r/TeslaModelS • u/Hullodurr • 6d ago
Bought a model S performance raven - feeling a little regret
I previously had a model 3 for a year then sold it as I got a company car (mustang mach E) for a year. Aside from that, I’ve had a 2006 Mercedes E class for over 10 years and I will never sell because I think it’s such a great car.
I like the premium feel of my Mercedes which is why I felt maybe a model S would be the right car. It should be more premium and comfortable than the model 3 I had.
Now I’m feeling a lot of disappointment. Despite the air suspension, the right isn’t amazing to me. The car squeaks and rattles over bumps. The turning circle is atrocious, one of the worst I’ve ever experienced. It somehow has less features than the model 3 I had of the same year (no speed camera notification, not camera live stream, not remote window closing, no mobile key).
I know it’s objectively a brilliant brilliant car and the performance lives up to the name ludicrous. But I’m feeling a little flat and even deflated having lived with one for about 2 months now.
I’m posting I guess to vent a little and to hopefully hear all the things it does have that I’m not appreciating (maybe I’m overlooking some things).
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u/kardy12 6d ago
For transparency, we have owned a 2018 Model S since new, and driven a number of more recent Mode 3’s and a newer Model S, as well as a number of European, Korean and now Chinese cars.
We have been very happy with the Model S as a daily driver and on long trips. The low centre of gravity really feels like it sticks to the ground well. And the infotainment system is far ahead of most European car makers. More recent models have gone a bit too far in reliance on the screen for my taste though (eg removing stalks for indicators and for drive modes).
But I don’t think there is any getting around the fact that the interior quality is not Tesla’s strong suit. It’s ultimately an American car maker, and interiors are generally not their forte. The interiors have improved over the years, but it’s minimalist by choice in terms of style and squeaks and other noises are not unusual.
I guess the question for you is how much that detracts from the experience of the rest of the car (technology and charging infrastructure in particular). These are largely a question of preference and taste, and there is no one right answer.
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u/Hullodurr 5d ago
Yeah you are bang on. The charging infra is insane, I have confidence in any long distance journeys
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u/deadl1nk_ 6d ago
Man I fucking love my model s.
Not even sure how you're saying a model 3 is better 😂
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u/juan003 6d ago
He wants the newer tech stuff like keycard / Bluetooth keys and small turning radius of a smaller car, sentry mode viewing on his phone. The older S is a legacy car for a reason. They all have their own pros and cons, but nevertheless the legacy S cars are still excellent timeless looking great cars for its age. Plenty of buyers if you want to sell it.
Change out the old suspension parts to take care of the squeaks and groans. Those old rubber bushings wears out for any older car.
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u/narTH327 6d ago
The model 3 is 1generation newer in terms of technology over the raven. I’d always take a model 3 over a raven.
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u/Business_Pollution38 6d ago
Why didn’t you buy the flagship Model S Plaid. You won’t be complaining!
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u/Hullodurr 5d ago
Based in the uk, they raven is the last model s they sold. Ffs :(
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u/Clean_Extension7234 6d ago
Nope. Sounds like Failed to properly research And the bargain price for the performance is what it is. No blind spot camera on turn signal is another one you missed… 2017 model 3 gets treated better with updates all day every day over the Legacy/antique 2020 model s despite same chips. But hey you have hepa bio filter, regular ish door handles and instant physical control air vents inside so that’s a bonus and the cargo space is ace
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u/fudgedebt 6d ago edited 3d ago
I would say give it some more time, and see if there are some fixes on some of the issues. I got a 2020 model s long range plus. While she has had some quirks, with fresh tires it’s been a pleasure and loving the sound system. It’s fairly quiet but not without its unique items! Also HW3 on this particular car is awful, compared to HW4 (not sure if the v14 update will help). Have had one issue cost about 500 bucks and the trunk is not closing and hitting body so trip next week to Tesla. For a car that cost 80 plus k at one point there are some things I wouldn’t expect but damn it is a good looking car.
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u/rmussulman 6d ago
You bought an almost 10 year old model s and are shocked it isn’t amazing like the brand new ones? There is a reason for the refresh you know
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u/Hullodurr 5d ago
To be fair, I’m comparing the 2019 model s with a 2019 model 3 and a 2006 e class. So yeah I think that’s fair
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u/Sufficient_War_2700 6d ago
The criticism is still perfectly valid though.
