Picked up X100D Saturday, went to service Tuesday!

[Radonculous]

I don't necessarily disagree with you, but I think @mknox is trying to make a valid point. The more I've been thinking about it, I think I may have a better way to put it into perspective.

Some people buy a 100k car for it's performance and luxury. Others will buy a 100k car for bleeding-edge technology. (Honestly, only tesla really fills that niche right now.) People who are buying teslas at 100k and expecting luxury are sorely disappointed because tesla isn't in the business of making top-of-the-line luxury cars. They're in the business of industry disruption through rapid iterations and changes of cutting-edge technology.

Prior to tesla's model S and X (imo), a 100k car only fit the bill of an incredible luxury vehicle with great performance and fit and finish. That was the defacto standard of what it meant to own a car in that price range.

So while I agree that defects should not be tolerated, people (if they're going to be happy with a tesla) need to adjust their expectation of craftsmanship. Don't misunderstand me. Defective things are NOT OKAY. No one should have to put up a faulty AC, faulty doors, cars stalling out in the middle of the road with errors, airbag errors and other things that make the car undrivable. Tesla needs to get on top of that. However, people need to realize that tesla never promised a luxury vehicle of superb fit and finish (at least I never got that impression). Tesla promised people a revolution in which they get INSANE vehicle performance while turning the oil industry completely up-side-down. Slap that together into a car with a HUGE touch screen, amazing technology and decent materials ... well that's your model S and X. The X even moreso because of things like auto-opening/closing doors, a huge windshield and FWDs.

So which camp are you in? If you're not buying into the new tech and great range while being free from gas, then you're buying the wrong car. People who are expecting MB S-class (though I've been in them and while they're nice I don't think they're absolutely amazing) or Lexus LS/LX (I think they're some of the best fit-and-finish vehicles out there) will most likely be disappointed. I'm normally in the camp of Lexus fit-and-finish, but I'm giving it up because the engineer and car enthusiast in me just wants a toy to play with that is really an engineering marvel.

Disclaimer: I don't have my car yet. It could be a huge lemon and I'll have to deal with it when the time comes. That being said, I hope I have set the right expectations so I don't get off on the wrong foot. I'm not going to go over door panels and chrome finishes with a ruler. I will however, make one concession that I won't stand for, and that would be cabin noise @outie I feel your pain. If my car had those popping noises, I would be making a huge stink too!!

Respectfully, I was ignorant too until you actually get the car. Do NOT let the excitement of the car and honeymoon phase get in the way of going through ALL aspects of the car. Really look at every panel, make sure ALL electronics work as they are supposed to, look for noises, make sure steering is aligned. Hell even get a paint meter because your car may have serious damage to it that they will likely not take responsibility for. Also when you get your back after you note any of the issues, check all the panels and wheels to make sure they did not damage your car. I think its realistic to not expect quality or luxury as yo you mentioned. Be careful and good luck! I hope your experience isn't similar to the numerous people who keep posting similar to our experience.

 

[DarkMatter]

Paint work on new cars at the factory is occasional and is not disclosed.

Analyzing the automotive painting process in the factory | Equipos Lagos

Note that there are several repair steps at the bottom of the flow chart.

You still should not accept the car if it makes you unhappy.

 

[Radonculous]

Paint work on new cars at the factory is occasional and is not disclosed.

Analyzing the automotive painting process in the factory | Equipos Lagos

Note that there are several repair steps at the bottom of the flow chart.

You still should not accept the car if it makes you unhappy.

Darkmatter, thanks for your thoughtful and constructive response. The issue still remains is that if I were to sell the car lets say tomorrow and the next person were to measure the paint it would appear quite suspect at about 3x the thickness in the rear end. It would leave suspicion that the car was in a rear end collision and painted. Furthermore, the paint also visually looks off as pointed out by a detail / PPF shop.

I also have first hand experience with this whole issue as just last weekend we sold one of our Porsches to a dealership and the Porsche dealership took a paint meter to every panel in the car to confirm it had no work done.

