The quality of my P85D sucks

[JunesongProvisn]

Any particular reason you aren't having them delivery the car to your house and you inspect there?

I thought it would be fun to pick it up in Raleigh. I'd get a tour from Shannon and then get to drive it back 3+ hours. Plus, I'm going to a conference tomorrow and it was super easy to just book a return flight to RDU.

It was meant to be an exciting time but it's kind of become a stress-inducing disappointment. All of my complaints so far are first world problems (and every single one of them has to do with bad communication) but I'm still very much entitled to them. In fact, my estimated delivery date still says "Late May" even though it won't be available until next week. I know two weeks behind isn't a huge deal in the long run, but holy ****, why not just keep me in the loop at least?

 

[Zythryn]

Thanks. It's been a rough day so far, and the new car arrival is meant to be exciting, not stressful.

This thread should not add to your stress.
If your car arrives in a similar shape, don't accept it. This is what the OP should have done, although I certainly understand how difficult it is to deny yourself the car until everything is corrected.

The condition the OPs car arrived in was unacceptable. Be it the fault of the shipping company or Tesla, it is still Tesla's responsibility to deliver the car without dents.
It is also the responsibility of the purchaser to inspect, and to not accept damaged goods.

 

[favo]

To the OP, that sucks, and you do have a reasonable expectation to receive an undamaged, fully-functional car. It is true, as some have pointed out, that you are well-advised to carefully inspect your car on delivery and refuse it, if appropriate, but that is water under the bridge for you at this point. Also, the delivery specialist should have done an inspection and discovered any body damage before you even got there, so even though they (probably) didn't cause the damage, they are not totally off the hook. Of course, if you have high standards (I know I do), you also know that nobody will care as much about the car's condition as you.

The best advice is to be firm and persistent, but reasonable and as personable as you can be, in your pursuit of getting the situation resolved to your satisfaction. Most, if not all, of the folks involved will want to help you. No need to undermine that goodwill with anger, even if it is justified. Easier said than done, I know, but keep your eyes on the end goal. And if you meet with too much resistance from someone, rather than push them harder, just escalate it up the chain. The higher you go, the more likely they are to have authority to make the situation right in short order without making you jump through all the hoops.

To the specifics of your car, think about what is acceptable to you. If you are going to keep the car for a long time, maybe you can be happy with a paint job that looks factory perfect. If it doesn't look perfect, maybe they will replace the hood and other panels with factory new ones. Given that repairs were already attempted and were not done well, I don't think it is unreasonable to ask for a replacement vehicle. The other stuff, like window grease and leaking seal, should be fixed pretty easily, so it seems like the body damage is the crux of the issue. It may be that Tesla can get the shipper to reimburse them for any settlement, so keep that in mind.

By the way, what was the body shop in Raleigh, if you don't mind me asking? I live in the Triangle, so I like to keep tabs on who does and doesn't do a good job.

 

[dsm363]

I have had a ton of issues all in the first 4 months. It was delivered with a dent and a hood crease. Within 6 weeks it was leaking oil from the back end and required a new seal. The passenger side door handle was scratching against the window leaving tar on it as it rolled up. It has been in the paint shop twice as the try to get the paint right from delivery. The car has been at the service center for nearly 4 weeks in the first 4 months. That means it has been at the service center for 20% of it's life. VERY UNHAPPY.

What would you do?

Do you have photos of the damage from delivery?

 

[AmpedRealtor]

This illustrates a weakness in Tesla's delivery model versus shopping around for an ICE car. With an ICE car, you can thoroughly inspect and test drive the actual vehicle you are purchasing before you write a check.

 

[bonnie]

This illustrates a weakness in Tesla's delivery model versus shopping around for an ICE car. With an ICE car, you can thoroughly inspect and test drive the actual vehicle you are purchasing before you write a check.

?? Not if you custom order. I waited close to 3 months for a BMW that I ordered, wanted a specific configuration. They had my deposit & then close to payment in full near delivery time. And yes, I could have refused it if there were problems and waited for the vehicle. Only saying not specific to Tesla. Because I'm pretty sure that was an ICE drive train.

 

[maddog1762]

You here is your update after much discussion with the Southeast Regional Manager.

The paint is done and I will look at it tomorrow, but regardless it is a after factory paint job. There are ways to determine the thickness of the paint and tell if it is factory or repaired. If repaired the cost of your vehicle plummets. So my vehicle is now worth a lot less than before painting. If they put factory hood and fender than that will fix the paint thickness problem but do you really want your new car dismantled? Neither one of these is a good option really.

Here is the best part, I can get a new vehicle as a trade in. Hope your sitting down, my 4 month old 132K car with 4,000 miles is only worth 102K. So for 30k they can help me out. WOW! But they are trying everything possible to help me out and make me happy. Really? They deliver a car with a dent and a hood crease, take 4 months to get it worked out (maybe), drop my vehicle 30K bc I drove it off the lot and put on 4000 miles waiting for them to fix it. Crazy.

I love driving the vehicle and the idea of no gas BUT I have had the worst possible experience with ordering this car, re-ordering this car, and delivery. I am not sure what I plan to do but I know for sure no matter how much fun this car is, how great it is for the planet, etc I would not buy another vehicle from Tesla again. Very disappointed.

 

[supratachophobia]

I wouldn't absolve them of production issues quite yet. They still exist, even in new cars. Though in OPs post, his looks to be more delivery related.

This illustrates a weakness in Tesla's delivery model versus shopping around for an ICE car. With an ICE car, you can thoroughly inspect and test drive the actual vehicle you are purchasing before you write a check.