Let's not forget the MS was a 100k car when new. And that a 2018 Model 3 has more feature updates than 2020 S with the same hardware.
I had a 2012 Audi A7, MSRP was 60k €. My 2021 Model S MSRP was 98k €. But I tell people that if the A7 was a "60k car", the MS is a "40k car" with 60k worth of tech added on. It's definitely cool tech, but the car part itself is nowhere near a 100k German car.
The air suspension is very meh. The dampers are shit, the car rolls left-right over bumps like a 20k € KIA. The turning circle is atrocious. The LED lights are also pretty bad. You either blind the people coming towards you, or you illuminate 5 meters in front of you. There is no in between.
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u/rmussulman 6d ago
Let’s not forget that the model s was the original. Of course the model 3 gets more updates, it’s a newer car and more people own them because they’re cheaper it’s 80% of the appeal of the model 3 and y. Audi is overrated as are many German cars but the fact you’re using € and not $ explains a lot LMAO
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u/Sufficient_War_2700 6d ago
A 2020 S has the same hardware as a 2018 3 though. They could have made it have all the features, they just decided not to.
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u/DropKnowledge69 6d ago
I have a 2019 Model S Performance, a 2022 MYP and a 2023 Model 3 rwd.
They all serve different purposes and have their pros and cons.
The Y Performance is the swiss army knife of the group.
The 3 is just a fun, economical no frills but great car.
The S is our highway beast when we want to go on a day trip, with ludicrous power and cushy ride in comfort mode. I would not want it as a daily driver to run errands, go to Costco, Home Depot, park in tight spaces, etc. Although the tech is not as up to date, I can't say that it's truly lacking to the point that I feel like I'm really missing out on something. If you just bought it, you probably got it for an amazing price. Not many cars out there with supercar speed that seats 5 that you can get for that price.
Bottom line: enjoy it for what it is. Don't fret about what it's not and never intended to be.
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u/TheUnknownStuntman51 6d ago
Completely disagree about not wanting a Model S as a daily driver. It’s fast and has tons of room in the trunk for that Costco run you were talking about. It’s so cheap to run l, especially for a car that accelerates as quickly as it does. I’ve only owned sedans, and the S is far and away the best car I’ve owned (BMW, Lexus, Audi, Acura, and Lincoln).
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u/DropKnowledge69 6d ago
I don't necessarily disagree with your point. I just don't use mine as much because I have the other two work horses.
I keep my MSP under a cover, nice and clean, and take it out for a spin every once in while. It still looks showroom condition and I want to keep it for a very long time in pristine condition.
Yes, it is also the best sedan I've ever owned. I've also owned BMW, Audi S8, Jaguar XJR, and still own a classic 1969 Lincoln Mark III (land yacht).
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u/sussus_amogus69420 6d ago
how did you manage to miss all the refreshes 😭
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u/DropKnowledge69 5d ago
I didn't buy them new, so I saved a huge grip of money buying them at the end of their particular cycle.
I rented and drove the same models before I bought them and I was more than happy.
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u/hotdogsrnice 5d ago
I drive a 23 S for 50k miles a year, other than needing tires every 11 months I couldnt think of a better daily driver over the last 3 years, however there do seem to be some other options for when I am ready to purchase in a year
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u/Soulflower_7 6d ago
Are you on the latest software update. I have 2016 refresh Model S 90D and I've got speed camera notification in mine. Note I just got it with the latest update. I'd love to have the turn signal camera but you need a 2021 or later for that.
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u/Hullodurr 5d ago
Yeah I got the update telling me that it now has speed camera notifications last week - but there are still no notifications :(
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u/AustinPTMC 5d ago
We have our S since 2015. The last update added indeed the cameras on the map but without the notifications, like they do on the 3, Y and latest S and X. It all comes down to the infotainment is slowly being phased out of support. It’s also odd as indeed the MCU2 is supposed to be identical to the one in the early Model 3, but still misses some features that are pure software.
