Dec 8, 2014
basf_audio Just asked my DS and received this word on my P85D order... "I am 99.9% your car will come with the heated steering wheel ..... Your car is in the correct build week and region to receive it." But there's no build sheet for it. The DS also said "There may be one other surprise as well." for which I'm not going to press my luck with finding out what that means. I'm hoping to unwrap my P85D by Christmas and I know what happened when I was 8 years old and discovered my stash of presents early. I'm waiting for delivery to find out...
Mod Note: This thread was created out discussions that started on 3 other threads and pulled together here for clarity and to avoid duplication. In that situation, moderators write the thread title.�
Dec 8, 2014
3s-a-charm I like surprises!�
Dec 8, 2014
drsaab I have a 11/14 build autopilot S85 with cold weather and no heated wheel, so it must be real new. Unless it is software and they will add a button on the console for it. Unlikely
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Dec 9, 2014
toto_48313 My DS didn't want to confirm if I'll have it on my car or not, but he didn't denied that this option will not exist. He told me "I will check if your car have the new option" => a new option exist...�
Dec 9, 2014
darthy001 Several DS'es in Norway are now confirming the heated steering wheel as part of the winter package. Awaiting response from my DS if this is included in my P85D-order as another user on the norwegian forum got a bit vague response about his car being produced next year and that would guarrantee the heated steering wheel would be included.�
Dec 9, 2014
andrewket I have a P85D in production now and asked my DS. He had no information about the heated wheel. He said it wouldn't surprise him if it was added to the sub zero package, but that he has no information. It would be a nice surprise if the car showed up with it.�
Dec 9, 2014
darthy001 If it turns out to be true and I don't get this on mine since I have a 2014-VIN I might ask for the car to be delayed. I have ordered the winter-package and heated steering wheel is something I would have paid extra for if it was a choice.�
Dec 9, 2014
preilly44 I just spoke to someone at Tesla HQ and they said cars with the Sub Zero package built after 12/8 will have the heated steering wheel. I asked he if he could add the package to mine without causing delays and he said he wasn't sure but he'd check and get back to me.�
Dec 9, 2014
Andyw2100 Heated steering wheel. Am I going to get hands on one?
Edit: It should be noted that this thread was split off from the P85D Delivery tracking thread (Tracking P85D delivery thread) by a moderator, who also selected the thread title. I have been quite vocal in support of the mods, but now I have to say that to break out a group of posts in this way, assigning them a new subject, and not noting what you've done in any way is not the best form, as it gives the impression that the first poster--in this case me--would choose to start a thread with a subject of "Heated steering wheel. Am I going to get hands on one?" I would respectfully ask that the mods leave indications when they've made changes. --AW
Edit Number 2: Since I wrote the above, the mods have apparently moved more posts into this thread above my post, making the above edit somewhat less relevant. You'll have to believe me that at one point this post was the first post in this thread. And I know the mods didn't do this to make my first edit irrelevant, but rather because they realized that my post wasn't, in reality, the first post on the topic. I'm just in favor of pointers and explanations when posts are moved. -AW
Edit 3: Actually you don't have to take my word for it. Just see the attached screen capture.
Edit 4: And now reading the posts above mine, it is clear that this thread has posts from multiple threads in it. The post that immediately precedes mine now would make mine sound silly if we had been posting in the same thread. We weren't. All the more reason that any time posts are moved and threads combined there should be some sort of major indication of that that for all to see.
My DS had tried to reach me last night. We played a little phone tag, and connected earlier today. At that time he told me that my P85D was still scheduled to go into production this week, and still could be delivered the week of December 22, but that it might be later. He was somewhat vague about the delays. Note that this was late morning, hours before the email from Jerome Guillen came out.
I had asked him, during that call, about whether or not my car would be coming with the rumored heated steering wheel I had only read about for the first time here, just a little while earlier. He said he had also heard rumors about that, but that he did not know for certain, and that he would find out. A little while ago I received an e-mail message from him indicating that based on when my car was going to be built and on the fact that I had selected the Subzero Weather Package that my Model S would, in fact, have a heated steering wheel! Naturally I am quite pleased.
I think there are two important points here for others to take note of, one of which may still be actionable for those of you not yet in production. I could definitely be wrong, but since both delivery specialists that confirmed heated steering wheels for their customers mentioned when their customers cars were being produced as a factor, it sounds like it's possible that some of the earliest built P85Ds with the Subzero Weather Package may --NOT-- have the heated steering wheel. (That's just my take on it. My DS did not indicate that in any way.)
