-
Want to remove ads? Register an account and login to see fewer ads, and become a Supporting Member to remove almost all ads.
Refreshed 2021+ Model X and Model X Plaid waiting room
- Thread starter Tiger
- Start date
Sounds like a Lemon to me.
You can get almost all of your money back if you wish.
I saw a car carrier full of Rivian‘s last week on the highway. Near Normal, Illinois. Looks like they are making cars. I think Rivian will probably survive, but as we all know, “making cars is hard“.
What are leg kick openers?Ok here are my thoughts on my new Plaid. Sorry not sorry for the wordiness in advance
General notes:
1 hr commute in L.A. traffic is rendered glorious and is too short because I don’t want to step out of the car.
Upgrades from 2018 are pronounced and the feeling of quality is truly there with the refreshes. Doors more solid, interior materials feel more lux.
Taunting those posers in their new BMW M’s and Lambo Uruses etc., is truly pleasing.
Pros
The ability to set your suspension adjustments, and have an add’l button to turn on comfort suspension mode automatically when luxuriating on autopilot is just genius. If I’m driving without autopilot, it’s usually to smoke a fool or make better time, so naturally then, I want stiffer suspension and handling. I keep a separate Sport setting for mountain roads with a higher driver position and stiff everything. You can also feel the car actively and beautifuly fight hard against its big squat during hard acceleration as long as its not on the comfort setting.
Plaid was totally composed in the mountains except for the all season Contis rolling over and buckling at speed into corners. I've ordered some Pirelli P-Zero’s today, which are quieter, less thrump-thrompy over imperfections, and way better cornering at speed. But very impressive handling for such a heavy vehicle. The car feels definitely smaller in corners compared to the 2018, surprisingly lighter feeling, and very little roll without the big body heave of the 2018.
Torque vectoring when pushing limits on twisties is a confidence inspiring, strong feeling.
Tires look wider than my 2018 especially from the rear though I haven’t checked those specs. Love that look even though they are 20’s.
I’ve had absolutely NO panic braking events these first 1000 miles I’ve had the Plaid. I’m not sure what to attribute that to— better cameras? And newer software since I’m no longer on Beta?
I finally got used to the yoke after realizing I needed to put its setting in Comfort mode. Since my 2018 steering always stayed on Sport, I thought that was the ticket for Plaid. But the crazy hard rebound of the wheel and extra constant effort made me hate it for a minute especially after the recoil popped my knuckles repeatedly just like the CNBC FUD vid piece. But now it's set to comfort I love it— graceful, wonderful feeling the way the arms are pushed to the outsides of the yoke even in turns and parking garages. Using the heel of the hand in the comfort setting to twirl the wheel even in U-turns is awesome. Very satisfying, graceful and effortless on the comfort setting. Very secure at high speed. And a piece of art to look at everyday. I could never go back to round.
The turn signals are in a great, easy to glance place. Yes I could use more tactile feel to activate them ‘by Braille’, and the required effort to activate them is too much and the feel when depressed and activated to me sucks and feels unpleasant with its silly vibration— and I have to try a couple presses to activate it usually. I’m sure I’ll get used to that, but I love the placement because its so much quicker and closer. Until I get Beta again, I’ll have to look at the manual to find the button other than the accel pedal to green light the green lights at some point..
I both love the black interior with the unified one color dash/yoke all the way across, and also miss the white seats from my 2018 with their pop. So the black interior is great for me but bittersweet. My new X though, has none of the seat crinkles people are talking about.
The back end of this beast also to me appears better contoured, almost ‘pinched’ vertically with a nicer backside somehow on the waist line behind and under the rear side windows. The look from the back seems flatter and sportier in a good way.
I cancelled my Spectra Photosync tint for now. It appears the new glass has better UV and Infrared protection than my 2018. I'm waiting past May gray for more hot So Cal desert hot sun days to know for sure. So if I feel I need the protection, I’ll get the Photosync, if not I’ll get a different less spendy brand. But I do remember when I added the tint to my 2018, the interior cabin grew a bit quieter with a bit less wind noise. I also got extra added quiet by adding the Maxpider mats which dampened the road noise a touch.
As mentioned before, I do have the swivel screen and love orienting it towards me. Also received the mobile charger and tow hitch, but no sunshade which I ‘borrowed permanently’ from my 2018.
So far I’ve rung up a 2019ish Vette, BMW M4 , Dodge Trackhawk— it seemed as if none of them were even accelerating, even though I waited til they took off full before I hit the accelerator. Crazy speed. Just sick. I toyed with a Lambo Urus and a Porsche Cayenne Turbo, but they didn’t want none. Plaid power Is impressive, so so so smooth, prodigious, insane. Almost non-sensical. My 20 something kiddos loved the launches. The hi end Star Trekker whine that kicks in during launch at any speed is quite satisfying and sounds better(quieter too) than the 2018 to me in every way.
