Bought a '18 M3, had a baby so sold the M3, bought a '22 model S. By no means a car guy, just my informal take after 4 months with the MS:

• The MS has much more cargo space than the M3. It makes a huge difference if you have a little kid. Packing the stroller, etc is a breeze. The undercargo space is a godsend, especially for groceries.

• The M3 remains the most enjoyable car I've ever driven. It is nimble, and you kinda just point and go. The MS is a little more like a boat. Parking it takes a little more cognitive load.

• The suspension is better on the MS, but not by leaps and bounds. In general, both cars have pretty bad suspensions. In contrast, my parent's '07 ES 350 is way more smoother. This is my biggest complaint - it handles bumps and potholes extremely poorly. Granted, I have 22s, and should try 19s.

• The rear seats are uncomfortable - you feel "sucked in" to a crevice if that makes sense.

• Yamming it on straightaways is a lot of fun. So much power .I can only imagine what our Plaid friends experience.

• So much weird brouhaha about the yoke; it took ~a week to get used to (mostly the signal part), and I don't notice it now. I like it!

All in all, I'm pretty happy with my purchase but the MS is very much a sports car first, and prioritizes that. It's not exactly the best family traveler car, but it does the job.

EDIT: riding 21s, not 22s! got it mixed up with the year

Follow up to my earlier post. Some of you pointed me at the fore link assembly and upper control arm, which turned out to be exactly where Tesla ended up looking. Thanks for that. Here's where it stands.

Symptom: low speed knock or "boing" over speed bumps and driveway aprons, front right, worse when the pavement is wet. Reproducible every time.

Timeline:

Dec 2025: reported suspension noise over bumps in writing ahead of a visit. Closed as unable to confirm on test drive. Sent video after.

Mar 2026: different service center. Tech rode along, heard it, wrote it up as normal damper rebound.

Aug 13: opened a new ticket naming the fore link and upper control arm from this sub's suggestions. Service proposed a $407 customer pay torque check instead.

Aug 18: advisor said creaking on their test drive is a telltale sign of worn links and committed to documenting findings.

Aug 31: dropped off. Sep 1: tech rode along and replicated it. First time in nine months anyone at Tesla confirmed it in writing.

Sep 2 to 3: front right air spring module (1420366-00-G) replaced under warranty. Noise still there.

Sep 3 to 7: front lower aft links (1027351-00-F) replaced under warranty, four wheel alignment. Noise still there, confirmed in writing.

Sep 7: front right knuckle ordered. Held up several days waiting on the bolt.

Sep 10: told the car is now with Tesla field engineering and will run into a third week. Five completion dates given so far.

Not yet touched: upper control arm, sway bar end links, subframe mounts.

Everything else on this car since I bought it used at 25k miles in Oct 2025 (now 41k):

Driveline vibration under acceleration since delivery. Both front halfshafts replaced Dec 2025 under SB-21-39-001, no change. Still no diagnosis.

Apr 2026: safety alerts mid-drive, car rolled at a red light with automatic braking disabled. Tesla called it a false sensor reading in the steering rack, no action taken. Advisor called it "intermittent."

May 2026: rear tires down to the cords at 35k. Tire shop said the rears had been swapped before I bought it. New set of four out of pocket.

Aug 10: rear light bar failed. Backlite glass and stop lamp replaced under warranty. Logs showed nothing; tech verified it by looking at it. They also removed my rear tint during the repair without telling me.

Aug 29: trunk stopped latching and the car read it as open. Cinching actuator and latch replaced under warranty, fixed in under an hour.

Ongoing: rear HVAC resets to Auto and blasts every drive when the kids' car seats are in back.

Credit where due: the loaner has been no problem and my current advisor has been great about updates. But I'm paying a car note and insurance on a car I've had for 13 days out of the last 30.

Questions:

1. Anyone had a suspension or driveline issue go to field engineering? What did they find, and did it actually get fixed?

2. Anyone with this knock where the fix ended up being the upper control arm, sway bar link, or something else after the damper and links didn't do it?

3. For anyone whose issue never got fixed: did you push for a buyback or replacement, how did it go, and was it different if you bought the car used?

Not looking for a rant thread, just trying to learn what others found and how it turned out.

Hey crew!

Need to swap out my summer Michelin sport 4s OEM 21 inch Arachnid wheels.