The other important point, of course, is that if your vehicle is not yet in production, and you want a heated steering wheel, and you did not select the Subzero Weather Package, there is some chance you may still be able to add the package and get the heated steering wheel. Again, this is pure conjecture on my part. My DS said nothing to lead me to believe this. But it's probably worth a call to your DS if your car is not yet in production and you want the heated steering wheel and you didn't have the Subzero Weather Package.�
Dec 9, 2014
preilly44 I just got a call back from Tesla and they could add the Sub Zero package to my car but they could not add the heated stereo wheel because they were already past that point in production. I canceled the sub zero request.
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Dec 9, 2014
andrewket Well here's hoping the change occurred for EOL 12/1 and later. I'd really like the heated wheel. With a change like that I'm surprised Tesla didn't align it with the first P85D customer builds.
- - - Updated - - -
Well here's hoping the change occurred for EOL 12/1 and later. I'd really like the heated wheel. With a change like that I'm surprised Tesla didn't align it with the first P85D customer builds.�
Dec 9, 2014
Andyw2100 It's entirely possible that they did. I just think that based on the very specific language used by the two different DSs, it's also entirely possible that they did not.�
Dec 9, 2014
Firewired emailed my DS. My car entered production on 12/06 with the cold weather package. My DS stated that since it is already in production it will not have the heated steering wheel, so 12/01 doesn't seem to hold up.�
Dec 9, 2014
gg_got_a_tesla Ah bummer. My car went into production 11/25 so, I'm SOL. Should raise a stink about this like some did about the autopilot hardware in Sept!�
Dec 9, 2014
andrewket It's always something. My EOL was 12/1, but my car was delayed. It entered general assembly yesterday (12/8) and always had the subzero package. When did your car enter production and do you know what stage your car is? Maybe the delay will be a blessing in disguise. My wife is encouraging me to cancel and re-order because she loved the heated steering wheel in our X3 and wants it again. Especially at zero additional cost...�
Dec 9, 2014
gg_got_a_tesla My car's well past the point of no return, I think, Andrew. For all I know, it's been sitting there at the factory fully assembled. I won't miss the heated wheel in mostly-warm NorCal though; warm butts all around are good enough�
Dec 9, 2014
Firewired Bummer, my car started 12/06, is not even out of the paint shop, my DS says will not get the heated wheel. Amazing, not even built yet and already there are new options that it is coming without.�
Dec 9, 2014
spentan Haven't even got my vin.
Looks like delays have a bright side haha�
Dec 9, 2014
PlanB Exactly!�
Dec 9, 2014
Cottonwood I'm in the same spot, but a pair of nice driving gloves should insulate the fingers. Life could be worse...�
Dec 9, 2014
Firewired Thanks, nice to get an empathic response, at least my butt will be warm when we take a snow road trip.�
Dec 9, 2014
NOLA_Mike I think we're in the same boat. Mine went into production 11/24 (still shows In Production). The heated steering wheel would be nice to have (my 2014 Silverado has one) but I won't lose a bit of sleep over not having it. I want my P85D ASAP - heated steering wheel be damned!
Mike�
Dec 9, 2014
gpetti I will be fairly ticked off if after taking the hit to upgrade my car to the latest and greatest, the car is already behind the latest feature set before I have even received it. It's not like I'm necessarily going to get my car any earlier than cars that would have this feature, given that they will probably start shipping all the built cars en masse.�
Dec 9, 2014
Todd Burch Oh boy, here we go again....�
Dec 9, 2014
commasign Maybe it can be retrofitted?�
Dec 9, 2014
gpetti Well I'm not going to throw myself off a bridge or cancel my order and delete all my posts or anything, but it definitely rankles. This isn't a critical feature but it's one that I'm used to from my last couple of ICEs and one of only a few things that I wished the car had. My decision to trade in was to get the other features I was missing and at no time have I complained about the fact that my first car was missing the auto pilot features. I knew that in time there could be new hardware features but I expected to at least be driving the car before it happened. Anyway I don't know for sure yet that this is the case, just saying.�
Dec 9, 2014
drsaab Hopefully autopilot is so great I don't have to touch the steering wheel.�
Dec 9, 2014
AMN Last year, I missed parking sensors by a week. Wasn't happy about that at all.
If our P85D shows up without this option, I swear to ***** **** ***** I will refuse delivery and re-order the same car with a 2015 VIN and heated steering wheel.�
Dec 9, 2014
sundoc oh man... i've never even had a heated steering wheel, but just knowing its out there makes me want it! haahha
In all honesty, I'm excited all this stuff happened today and we're finally on track to get our Ds!!�
Dec 9, 2014
PlanB I had a Jaguar rental last year and it had a heater steering wheel, it was awesome.�
Dec 9, 2014
3s-a-charm LOL
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LOLOL!!!�
Dec 9, 2014
dsm363 Why did you order the car without a mandatory option for you then? I had the parking sensors retrofitted.�
Dec 9, 2014
EarlyAdopter +1
At least this time it seems more like something that could be retrofitted reasonably easy.�
Dec 9, 2014
randompersonx This really is just so odd to not have included with the P85D launch.
