When can we Order Next-Gen Seats with 85D?

[Nevek]

It's almost a deal breaker for me not to be able to order the next-gen seats for an 85D. After trying both new and old seats at the Seattle showroom, I think I'll always be somewhat disappointed with an 85D otherwise.

I've submitted this request to Tesla via the recommend channels but if anyone turns up information on next gen availability without adding the $20k for the P version, please post it here.

If you want to chime in on this to Tesla, the form is here:
Contact | Tesla Motors

 

[breser]

Tesla hasn't even delivered all the seats to the P85D owners who have paid for them. Tesla realizes that people want this, people have posted about email exchanges with Jerome the VP of WW Sales and Service. But they can't do it until they've managed to get the next gen seat manufacturing scaled up to cover all their production. Which they certainly haven't if they aren't pushing out seats to P85D owners (so far we've seen one owner get the right seats put in). They might be able to start before they finish putting the seats in because I suspect once they have production ramped up the replacement seats will be constrained more by service having time to put them in then production. But so few people have been getting replacement seats so far that I don't think they are there yet.

Given that you're about to lose the sales tax exemption in July I wouldn't wait. The seats can obviously be retrofitted given what's happened with the P85D. Even if you figure the seats are $5k to retrofit you're probably saving money ordering now with old seats and then retrofitting versus waiting and losing the sales tax exemption.

 

[David_Cary]

Given the cost of the option - $3500, I'd anticipate a retrofit being $7k with the possibility that it is $12k

I remember back when Toyota Supra had really nice seats for the time (1990 or so) and replacement seats were $6k a piece. My sister had one stolen and returned missing the seats - obviously a total loss. They weren't heated, they weren't memory, and of course inflation adjusted.....

But I suspect $6k (each front) is still the reasonable number for OEM replacement seats (in a high end car with 20 way power adjustment and leather). I could be wrong but if I was considering this move, I'd call MB or BMW auto parts and check.

Remember a second charger is installed in a few hours. No profit on service (probably BS) certainly doesn't mean no profit on upgrades.

I was considering this option since the practical side of me couldn't justify the P85D for seats. Went with a S85 and skipped the seats. Think of the custom interior you could get for $3500, or $7k, $12k or even $20k. Or just save it all for the next big thing.

 

[ElectricTundra]

I would guess they'll pop up on here sometime. This might give you an idea of cost though. The Ergomed ES runs about $3500 and $400 install.

View All - Models with RECARO Seats

 

[Nevek]

Given that you're about to lose the sales tax exemption in July I wouldn't wait. The seats can obviously be retrofitted given what's happened with the P85D. Even if you figure the seats are $5k to retrofit you're probably saving money ordering now with old seats and then retrofitting versus waiting and losing the sales tax exemption.

Thanks for the note, I agree with your points. I do have an 85D on order for late April delivery after realizing there is no way my X would make the sales tax exemption. Even if the tax exemption is extended (a 50/50 shot I think) it will likely be capped at $40-60K. I rationalized ordering a MS 85D now with full sales tax credit and then see where we are when my X reservation is actually is available to build, perhaps a year from now (reservation in the 9000s). I looked at inventory cars but the lure of the dual motor S was too great.

But I can't rationalize the extra $20K for the Performance option. Sure, it would be nice, but it doesn't have $20K in value to me. I would extend my wait time (up to the June 30 cut-off for the sales tax relief) if I thought it would get the new seats, however.

In the meantime, I'll be reading your updates on your new 85D with great interest and hoping the new seats get released before build time in April.

- - - Updated - - -

Given the cost of the option - $3500, I'd anticipate a retrofit being $7k with the possibility that it is $12k

Good point, but if I was in for $12K I'd bite the bullet for another $8K and get the 691hp P after all! But $7K might make sense.

 

[Nevek]

The configurator now allows the option of selecting next gen seats with the 85D (and the 60). I sincerely hope this is not a web site glitch, as I will be getting my Delivery specialist to add this ASAP.