The one pedal driving and slowing to a stop is glorious to finally have that. All of the NOA slow downs have been easy smooth, and closer to how I'd slow down. When the X panic braked on me, it was when it needed to avoid slamming into the back of the next car, which is how it's supposed to be. It starts a bit sooner than me but is oh so gentle and smooth than very hard, on those panic brakings. I would have stopped quick on my own, but the car slowing down quickly and so well was truly impressive. Stunning, really. Took my breath away, especially realizing how good self driving cars will be when it gets sorted out. Buy more Tesla stock. Today.
Charging feels and is so much quicker than the 2018. Seeing it hard peak around 260kw— it feels like the charge speed is capped and can be software enabled to charge much quicker when that time comes. I did get the Tesla CCS charger from the South Korean shipping company. I was able to get 160kw at an EA in Burbank which can come in handy since the Tesla Superchargers there usually have a line lately. Matter of fact, non 150kw chargers now seem like a waste of time with their ramping down to molasses speeds when there are too many people charging. Yes CCS adapter did that. It is comforting to have— our charging network just grew larger exponentially with this thing.
Frunk feels larger than 2018.
Cons
Some minor interior trim issues with a wiring bunch sticking slightly out of the panel edges above the right FWD door, and another interior panel not totally fastened in.
On the exterior one FWD was passable, but the bottom didn’t seem to line up perfectly. It’s on the list for the SC appt. I could live with that though.
The delivery guy pointed out the long rubber seals on the roof being uneven in height, which I couldn’t even tell. I added it to the list. There were some lines maybe from the robots grabbing the front panel around the wheel— my ‘guy’ that added the ceramic to the exterior was able to buff it out with no problem.
The horn gets activated by the full heel of my hand on the right side of the yoke every single time if the car is still and not driving. But while driving the situation came up where I needed to hit the horn fast, I missed the first jab to the right side (half my hand grazed the airbag center of the yoke) and the 2nd jab hits the side of the yoke correctly and successfully honked, except the wiper accidentally turned on just once both times. Of course the center airbag doesn’t yet activate the horn on my car.
The scroll wheels don’t have enough ‘throw’ when advancing music tracks. Same thing with the right scroll wheel when activating NOA-- somehow feels less satisfying with its short throw to push in and activate. Maybe they’ve made it more rugged and less easily broken by doing this? I broke one of the 2018 scroll wheels I remember. Anyways I don’t like it and use both scroll wheels a lot.
The new charge door is necessary, but feels clunky and it opens up into my view as I’m plugging in. Its a minor thing.
Putting the 3rd row up and down never bothered me these years til I saw a YouTuber complaining about em. I’m taller so its all easier, but now I find myself thinking about how annoying it is that they are not electric.
I have some guys installing the frunk opener plus the leg kick openers too, in a couple weeks. They should have come stock, IMHO.
The rear view cam seems lesser quality than I remember in my 2018, or maybe its just not as lit. Why do I say this? I feel myself squinting more at the cam display when backing up.
Auto opening doors don’t work as well yet. I was going to go 'fob only' as others suggested, but I have to dig out my card key wherever I put it, to unpair my phone key just to check if the ‘fob only’ works better.
I’m not sure if the doors need to break in or not, but the effort to close is too much. They need to sort that out— I don’t like my woman pushing too hard on a door to close it, if I’m not already doing it for her. She’s strong like a Serena, but still.
Jury is still out on the sound sys for me. Maybe it hasn’t been ‘broken in’ like my 2018, but I’m finding less definition in the low end subwoofer territory up to about 3 or 400hz. But I’ll wait before rendering my verdict. At this point I’m looking at swapping out the sub at least. Maybe my 2018 bought used, had an upgraded speaker or sub or two from the previous owner…. But long story short, stereo sounds less good than my 2018 which is beguiling considering the power increase. Maybe a speaker or two is not plugged in. I’ll ask them to check that out.
I listed a bunch of cons here, most of them minor. But long story short, or is it too late? This beast is so good. Whenever I get out of the car, I don’t want to. Damn thing is the best car ever made in this world.
Pickup was largely smooth. As previously mentioned, Tesla gave me an outrageously lowball offer on my Y so I’ll be parting with that tomorrow (Carmax). That’s honestly my biggest gripe right now, because it’s created unnecessary extra work and I lost the trade-in tax benefit. For a brief moment I considered canceling altogether… but after sleeping on it I still took delivery. But annoying nevertheless since I feel Tesla was trying to take advantage of the situation.
