P85 owner traded to P85+

Fonzie · Oct 16, 2013

I know there are plenty of similar threads, so I'll make this short and to the point. I owned a P85 for 6 weeks, and took delivery of a new P85+ earlier this week.

Tex is right.. the + makes a huge difference, especially to someone like myself who comes from a high end sports car background. Coming out of a V10 R8, the handling of the P85 left me really wanting more. The adjustments of the + really help cover some of the gap.

The best way I'd like to describe this.. it feels as if I went from a car who's entire suspension system felt like it was held together by thin rubber bands - to a car held together by tight leather straps. Does that make sense? I don't care, I'm sticking with it.

NoMoDinos · Oct 16, 2013

Congrats on the upgrade! As soon as I let myself test drive it (my third time around!), it was over. Tex is like that high school counselor who keeps pushing you to reach your full potential

DIL · Oct 17, 2013

says alot if your basis for comparison is an R8.
congrats and we'd love to see pics of the new +!

lolachampcar · Oct 17, 2013

Fonzie,
Now imagine it at the same ride height (or maybe a 1/2" lower where mine is) on coil springs...... I can not wait to try this.

texex91 · Oct 17, 2013

FANTASTIC!!

You hit the nail on the head, and glad you made the switch, as it makes a HUGE difference in the drive from a P to a P+.

I was wondering since you came out of a R8 how long that was going to take

gimp_dad · Oct 17, 2013

You guys really are killing me. I am having such a hard time not doing the same thing. But I have a Founder edition P85 and can't talk myself into getting rid of it because of the novelty of being an original. In one day I drove a P85+ loaner and a P85 without air suspension and saw that both were so superior to my suspension that it broke my heart. Night and day...

AMPd · Oct 17, 2013

gimp_dad said:
You guys really are killing me. I am having such a hard time not doing the same thing. But I have a Founder edition P85 and can't talk myself into getting rid of it because of the novelty of being an original. In one day I drove a P85+ loaner and a P85 without air suspension and saw that both were so superior to my suspension that it broke my heart. Night and day...

Upgrading the suspension might be your only option seeing as how you have such a rare model s!

simplesolar · Oct 19, 2013

AMPd said:
Upgrading the suspension might be your only option seeing as how you have such a rare model s!

Swap to coil suspension might be a lot cheaper than doing the plus upgrade.

Dreamin · Oct 19, 2013

Congrats on the upgrade! I'm so jealous.

lolachampcar · Oct 20, 2013

I'm not sure I would jump right into a coil spring swap. There are fleas on that dog (getting Tesla to disable air or having to do "faker" electronics to get the air system happy).

I think I would start with the rear a-arm inner bushings and a good set of rubber. Longer upper links will help to put camber back to a more reasonable number. If you have an early car, you may very well have the first revision of sub-frame bushings. The only way to address that is to replace the sub-frame as Tesla does not sell bushings. I believe the assemblies (a-arms, links, sub-frames, etc.) come from the vendor with bushings installed so Tesla does not even list a separate part number for the bushings. I really wish they did as $50 in bushings makes a lot more sense than $550 for a P+ a-arm but then that is a different story.

dailydriver · Oct 21, 2013

Fonzie said:
I know there are plenty of similar threads, so I'll make this short and to the point. I owned a P85 for 6 weeks, and took delivery of a new P85+ earlier this week.

Tex is right.. the + makes a huge difference, especially to someone like myself who comes from a high end sports car background. Coming out of a V10 R8, the handling of the P85 left me really wanting more. The adjustments of the + really help cover some of the gap.

The best way I'd like to describe this.. it feels as if I went from a car who's entire suspension system felt like it was held together by thin rubber bands - to a car held together by tight leather straps. Does that make sense? I don't care, I'm sticking with it.

I also have an R8 V10 model and really want the better handling in the Model S. I thought I wanted to do the retrofit/upgrade to my P85, but due to the cost and compromises, I think I will likely give the wife my car and just order a new P85+ (she was strongly considering getting a Model S anyway, just didn't want/need the Performance option). I also don't want to butcher up a Signature series car, even if it is a Tesla installed upgrade.

