P85+ Sportiest Model S?

[tallypwner]

Hi, I own a 2013 Model S P85+. I wanted it because it was the lightest and sportiest model. I know the D models are faster in a straight line, and there will be models in the future which are even faster.

Do you think with the discontinuation of the RWD Model S that the P85+ will earn enthusiast status and perhaps retain its value more?

My opinion is that it will be the most fun/sporty of the Model S but that it wont retain its value as much as the PXXD models but who knows.

 

[HankLloydRight]

Do you think with the discontinuation of the RWD Model S that the P85+ will earn enthusiast status and perhaps retain its value more?

resale value, maybe a little bit. But enthusiast value, totally!

I would just add that the early Pre-May 2015 P85Ds with the + suspension and AP1 are the best Teslas made. I owned a P85+ for three years and traded up to a P85D(+), and it's the only configuration I'd buy again. What that means is I'm holding onto this car until such point I can get a bigger battery upgrade, either through Tesla, or "elsewhere" after the 8 year warranty expires.

It's a true shame that Tesla abandoned the Performance Plus suspension. I'm not sure anyone knows why. They could certainly add it as a $10k option to the P100Ds and they'd make a killing.

 

[PunchIT]

Hey Hank, I always thought the wider rear tires meant the 'plus' suspension was included? What's the difference between P85D(+) suspension and P100D suspension?

P.S. I tried to search!!

resale value, maybe a little bit. But enthusiast value, totally!

I would just add that the early Pre-May 2015 P85Ds with the + suspension and AP1 are the best Teslas made. I owned a P85+ for three years and traded up to a P85D(+), and it's the only configuration I'd buy again. What that means is I'm holding onto this car until such point I can get a bigger battery upgrade, either through Tesla, or "elsewhere" after the 8 year warranty expires.

It's a true shame that Tesla abandoned the Performance Plus suspension. I'm not sure anyone knows why. They could certainly add it as a $10k option to the P100Ds and they'd make a killing.

 

[HankLloydRight]

Nope! While the P85+ did come with the wider rear tires, as do some other models (P100D for example, but not always).. does not mean it has the Perf + suspension.

The only cars with that are P85+ and pre-May 2015 P85Ds. And even some of those P85D(+) cars came with 19" rims! (There are a few exceptions of people who modded their non plus cars after the fact, I'm not counting those).

Here's a long thread I started with lots of good details about the Performance Plus suspension: Performance Plus (+) Upgrade

 

[lolachampcar]

I tie "sporty" with handling and my early P85DL with P+ damping definitely outperforms my old P85+. Gone is the plowing through corners; its been replaced with the fronts nicely pulling the nose around. It also exits so fricking hard

Sure, it weighs more but when you are talking over two tons, what's a few pounds between friends?

 

[HankLloydRight]

What's the difference between P85D(+) suspension and P100D suspension?

Just wanted to add, that that P100D, and every other non + car has the same mushy, boat handling of a 70's era Cadillac.

Ok, not that bad, but close, IMHO.

 

[tallypwner]

I know it's not as fast but I like that RWD push from the back. Also, having less weight in front probably helps it with steering response and nimble handling. I hear the dual motors whine more as well.

I'd love to get the 0-60 of the Ludicrous models and still retain its RWD status.

I saw that there was a hacker doing just such a thing. Would be very cool in future if Tesla offered a bigger battery pack and a performance upgrade for older models. I have a feeling they wont but who knows!

I'm currently driving a standard 85 loaner and there's a big difference for sure. I actually don't like the new model as much.. The dash and safety stuff is actually just annoying to me. I don't even want AP. I just kind of want my car with more power I feel like it's 80hp from just right.

 

[CHG-ON]

I love mine and am keeping it forever!

 

[seclinton]

Agree. Keeping my P85 RWD classic forever. But we do have a P90DL Model X Sig #725. Model X is faster, but the classic S is just more fun

 

[sillydriver]

I would just add that the early Pre-May 2015 P85Ds with the + suspension and AP1 are the best Teslas made. I owned a P85+ for three years and traded up to a P85D(+), and it's the only configuration I'd buy again. What that means is I'm holding onto this car until such point I can get a bigger battery upgrade, either through Tesla, or "elsewhere" after the 8 year warranty expires.

It's a true shame that Tesla abandoned the Performance Plus suspension. I'm not sure anyone knows why. They could certainly add it as a $10k option to the P100Ds and they'd make a killing.