I may be in Miami, but I plan on doing some long road trips, and this would have been nice (and I did order the subzero package).�
Dec 9, 2014
gpetti Assuming that some of us don't get the heated steering wheel:
I agree that if they knew heated steering wheel was imminent and they were making brand new P85D cars that were - in many cases - being bought by previous owners trying to get the latest technology, why would they allow a relative handful of them not to have the heated steering wheels. I guess they probably started building before the steering wheels were available and didn't want a hold up? :-(�
Dec 9, 2014
andrewket I've asked if the heated steering wheel can be retrofitted. I will report back.�
Dec 9, 2014
Andyw2100 I'm one of the lucky ones in all this, but I feel for you guys who may wind up missing out by just a short time.
If, as you suggest, and as I expect, Tesla did have this planned all along, but just felt like they needed to start production to get enough P85Ds built this year, why not just prioritize the production order such that all cars that were to include the winter package would start production after December 8? Those owners never would have been given early delivery dates, and while they may have been scratching their heads and wondering why they were all slated for late December, there really wouldn't have been a whole lot to complain about. It seems that would have been a better solution.
On the other hand, perhaps Tesla plans to somehow "take care of" those P85D customers that did just miss the new heated steering wheel. I imagine we'll know a lot more in the next few days.�
Dec 10, 2014
gpetti Thanks for the empathy and thanks Andrew for looking in to it. I'm going to lay off this for now until I know for sure what the situation is.�
Dec 10, 2014
ArtInCT Wow! A heated steering wheel at last....!!
Andrewket, we were talking about this one month ago... and viola! we got our wish.
Nice...
Next... the Tobacco Brown colored interior.... ??? Hoping....
And after that.... Voice Control of ALL functions.... Cat's Meow....�
Dec 10, 2014
3s-a-charm What if... (this is just a what if) the surprise is that not only is it a heated steering wheel but the steering wheel based on the Model X prototype with programmable touch buttons? That would be worth getting excited about!
�
Dec 10, 2014
sillydriver Geez! If the design studio had only mentioned the heated steering wheel when I placed my P85D order I would have added the cold whether package. I didn�t because the package didn�t make any sense without a heated steering wheel.�
Dec 10, 2014
Andyw2100 I checked the spreadsheet, and if I'm reading it correctly it shows that you just entered production yesterday. It's probably a long shot, but why not contact your DS and ask if you could still add the package? The worst they can do is say no.�
Dec 10, 2014
andrewket Ah, never a dull moment here at club Tesla. My DS just called. His management chain spoke with HQ today and was told that no cars will be built with the heated steering wheel in 2014. He was aware of the 12/8 date that was shared here in this thread, but according to him it's not true.
I really don't know what to think.�
Dec 10, 2014
Andyw2100 I think we need some people who have the package ordered who are not yet in production to contact their DSs to find out if they are getting the heated steering wheel or not.
Better yet would be for some people who are not yet in production who are shceduled for December delivery who did not order the package who would want the package --IF-- they could get the heated steering to wheel to contact their DSs to see if they can still order the package, get the heated steering wheel, and get delivery in 2014.
How's that for a plan?�
Dec 10, 2014
JST Ugh, no--I love the tactile buttons on the wheel. I especially love that you can operate basic functions without taking your gloves off. I do hope they don't get rid of them in favor of more touch screens.�
Dec 10, 2014
gpetti Maybe it is only hardware right now, ie not software enabled, but when it is enabled only those with the hardware will have it. I'm assuming that any DS would understand this distinction very well but it could be a communication breakdown rather than sleight of hand.
- - - Updated - - -
What if the surprise is backup guiding lines, the only item left on my perfect car list (I'm ignoring any entertainment system limitations). No doubt that will turn out to be a hardware feature that I just missed. :smile:�
Dec 10, 2014
Firewired Man you would think that Tesla would do everything they could to put any new goodies at least on their "Halo Car," like the seats for example.�
Dec 10, 2014
NigelM Everybody gets surprised by Tesla - happy surprise for those who got the features, unhappy surprise for those that just missed out.�
Dec 10, 2014
andrewket If there really is going to be a surprise.. I'd say LTE. It's a small enough upgrade that it could be slipped in, and is an enhancement to a preexisting feature.�
Dec 10, 2014
3s-a-charm Dear Tesla Model S P85D purchaser,
on on behalf of Tesla we wish to apologize for the lack of communication with regards to our latest delays. In compensation, we are pleased to offer you a complimentary upgraded steering wheel that not only features heat but also a special exclusive INSANE button for simple toggling between sport and insane modes. Additionally, we will be providing an access code to unlock the hidden parking lines feature in our awesome backup camera.
Thank you you for being a loyal Tesla customer.