 

[Law&Disorder]

You here is your update after much discussion with the Southeast Regional Manager.

The paint is done and I will look at it tomorrow, but regardless it is a after factory paint job. There are ways to determine the thickness of the paint and tell if it is factory or repaired. If repaired the cost of your vehicle plummets. So my vehicle is now worth a lot less than before painting. If they put factory hood and fender than that will fix the paint thickness problem but do you really want your new car dismantled? Neither one of these is a good option really.

That concern pops up now and again on all car forums and it's completely overblown. A good paint job is more than good enough and is sometimes superior to the factory paint. I realize you've had a difficult time of it and I'm sympathetic to your complaint in chief that a purchaser of a $132k car should not have to deal with problems like this, but don't make yourself crazy worrying about the impact on resale value if the car ends up being put under a microscope by a prospective purchaser. 9 out of 10 purchasers won't do anything like that (especially commercial purchasers) and it is a fact that most pre-owned cars (and a significant number of new cars) have had some minor cosmetic repair work that, if done properly, should not detract from value.

 

[katysplus]

I like the new painted factory hood and fender idea. Paint should be as factory and at least the hood is probably designed to be taken on/off at the hinges. Whatever route you pursue, make it a point to accelerate it at every step of the way.

 

[Cyclone]

Just as a side question, would the NC paint shop doing a great paint job result in the paint being soft like Tesla's factory paint -- as in, do they use the same paint as the factory or is it simply the same color?

 

[JohnSnowNW]

I love driving the vehicle and the idea of no gas BUT I have had the worst possible experience with ordering this car, re-ordering this car, and delivery. I am not sure what I plan to do but I know for sure no matter how much fun this car is, how great it is for the planet, etc I would not buy another vehicle from Tesla again. Very disappointed.

Perspective, here's some:

From what I've read in this thread most of the issues you've had from the vehicle were not Tesla specific. I mean, some of your issues seemed to happen during transportation...and your paint correction does not seem to be Fremont oriented either. I'm not trying to minimize your issues here, but blaming Tesla, specifically, for the issues seems short sighted. The paint issues especially seem a bit subjective. I mean, yeah, you say you weren't happy with the aftermarket paint job, but you're not offering any context...nor would I think this is Tesla issue. Actually, the greatest part of your angst seems to be surrounding things that are outside of, or irrelevant to, Tesla.

Correct me if I'm wrong here.

 

[AmpedRealtor]

?? Not if you custom order. I waited close to 3 months for a BMW that I ordered, wanted a specific configuration. They had my deposit & then close to payment in full near delivery time. And yes, I could have refused it if there were problems and waited for the vehicle. Only saying not specific to Tesla. Because I'm pretty sure that was an ICE drive train.

Agreed, but most BMWs and other cars are not sold by special order.

 

[JohnSnowNW]

Agreed, but most BMWs and other cars are not sold by special order.

Other $100k+ cars?

 

[JunesongProvisn]

I personally think the factory new hood and fender is a great option.

 

[maddog1762]

Perspective, here's some:

From what I've read in this thread most of the issues you've had from the vehicle were not Tesla specific. I mean, some of your issues seemed to happen during transportation...and your paint correction does not seem to be Fremont oriented either. I'm not trying to minimize your issues here, but blaming Tesla, specifically, for the issues seems short sighted. The paint issues especially seem a bit subjective. I mean, yeah, you say you weren't happy with the aftermarket paint job, but you're not offering any context...nor would I think this is Tesla issue. Actually, the greatest part of your angst seems to be surrounding things that are outside of, or irrelevant to, Tesla.

Correct me if I'm wrong here.

Well you are wrong! They delivered dented fender and a creased hood both of which ARE TESLA'S FAULT... Holy cow, put the Kool Aid down and step away!

 

[bonnie]

Well you are wrong! They delivered dented fender and a creased hood both of which ARE TESLA'S FAULT... Holy cow, put the Kool Aid down and step away!

Hey settle. You're understandably upset - he's only saying that the damage was not how it left the factory, but sounds like transit damage. It totally is Tesla's responsibility, but most of us wouldn't think transit damage reflected on the quality of cars being built.

No need to insult others here.

 

[maddog1762]

I personally think the factory new hood and fender is a great option.

Well that may be the best option as I am not shelling out anymore money for their poor QA.

- - - Updated - - -

Hey settle. You're understandably upset - he's only saying that the damage was not how it left the factory, but sounds like transit damage. It totally is Tesla's responsibility, but most of us wouldn't think transit damage reflected on the quality of cars being built.

No need to insult others here.

How did transit crease the hood at the latch? That is the quality issue and that happened either in Cali or Raleigh.

 

[JohnSnowNW]

How did transit crease the hood at the latch?

How did Tesla? You're simply making assumptions here, one would assume that workers at the factory would know how to handle the vehicle...

Again, with the kool-aid remark...I'm not so blinded by my appreciation for Tesla to believe that they cannot make mistakes. I'm simply trying to point out that you may be assigning blame where it isn't due.

I'm not trying to imply that you shouldn't be upset in your situation, just making sure your frustration is aimed in the right direction.

 

[katysplus]

I need to write this: I don't think many of us who have made enough money to buy a Tesla has gotten where we are by just "drinking Kool-Aid". That implies blindly following, which sounds like what you did when inspecting your car at delivery. So take your own advice: don't drink the Kool-Aid; either get out of the car and move on or take control of the situation and its timing. But please stop passing judgement on those who respond to your posts with their own informed opinions. Why else post, right?