Roadster 3.0

[ibcs]

Isn't every year an expensive Tesla year? congrats.

Yes!

 

[TEG]

FYI, if you're getting a professional paint-job with an oven bake, make sure the Roadster is plugged in or charged up pretty well in Std. Mode and periodically checked. The HVAC will be kicking on trying to cool the pack down. You could pull the ESS disconnect, but then I'd personally want to feel comfortable about the ESS not getting too hot in the oven. But then if you're getting a new pack, this may be a moot issue. Just letting you know, a paint shop can easily miss this and possibly brick the Roadster if unaware.

Better to have the panels removed from the car and painted separately if possible.

 

[bobinfla]

Better to have the panels removed from the car and painted separately if possible.

Yes, parts removed and painted individually, hence the month long process. In the meantime, getting reacquainted with my old pickup truck. I definitely know why I never willingly decide to drive it to work when Kermit is available.

 

[pharma5]

I received the same email. At least our correspondence and shouts were listened to. But Tesla was categorical about 1.5's not qualifying - didn't say they were still working on it, or it'd be later - and they returned my deposit on the purchase. So I had to go anead and install a new (refurb) battery - still breaking it in hoping the miles will climb to what I had before. Very disappointed.

I would contact them if you're still interested in Roadster 3. The worst they could say is No.

+1, gotta reopen the lines of communication after that and see what's what, esp with a returned deposit.

- - - Updated - - -

Well, this is phenomenal news! Of course, a couple weeks ago when I couldn't spend the $29k on 3.0, I decided to splurge a lot of it on the carbon fiber exterior package and give Kermit a whole new look by going Lightning Green. Now my 3.0 order is placed too, this is turning into quite an expensive Tesla year.

Hi Bob, would appreciate any info as you take a Founder car through the 3.0 ESS upgrade path - interested to know if there are any extra speedbumps.

Good luck on the repaint - as much as I love Sig Green, nearly every pic I've seen of Lightning Green and carbon fiber has looked pretty awesome. (Are you switching wheels, as well?).

 

[JRP3]

Looks as if the upgrade pack will have LG Chem cells: http://www.wsj.com/articles/tesla-gets-boost-from-korean-battery-maker-lg-chem-1446007554

Tesla Motors Inc. confirmed Wednesday it has a contract with South Korean battery maker LG Chem Ltd. for upgrades to the company’s first car, the Roadster, which has since been discontinued.

 

[wiztecy]

Looks as if the upgrade pack will have LG Chem cells: http://www.wsj.com/articles/tesla-gets-boost-from-korean-battery-maker-lg-chem-1446007554

Any clue on the true kw capacity of the new ESS? Also what type of warranty? Same low 3 year or will they now extend it to 5, 7, or ?

 

[ibcs]

Does anyone know the specific cell from LG and capacities?

 

[ecarfan]

We don't know the answers to those questions, yet.
So far I have not seen any TMC member post that they have the new 3.0 battery. But hopefully soon someone will.

 

[ecarfan]

I ordered my 3.0 battery on Monday and just received this email from Tesla:
"Thank you for your recent Tesla Gear order for the Roadster 3.0 Battery Upgrade deposit. We see that a deposit was placed on 9/1/15 that was cancelled due to the earlier incompatibility of the upgrade with Roadster 1.5 vehicles. Since all Roadsters are now eligible for the 3.0 Battery Upgrade, we have restored your original position on the deposit list. When parts become available, they will be shipped to the Burlingame Service Center and you will be contacted by a team member at that location to schedule the installation."

 

[Sparrow]

Yes, I just got the same email restoring my 9/01/15 date too. My email was the same word for word except a different service center and one more sentence "We apologize that we are unable to provide timing estimates at this time."

 

[ecarfan]

Mine said the same, I left out that final sentence in my post.
So we are all just waiting for news...

 

[ibcs]

I ordered my 3.0 battery on Monday and just received this email from Tesla:
"Thank you for your recent Tesla Gear order for the Roadster 3.0 Battery Upgrade deposit. We see that a deposit was placed on 9/1/15 that was cancelled due to the earlier incompatibility of the upgrade with Roadster 1.5 vehicles. Since all Roadsters are now eligible for the 3.0 Battery Upgrade, we have restored your original position on the deposit list. When parts become available, they will be shipped to the Burlingame Service Center and you will be contacted by a team member at that location to schedule the installation."

I'm impressed. That's great customer service as you should be in your original order date.

 

[snapster]

I have <10k miles and a very fresh battery but I just went ahead and pulled the trigger. I just don't want to miss out entirely. I am so disappointed that I can't opt for 240 mile range, less weight and better performance. It would seem like that option could even have been at cheaper cost for Tesla and would have helped subsidize those who wanted range (I would have paid same price).

e.g. a 240 mile range costs them $21k, they sell it for $25k. They sell the "340/400" mile range for $25 and use my 4k to offset their loss versus their $29k cost.. Everyone wins at 1:1 ratio. Tesla wins if more opted for performance like I would.

 

[wiztecy]

I have <10k miles and a very fresh battery but I just went ahead and pulled the trigger. I just don't want to miss out entirely. I am so disappointed that I can't opt for 240 mile range, less weight and better performance. It would seem like that option could even have been at cheaper cost for Tesla and would have helped subsidize those who wanted range (I would have paid same price).

e.g. a 240 mile range costs them $21k, they sell it for $25k. They sell the "340/400" mile range for $25 and use my 4k to offset their loss versus their $29k cost.. Everyone wins at 1:1 ratio. Tesla wins if more opted for performance like I would.