Gerome
(a guy can dream, can't he?)�
Dec 10, 2014
Andyw2100 What did they say about your original question to them, which was about the possibility of retrofitting the heated steering wheel?�
Dec 10, 2014
RAW84 That would be great!
Where did this notion of a "surprise" come from? Is it confirmed or just a DS rumor?�
Dec 10, 2014
PlanB Weird that he would spell his own name wrong.�
Dec 10, 2014
andrewket DS says that they are trying to remove the word retrofit from the Tesla vocabulary. With 70k cars on the road with so many variations Tesla doesn't want to be in that business anymore. He did not have any specific knowledge on the possibility of retrofitting the wheel, and was not inclined to pursue it further given the new general position on retrofits. To be very clear, my DS has been very good, in touch with me almost daily as all of this has been sorted out. He gets a 10 for customer service. There is just a limit to what he can do and the information Tesla is sharing internally.
Jerome emailed me back last night (he is clearly still in Australia) in response to my original note. He just wanted to make sure I received the update email. I took that opportunity to raise the heated steering wheel "situation" with him, and I ended the note with the question of the possibility of a retrofit.�
Dec 10, 2014
JST
I am sure that they are doing everything they can. Sometimes, "everything you can" just isn't enough, especially when dealing with suppliers.
Honestly, these kinds of issues with particular components are not uncommon; you see other companies doing production holds or availability dates all the time for cars that are outfitted in a particular way, when the components aren't coming through as expected from the supplier. The rumor here that Tesla is building some cars with alternate parts that can be swapped later is a bit weird, but I can see the logic behind doing that instead of just putting a production hold on the car, given that this would probably result in a big production slowdown.�
Dec 10, 2014
andrewket Good question. I think it was from a DS. It could be as simple as a Christmas card delivered inside the car. Or a P85D shirt. The more I think about it, that seems far more likely than a new feature, LTE, etc. Yep, I'm going with P85D hat, water bottle, or shirt. Shirts are tough because of sizing. Hat, water bottle, or some other item with a Tesla logo.�
Dec 10, 2014
andrewket ... And reduction/delay in the realization of revenue.�
Dec 10, 2014
Andyw2100 The "surprise" idea did come from a DS. You can read about it in the first post in this thread:
That sounds like more than a hat or water bottle to me, but what do I know.�
Dec 10, 2014
RAW84
Yup, a Tesla branded item seems more likely.
But now that you've put it in my head, I'm expecting LTE!:biggrin:�
Dec 10, 2014
andrewket If that DS is correct, it could also mean only the people who are getting the new wheel hardware will also get whatever the second surprise is. Another hardware change as of the same build week. Sigh.�
Dec 10, 2014
drsaab If no cars are delivered till the 15th. The surprise may be that autopilot active cruise is activated.�
Dec 10, 2014
gpetti That would be great, It will save me hand removing the plus from my P85+ shirt and sewing on a D.�
Dec 10, 2014
spentan Omg this would literally be the best news ever�
Dec 10, 2014
Andyw2100 Why? We know that's coming soon. It's just a matter of when. I'd much rather have something completely new, that we had no idea they were even thinking of giving us.�
Dec 10, 2014
NigelM Ummm, wasn't this just one DS who said "may be" there would be a surprise? Yeah, I'm probably bursting a few bubbles but we're good at getting ourselves excited based on tiny indicators and then we have the big downer when everyone is disappointed.�
Dec 10, 2014
Cerie That would be pretty stupid since Autopilot isn't exclusive to P85Ds. Not to mention, parking assist isn't even out yet so I highly doubt that it's the AP thing.�
Dec 10, 2014
spentan Mainly because it's such a useful feature.�
Dec 10, 2014
billarnett I just spoke with my DS who said that there's no heated steering wheel retrofit possibility. His understanding is that the heated steering wheel requires a different wiring harness which would be essentially impossible to retrofit. Bummer :-(�
Dec 10, 2014
jpet I am quite confident that the ACC feature is due for release very soon. I'd rather not go into the details of why I believe this but I did my DD and would be highly surprised if it would be just a story...�
Dec 10, 2014
gpetti Maybe you should buy some New Tesla driving gloves they allow you to use touch screens. Of course with a heated steering wheel you wouldn't need gloves.�
Dec 10, 2014
MarcG I just got a call back from my DS to give me an update (still in quality checks, no firm delivery date yet, the usual...) so I asked him about the heated steering wheel and he said "it's a 50/50 shot at this point". He said he'd inquire with his contact at the factory and let me know (that, and what actual seats they ended up installing in my P85D!)�
Dec 10, 2014
Andyw2100 Do you guys think the heated steering wheel is going to look and feel pretty much exactly like the regular steering wheel, and the only difference is going to be that somehow it is going to be heated internally, or do you think it is going to be a radically different steering wheel?�
Dec 10, 2014
andrewket I will guess it will look exactly the same. In fact, I bet Tesla didn't even add a button on the wheel to turn it on. You'll have to use the center console or the menus accessible via the steering wheel controls.�
Dec 10, 2014
basf_audio Just read that somebody's DS said "absolutely no heated steering wheel in 2014" and yet - my DS is saying 99.9% certain. Who knows...