A few specifics:
- My SA was awesome. He is the reason I have a car this soon. I let him know I was flexible in color and he was able to match me to a car that was on the train to the Midwest right after another customer canceled. He even called me to arrange. Really went above and beyond
- The overall staff at Highland Park Tesla was super helpful during delivery. I know some complain about the experience… I really have none. They tag-teamed it but moved things along well
- I took delivery on a rainy day so I wish the car had been cleaner. But overall not bad. Also, there are areas on the interior that aren’t as spotless as I’d like. But my standards here are high. Just a smudge and dirt here and there. Would expect a bit more for this much $$
- I’ve found 2 things that need to be fixed in the interior. One is more significant than the other. But overall build quality is really good
- Perhaps my biggest pleasant surprise… all season tires! I fully expected having to replace the tires but that’s now $$ I can save
- I have tilt screen, or course. Honestly, it’s not that useful IMO. So if you’re worried about whether or not you have it I urge you to reconsider
- The yoke is definitely a bit odd, but not that bad. I’m sure I’ll get used to it quickly
A couple more pics!
Attachments
Been at home for a couple hours now, putting all the accessories I've amassed in the living room into the car.
I don't have any complaints, car is great. of course there are things that I can nitpick, but nothing was a dealbreaker, even combined they weren't dealbreakers. I have 5 due bill items, none of them are gap alignment issues or other things not working. Just weird things here and there.
Car had 9 miles on the odo at delivery. and tilt screen.
I don't have any complaints, car is great. of course there are things that I can nitpick, but nothing was a dealbreaker, even combined they weren't dealbreakers. I have 5 due bill items, none of them are gap alignment issues or other things not working. Just weird things here and there.
Car had 9 miles on the odo at delivery. and tilt screen.
They actually call them frunk foot sensors.
Shop Tesla Upgrades: Power Frunk, Swivel Screen, Foot Sensors, Charging Adapter, and more... — YAHASUN
Tesla upgrades custom-designed for each Tesla Model by Yahasun that could ease the use of your car. Our express service will transform your car with high-quality products and great technology. At Yahasun, with over 25 years of experience technician skills will handle your car well.
www.yahasun.us
It’s not all it could be, yet. 
But I think Tesla is making progress! 
Looking for PPF opinion.
Hi there.. I see a lot of people are wrapping up their cars in PPF. I never had that done on any previous cars and wondering what the ROI on that is.
E.g. Are you guys doing that so that you can get better value down the road? Or it’s just to keep it scratch free for personal pleasure?
Today I’ve been detailing my 2014 white Model S and there were lots of scratches and paint chips. I managed to clean up most of the scratches, but I can still feel them under my fingers. Paint chips, I don’t know what to do about it. All in all, I’m wondering how much $$ are these scratches/paint chips going to remove from my resale value.
Thank you
Hi there.. I see a lot of people are wrapping up their cars in PPF. I never had that done on any previous cars and wondering what the ROI on that is.
E.g. Are you guys doing that so that you can get better value down the road? Or it’s just to keep it scratch free for personal pleasure?
Today I’ve been detailing my 2014 white Model S and there were lots of scratches and paint chips. I managed to clean up most of the scratches, but I can still feel them under my fingers. Paint chips, I don’t know what to do about it. All in all, I’m wondering how much $$ are these scratches/paint chips going to remove from my resale value.
Thank you
poolboy
Member
rx_for_assyria
Member
All,
"This too will pass." It seems as if deliveries are still humming along. In fact when I woke up this morning I was disappointed to not having the placeholder. Seems like in the past reverting to a placeholder was a sign of an impending vin. With this happening to most of us, my theory is blown out of the water.
By mid-morning, my wish was granted. Welcome back to Dec 2022-April 2023
Matrix headlights and HW4 would be a nice development, right?
"This too will pass." It seems as if deliveries are still humming along. In fact when I woke up this morning I was disappointed to not having the placeholder. Seems like in the past reverting to a placeholder was a sign of an impending vin. With this happening to most of us, my theory is blown out of the water.
By mid-morning, my wish was granted. Welcome back to Dec 2022-April 2023
Matrix headlights and HW4 would be a nice development, right?
PPF cost is so expensive that IMO you will never get your money back. When I sold my MY with PPF, no dealers cared about PPF. Personal buyer might care, but Carmax, Carvana, or any local dealers won’t. So, PPF will not add much or even any value to your car. And little scratches or rock chips here and there won’t reduce your car value that much that will make you PPF cost worth it. So, PPF is really for you to enjoy a “perfect exterior” for as long as you can. My current MY doesn’t have PPF. It makes me sad every time I find a new rock chip when I wash my car. That’s something I didn’t have to worry with my old MY that I sold because it had PPF. Other people might have different opinion. But this is from my own experience
I’ve seen a lot more Rivians than refresh X in my area. Elon may say an order of magnitude more
I'm paying the 8k for peace of mind, and carefree-ness. On my 3, which I regret not getting PPF, I have to be conscious about every time i touch the paint.
Good PPF is self healing, scratches literally disappear. If you get stealth PPF, the scratches don't even show up.
The cost is fixed, but the value you get out of it depends on the person.
Similar threads
- Marketplace listing
- Marketplace listing