I had an interesting day today. Two weeks ago a had scheduled a drive in s MS from the Bethesda MD location. On my way to drive the MS I received an email from a local BMW dealer that they were having an i3 event and would have (4) i3's available to drive. I told them I would be by after my appointment with Tesla. I realize this may be like comparing apples and oranges but they are two viable EV options and the BMW with the Rex has a real world 150 mile range. So here are my observations on both:
Tesla- I wanted to drive a standard suspension car so the only option was a MS 60. I am probably like many on this forum and have read just about everything I can about the MS. I knew the 60 would not be as fast but that was fine by me. If I purchase I will get an 85 for the extra range but my main purpose for today was to look at the fit and finish, interior and exterior and I especially wanted to park in tight parking spots and drive in traffic. I was trying to get a bit of a taste "real world" use. Sure rocketing from 0-60 is fun but the everyday usability is what is most important to me. I was a bit concerned that car would be too large as other have commented that it is. I found the car was no more difficult to drive or park than any midsize car or SUV (This is MUCH easier to park than my wife's Lexus LX570).
Prositives for me:
1) Huge back seat. With a son that is 6'5" this is welcome.
2) While not the most luxurious interior of a luxury car, it was better than I anticipated.
3) Nice think rimmed steering wheel. Since I have my hand on the steering wheel 100% of the time I am driving this is important to me.
4) Quite, composed, solid ride.
5) Wonderful UI for the HUGE screen. Very intuitive.
6) The standard radio actually sound pretty good and Slacker radio was great. Not sure I would order the high end audio.
7) Really liked the glass roof. Was not even considering ordering this but I think I would now. Let's a lot of light in.
8) Never having to buy gas again!
9) Looks great in person. Not to flashy and not too dull.
Negatives for me:
1) Price. You don't buy this car for the value proposition and Tesla knows this and some of the option prices are just absurd.
2) Current wait is 4 months. I was told October delivery to the East coast since the impending temporary factory shut down this summer.
3) Long term reliability and resale value. I do believe TSLA will be around for the long term but the MS is still in the early stages. This could be a $100k gamble.
4) No real leasing options. I own a business and the lack of competitive leasing options is something TSLA should look at changing.
5) really crappy cupholders.
Overall this is a well put together, solid luxury car.
BMW i3
I drove from the Tesla Bethesda store directly to Annapolis BMW where they were having the i3 event. There were (4) cars available to drive all Euro spec and 100% battery only (they did not have a Rex version to drive). They had a steady steam of people driving. The test drive was limited to a 5 mile loop on back roads and highways.
Positives:
1) Price- with every option available tops out at $56k before $7500 tax credit.
2) Carbon fiber body. This is pretty cool to see. Not sure if the cars coming to the US with look the same but the roof on the car without the sunroof (euro option only) had the unpainted carbon fiber and it look good.
3) Very cool looking interior. Totally different than the MS. Futuristic in a different way than the MS.
4) I drove the car with 20in wheels and it had pretty sharp handling.
5) Very nice fit and finish.
6) Nice upright seating position and easy to get in and out.
7) nice big cupholders.
8) the two tone exterior looks much better in person than in photos.
Negatives:
1) only seats four.
2) MUCH smaller interior, especially the back seat and hatch area.
3) While acceleration was quick it is much slower then the MS.
4) Choppy ride compared to the MS.
5) No power seats.
6) drives a lot like the Nissan LEAF.
7) small sterring wheel and awkward controls for drive, reverse park etc.
8) Sunroof not available in US.
In all honesty these are two totally different vehicles, targeted to different demographics. The MS reminded me of a Mercedes or Lexus. Much more refined ride and traditional interior. The i3 reminded me of a bigger, roomier, lighter Nissan LEAF. Ride was much choppier than the MS. The biggest advantage of the i3 is price and size. It is really a city car while the MS can be a highway cruiser. Even totally loaded the i3 undercuts the MS by about $30k to $50k. For many the i3 will be a perfect fit. The i3 felt more like a toy car to me than the MS. The MS felt like a "real" no compromises car. I am more convinced than ever that the MS is the way to go. Now I just have to pull the trigger, decide on options and wait until October.