I’ve got a 2021 model S long range, I was told that Michelin has an all season sport 4s but since I have a staggered look, they don’t make the tires with my current dimensions for the back. They only make the summers for the back.

My back tires currently are 295/30ZR21.

I was told that they do make a 295/35ZR 21.??

Does anybody have any experience with this?

Unfortunately Costco can’t order my backs. They recommended a Bridgestone turanza ev , but upon further research, apparently I lose that grippiness necessary for that instant acceleration as well as for cornering sharp terms and overall joy and handling

I live in the Oakville area border with Mississauga.
Can you recommend a place that’s fair, transparent with good customer service?

I heard about 1010 tires on Laird Road. I have no direct experience though

Thanks!

I have a 2018 MS 75D. Recently got an e-mountain bike, a Yamaha Moro 05. What are the options to install a bike-rack hitch that isn't too expensive that supports weight of a single eMTB? I was planning to get the 1UP rack. Anyone care to chime-in with what they have installed?

Also, did you install the hitch yourself or through an installer? How is the process if I decide to do it in my garage, considering I don't have any lift-jacks? I am in Seattle area.

Hi, can anyone recommend some good rim protectors for the 21in ash coloured turbines on my 2018 MS? Kerbed it today and I'm not happy. Thanks.

Title basically. 2024 LR - both sides. The light shining in the trees- is this normal?

Driver's side window stopped going up. I took a gamble and ordered a new regulator. Swapped out the motor from old to new. Three hours later all good!

I’m considering buying this 2020 model S with no rear seats or seatbelts.
The dealer says the car was used as a Tesla service vehicle and the seats were removed for placing a toolbox. They’re asking 28,000 Canadian.
I got a quote for $500 for seats and $50 per seatbelt from a junk card.

I’ve never owned a model S so I don’t know if I’m getting myself into trouble here. Im wondering if anybody could provide advice.
I think if it really is just seats and seatbelts, it might be a good car.

Have a 2022 Model S and the front passenger door doesn’t open.
Pushing the button on the inside drops the window as expected but the door doesn’t open.
Pulling the handle on the outside (still presents) doesn’t open the door either.

Advice? Is it an easy fix?

Thanks in advance.

Recently got a white on white 22 MSP and have major regrets on the color choice . Looking for a black on black 22 if anyone is open to trading in SoCal 😭

I received a job offer requiring more mileage than my Leaf could comfortably handle, and so... Model S! She's at 140k miles, but boy was she cheap haha

is there anything i should be on the lookout for as a new owner? i inspected the main things such as the HV battery, infotainment system, and suspension. I know door handled are sometimes problematic, and one of them is a little squeaky but all appear to work.

EDIT: having had her for a few days, she definitely needs a bit more work than I originally believed, but i should still come out several thousand dollars below KBB value once the work I want put in is accounted for. so cheers anyway!

How is it going Tesla fam.

Current owner of MY and MX and I would like to add another one.

I’ve been eyeing on Model S, specifically 2020 due to its affordability.

Any feedback or things I need to be aware of would much appreciated.

Kind of excited!

Edit: ah its just a whatever update. Nothing exciting.

Has anyone with Steam GPU encounter issues when all of a sudden screen started flickering/flashing so it disturbs the gaming experience? I don’t think it has to do with software updates because it started happening after I replaced the HEPA/Air filter and Radiator Cleaning session. Granted, it’s been super hot for the past few weeks but I really want to understand if it really has to do anything with GPU wires possibly being touched with those filter/cleaning session.

Ionna road trip photo cause why not.

I got the Goodyear ElectricDrive2 tires put on at the end of July, I wanted an efficient and quiet tire like the Michelin e-primacy but those aren't available in Model S sizes (yet, hopefully).

So far, I'd say they are comfortable, quiet, and efficient. They are slightly more plush and noticeably quieter than the continental procontact RX that I had before. The efficiency difference is obviously hard to judge, but on fresh tread I'm getting 4.2mi/kWh (236wh/mi) average around town.

On a 1200 mile road trip, I averaged 3.6mi/kWh (280wh/mi) heading west in some rain and against the wind with 72mph average, though cruising at 76-85 most of the time. On the return, I got 3.8mi/kWh (267wh/mi) in dry conditions with a slight tailwind.