Thing is people like myself would want more range, more capacity, which I personally want since it gets me further without re-charging but most importantly for me puts less stress on the individual bricks/cells as well as generates less heat / resistance than a pack with lower capacity. Yes it would be nice to offer choices, which make our life easier, but it raises the cost for Tesla as well as the testing permutations they need to qualify.

I'm sure Tesla did the proper product analysis before going forward with the design, hence the where the new ESS is at and why it is.

The best way to address the "make it quicker and lighter" is to work on the next generation Roadster which I'm sure is in the workings, but we'll never know for sure when...

I'm very curious where the weight of the Roadster will be running the new ESS... how much of a difference it is compared to the old? For those who ordered the new ESS (I'm jealous) I'd ask Tesla (for those with the adjustable suspension) to make the proper adjustments (stiffen) to the rear shocks to handle the extra weight accordingly and not to just drop it in and let you go. Possibly this is already in the service spec. I don't think its going to be that much more or crazy more of weight, but every pound added does affect the performance of your suspension accordingly. I feel bad for those with the stock suspension since its way overworked as-is.

 

[dsm363]

I have <10k miles and a very fresh battery but I just went ahead and pulled the trigger. I just don't want to miss out entirely. I am so disappointed that I can't opt for 240 mile range, less weight and better performance. It would seem like that option could even have been at cheaper cost for Tesla and would have helped subsidize those who wanted range (I would have paid same price).

e.g. a 240 mile range costs them $21k, they sell it for $25k. They sell the "340/400" mile range for $25 and use my 4k to offset their loss versus their $29k cost.. Everyone wins at 1:1 ratio. Tesla wins if more opted for performance like I would.

Congrats. If you have enough range now might be worth waiting if you believe Tesla that that pack with stay in production that is. It may not so ordering now makes sense too.

 

[asgard]

So is the current best estimate a range of 240mi in standard more and 300mi in range mode?

 

[wiztecy]

So is the current best estimate a range of 240mi in standard more and 300mi in range mode?

Since you / others placed an order I think its valid that you / others could email your service center with valid customer questions on your order like:

-Std. Mode full charge ideal miles of new ESS
-Rng. Mode full charge ideal miles of new ESS
-Weight of the Roadster with the new ESS installed and difference in pounds between the old / new

Also any changes between the old customer experience vs. the new customer experience. Meaning, are they keeping std. mode, performance mode and range mode or is there a new UI for that, etc, etc...

If your service center comes back saying we don't know, I'd ask them to please escalate this up to Tesla corporate to get the correct answers and new specifications.

 

[snapster]

Congrats. If you have enough range now might be worth waiting if you believe Tesla that that pack with stay in production that is. It may not so ordering now makes sense too.

I have plenty of range so yes it came down to my fear. This late announcement of coverage for 1.5's surprises me - seems they would have announced this earlier if they could have. I feel something like weaker than expected demand may have made this more economically viable. Perhaps even the $29k price required ordering 500 on the full contract and they were not at that pace.

I wonder if there's much difference in shelf-life deterioration in a battery made and hardly used versus one made later. I might tell them to keep bumping me to the end of the line as long as I can be guaranteed a fresh battery later.

 

[wiztecy]

I wonder if there's much difference in shelf-life deterioration in a battery made and hardly used versus one made later. I might tell them to keep bumping me to the end of the line as long as I can be guaranteed a fresh battery later.

A fresh new battery is always the best way to go, but Tesla I believes keeps the unused ESS's in cold storage / temp controlled room at the correct storage SOC to limit any degradation. It would be low I feel personally if any degradation did occur.

I would run the crap out of my current current pack knowing I was going to upgrade doing many many many heated performance mode charges and range mode drives down to almost zero.

And if I had great range, I'd keep using my current pack until it no-longer meets my needs. For myself my Roadster is my commute vehicle and play vehicle. I commute 70-80 miles per day so it's going to be a while before I need a new ESS unless a catastrophic fault occurred in the pack. Even then I might opt for the 5k sheet change if that was an option.

But some people want / need to live on the cutting edge of technology and there's nothing wrong with that, we actually need those types of people to pave the way to the future, and if I had the budget for that I would be there too with the upgraded ESS!

 

[Scott Ales]

I ordered my 3.0 battery on Monday and just received this email from Tesla:
"Thank you for your recent Tesla Gear order for the Roadster 3.0 Battery Upgrade deposit. We see that a deposit was placed on 9/1/15 that was cancelled due to the earlier incompatibility of the upgrade with Roadster 1.5 vehicles. Since all Roadsters are now eligible for the 3.0 Battery Upgrade, we have restored your original position on the deposit list. When parts become available, they will be shipped to the Burlingame Service Center and you will be contacted by a team member at that location to schedule the installation."

That is so odd. First significant discrepancy within the Tesla organization I have experienced. I inquired from the 3.0 department but have not heard back from them yet. But take a look at this email from the Tesla representative I asked in Orlando.

Hello Mr. Ales,

The Roadster Battery Upgrade is only available for US Roadsters 2.0 and later. If you require additional information or assistance, please feel free to contact me directly. Hope all is well!

Thanks,
Manny Soto | Service Concierge