- - - Updated - - -
One other dislike on the i3 is the regen braking. This is not adjustable and very noticeable. I am sure the reason is to recapture as much power as possible but it is too much in my opinion with no option to disable or adjust.
Tesla- I wanted to drive a standard suspension car so the only option was a MS 60. I am probably like many on this forum and have read just about everything I can about the MS. I knew the 60 would not be as fast but that was fine by me. If I purchase I will get an 85 for the extra range but my main purpose for today was to look at the fit and finish, interior and exterior and I especially wanted to park in tight parking spots and drive in traffic. I was trying to get a bit of a taste "real world" use. Sure rocketing from 0-60 is fun but the everyday usability is what is most important to me. I was a bit concerned that car would be too large as other have commented that it is. I found the car was no more difficult to drive or park than any midsize car or SUV (This is MUCH easier to park than my wife's Lexus LX570).
Prositives for me:
1) Huge back seat. With a son that is 6'5" this is welcome.
2) While not the most luxurious interior of a luxury car, it was better than I anticipated.
3) Nice think rimmed steering wheel. Since I have my hand on the steering wheel 100% of the time I am driving this is important to me.
4) Quite, composed, solid ride.
5) Wonderful UI for the HUGE screen. Very intuitive.
6) The standard radio actually sound pretty good and Slacker radio was great. Not sure I would order the high end audio.
7) Really liked the glass roof. Was not even considering ordering this but I think I would now. Let's a lot of light in.
8) Never having to buy gas again!
9) Looks great in person. Not to flashy and not too dull.
Negatives for me:
1) Price. You don't buy this car for the value proposition and Tesla knows this and some of the option prices are just absurd.
2) Current wait is 4 months. I was told October delivery to the East coast since the impending temporary factory shut down this summer.
3) Long term reliability and resale value. I do believe TSLA will be around for the long term but the MS is still in the early stages. This could be a $100k gamble.
4) No real leasing options. I own a business and the lack of competitive leasing options is something TSLA should look at changing.
5) really crappy cupholders.
Overall this is a well put together, solid luxury car.
BMW i3
I drove from the Tesla Bethesda store directly to Annapolis BMW where they were having the i3 event. There were (4) cars available to drive all Euro spec and 100% battery only (they did not have a Rex version to drive). They had a steady steam of people driving. The test drive was limited to a 5 mile loop on back roads and highways.
Positives:
1) Price- with every option available tops out at $56k before $7500 tax credit.
2) Carbon fiber body. This is pretty cool to see. Not sure if the cars coming to the US with look the same but the roof on the car without the sunroof (euro option only) had the unpainted carbon fiber and it look good.
3) Very cool looking interior. Totally different than the MS. Futuristic in a different way than the MS.
4) I drove the car with 20in wheels and it had pretty sharp handling.
5) Very nice fit and finish.
6) Nice upright seating position and easy to get in and out.
7) nice big cupholders.
8) the two tone exterior looks much better in person than in photos.
Negatives:
1) only seats four.
2) MUCH smaller interior, especially the back seat and hatch area.
3) While acceleration was quick it is much slower then the MS.
4) Choppy ride compared to the MS.
5) No power seats.
6) drives a lot like the Nissan LEAF.
7) small sterring wheel and awkward controls for drive, reverse park etc.
8) Sunroof not available in US.
In all honesty these are two totally different vehicles, targeted to different demographics. The MS reminded me of a Mercedes or Lexus. Much more refined ride and traditional interior. The i3 reminded me of a bigger, roomier, lighter Nissan LEAF. Ride was much choppier than the MS. The biggest advantage of the i3 is price and size. It is really a city car while the MS can be a highway cruiser. Even totally loaded the i3 undercuts the MS by about $30k to $50k. For many the i3 will be a perfect fit. The i3 felt more like a toy car to me than the MS. The MS felt like a "real" no compromises car. I am more convinced than ever that the MS is the way to go. Now I just have to pull the trigger, decide on options and wait until October.
- - - Updated - - -
One other dislike on the i3 is the regen braking. This is not adjustable and very noticeable. I am sure the reason is to recapture as much power as possible but it is too much in my opinion with no option to disable or adjust.