I did want to come back and deflate the "surprise" a bit. I pressed him for it and it's not really a surprise - he said that the automatic closing charge port is now rolling out and is expected to be included in my build. The P85D demo tester had it - but that was already a known "Elon Musk What's New" update. But seemingly not all of the cars made after his announcement have that feature. My DS has been amazing to work with - but I think he spun me up a little much with calling that a "surprise"
Time to go write another note to my DS...
�
Dec 10, 2014
andrewket The powered/auto closing charge port door was announced to be included with the P85D. It would be a miss if a customer car is delivered w/o this feature. Hardly a surprise.�
Dec 10, 2014
breser Actually it said D vehicles. So I believe 85Ds should have it as well. My guess is that it'll be on all the vehicles soon enough but they're starting with the D vehicles first.�
Dec 10, 2014
andrewket Actually it said "delivered with P85D". I would assume all cars will get it in time.�
Dec 10, 2014
breser From the D announcement blog:
Emphasis mine.
Got some other source that says otherwise?�
Dec 10, 2014
andrewket I stand corrected. I was wrong :/�
Dec 11, 2014
stevezzzz My DS wrote me to say that the heated steering wheel will become part of the Sub Zero package 'starting early next year'. Meanwhile, the factory has 'some' of the new parts and they're being allocated to cars destined for 'highly cold places'. Didn't specify whether it was D's only that will be getting them.
Make of that what you will. I say, you pays your money and you takes your chances...�
Dec 11, 2014
andrewket Yep, this is true. Up until yesterday new P85D orders were still showing December delivery. So I asked the question, if I cancel and re-order, when would I get my car and would it be a 2014 or a 2015? Haven't received an answer yet, but overnight the order page changed and now shows February delivery.
I love tesla, and everything they are trying to accomplish. But I think they botched this one. They should have seen this from a mile away. I can't wait until February. I sold my P85+ in October.�
Dec 11, 2014
eco5280 Thank you all for sharing this update - I've just asked my DS to add the weather package to my 85D order! It was the one feature I've been hoping for.�
Dec 11, 2014
darthy001 I really hope Norway prequalifies as "highly cold"�
Dec 11, 2014
AMN Sorry, Norway. Minnesota reporting here. Your winter is our "shorts weather", so this "highly cold place" would like to get that heated steering wheel first.�
Dec 11, 2014
stevezzzz Yeah, you MNers are a looong way upwind of the Gulf Stream. Meanwhile, Denver has a reputation-by-association with the nearby ski areas for harsh mountain winters, so maybe I'll get lucky. :biggrin:�
Dec 11, 2014
breser Well I wish everyone the best luck playing the Tesla lottery. Seems that every time you order you're doing so. I didn't order my 85D with the sub-zero package on it and while I might have thought about it if the heated steering wheel was listed when I ordered, I'm not going to bother with it now. No more changes!
I still don't understand why Tesla keeps doing this sort of thing. It has to cause problems for them. Creates a lot of questions from owners wondering if they're getting the new feature (during a time when their employees are already overworked trying to deliver a ton of cars at end of quarter), creates unhappy people who lose out on the lottery (who then complain and eat up employee time), and probably causes some people to refuse delivery.�
Dec 11, 2014
MarcG Wow, really? I would be disappointed if anyone refused delivery on a car that was spec'd exactly the way it was ordered.
When I ordered my P85D with the subzero package, there was no mention of a heated steering wheel (and there still isn't, as far as I know).
So if I get a heated steering wheel with my delivery, I'll be very happy - if I don't, I'll accept it gladly anyway knowing that it wasn't in my order.�
Dec 11, 2014
darthy001 Hahaha, would have liked to see that in -25C which is occuring every year even here in the more warm part of Norway where I live:biggrin:
Northern Norway and longer from the coast where I live get -40-50C almost every year...
Wearing shorts in that weather would bring actual meaning to the term "freezing your youknowwhats of"�
Dec 11, 2014
svp6 -25C is where we start saying it's getting a little chilly, should get a hat and perhaps gloves on...�
Dec 11, 2014
breser I know there were people that refused delivery due to the autopilot sensors. At least one of them posted here that they did so back then. Another person posted that they seriously consider it but Tesla talked them out of it.