I tie "sporty" with handling and my early P85DL with P+ damping definitely outperforms my old P85+. Gone is the plowing through corners; its been replaced with the fronts nicely pulling the nose around. It also exits so fricking hard

Sure, it weighs more but when you are talking over two tons, what's a few pounds between friends?

I totally agree! My March '15 P85DL with the hard suspension and 21" wheels has nearly undectable body roll, dive and squat. Yes, it's a little rough over bumps, but I absolutely love it. That car makes it feels like you can instantaneously beam yourself in and out of tight spots in traffic. I wouldn't accept an even trade for a new P100D with a softer suspension (of course mine is blessed with AP1 ).

 

[Xenoilphobe]

Love mine. Owned a 2013 early build P85 moved up to the P85+ and wife has new 90D.

Nothing better except a few early P85DL+ as stated above. Both will end up being collectibles then the P100D would be the next one collectors would want. The X might the fourth if minivans are collectibles.

 

[cab]

I will say the early P85Ds rode even more firmly than the P85+. I had an early P85D loaner while my P85+ was in the shop and it was immediately noticeable. I can actually see why some would like it while others might consider it too firm. Indeed, I would guess that's why they discontinued it as they probably went a little too far into the performance zone for the average "big sedan" buyer. Even though some days I do wish my P85+ was a bit softer, most of the time I think it walks a great line between sport and comfort (call it a 70/30 ratio).

As to value...maybe a little, but likely only as compared to their other RWD brethren.

 

[whitex]

Hi, I own a 2013 Model S P85+. I wanted it because it was the lightest and sportiest model. I know the D models are faster in a straight line, and there will be models in the future which are even faster.

Do you think with the discontinuation of the RWD Model S that the P85+ will earn enthusiast status and perhaps retain its value more?

My opinion is that it will be the most fun/sporty of the Model S but that it wont retain its value as much as the PXXD models but who knows.

If you want a parallel, see what happened to RWD Porsche 911's when AWD Turbo came out.

For my personal taste, I happen to have the + suspension P85D and love the handling (on 19's too). I drove a few non+ air loaners and they seemed so much softer. We also have a coil MS and the + air is very noticeably firmer.

 

[tallypwner]

There's something about the push of RWD with the air suspension and upgraded suspension package that just seems to be the right fit. It might not be the fastest but I think it's the most fun of all Teslas. That is until the new roadster comes out, if ever!

 

[d.c.palmer]

There's something about the push of RWD

agreed - except that I tended to get wheel spin pretty much all time time on anything less than bone-dry roads; this was accompanied by a very-unsporting squirming motion from the rear. Yes, it was better-controlled than the P85, but still noticeable - and completely absent in my P90DL, which also lacks wheel spin most of the time.

My personal view is that the RWD performance cars were examples of "over-egging" the pudding: too much power for the chassis to handle - even with the P85+ mods (which ruined the ride!). I am sure that Jaguar would have done a better job of it: they've taken the ride/performance crown from BMW these days and manage to get sublime steering and handling without the Germanic habit of destroying any compliance in the suspension.

 

[tallypwner]

I have a feeling the variance in manufacturing is leading to different opinions. I found the ride in my P85+ to be better than a loaner 85 I had recently. I'm used to sports cars tho.

 

[lolachampcar]

My P+ on air (the only way it came) was too soft. I put it on coils and was happy. I'm even happier with the P85D+ (for lack of a better name). Then again, I'm strange



I re-read the post and feel like I'm describing porridge from a bed time story.

 

[YNOT3]

what about a p100d on coils?

 

[sillydriver]

Some may enjoy breaking loose, sliding or drifting a high-torque RWD car on the street, but I'm frankly not a good enough driver (I've had less than a dozen track days). I used to have a mid-'00's Renntech turbo V12 SL600 where you needed to be damn sure you were pointed straight before punching it, and even so it would fishtail a little (no limited slip diff). This was sometimes fun but meant full grunt could only be rarely used. In days of yore I did occasionally slide my lower powered mid-90s SL500, which was fun all but a couple times, but those couple were foolish (but repairable) single-car crashes overcooking sharp turns. That history, by the way, is the reason I've always used the moniker 'sillydriver' on car forums!

My P85DL+ on the other hand has been rock solid and enjoyable even in bogus maneuvers where I push it pretty hard (and I'm not going to push it any harder to find the limit). It even feels like it has a higher limit (although this probably can't be objectively true) than the Audi R8 I recently traded, and the Porsche 996 my wife had over a decade ago.