Agree across the board. I haven't driven one yet. It would need to be other-worldly to get me past the issues you mentioned. Basically it needs to induce an involuntary SEG.

 

There is nothing cheap about most BMW interiors, and they're certainly inline with their price tags once you get past the 3-Series. You might not like the design, but there is nothing cheap (like the Tesla) about them. Minimal and stark is good, but the Tesla is cheap. I said buyers who championed Corvettes and Vipers didn't know good interiors. The Tesla is cheap, poorly assembled and looks like something that costs a 1/3 less. Benz interiors from back in the day were stark and minimalist but they weren't cheap by any means. Tesla is just cheap. The materials are cheap, the fit is poor, that has nothing to with what you're talking about, which is design. You can have an ugly interior made out of beautiful materials that is well assembled. Look at the most Lexus models for this. IS and ES interior are ugly, but well made.

M

 

If you're going to mention me you could at least get it right. I said that more sales tops in sales don't always mean the best. Didn't say that high or good sales didn't mean "anything". For the record there have been years where the BMW 7-Series outsold the S-Class worldwide.

M

 

Funny thing is, lots of Tesla guys think that since the Model S costs $100K, the S Class is the ripoff. Their argument: "Why buy something that looks so mundane, uses ancient drivetrain technology, is less technological (screen, which is what they'll be focusing on, not changing interior ambiance lights, massagers and perfume dispensers, etc.), and drives like a boat when I can get the most cutting edge, advanced car with a one-of-a-kind drivetrain that is sustainable into the next generation, not to mention can drive like a sports car?".

It's all about how you see it, really.

I sit somewhere in the middle. The S is obviously of supreme crafting, but I don't completely lust for an S Class. I do for a Tesla.

The better question is: How desirable will a Tesla car be when everybody eventually follows their lead and puts EV tech (considering it's at least comparable to Tesla) in their own cars? That's when we know how well Tesla sustains. I think the ball is in Tesla's court, as I think they've captured the younger and more "progressive" market already.

 

100% in agreement here.
Btw, had a rental M5 in San Antonio 2 days ago, Hertz and obviously very basic car.
Interior (IMO ) was heads and shoulders over my 2014 E63S, even in the cheapest version they use for rentals.
Much,much better seats too.
As far as Tesla is concerned, had one as rental in Beverly Hills, booked for 5 days, returned the next day because I could not imagine myself spending another day in that thing (replaced it with SL63).
It's not a car! It's an appliance, great thing for folks who get excited when they shop for a new computer or dishwasher and contemplate differences between Miele and Bosch.
You people raving about that kitchen appliance can keep it, I'll stick with REAL cars.....

 

I'm not sure I'm picking up the subtext here. Are you implying, in some subliminal way that becomes evident only upon a very careful and deliberate reading, that you feel the Tesla interior could be described as "cheap"?

You are indeed an enigma, my obtuse friend.

 

Absurd! The Bosch Elite 135 Dishwasher features an industry first one hundred and twenty seven jets, a two stage 1/4 hp pump capable of a 200 per gallon flow rate, and an adjustable glass rack.

The Miele Vanguard B779-S is a joke! Using a single core heating element and not even copper-sealing the terminals? How about that control microprocessor straight out of the old C series? It can't even auto sense! No auto sense in a $1,200 machine. Yeah, real cutting edge Miele They should stick to making vacuum cleaners, because at least those are supposed to suck.

(Okay, at this point in the debate the GermanCar guy says something about how cheap the Tesla interior is.)

 

Yes cheap, with poor fits and lacking materials.

M

 

Totally not following you. Are you somehow trying to imply that in your opinion the Tesla interior is of substandard materials and poor workmanship? Maybe a little less subtlety and a more direct approach would be effective in conveying your feelings.

 

I agree the 5 Series interior is on a much higher level than the E Class interior, in fact, taking out the 3 Series interior (crap) and the S Class interior (excellent), IMO BMW interiors are a little higher quality than M-B interiors as a whole, these days.

I don't agree that the Tesla is an appliance so much. I mean, it's an "appliance" in the same way a computer would be over a typewriter, maybe? It's just a "futuristic" form of transportation, a bonafide one. Every car maker claims they're doing something "futuristic" because they add some gimmick or little gadget here or there, but Tesla just really showed us a peek into the future via opening the door.

When I drove a Model S, to me the most shocking part is how it felt like a "normal car". Cars all try to sound and act Electric nowadays anyways, with highly muffled engines, multiple gears to maximize torque curve, stop/start tech, etc. IMO it proves that ICE's are a compromise and inherently flawed. EV's do what they want to, just by its nature. It doesn't need the massive complexities to make a car that has "constant explosions just inches away from your crotch" feel right and operate safely (i.e one carrying 15 gallons of flammable gasoline).

Once automakers do the initial investment into EV's, it'll be the best long term investment they could ever make. Not only is it sustainable into the future, but it'll pay off drastically in the long run. No mufflers, no oils, no massive R&D to make ICE's act and sound like EV's. The margins will be off the wall, imagine how much TRUE innovation they can show us with all that excess money, when said investments start to fully realize? It won't be all about changing interior ambiance lights and perfume dispensers as key marketing points anymore. That's how I see it.

I also don't think the Model S interior is "cheap" by any means. Stitched leather, some wood, alcantara roof liner, etc. Fit and finish isn't the best, but it actually wasn't as horrid as I'd initially thought it was (or would be), and I'm extremely critical of this stuff. A Porsche 911, although immaculate fit/finish and quality plastics, being a Porsche, certainly at its base price doesn't have any truly impressive materials itself. You need to option it out to really wake the interior up.