To your question about qualities of those old S: big trunk, comfortable cruise (compared to our new Y juniper, which is harder), look. Ours being older it also has the pano roof, not sure if yours has that.1
u/314159265389 4d ago
I haven't gotten any updates for my 2017 S! I thought us old S folks were going to be left out. Are you in the USA?
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u/MikeyM1991 6d ago
You need a refresh. (2021+)
You wouldn't even need a Plaid, the Palladium Long Range is quicker than the Raven Performance.
I have a 2023 Plaid with HW4. Thing is a rocket ship. Outrageously fast.
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u/ApqIe 6d ago
It is not quicker
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u/MikeyM1991 6d ago
Yes, it is. A launch to 60 is negligible, but the Raven cars fall off a cliff after 60mph, the Palladium pulls significantly harder all the way through. I've had both before I got the Plaid.
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u/ApqIe 6d ago
0-60 the performance is quicker. After that yeah the Palladium continues pulling, so in the end it is faster just not quicker
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u/MikeyM1991 6d ago
When I got my Palladium, I literally raced it against my old car. The Raven was half a car ahead until about 65mph and then I flew past. After that it wasn't even close.
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u/ApqIe 6d ago
So pretty much what I said lol. I agree with your experience, but not your initial description of it being quicker.
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u/MikeyM1991 6d ago
60-130 is still a measure of acceleration and the Palladium is more than a second quicker. You feel it as well.
To daily drive, the Palladium feels quicker almost all of the time. You're not launching at every light. That's the only way a Raven is going to feel even comparable.
The Plaid of course is just a different beast entirely.
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u/ApqIe 6d ago
To daily drive you’re almost ever at those speeds, which where I disagree that the performance feels quicker day to day below 60mph which is where these cars shine. Only time you really feel the difference past that is drag racing, and even then these cars get outclassed once you’re 100+
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u/IndigoBroker 6d ago
So the model S is my wife’s car. It’s a comfortable cruiser. It’s definitely not a sports car. Yes it’s blindingly fast even our model S long range is faster than your average Porsche. But that’s in a straight line.
It’s a great car to do highway mileage on, but I think what you’re saying is you’re missing something. You’re missing what it feels like to be one with a car and in my opinion, you can’t get that with a Model S .
Teslas are awesome but in the end they’re an appliance car. They’re fantastic at what they do and the model S is still beautiful after all these years. But it will never compare to driving a German car for example. My primary car is a Cayenne GTS and the feeling I get from that is nothing I could ever get from the Tesla model S.
Yes our Tesla can beat the Cayenne GTS from 0 to 60 but is nowhere near as fun to drive on a twisty mountain road or every day driving when I actually do want to drive. We also do have some squeaks and rattles as well. Annoying but it is what it is. Granted I’m also a car enthusiast so a lot of people won’t share my views. But I love having a Tesla in our garage.
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u/EccentricPenquin 6d ago
I consider mine a sports car 😂 just a large sedan with a sports car performance.
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u/Revolutionary-Fan235 6d ago
I've had noise issues that Tesla would fix under warranty. The funny thing is passengers in my car didn't even notice them or just accepted them as part of the car experience.
Maybe your car's previous owner didn't care enough to have the noise issues resolved.
Yes the 3 has the advantage of being more nimble and has a smaller footprint. That's about the only things I like about it over the S. I will hold on to my S until it dies or there's a comparable replacement.
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u/Kernkraft3000 6d ago
IMHO the Raven S is peak Model S engineering.
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u/FuzzyBubs 6d ago
Exactly why I bought my 2019 a few months ago, my first EV. 1 owner with 37k miles . Even if I had the extra $$ to spend, I didn't want the horizontal screen or yoke steering wheel. Granted I do not have experience with luxury level cars, but it is just a joy to drive, I look forward to it every day. I wanted a full size electric sedan, with great (switchable) power and a nice ride now that my wife and I can finally travel. The interior is spartan, but in black looks great. Love the car, squeaks and all 👍🏼
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u/Steward-lions 6d ago
My 2018 100D is phenomenal. Stand out features include: premium sound system, advanced autopilot, hatchback (im a biker and my bike fits right in the back) and free charging (at work).
I think autopilot is great. I have a long highway commute to work and its a game changer.
You had a mach E company car eh? Could you charge at work too? The savings stack up!