DIL · Oct 21, 2013

dailydriver said:
I also have an R8 V10 model and really want the better handling in the Model S. I thought I wanted to do the retrofit/upgrade to my P85, but due to the cost and compromises, I think I will likely give the wife my car and just order a new P85+ (she was strongly considering getting a Model S anyway, just didn't want/need the Performance option). I also don't want to butcher up a Signature series car, even if it is a Tesla installed upgrade.

Sounds like a good idea considering that signature series are so rare and unique. Frankly I'm surprised the P85 + holds a candle to the R8 V10!

gimp_dad · Oct 21, 2013

lolachampcar said:
I'm not sure I would jump right into a coil spring swap. There are fleas on that dog (getting Tesla to disable air or having to do "faker" electronics to get the air system happy).

I think I would start with the rear a-arm inner bushings and a good set of rubber. Longer upper links will help to put camber back to a more reasonable number. If you have an early car, you may very well have the first revision of sub-frame bushings. The only way to address that is to replace the sub-frame as Tesla does not sell bushings. I believe the assemblies (a-arms, links, sub-frames, etc.) come from the vendor with bushings installed so Tesla does not even list a separate part number for the bushings. I really wish they did as $50 in bushings makes a lot more sense than $550 for a P+ a-arm but then that is a different story.

I think I like this initial path the best. Now I just need to find out if it is possible to just get the part and installation of that one piece from Tesla at a reasonable price. The rubber upgrade is easy. I would prefer to go with third party rims anyway because the current width of the rears for the P+ are a lame halfway attempt.

dennis · Oct 21, 2013

dailydriver said:
I also don't want to butcher up a Signature series car, even if it is a Tesla installed upgrade.

The more Signature owners who have that attitude, the more unique my Sig P85+ will be. :biggrin:

carrerascott · Oct 21, 2013

Did you trade up through Tesla, or sell your P85 and buy/order a new P85+?

Just curious!

Fonzie said:
I know there are plenty of similar threads, so I'll make this short and to the point. I owned a P85 for 6 weeks, and took delivery of a new P85+ earlier this week.

Tex is right.. the + makes a huge difference, especially to someone like myself who comes from a high end sports car background. Coming out of a V10 R8, the handling of the P85 left me really wanting more. The adjustments of the + really help cover some of the gap.

The best way I'd like to describe this.. it feels as if I went from a car who's entire suspension system felt like it was held together by thin rubber bands - to a car held together by tight leather straps. Does that make sense? I don't care, I'm sticking with it.

Fonzie · Oct 21, 2013

carrerascott said:
Did you trade up through Tesla, or sell your P85 and buy/order a new P85+?

Just curious!

I found a brand new P85+ and bought it. I sold the P85 privately, Tesla's offer for the trade was pathetic.

lolachampcar · Oct 21, 2013

carrerascott,

I hate to ask personal questions but how are your rears doing these days

I know you had a nasty early wear surprise.

carrerascott · Oct 21, 2013

If I have a nickel for every time someone asked about my rear...

Anyway, they're coming to get the car again Thursday for a few different things including the rear tires. It's not AS BAD but I am noticing pretty heavy wear again on the inside edges of the rears. After almost another 5k (I'm at 11k now, new tires were put on at about 6500) I'd say the insides have worn 2X as much as the outside of the tire. I'll report back after service...

lolachampcar said:
carrerascott,

I hate to ask personal questions but how are your rears doing these days I know you had a nasty early wear surprise.

- - - Updated - - -

That's what I figured, but thought I'd ask. Thanks!

Fonzie said:
I found a brand new P85+ and bought it. I sold the P85 privately, Tesla's offer for the trade was pathetic.

brianman · Oct 21, 2013

dailydriver said:
I also have an R8 V10 model and really want the better handling in the Model S. I thought I wanted to do the retrofit/upgrade to my P85, but due to the cost and compromises, I think I will likely give the wife my car and just order a new P85+ (she was strongly considering getting a Model S anyway, just didn't want/need the Performance option). I also don't want to butcher up a Signature series car, even if it is a Tesla installed upgrade.

In your shoes, I would definitely do the underlined for basically exactly the multiple reasons you've listed.

texex91 · Oct 21, 2013

Fonzie said:
Tesla's offer for the trade was pathetic.

I'm assuming you're referring to an AutoNation offer?

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