 

[DiamondHands]

We picked up our beautiful Model X 100D on Saturday. My husband spent alot of time making sure the car was in top shape before signing anything. He used the checklist that is available online. We left the dealership ecstatic. We installed the car seats when we get home and decide to take for a spin. I am driving, hubby in passenger and kids in back. The red air bag notification pops on during our 15 minute drive. We take it in Tuesday and there is some sort of connector problem underneath the seat. They are keeping the car for an unknown amount of time. They said they may have to replace the harness.

To be honest, I was prepared for a squeaky window or misaligned something. But I never expected something as serious as the air bags not being able to be deployed. They had no loaner Teslas available, so we ended up with a BMW. To say we are disappointed is an understatement. Anybody heard of this light warning? Before we brought the car in, service requested my husband look under the seats for loose connectors. We found one that wasn't connected to anything.

So, we spent so much money (blue color, carbon microfiber finish) and do not have the car. Pretty disappointed. This is our primary family car: soccer/car pools, road trips, etc.

Hi there, first, congrats on the X, and welcome to the fam!!

Our X had this same issue several months ago, which was fixed in a couple of days, and hasn't recurred since. I totally get how disappointing this initial experience may be, but likely most (if not all) fellow owners will agree that Tesla will take care of you.

May you and your family enjoy countless miles together in your awesome ride, cheers

 

[DarkMatter]

I also have first hand experience with this whole issue as just last weekend we sold one of our Porsches to a dealership and the Porsche dealership took a paint meter to every panel in the car to confirm it had no work done.

And that's why you should not be forced to accept the car, if that is something you care about. Porsche owners are a very particular set.

 

[Peteski]

Can you please take your vendetta elsewhere? The OP has a new X and has quality issues and issues dealing with Tesla. Put the guy on your ignore list, for chrissakes.

It's a public forum, so I'll say what I think in response to other postings and you can disagree with it if you like. But this is not your personal forum where you decide what we can and cannot discuss. If I'm going to put anyone on my ignore list, it will be you!

Oh and the OP has one specific issue with the airbag warning, the other issues reported on this thread are from other owners complaining about their own specific issues, presumably in sympathy?

 

[rainforest]

You already guessed it. They will say it is "normal" and within their specs. Like ghosting windshields, shudder, AC condenser/fan noise, misaligned panels, leather defects, heading etc.

I recently sent them a video w/ audio of my AC making hilarious loud noises that it had never made before (I've had the car for 18 months or so and 20k miles) and they replied "this is normal. you must not have noticed it before. we won't do anything."

Good luck.

Yeah. When I picked up my car and the driver's FWD panel was sticking out at the top, first thing delivery specialist said was that "it was within specs". LOL But it didn't bother me enough that I rejected the car, and the last thing I wanted them to do was take the door apart because it stuck out a few millimeters.

 

[hill]

Yea definitely thinking to go that route because I don't see another way they can replace panels. Its not acceptable to pay 100k plus to me and have numerous imperfections let alone concern that the car was repainted / damaged at the factory.

what sickens me the most about these problem of defects is that it really kills our own testimony of our faith in the company. We have people regularly asking us how we like our model X. I'd almost rather say "no comment" then tell the inquiring person, "this is a loaner, because ours is in the shop ... again". For us, it's been over a month and a half for (numerous varying reasons) of our 1st 15 months. A little over 1½ more years to go before the end of the lease. Our most pathetic experience on buggy problems is the current one. These poor service people have spent 5- yes! FIVE ATTEMPTS to get our fobs to do what they are supposed to do. Sometimes you try to open a front door and a falcon wing door will open, sometimes it won't self present. Sometimes the car won't even recognize the fobs. Sometimes one fob will work while the other won't. The service center has changed batteries, changed FOB's, changed the equipment that the fobs communicate with. And on and on. THE LAST 2X it's been "ready" - i've checked when they pull the car up. The rep gives a befuddled look when i show 'em it's still a fail. For 6 figures, we wish we would have gotten a good one ....
One of the top lemon attorneys told us Tesla has become aficionados in covering their tracks, to make it very difficult to get them to take a car back. The company writes up these ongoing nickel & dime defects (for example) as 'good-will' parts replacement, so it appears to be debatable as to whether there was in fact any real problem at all. Right ... 45 days (and counting) in the shop? Out of 455 days of ownership/lease? 1 out of every 10 days? One thing's for sure ... we definitely won't have any mileage overage once the lease is up. I pity the poor slob who picks this sucker up as a 'CPO'.