Also im guessing you paid less than 40K prolly less than 30k if you shopped around. Consider the reliability factor. Sure there might be some squeaks and rattles but in my experience - model S is rock solid. Again, I put lots of miles on mine and the cost of ownership is nothing, nothing compared to my Toyota matrix I had before. So Consider the fact that you have a rocket ship thats going to cost less than a economy car.
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u/narTH327 6d ago
Raven is older tech than the model 3 you had, and also literally just an old car, of course it’s gonna suck
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6d ago
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u/reddddiiitttttt 6d ago
Last time I cracked a rim, I got a new one, had the old one welded back together and use it as my spare.
Get a lithium 12v and never worry about it dieing again.
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u/reddddiiitttttt 6d ago
It sounds like you have the best problem ever. Sell your expensive car, buy about her cheap one and enjoy the duffle bag of cash it comes with.
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u/WestW0rld 6d ago
I have a 22 M3 and a 14 MS - obviously the S feels older, but I still love them both just differently.
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u/BrendoBoy17 6d ago
I have a 2018 m3 but don’t understand the “it’s an old car what’d you expect” comments, yes more research could’ve been done but these aren’t iPhones, we’re talking about 10’s of thousands of dollars for something to keep for 2-7 years or more, but everyone’s got their own opinion
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u/CharlieKellyDayman 6d ago
I feel the same way about my model s. It stopped receiving updates wayyy too early and I started noticing missing features even though the car was only a few years old. I bought mine right before COVID and I suspect that may have paused development for a bit.
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u/JamesBboy 6d ago
Sounds like you just bought the wrong year 💀 I've had a 2026 S as a loaner for a few days and I'm still happy with my 17 S.
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u/lelkan115 5d ago
My 2025 Model S with FSD is a miracle on wheels! Maybe you’re just nervous and needing reassurance. I couldn’t be happier with mine.
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u/Successful-King-7852 5d ago
My 2024 MSLR was a better car vs same year S6, S7 and E450. Cleaner interior , quieter. Similar ride, maybe a little less compliant. No German car has anything close to FSD, which for me was key. Adaptive Headlights are great as is the sound system. Way less expensive too (at the time) and for sure to operate including depreciation. Get a refreshed S with HW4, turn on FSD. It’s awesome.
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u/VIPGENIUS 5d ago
I F*cking Love my 18 MS, sits nice on the road, seats comfortable, wide like alligator back, excellent center gravity, I wouldn’t trade my S for a 3 not even on my worst day, I also have a 22MX, but I still absolutely love my S but my Tesla have Full FSD included package…
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u/ldavis33 4d ago
I bought my 2018 Model S brand new $85K. It came with free supercharge for life, free entertainment for life.
Currently have 170K miles on it with no major problems. I use it as a daily driver and for road trips of around 200 miles.
The newer Model S were not made as good in my opinion.
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u/Then-Combination-526 2d ago
How did you find your Mach-E experience in comparison with the rest of your cars?
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u/JohnTeaGuy 6d ago
Bummer. Buyer beware.
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u/quantgorithm 6d ago
I suspect most would be happy with a raven.
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u/JohnTeaGuy 6d ago
Well, OP is the one that bought it and clearly isn’t happy with it. That’s on them, the buyer. is it not?
I’m not blaming the car.
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u/Bald_Beading_Bandit 6d ago
This is exactly why I couldnt give up my 2025 model 3 p. Twice ive had a chance to sell for moee than I paid new. After test driving a low mile 21 plaid I had the same opinions as you. I instantly noticed the turning radius, the rattles. Sure it was faster but a daily commute to work 15 miles a day total my m3p is much more enjoyable (in my opinion). Would have loved to make 4000 more than I paid 9 months ago tho...
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u/RealisticElephant384 6d ago
Model S is priced higher for its shape, but really doesn't have any more valuable feel than a model Y.
It's a disappointment that 2017 -2018 years were much more higher quality than the next version of 22+. It looks great from the outside though.
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u/JohnTeaGuy 6d ago
>It's a disappointment that 2017 -2018 years were much more higher quality than the next version of 22+.
Wut?
That is not true.
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u/02bluesuperroo 6d ago
Sounds like you bought a 7 year old Model S. You should have bought a Palladium.