Please talk me out of a Tesla...
 

Hi All - I've loved my 2015 S63 for a couple years now...the power, comfort, amenities, and sheer beauty make it an incredible machine. The downsides are few; having to do the summer/winter tire shuffle each season (Chicago) and having my teenage son tell me I drive an old man's car are the worst of them.

Tesla's have always caught my attention, but the cost of the top line models S or X P100D turned me away - no way I'm paying that much for something without a Bentley badge on it!

Then along came the Model 3 Performance. I dig the looks and for some reason really like the minimalist interior design. Out of sheer curiosity I, scheduled a test drive and really wanted to hate it, but was actually really impressed with the entire driving experience. Astounding performance, no issues with fit and finish, materials nowhere as nice as the 63 but somehow it all worked for me, and all in cost with every possible option at 69k.

So here I sit - an internal combustion guy - having serious thoughts about going from an S63 to a Model 3 P.

Someone, please share an experience or opinion that will snap me out of this battery induced haze.

Scott

do not buy a tesla.


Hope that helps

After S63 a Tesla 3 will be a huge letdown, that interior has no appeal whatsoever.
On another note, I will never buy a car that talks to some geek in California behind my back.

The question is, why should we talk you out of what you want to do? That would be stupid. If you want it, just get it. Personally, I would never, ever, ever get that car. But that's why they make and sell so many different type of cars. A friend just bought one 3 months ago and loves it. His is grey and I find it's looks totally ugly yet oddly appealing to me.

Just my 2 cents.

Hope this isn't too late... do not buy a Tesla. The interior quality is garbage and it does not compare to any W222 interior. Funny your son says you drive an old man car, my 16-year-old son would go berserk if I had an S63. I drove a Model X P90D L before my S Plug-In purchase. There is absolutely nothing in the interior except for a giant nav screen and the glove box button. They have a lot of issues with build quality on the Teslas. The panel gaps are known to be atrocious. And if you do have to go Tesla, my last option would be the Model 3.

I'd say if you want something less 'old man' ish then spring for the new E 63 AMG S. I would be quite similar to your W222 AMG but smaller and looks like a much sportier car. Maybe even a special order and German delivery trip with your son to show him that anything with an AMG badge is nothing to be mistaken for the grandpa spec, non AMG version (like mine LOL). It would be fun!

I wish you many more thrilling miles with your S63 AMG. You have great taste, my friend.
:zoom:

Wanna race from Chicago to Kansas City?

If you use the car for long trips, where will you charge it and what will you and the family be doing while charging it?

I had a MB plug in vehicle. Traded in an S class for it. Wish I still had the S class. The plug in is gone and have moved on to another gas vehicle.

Tesla is the only car with decent miles per charge. MB isn't ready yet, but it's all coming.

W220 is an old man's car, but I loved it in college. Tesla sucks. Simple things like turning on headlight is somewhere in the navi screen, along with EVERYTHING ELSE. Obviously there is a learning curve, but getting into any other car, you can turn on your headlight instantly outside of automatic headlight. Instead of just driving one, drive one and change radio, turn on heat seat, turn on vents, turn off, go to map, go to radio, connect to BT, go to 360 view, I am old school and like physical buttons for every day items like volume control or climate controls. Doing that on the road or highway in addition to road condition (weather or just ****ty roads), your finger will be bouncing around all over hitting everything else instead of your intended action. No it isn't that extreme for some, but I had a hard time wanting to turn down the fan speed while navigating a curve on the freeway. Auto pilot helps in those situation.

I have a 75D, wouldn't do it, S63 all the way. But you buy what you like, not what your son likes or any of us here. I LOVE my humvees/H1, but I would never shove that pos beast down your throat.

That's me all the way, hate screens, haptic controls with a passion.
Replacing my current daily S8 and all new cars have these stupid touch screens, I want physical controls I can feel without taking my eyes of the road.
Signed the papers, gave the title to my car and going on a short vacation, picking up a Black/Black Supersports Cab with alcantara seats after March 4th.
Real old school, old tech, lots of buttons and switches, 700HP and 750tq, just the way I like it....:)

I think Elon is a smart dude, but he makes some ugly cars with BIG touch screen control panels! Just so you know.

I'll give you a different view. 45000 pleasurable miles in my P85D with Ludicrous upgrade. It replaced my CL65, and I never looked back. Fantastic experience, love the huge torque and autopilot, and lots of nice smaller touches that I can fill you in on......but I did miss the opulence of the S63...so I had to get one of those too. :)

Pictures of your stables PLEASE! :eek:

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...15152d53bc.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...e106dcfc7c.png

Unreal, incredible, dedicated........a few words that come to mind.

I'm open to all car options and have no bias. with that being said the model 3 is nothing in comparison to an S63. you should watch a video about the things owners hate about the model 3..

now on the other hand, a model X? yeah that is comparable and a good competitor to the s63 by price. but the model 3 is more suitable to compare to your average E class or 3/5 series. an S63 is way out of its league and I dont think anyone would debate that, tesla fan or not. Only the model X or certain Model S can compare in terms of bang for your buck

Here’s another reason not to switch (and I’ll repeat what others have said):
1. Parts are hard to come by, if something breaks or if you have an accident, you will have to wait between 3-6 months for repairs
2. Service: Tesla’s lack of dealerships also mean a lack of service shops up to speed
3. The supercharger network is still under development.
4. Elon Musk is just another Hank Scorpio

Here’s the other thing no one has touched on against Tesla....

The lack of any emotional connection to the soul or character of the car. Piston headed car guys will know what im talking about. A couple friends of mine bought Tesla P model whatever’s and they both said the same thing.... after a short time its amazing how fast 0-60 times become incredibly boring - as a car guy it’ll be the only thing the car actually offers. The rest of the time you have a huge apple iPad Pro staring at you, wind and tire roar, constant anxiety of looking at your power reserve gauge or for the next plug in station, etc.

S63 is an old man car for ex-adrenaline junkies. The experience is gone once you remove the engine and the mechanical connection between driver and machine, sounds corny but trust me it’s there, you just won’t realize it until after time of “nothingness” in the electric car. I would love to have an s63! Next car perhaps.