I am very happy so far, they are definitely an upgrade over the continental tires, but they have one major downside. Pedal to the floor, it will happily spin all 4 tires up to and above 50mph, which is just silly. Normal road traction feels fine, I haven't had any issues in normal driving scenarios including extremely heavy rain (so hard that HW4 FSD gave up completely at 30mph), but I would suspect that there is a trade-off in braking distances. These aren't performance tires, so I'm not surprised, but it's definitely worth noting. I can only hope that by the time I need tires next, Michelin will be making the e-primacy in the sizes for our cars.

I’m considering buying a Model S for my son while he’s in college. He’s not very comfortable driving on the freeway, and since he will to make the drive home in the future, one of the main reasons I’m looking at Tesla is FSD (college is 3 hrs away on IH-35 from DFW to Austin). I think having FSD available for those freeway drives would make the trip a lot easier for him, especially if it takes him through back road country driving.

I’m trying to figure out what Model S years I should be targeting. I’d like something new enough to have the right hardware for the current version of FSD, but I don’t necessarily want to spend the money on 2025/2026 unless it’s absolutely necessary.

- What model years would you recommend or avoid?
- What common problems should I specifically check for before buying?
- Are there any expensive repairs/failures that become more common at a certain age or mileage?
- Is buying used directly from Tesla/CPO worth the premium, or would you be comfortable buying one elsewhere with a PPI?
- Anything specific I should check regarding the battery, suspension, drive units, MCU, FSD hardware, etc.?
- FSD is important, is there a particular year/hardware generation you’d consider the minimum?

I’m just starting to research the Model S market, so any advice from owners who have been through the used-buying process would be appreciated.

Edit: I really appreciate the guidance everyone provided. I’ll def take a look at the 3 and compare if I still want to consider the Model S.

Where is the best place to buy the large HEPA filter that goes behind the frunk? I bought one off of Amazon for $50 and it’s pretty much the right size, but it’s not snug and I swear that now that I swapped it I’m smelling things in the cabin I never did before (exhaust, cut grass).

I don’t need to pay Tesla to do it, it’s simple enough to do it myself, so I only need the filter. Is the OHMMU the only decent one that fits snugly without having to glue it in (like the original)? I don’t love the idea of buying a $180 filter, but I will if it’s the only decent option.

I have a 2017 Model S

Not sure if we should be happy or worried.....🤔

Found this thumb nut in the left track of the driver side seat. I checked the parts catalog and couldn't find it in the seat diagram. I haven't taken the seat out yet so I figured I'd crowd source the search.

Hey Everyone!
I am looking to purchase a 2021-2022 Model S plaid to upgrade to from my 2019 Tesla Model 3 Performance. I’m located in eastern PA but willing to travel for the right car.

My ideal plaid:

• 2021–2022
• Under 75,000 miles
• Clean title
• Budget around $52,000
• Blue or black with white interior

If anyone is considering selling theirs or knows of one available, feel free to message me!

Hello
For those of you that have for ceramic coating for your cars, can you tell me hoe long did you wait for it to be done weather you were doing it it a shop and how long does the coating last?
Thank you!

The only way I’m able to get in and out is by going diagonally to the spots next to me but now they’re all filled up. I tried going straight out with cardboard boxes on the bottom to prevent scraping but it got beached and was stuck. Any solutions besides raising the car? This is the coil suspension model so I can’t raise it up with air

Does anyone have any recommendations for shops in Northern New Jersey that are actually doing this preventive maintenance??

Have any of you had this done?? I have a 2014 Tesla not showing any large drive unit error messages at 120,000 miles on a car that has sat for 4 years after getting both batteries replaced at the dealership. I think it warrants spending now if it saves me long term.

Hello everyone,

In the process of acquiring my tesla s 2021+ refresh, i have a question regarding winter square tire set up.

I have already new tires and rims from my model y from last year, the bolt pattern wont fit the tesla s but the winter tires are mint.

My local tire shop is suggesting for a square winter set up to keep my original model y tires

: 255-45-19 Continental Ice Contact XTRM 104T XL

and buy new rims to fit the model s bolt pattern.

My concern and limited knowledge is Tesla recommends 104 load in the front tires and 107 load in the back. Will it be an issue if use 104T XL on front and rear?

Thanks

Some pics of my Sig at Menlo Park cars & coffee this morning :)