@Radonculous make sure u post last five of VIN so none of us purchase as inventory lol

it's really NOT a matter of' lol' ..... why NOT have a 'beware' VIN list.
Here's our last 5 .... 41402
Buyer beware
.

 

[alcibiades]

They had no loaner Teslas available, so we ended up with a BMW. To say we are disappointed is an understatement.

Did you know what Musk once said about service and loaners?

“Our policy for service loaners is that the service loaner fleet will be the very best version of a Tesla that is available” said Musk during the Q1 earnings call today. “If you have a Model X that comes in for service, the service loaner you will get will be the absolute fully loaded state-of-the-art P100D Ludicrous … Model X that we have. Same for Model S.” May 3, 2017

 

[alcibiades]

Yeah. When I picked up my car and the driver's FWD panel was sticking out at the top, first thing delivery specialist said was that "it was within specs". LOL But it didn't bother me enough that I rejected the car, and the last thing I wanted them to do was take the door apart because it stuck out a few millimeters.

When I picked up my X, I had decided ahead of time that I wasn't going to over-analyze any panel alignment issues or look for paint swirls. I knew that if I looked, there'd probably be something. I just wanted to get my car and enjoy freedom from ICE.

Now that I've had my car for over 18 months, the cumulative effect of all the little issues (and some bigger ones) is too much. It'd be one thing if the service centers were accommodating. I know they differ from center to center -- like any regular car dealership (you read that right) -- but the pressure these folks are under to turn away problems is obscene. Have significant ghosting and take a tech for a ride: have him say "yeah that's pretty bad" and then have another tech say "it is within spec". Meeting artificially low standards is not an excuse for shoddy workmanship. Seams on seats coming undone, windows making screeching noises when closing, shudder, groaning FWDs, flashing pieces breaking, etc. But they have some of us under their thumb: I want an electric car that fits my family and can go long distance. Tesla is the only game right now and they know it and say **** you, chump.

 

[Radonculous]

And that's why you should not be forced to accept the car, if that is something you care about. Porsche owners are a very particular set.

If you mean insinuate that Porsche owners are a particular set because there in expectation of quality engineering then yes I also agree with you there. Perhaps, Tesla needs a car such as the Porsche Taycan (interesting name) to inspire them to step up their game.

 

[DarkMatter]

If you mean insinuate that Porsche owners are a particular set because there in expectation of quality engineering then yes I also agree with you there. Perhaps, Tesla needs a car such as the Porsche Taycan (interesting name) to inspire them to step up their game.

Repainting due to a paint defect at the factory is hardly a sign of engineering problems. It is universal across the industry. In my experience, Porsche and Corvette owners seem the most picky about such things. It's their right, and is hardly universal across the car buying public.

 

[TexasRat]

Thanks for the replies. We are supposed to know more tomorrow. We are hoping to get car back for the weekend. It was such a hype to get it and now its like just a figment of our imagination. The kids were all super excited and now they kinda don't care anymore.

I feel like everything got derailed in this thread. Any updates? Do you have the car back now? How long did it take?

 

[GayForEllon]

Respectfully, I was ignorant too until you actually get the car. Do NOT let the excitement of the car and honeymoon phase get in the way of going through ALL aspects of the car. Really look at every panel, make sure ALL electronics work as they are supposed to, look for noises, make sure steering is aligned. Hell even get a paint meter because your car may have serious damage to it that they will likely not take responsibility for. Also when you get your back after you note any of the issues, check all the panels and wheels to make sure they did not damage your car. I think its realistic to not expect quality or luxury as yo you mentioned. Be careful and good luck! I hope your experience isn't similar to the numerous people who keep posting similar to our experience.

THIS!! A THOUSAND TIMES THIS!!

Do not fall for the man at the velvet rope who has your name on "the list".

Do not fall for having your name on the little sign at the table when you arrive.

Do not fall for the "paparazzi photographers" who follow you around.

Do NOT just take the keys and leave.