Frankly, it's probably better for Tesla and the buyer if they're not going to be happy. Tesla gets to keep the deposit and still has a brand new car it can sell, even if they discount it by the deposit they haven't lost anything other than some time the vehicle is in inventory. If the owner takes delivery and is unhappy then Tesla ends up eating it on a trade that will probably cost them money (see Elon's comments about taking cars back in the House Always Wins blog) and that they can't sell as a new car, the buyer loses more than $2,500. Sounds like refusing delivery is a win for everyone.�
Dec 11, 2014
Andyw2100 Exactly!
When people are being handed the key fob for their Model S that they just spent low to mid six figures on, you want them to be deliriously happy about it. You want them to be dancing jigs, and to just be completely over the moon with delight. You don't want them thinking, "yeah, it's great, but the guy getting his next week paid the same price as I did and is getting something that I'd like and won't ever have." By doing things this way, Tesla is leaving that slightly sour taste in people's mouths for no reason. As I said elsewhere, possibly even earlier in this thread, it seems a simple and more elegant solution to the short supply of the heated steering wheel would have been to just schedule all the P85Ds with the cold weather package to be built for delivery at the end of the December production cycle, and to have built the cars that didn't have the cold weather package first. I say this as someone who, supposedly, has actually won this particular lottery. But I feel for those of you who didn't, and I know how upset I would be (or will be if the information I have now turns out to be wrong) if I were a lottery-loser.�
Dec 11, 2014
MarcG That's the price we pay for constant innovation and quick implementation of said innovations. It's similar to buying an iPhone 5S just before the iPhone 6 is announced.
Granted, it's a bit easier in the iPhone case since you have 30 days to return your "old" one and get the latest for the same exact price. But it's definitely more complicated in the car world due to so many new parts constantly being added to an existing platform.
Honestly, I really don't see the big deal with this. I know very well what I ordered and expect nothing less, but also don't expect more from what I ordered. It's a positive for those like you who will get an "extra" having not ordered said extra, but I don't see it as a negative at all for the ones who "lost the lottery".�
Dec 11, 2014
mspohr This is the same for all products... especially tech heavy products. The are constantly changing and improving and if you wait a while, you will get something better. The dilemma is deciding when to buy and knowing that as soon as you buy, you will lock in the existing features and that the people who buy next month or week will get something "better". You just really have to accept that when you place your order, that is what you will get and that people who order later will get "more, better". You will get what your ordered. You might get something more but no guarantees. Other later orders will get more.
You just have to accept that this is the way it is... if you can't deal with it, then don't buy it.
In my personal case, I originally ordered an S85 for delivery in December then was able to change to an S85D for delivery in February. I ordered the cold weather package so I might get the heated steering wheel but it wasn't part of the original "deal" so I don't feel entitled to get it... if I do get it, great, if not, I won't feel cheated or upset or demand a retrofit.�
Dec 11, 2014
Andyw2100 My point was that in this case, where the P85D was just being brought to market, as the new flagship product, there was no need to have what will eventually turn out to be a relatively small number of customers feel less than 100% ecstatic on the day they take delivery of their car. If Tesla was this close to introducing the heated steering wheel they should have done whatever it took to make sure they got one to --all-- P85D initial purchasers who ordered the cold weather package and not just the lucky ones.
I understand that there will always be improvements in technology and that there will always be winners and losers. It just seems that this time there didn't have to be losers.�
Dec 11, 2014
andrewket This is precisely how I feel right now. I just missed out on the heated steering wheel. People who ordered at the same as me who are paying the same price are receiving it. It might seem like a small thing, but the experience has diminished the excitement. Yes, I'll love the car. But it has left a sour taste in my mouth. I'm keeping perspective. It's just a car. I am very fortunate to be able to afford it. Not having the heated steering wheel shouldn't take away from the rest of the enjoyment that the Model S provides. But g'z.. really? Tesla couldn't see this one coming? Given the choice, I would have happily waited another few weeks.�
Dec 11, 2014
randompersonx +1
...�
Dec 11, 2014
eco5280 Here's what I think about all the upgrades and the mania surrounding it from existing customers:
I read, I don't know where, that most/all improvements made by Tesla would be retrofitable to existing vehicles. Free wasn't promised, but upgradability was more or less explicitly offered. This was years ago, may have been before the Model S was even in customers' hands yet. Perhaps someone here knows what I'm remembering.
Now it seems that almost no major improvements can be retro'd to existing cars. On one hand, I certainly understand TM position that when making upgrades they needn't always consider the backwards compatibility. However, it seems wiser that they should. Nobody knows about these improvements yet (AWD, autopilot, heated steering wheel what have you) so they have time to work it out if they wanted to.
