What's Better? Refreshed Model S or Free Unlimited Supercharging?

[Matthew XC]

I have a Model S coming in March and I couldn't be more excited, but I can hold off on the order for the new 2019 Model S after the refresh. However, I will likely lose the free unlimited supercharging incentive I got when I ordered it...Is it worth it?

 

[RedMS]

Depends. Some people never use it and some all the time. If you have ability to charge home overnight and don’t take constant long trips, free supercharging won’t hold much value to you.

 

[buttershrimp]

bigger question is probably is the waiting for the refresh. I am really glad I didn't give in to that worry... but what size battery are you thinking of getting? If it's the 75, I say go for it now.

 

[David99]

Pricing or Supercharging is pretty reasonable. It's what you pay for electricity anyways. So in the end it's not a big deal. Unless you drive a lot of road trips. Then it adds up. I did the math and in the past 4 years I saved about $7500 in electricity cost just driving road trips.

 

[buttershrimp]

Pricing or Supercharging is pretty reasonable. It's what you pay for electricity anyways. So in the end it's not a big deal. Unless you drive a lot of road trips. Then it adds up. I did the math and in the past 4 years I saved about $7500 in electricity cost just driving road trips.

That's unbelievable. I'd be really curious to hear how much folks have saved that do frequent long distance commuting... I met a guy at the San Marcos supercharger almost a year ago that goes between san antonio and waco several times a week.

 

[David99]

I have 150k miles on my Model S now and about 90k where on longer trips all on Superchargers. I have owned a few cars but never driven any car I owned so much. I think getting free electricity made me decide to drive more often than I would have in a gas car. The other reason is that I just love driving the Tesla.

 

[doubleohwhat]

However, I will likely lose the free unlimited supercharging incentive I got when I ordered it...Is it worth it?

It really depends on your driving habits. If you'll be supercharging daily or several times a week then there's definitely a benefit to the free supercharging. If you'll only really be supercharging on trips a few times a year then I wouldn't let free supercharging be a deciding factor.

For example, last year I supercharged 21 times and I have a 75. Let's say I charged from 0 to 100 each time (I didn't) and the electricity cost $0.15/kWh (likely lower). That's only $236.25. So for me, the free supercharging isn't a huge benefit. For others, like those above, it has saved them a good bit of change.

Edit: You can look up supercharger costs here:
Supercharging

 

[Tiger]

If you don't mind waiting, the upcoming competition will surely put pressure on imminent Tesla refresh. Ofcourse you could drive a Tesla also while waiting for the refresh

 

[Matthew XC]

It really depends on your driving habits. If you'll be supercharging daily or several times a week then there's definitely a benefit to the free supercharging. If you'll only really be supercharging on trips a few times a year then I wouldn't let free supercharging be a deciding factor.

For example, last year I supercharged 21 times and I have a 75. Let's say I charged from 0 to 100 each time (I didn't) and the electricity cost $0.15/kWh (likely lower). That's only $236.25. So for me, the free supercharging isn't a huge benefit. For others, like those above, it has saved them a good bit of change.

Edit: You can look up supercharger costs here:
Supercharging

Yeah it's probably something that matters to me I go away every/every other weekend a few hundred miles.

 

[Matthew XC]

If you don't mind waiting, the upcoming competition will surely put pressure on imminent Tesla refresh. Ofcourse you could drive a Tesla also while waiting for the refresh

I could but don't want to go through the hassle of buying a CPO just to sell it a few months later.

 

[doubleohwhat]

Until the competition has a fast charging network (in the US) that rivals the supercharger network, I don't really consider it competition (again, in the US).

 

[MP3Mike]

I did the math and in the past 4 years I saved about $7500 in electricity cost just driving road trips.

@David99 Was that about 26k miles a year in road trips?

 

[Destiny1701]

Are we all assuming a 2019 refresh? Has that been confirmed with fact? The true fact is you can drive a Tesla today or keep waiting. The timing will never be perfect!

 

[Matthew XC]

Are we all assuming a 2019 refresh? Has that been confirmed with fact? The true fact is you can drive a Tesla today or keep waiting. The timing will never be perfect!

No, I think it’s all speculation from insider sources and some features in the model 3 that are better than the Model S/X such as the MCU and air circulation system.

 

[jaguar36]

You should be able to calculate how much unlimited supercharging is worth to you. However unless you do a crazy amount of roadtripping or abuse your local superchargers, its probably only a couple hundred bucks.

Now the refresh could be amazing or it could be ho-hum, or it could even be worse. Its not something that exists yet.

If you're worried about having the latest and greatest why not just lease it? Then even if a new one comes amount that is amazing you can upgrade in a year or two.

 

[Matthew XC]

You should be able to calculate how much unlimited supercharging is worth to you. However unless you do a crazy amount of roadtripping or abuse your local superchargers, its probably only a couple hundred bucks.

Now the refresh could be amazing or it could be ho-hum, or it could even be worse. Its not something that exists yet.

If you're worried about having the latest and greatest why not just lease it? Then even if a new one comes amount that is amazing you can upgrade in a year or two.

I completely agree. I am actually leasing as I want to see my options when the lease is up and possibly buy it if there’s nothing more inticing, but I definitely want unlimited super charging since I will probably just feel better knowing I have that free unlimited driving and I have 15k miles a year. With that being said, if a refresh is the last Q of 2018 or early 2019 I’ll definitely just get it now, but if it’s coming in the next few weeks/months id kick myself for not waiting. Especially because the MCU on the tablet is so outdated.

 

[Lasttoy]

I did 20 states last summer, 18k in one year. No free super charger, no go. I go to DC regularly , my other rides get 10 mpg. So got the idea yet?

 

[animorph]

I gave up free Supercharging, ventilated seats, and paid an extra $3500 to switch from an X90D to a X100D when they first became available after I had placed my X90D order. So I'm all for buying the latest. It cost me $155, plus my free 400 kWh's, in Supercharger costs during a 5500 mile cross-country trip. Tesla at one time charged $2000 for optional unlimited Supercharging. I'd say it's value to me would be a little less to me, with maybe 10k in Supercharger travel per year.

Soon after that trip Tesla gave all existing owners free Supercharging and refunded my $155! So I'm one of a few owners who really did get free Supercharging, not part of the purchase price and no pay as you go.

 

[David99]

@David99 Was that about 26k miles a year in road trips?

My estimate is about 20k miles a year in road trips on Superchargers. Many of them for work.

 

[jaguar36]

I am actually leasing as I want to see my options when the lease is up and possibly buy it if there’s nothing more inticing, but I definitely want unlimited super charging since I will probably just feel better knowing I have that free unlimited driving and I have 15k miles a year.

Keep in mind the mileage is never actually free, even if the supercharging is. For leasing the cost for a 15k mile lease vs a 12k mile lease was about 24 cents per mile (at least on the quotes I was given). The overage cost on both of those was 25 cents a mile.

This is also true for purchases, although since it doesn't come around until its time to sell the car it can be hidden and much harder to calculate.