 

Norway is Teslas second largest market, just because the government doesn't charge for taxes and fees when the car is sold to its first buyer. A tesla with its horsepowers and speed comes out costing half of what other sports cars doing 0-100km in 4 seconds does.
Thus it has become wildly popular among the rich and wannabe considered rich.

Personally, I like the exterior design except the front oval black cover that ruins it for me.
Interior, I like the seats and the look of it, but the tablet screen looks plastered on, and sticking out. Integration could be done better, as the new S class large wide screen integrated deep in to the dash.

I craved for a Tesla in the beginning, but now I couldn't care less, as it has become a status symbol in Norway. If you are somebody, you drive a Tesla...
I am not saying the technology is not groundbreaking, it truly is. But I just don't find it that appealing anymore. If the C/E or S class came with a electric car with a reach of 300-400Km I wouldn't hesitate

 

You got the point long ago.

M

 

wanna be rich? please elaborate........you're either wealthy; or you're not.......what's the wanna be all about?

 

People here criticize the massive screen, and I can relate. BUT, M-B are practically copying them in a much worse way with their upcoming cars. The next C and facelift CLS/ML/A/CLA/etc. all look like they have Android tablets, big borders and all (not elegant enough to earn the "iPad" moniker, IMO) taped onto the dash. It's the tackiest, cheesiest, laziest, most un-designed screen setup I've seen. Taking that into account, the Tesla screen is not only comparatively integrated better, but it's larger and not exactly as offensive looking.

When it comes to screens, especially considering M-B are last to the "big screen" game (W221/W222 notwithstanding, who's screens are much better implemented and sized than other M-B's) they look frankly desperately behind and overcompensatingly playing catchup, like they don't understand modern screen tech and architecture in how they should relate to and in a car.

 

It clearly says, "wannabe considered rich", and I meant by other people.
Its all about keeping up appearances, either by large loans or credit card debts.

No body is doing background check on you as you drive around, just to verify that you are rich...

 

I get it: like being a poser..........who'd of thought: rich posers! that's too funny, but now I get what you're saying

 

This Tesla discussion is both interesting and maddening at times.

I wanted a Tesla. Really wanted a Tesla. Been following the company since the Roadster. One of my co-workers has the Roadster and it really did open the door to the electric car being a real viable platform.

Was very excited about the Model S. Loved the platform technology and wanted to support a company redefining how we think about transportation. But when it came down to our driving style and values I had to let the Model S go and ended up with the S550.

Yes, the model S is pioneering the first volume produced electric car that has a good enough range that it is viable. But the interior is not what I want in a car in that price range. The seats are not good for me for trips, the backseat looks like it came out of a pickup truck, the overall styling of the interior is very minimalist but the huge screen does not blend with the minimalist theme. Needs a major overhaul to the interior, but do love what Tesla is doing here. Great first step. Look forward to seeing the Model X and the next car after that.

But for us, we like to drive for some of our trips and the Model S would require how we do our trips. It requires us to change our way of traveling with long stops in order to accommodate the car. When I pay this much for a car I expect it to cater to me and what I like. But like I said, it is a great first step, looking forward to the future cars.

I truly believe that Tesla is changing the game, but it is not good enough yet but we will see it much better in the next 5 to 10 years once range improves, fast charging improves, battery technology improves and most important of all, interiors improve.

We don't buy cars very often so last years purchase of the S550 might be the last ICE. Hoping that Tesla, MB or someone else can make a car in the next 5 years that will adequately address what I value in a car while also being on an energy platform that can use renewable energy.

Just my $0.02 on this topic.

 

You, on the other hand, not so much.

 

Can't you guys just let it be? I bet you aren't even major shareholders of Mercedes or Tesla. Why are you fighting with each other?
Even Mercedes and Tesla dont fight with each others as you are doing...
Mercedes has a small market share in Tesla, and they are cooperating with each other. Tesla makes the battery for the new B class, Mercedes lends it technology to Tesla.

Both are good cars, and taste is individual.

 

You forgot to circle the big obvious one right in front of you... The steering wheel!
The pano roof and Airmatic is also from Mercedes.

 

Noticed that to, but it wasn't me who circled these.
I got it from here:
http://m.autoevolution.com/the-tesla...ear-74291.html

 

I actually wish Tesla bought the entire interior, especially the W222 seats, from Mercedes

I agree with Mike and others about the Tesla interior not being in the same league as the S550. Neither me or my girlfriend like any of the wood trim options offered with the Model S. The seat's aren't what we are used to. Ambient lighting in the Tesla is an afterthought. I can't stand the open cavity below the screen to store things that you can't cover. I normally could not imagine buying a car with an interior I was not completely satisfied with but the driving characteristics of the Model S/P85 makes me forget all those details.

Mercedes interior + Tesla P85 drivetrain and vehicle design structure would be my ideal car... Maybe they can enter into an agreement for Mercedes to build the interior and for Tesla to build the rest of the car.

 

The Tesla is an amazing car, but the experience is quite and doesn't tickle the senses like a car with a combustion engine. Otherwise, it's a nifty option!

 

Different cars for different people. The quiet, instant, and never ending acceleration without a transmission to get in the way is a big reason so many, including me, like the Model S. Anything else with a gasoline engine and a transmission feels archaic to me now no matter how luxurious the inside is.

The allure of me with an EV is that it feels more raw and connected where I can now hear nature and sounds around me when driving on a winding road that I could never hear otherwise.

I once joked with my girlfriend when we are driving on a quite road that maybe we should put the car on neutral, turn off the engine, and she should push the car so I can pretend I'm driving a Tesla. She's was not amused about pushing but she agreed how quite and nice our Tesla drive was.

 

damn you guys! I made an appointment to test one.....thanx a lot lol