The Model S is "convenient but not comfortable"
That's my assessment after making the difficult decision to not purchase my 3rd model S after my lease ends next month. I started with a P85 for 2.5 years before the desire for AP took over and I decided to bite the bullet, eat $24k in depreciation and lease a P90D with AP. I loved both cars and the performance and acceleration was so incredible that it helped me overlook some of the nuances and fit/finish issues that I think are important in a $100k+ vehicle. Within 3 months, my drivers seat would squeak and creek every time I sat in it or moved around. They tried to fix it by applying a grease of some sort to the leather, but it would recur every few months and eventually I was tired of taking it back. The service center initially was incredibly accommodating and you could feel they valued your business. They would pick up the car from my office, and valet back and forth for service and repairs. That is clearly changing as their sales are ramping up with the lower cost Model 3. Unfortunately the service, attention and personal touch is not scaling equally with sales volume.
I decided that I could not in good faith spend $148k on a P100D with the same fit/finish issues since 2013. The 100D did not perform close to what I was used to with the P90D, so I really had no choice but to get the P100D.
This post is not meant to bash the Model S. I was one of the original owners and a fanboy through and through. But the company has not evolved it's materials and product and it was time for me to move on.
I test drove a BMW M5 and realized what 100+ year old company with engineering and manufacturing experience can produce. The materials used throughout feel high quality, engineered with the end user in mind. I am more impressed with the technology and the customization of the M5 compared to the Model S. The performance is there, it's truly a drivers car. It's not quite as fast to 60 as the Model S, but I'm realizing more and more that there's more to life than going fast in a straight line.
As I type this, I'm enjoying my supple leather seats that heat/cool and massage me as I drive. The roar from the exhaust is something I didn't realize I missed so much. Wireless Apple CarPlay and HUD make driving more enjoyable and provide a much better user experience. Even the way the doors close and engage the car has been thought out. It is well built. I'm sure many of you have seen Model X vehicles where the door handles don't even line up - so disappointing.
Hopefully Tesla doesn't forget their roots and continues to innovate without forgetting their loyal customer base. We need a nicer car. We need more comfort. We need better materials and higher quality fit/finish. My 150k car should not creak and squeak when I sit inside.
