing in the pic) on the front right edge of it - you can see it through the passenger front wheel well with the car up or on the ground.

 

[GreenDB]

Thanks for taking time to read & feedback. I’ll get the battery pack info checked and reply in this thread.

 

[Atredz]

Side protection strips on side of pack are not present .....

 

[GreenDB]

Side protection strips on side of pack are not present .....

Thanks Atredz. I guess they are usually present in 2018 P75 model. Does that mean that they were probably removed after manufacture- possibly after fixing a battery defect problem ??

 

[Atredz]

Thanks Atredz. I guess they are usually present in 2018 P75 model. Does that mean that they were probably removed after manufacture- possibly after fixing a battery defect problem ??

could be or they got damage on a curb
Mine 2016 has 2 plastic crush strips down the left an right side between the jack pads

 

[GreenDB]

could be or they got damage on a curb
Mine 2016 has 2 plastic crush strips down the left an right side between the jack pads

Thanks for the detail Atredz. I’ll go back to the dealer . Looks like this car is one to avoid

 

[DavidB]

Thanks for the detail Atredz. I’ll go back to the dealer . Looks like this car is one to avoid

I wouldn't say that. The underside looks mostly damage free. The plastic strips are relatively cheap.

 

[GreenDB]

I wouldn't say that. The underside looks mostly damage free. The plastic strips are relatively cheap.

Thanks David. I’m concerned about “why they’re missing” . If there have been significant repair, I’d prefer if the dealer was upfront about the extent. I basically do not want to awuire a problematic car

 

[Atredz]

This is how mine underside looks like

 

[domodan]

Looks like they’re there to me.

 

[Atredz]

Looks like they’re there to me. View attachment 641924

Looks more like ripped of :x

 

[GreenDB]

Thanks both. I had a video sent to me ( can’t upload videos to this site) and I think that they might be there - perhaps the design has changed . I’ll take a look at the car this Sunday and report back

 

[DavidB]

…I’ll take a look at the car this Sunday and report back

If the car has air suspension, set Ride Height to very high before looking at the undercarriage.

 

[HenryT]

I wouldn't say that. The underside looks mostly damage free. The plastic strips are relatively cheap.

I had one replaced on my car after catching it on a deep pothole. It was referred to as a 'ski trim' and replacing it included a recommended HV battery high pressure test. Cost was £352 plus tax.

 

[Merle]

The bottom looks pretty good. It's free from missing parts, parts aren't hanging down, the bolt heads aren't worn off indicating a drive/strike.

Seen this on a few though (when you charge at Tesla service centers, you get to wander around and see how bad damage can be) ... the inside wheel liners. They're not stiff plastic per se but some dense cloth material. Make sure that they're not missing any of the pop rivets or pushed back / in.

On the right front inside wheel wheel, since the car is (or can be) put up on jacks, grab the serial number for the battery. There are threads talking about different versions and capability. Later on, in case you lose range or performance for whatever reason you'll have that information easily at hand.