To hear that the new heated steering wheel can't be installed on existing vehicles because of the different wiring harness (the same reason provided again upgrading the sensors), means they're not planning ahead for these changes. That's a shame. Not a fault per se, but potentially a fixable issue from here on out: if the wiring harness is the issue, add in lots of aux ports at every conceivable place for future upgrades. I know vehicles use a BUS system that allows basically for sub-panels. Know that in the next 2-3 years you may add something here, there, wherever, and build in a little flexibility to the wiring harness now.
That's how I feel. I don't think TM has done anything wrong, but they could be doing things better. What say you all?�
Dec 11, 2014
toto_48313 That's exactly my thoughts. This is part of Tesla constant innovation process... you 'll never get the latest upgrade as a new one comes as soon as the previous one was available.(Sounds like soon car will have a button to close charge port...)
This is (quick) evolution, and we have to accept that... or Tesla will become like any other car makers, bringing a new car with few new options every 2 years. What do you expect from Tesla? I'm expecting innovation.
I didn't get parking sensor and subzero package for the last two year on my model S as they were not available at that time, the new one will have parking sensor and subzero.... that great.�
Dec 11, 2014
mspohr I think it's stretching things a bit far to expect future cars to be retrofitted with new innovations. It just isn't possible. For example, the heated steering wheel requires special wiring, fuse, relay, controls, etc. in addition to the actual wheel. It's just not possible to retrofit all of this to a car at any reasonable cost and it's fantasy to think that Tesla would add all of these things to a car in case they might some day want to add that feature. The car does contain a lot of software controlled stuff which can be changed easily but in the end it comes down to hardware. In one interview, Elon said that they make an average of 20 hardware changes to the car every week. This is part of a process of continuous improvement. Nobody should expect that they will retrofit these changes to existing cars.
If your car was delivered this week, you got 20 improvements over the cars from last week and you'll miss out on the 20 changes next week... and all following weeks. So, please stop whinging on about "I missed out on X improvements" and enjoy your car as it is.�
Dec 11, 2014
WarpedOne ... or sell it and buy a new one. Win for you, win for your buyer and win for tesla.�
Dec 11, 2014
NielsChr Hey you dont nede a heated Sterling wheel. Your model S Will have autopilot, I asume we are then able to drive With no hands on the wheel....�
Dec 11, 2014
gpetti I get that this will be an ongoing problem given Tesla's constant innovation and I've already experience some of this with my first car which I absorbed without complaint here or elsewhere. (somewhat easier for me as it didn't happen for a month or two). That being said, I don't see this situation as the same for the following reasons:
- Several of us are buying our second cars. We have consciously decided to take a financial bath to get the newest, latest and greatest version of the Tesla,i.e. the P85D. My expectation is that I will receive the most up-to-date version of Tesla available. I'm not buying mid-stream I'm buying the latest new model along with the quality risk that entails. I know that at some point something new will come out and my latest and greatest will not be cutting edge anymore. I just expected to have at least sat in the car before that happened.
- I believe that heated steering wheel was an option that was always supposed to be part of the Ds, particularly the P85D (although not officially announced) given the timing of its availability. If Tesla knew that they were about to start deploying heated steering at or about the exact same time they were starting to build their top of the line vehicle - surely given a choice all of the P85Ds would have that. I'm guessing that not all the parts were available in time for the first builds and they didn't want to hold them up. If that was the case - I agree with AndyW2100 that they could have prioritized non-Cold Weather package cars and or asked the buyers if they were prepared to take a 2 week slip. I also feel that at the very least, any wiring harnesses etc. could have been included even if hardware components were not available - thus making it easier to retrofit.
- My car has been in the factory for about 20 days now (well past the arrival of the parts and the build of cars which will have the feature). People who will get this feature may get their cars before I do. In previous scenarios, the owners at least got their cars earlier than more advanced cars.
- I understand that they can't retrofit every option for every car; however, there is a difference between allowing the few Ds who got built before the parts were available to be retrofitted, and retrofitting every single existing car. For that matter unless it it technically impossible, or excessively complex they could allow buyers to pay for this as an upgrade. Unless this is a technical impossibility - their no-retrofit policy should not apply here. There is already enough brewing annoyance without courting more through a blanket policy that was designed to avoid fleet wide changes.�
Dec 11, 2014
andrewket I agree completely with this. Stated exceptionally well.�
Dec 11, 2014
NigelM I've read comments like this on several threads lately (and it wouldn't be fair for me to single anyone out which is why I removed the name of the author of this quote) but we should perhaps have a little sympathy for the Delivery Specialists right now. The DS isn't responsible for corporate decisions and not only are they always busy, and right now dealing with the usual end of year demand, it's a pretty good bet that they've been inundated with phone calls and e-mails from customers wanting to know where their car is, what the delay is, when a delivery date will be, can they take into account vacation plans, do they know about the heated steering wheel, do they know about the "surprise", which cars will get the steering wheel, what's the situation with the seats etc.etc.etc.