And above all, DO NOT take home a vehicle that isn't 100% perfect.

 

[Peteski]

I feel like everything got derailed in this thread. Any updates? Do you have the car back now? How long did it take?

yep, from post #13 onward! Hopefully the OP got their problem sorted.

 

[hill]

Repainting due to a paint defect at the factory is hardly a sign of engineering problems...snip...

no it isnt ... that's a quality failure issue. THIS is an engineering problem - which we'd rather just live with, rather than deal w/ more shop time;

But since we might get another Camry as a loaner (as opposed to the loaner S we currently have - this time w/ rear windows that won't go up without seriously messing w/the switches) ... we'd rather struggle w/ the flaky MS loaner on pure EV.
During Yesterday's fiasco w/ our X not getting fixed proper, again - i couldn't help but notice a P100d model X owner (still had paper plates) getting a Mercedes SUV as a loaner, & the rep told him to save gas receipts and Tesla would pay for it. We've recently experienced no loaner scenarios. Anyone wonder if the loners are lemons that Tesla had to buy back - & would rather use as loners, rather than fix & sell at a super cheap price w/the lemon stigma? Just a thought.
Anyway - these issues are embarrassing - when excited / non-tesla folk inquire about how cool it is to have an X.
.

 

[Radonculous]

I feel like everything got derailed in this thread. Any updates? Do you have the car back now? How long did it take?

Its interesting, I think my thread about the paint / body work was merged into this OP's thread...guess there are two OPs now? Hope things have worked out for the other OP then. We are awaiting Teslas response to our Buy Back although I'm sure it will be a some generic statement about the car "being within specification."

 

[Peteski]

If you mean insinuate that Porsche owners are a particular set because there in expectation of quality engineering then yes I also agree with you there. Perhaps, Tesla needs a car such as the Porsche Taycan (interesting name) to inspire them to step up their game.

My last Porsche 911 (2011 997.2 C4S) had two trips back to the service centre on a flat bed in the first year with two unrelated show-stopping electrical faults. Both windows would regularly fail to move down when closing the doors ending up with the glass on the outside of the seal (very annoying and a pain to deal with). The Moll OEM batteries they insisted on using for warranty were junk (had 2 fail in less than 3 years). The bonnet fit wasn't great either, but not such a big deal. Oh yeah and the rear light clusters used to leak and then steam up. The 2004 996.2 I had before that had far more serious engine problems (the infamous IMS failure requiring a replacement engine at only 30k miles) and then the replacement engine smoked liked crazy when cold and went through a litre of oil every 1000 miles (apparently within spec). It was embarrassing firing it up in the morning and eventually traded it for the 997.2 and was glad to see the back of it. At least the engine in the 997.2 stayed together for a few years. Both great cars to drive though! But quality engineering is a bit of a stretch IMHO. Oh and our local service centre is rubbish too. So I'm not rushing out to order a Taycan just yet!

 

[Radonculous]

Repainting due to a paint defect at the factory is hardly a sign of engineering problems. It is universal across the industry. In my experience, Porsche and Corvette owners seem the most picky about such things. It's their right, and is hardly universal across the car buying public.

Sure, but not to get caught on the semantics of "engineering" versus "quality control" because both are poor / lacking in our case. For what its worth the car still does have numerous "engineering failures" such as the body panel gaps and electronic malfunctions. Our FWD on the driver side now sits a solid 1cm off of where it should compared to the flush FWD on the passenger side. Then there is this mystery about the paint...

We've owned numerous cars from varying marquis and nothing has been as poorly put together as our Model X. Again, as evidenced in this thread and just about every thread in this forum, many are facing these issues.

For a new Tesla owner, I have to admit I'm not used to going on a forum where the majority of the threads and posts are dedicated to failures and defects. Sadly, these threads are not just me posting our experience .

 

[Peteski]

Its interesting, I think my thread about the paint / body work was merged into this OP's thread...guess there are two OPs now? Hope things have worked out for the other OP then. We are awaiting Teslas response to our Buy Back although I'm sure it will be a some generic statement about the car "being within specification."

I was wondering what happened there as post #13 seemed totally irrelevant to this thread. Looks like a Tesla fault mash-up thread now!