"Other...Updates" (to the Model S, aside from 'D')

[Todd Burch]

I had an early car (VIN1653) and a car just picked up last week (VIN55228) with the new sensors so I am in a unique position to answer some of these.

-Seat comfort improvements and taller headrests for whiplash protection

Comfort improvements? Maybe. Hard for me to tell, although they do seem a little more comfortable. Taller headrests? Nope.

-Improvements for a quieter cabin

I have a P85 w/ coils and 20" wheels now compared to an S85 w/ air and 19" wheels on my first car, so direct comparisons are difficult. If anything, the new car should be a little louder. But, there does seem to be less noise coming in from the wheel area in the newer car, so my guess is the sound improvements are already there.

-Wider rear door opening

This seems to be integrated already.

-Electrically opening, self-closing charge port door on Dual Motor Model S (delivered with Dual Motor Model S)

Not yet, obviously.

-Increased visor size and larger vanity mirror

Visor size has changed some. I've never had an issue with the size of the vanity mirror. IMHO if people find it too small they need to raise their seat.

-Parcel shelf and front trunk cargo net now standard

Confirmed.

-Air ionizer and carbon filter for cabin air purity

Confirmed. Do I notice a difference? No. Is there a difference? Maybe. I don't carry a scanning electron microscope around with me .

-Updated steering column control module

Yep. Of note is that the end of the cruise control stalk has four rotary settings...presumably to set ACC following distance when it comes.

-Updates to Alcantara interior trim, such as wrapped roof bow and top pad

Confirmed.

 

[morbot]

It is funny to me that on my first test drive I went to use the visor for some sun glare and I was so surprised by their odd size I blurted out "Wow these are so tiny!". The Product Specialist commented on the time that he hoped they'd address it... must've been a pretty common complaint if they're doing something about it.

On the other hand, the vertical profile of the front windshield is so small, I just figured they didn't want to block much view. I'm not use to such a low profile view based on my current sedan so I thought the visors might have been normal

 

[breser]

On the other hand, the vertical profile of the front windshield is so small, I just figured they didn't want to block much view. I'm not use to such a low profile view based on my current sedan so I thought the visors might have been normal

In my opinion the new visors are just right. After I got my car I kept wondering what the heck people were complaining about.

After driving the loaner for 2 days, those felt small to me. I can understand the complaints.

 

[jstepy]

Breser why was your car in for service?

 

[ArtInCT]

Kudos to Breser for the fine photos and the time spent to share them with us!
BRESER! BRESER!! (Can you hear the crowd roaring??)

Also, regarding the "Quieter Cabin" I speculate that the addition of the front motor prompted TESLA to
augment the firewall sound insulation.

 

[breser]

Breser why was your car in for service?

Replacing the steering wheel that had a piece of loose leather. It was noticed when I took delivery but took a while to get the part and get an appointment at the service center to swap it.

I also had them look into some small punch list items while they had it.

- Charge port difficulties
- Water condensation in the tail light trim
- Windshield wiper smearing on the back stroke (right in the middle of my sight line). Was very distracting from when I first picked it up but it (was raining that day) didn't rain much for a while after so it took me a while to realize what the problem was.
- Rattle that had developed in the dash. This ended up causing them to nick a trim piece and then they had to keep the car an extra day so they could get the part.

 

[Whom]

Todd,

Is there any improvement in our old audio system noise issue?

I had an early car (VIN1653) and a car just picked up last week (VIN55228) with the new sensors so I am in a unique position to answer some of these.

-Seat comfort improvements and taller headrests for whiplash protection

Comfort improvements? Maybe. Hard for me to tell, although they do seem a little more comfortable. Taller headrests? Nope.

-Improvements for a quieter cabin

I have a P85 w/ coils and 20" wheels now compared to an S85 w/ air and 19" wheels on my first car, so direct comparisons are difficult. If anything, the new car should be a little louder. But, there does seem to be less noise coming in from the wheel area in the newer car, so my guess is the sound improvements are already there.

-Wider rear door opening

This seems to be integrated already.

-Electrically opening, self-closing charge port door on Dual Motor Model S (delivered with Dual Motor Model S)

Not yet, obviously.

-Increased visor size and larger vanity mirror

Visor size has changed some. I've never had an issue with the size of the vanity mirror. IMHO if people find it too small they need to raise their seat.

-Parcel shelf and front trunk cargo net now standard

Confirmed.

-Air ionizer and carbon filter for cabin air purity

Confirmed. Do I notice a difference? No. Is there a difference? Maybe. I don't carry a scanning electron microscope around with me .

-Updated steering column control module

Yep. Of note is that the end of the cruise control stalk has four rotary settings...presumably to set ACC following distance when it comes.

-Updates to Alcantara interior trim, such as wrapped roof bow and top pad

Confirmed.

 

[scottm]

Re: sun visors... never use them, I'm such a tall driver I use the headliner ahead of me as the sun visor. I could delete sun visor and would make no difference.

 

[JimboJonesUK]

Do I see that the indicator stalk has now moved to a more conventional place (higher up that before)?

 

[Ames]

Do I see that the indicator stalk has now moved to a more conventional place (higher up that before)?

This is correct. The new Mercedes stalk is the one being used which has switched the position of Cruise Control and signal indicator.

 

[JimboJonesUK]

Cheers Ames. Excellent.

Regarding the Alcantara interior trim what exactly is the roof bow and top pad?

 

[breser]

Regarding the Alcantara interior trim what exactly is the roof bow and top pad?

The roof bow is the bit that runs across the middle of the roof and sticks down on a car with the Panoramic Roof. This didn't used to be covered and used to just be a black piece of plastic. Now cars with Alcantara headliners get this covered. It's still just black plastic on cloth cars.

I'm not 100% sure what they mean by the top pad change. I'd guess the top pad is padding they put between the roof and the Alcantra across the top. So I'd also guess they improved that padding somehow. But that's just a guess.

 

[Ames]

The roof bow is the bit that runs across the middle of the roof and sticks down on a car with the Panoramic Roof. This didn't used to be covered and used to just be a black piece of plastic. Now cars with Alcantara headliners get this covered. It's still just black plastic on cloth cars.

I'm not 100% sure what they mean by the top pad change. I'd guess the top pad is padding they put between the roof and the Alcantra across the top. So I'd also guess they improved that padding somehow. But that's just a guess.

I believe the Top Pad referred to the Dashboard. This is a recent change. There are pics if u browse the forum. I'm on the road right now...

---------EDIT

See pics below. I believe these are the recent changes to the Alcantara "roof bow" and "top pad":

 

[JimboJonesUK]

ah thanks guys. that looks much better to me

 

[Chuck P85D]

This is correct. The new Mercedes stalk is the one being used which has switched the position of Cruise Control and signal indicator.

WHAT?!? That is highly disappointing. I love where they put the turn signal. Meant I never had to lift my arm off the armrest to make a signal. Sounds insignificant but I end up using the signal EVERY lane change I make which = safer.