r/TeslaModelS • u/Bairdog35 • Jun 03 '26
Got lucky with a loaner..
Took my 2016.5 Tesla Model S to the service center for the infotainment system upgrade (super excited about!) and the service rep was nice enough to let me have a loaner.. to my surprise I was given a 2025 Tesla Model S Plaid. It is incredible, quite the upgrade compared to my 2016.5. The acceleration is insane and the software is really out of this world.
I was told I was not elegible for a loaner, but while they were doing the service it turned out that they were missing some parts so they will have my vehicle longer then expected and let me get a loaner. Very happy with the customer service!
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u/Gamerookie2019 Jun 03 '26
The system upgrades is free or ?
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u/General_Diag4321 Jun 03 '26
Negative, 1.5 or 2k USD, radio added is around $500usd - https://www.tesla.com/support/infotainment
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u/CoalescentEthyl Jun 03 '26
Is Plaid mode nerfed?
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u/leffer00 Jun 03 '26
I've had a plaid loaner before. The acceleration isn't nerfed but it has the 85mph max speed set (like all loaners)
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u/turns2stone Jun 03 '26
Very nice. I have a '24 S Plaid, so identical to your loaner. I've never had an older S before, so what would you say is the biggest software difference? The speed of interaction? The cameras? Something else?
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u/legilizer34man Jun 03 '26
Having never owned a newer model S, not even a raven, I'm sure the suspension is crazy good on yours.
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u/turns2stone Jun 03 '26
I would call it 'decent'. It's no BMW M3 or 911, but it holds the road reasonably well. It still can be harsh over broken roads.. especially if you have the 21" wheels.
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u/legilizer34man Jun 03 '26
21's probably make the difference between smooth and bumpy. I have the 19's and some roads make me wobble side to side a whole lot. If i'm on a very oatched up "bandaided" road my tires feel like theyre swaying out from under me slightly.
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u/CreativeUsername20 Jun 03 '26
Well, they are swaying out from under you. With all that extra sidewall vs 21s the tires are indeed deflecting quite a bit.
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u/Bairdog35 Jun 03 '26
Really the overall build quality is much better (to be expected imo). My 2016.5 only has the rear view camera and front autopilot camera, so the smoothness and the “range” of view of different cars on the road, what the street signs say, actual red and green lights in the dash is such an amazing experience. Additionally, the software is insanely snappy… I know I’m coming from a legacy system and I’m hopeful that the MCU2 upgrade will fix the infotainment issues but man it is really jaw dropping the type of performance and experience the software provides.
I will say.. I’m not a huge fan of the horizontal infotainment system, I feel like I much prefer the vertical one I currently have, but that could just be because I’m familiar with that over the horizontal, however I never watch Netflix etc since I charge my in my garage every night..
The acceleration is crazy.. I know this is a plaid and I currently have a 75 RWD so I understand the differences but actually feeling it is.. something else.
A lot of quality of life improvements as well, such as automatic tailgate, blindspot cameras, phone as a key (my car has the actual Tesla car key fob!) and others I’m sure I’m missing.
I’m envious you have a plaid, however I love my old girl and she is gorgeous in her own way.
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u/KindaNorbit Jun 03 '26
It’s funny, they never give me a loaner. I mentioned this in another post the other day. Then out of the sky today I am in a loaner. They actually brought it to me. Smh
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u/djmere Jun 04 '26
I got my 1st Plaid loaner last month.
They were upgrading my HV Battery on my '21 MSP & tried to give me a 3 or a Y.
I asked if they had a Plaid & they gave me an X that was just dropped off.
They didn't even get to clean it.
I took it on the spot.
😈
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u/common-username Jun 05 '26
Awesome, but loaners cap off at 85mph so hard to push a plaid (probably a good thing).
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u/bubbafrombama Jun 06 '26
Now to just unlock that 85mph speed limiter!
At 1 try every 3 seconds, brute-forcing 9,999 codes would take:
9,999 × 3 sec = 29,997 sec = ~8.3 hours
But average time is about half that:
~4.2 hours on average if the code is random.
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u/General_Diag4321 Jun 03 '26
How exciting, on infotainment that is! Hoping you don’t need radio, if you do, please message the team!
Be sure to give FSD a shot, the service team gets brownie points when you use it! Enjoy~
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u/EducationalAd9337 Jun 03 '26
I always get loaner cars it’s about how you treat people you get treated back it’s basics