It's quite possible that there's a Delivery Specialist here or there hiding from angry customers and not doing an ideal job, but could the majority have the benefit of the doubt and we'll just take it that they're all trying their best? I know personally a few DSs and the last two years they worked their butts off all through the holidays and I do recall stories of deliveries on Christmas Day and New Years Eve and [insert your favorite holiday here] and I'm pretty certain it's going to happen again this year, that's how dedicated they are.
Yep, Tesla does fantastic things, and sometimes they really tick us off with lack of communication or missed deadlines, but the poor Delivery Specialist is out there on the sharp end and trying to make us customers happy. When customers take delivery and there's two cars parked with one having X feature and the other not, it's the DS who's going to have to deal with that (perhaps justifiably) unhappy person.
By all means bug Tesla when you feel let down, but let's not assume the DS "hasn't bothered"; overall, they're a great bunch of people doing a really good, solid, job.
Full disclosure: I don't have a car on order, I received no inducements to write this post and it was completely my own idea.�
Dec 11, 2014
dsm363 Well said Nigel. They work extremely hard and get the brunt of all the complaints.�
Dec 11, 2014
mspohr Hey guys! Relax... I found your solution:
Amazon.com: Heated Steering Wheel Cover: Automotive�
Dec 11, 2014
EnglishGuy Funny
+1 I laughed very hard at this. As if an owner would want a 12v cable across her lap. Very funny.�
Dec 11, 2014
darthy001 @NigelM hehehehe, I stand by my words so dont be afraid to include my username. The word "bother" was more related to getting no response whatsoever. I completely understand that the DS might not have the info or arent allowed to share it.
BUT I do think a "Please let me check" or even simpler "I dont have that information at the moment" etc etc would be in order.
Personally I have adapted one of the google-founders strategy of how to handle an email-queue, and find no response at all for several days a bit annoying.
Not losing any sleep over it. Same as for not potentially getting a heated wheel. It will make some of the joy go away though, and thats a pity. That Tesla does this for the new flagship-car so shortly after all the noise created by the sensor roll-out is indeed suprising to me. They now end up only annoying those who were the very first in line...
As gpetti putnit very elegantly I was expecting changes in a few months. But not before the car has even gone into production... Especially if people who ordered days/weeks after me end up getting the new gadget shipped on the same boat as mine...
btw, still no response from the ds in 3 business days.�
Dec 11, 2014
mrElbe This is hilarious. Can you imagine the cord winding itself around the steering column during turns and then hanging loose between your knees when going straight.�
Dec 11, 2014
p1sl Moderator-
We need a thread, no, a forum category for "I can't believe Tesla came out with a new feature after I ordered/received my car, and I feel angry/betrayed that someone else has a shinier toy than me at the same time/price (and I can't retrofit!), even though I got EXACTLY what I ordered and would be happy as a clam if they didn't continue to improve the car..."
Separate threads for:
parking sensors
subzero package
folding rearview mirrors
"B" batteries (then C,D,E, etc..)
free parcel shelf!
autopilot hardware
heated steering wheels!
Someplace where the victims of these gross injustices can heal...�
Dec 11, 2014
Andyw2100 Yeah, that's exactly what those of us pointing out what Tesla could have done better and why we're somewhat unhappy about how they handled this particular situation are doing. You hit the nail right on the head. That's one heck of a second post. Glad you waited to make that one worthwhile.�
Dec 11, 2014
breser Moderator-
We need a thread, no, a forum category for "I can't believe other Tesla owners are complaining about this..."
Separate threads for complaining about complaining about:
New features being added.
Repair costs
Service Plan not covering new hardware.
Tesla behavior towards salvage vehicle.
Battery degradation.
Trade-in values.
Someplace where the victims that just can't resist clicking on a thread where people disagree with them can heal...
Seriously, just because you don't agree with other people doesn't mean they shouldn't be able to post.�
Dec 11, 2014
toto_48313 +1 !!�
Dec 11, 2014
bonnie It goes both ways. People are also free to say they disagree with the poster.�
Dec 11, 2014
breser Certainly, but asking for a place for people to post about this stuff isn't disagreeing, it's telling people to go away.�
Dec 11, 2014
gpetti Well I may vote with my feet - sort of. I'm going to look into whether I can essentially cancel and re-order; however, I'm not sure if I can avoid losing the deposit or not. This might seem extreme but essentially I would be trading my excitement in getting a car now versus in a month or two and while I am REALLY looking forward to getting a P85D its not like I haven't already owned a Tesla and to be honest I'm still sitting in the production queue with no date in sight and no information while it appears that others (even with the new feature) are starting to see deliveries. On the other hand, small though the heated wheel feature is, I am planning on keeping this car for a few years and I will get plenty of use out of the feature over time along with any minor improvement in re-sale value. A car in February is likely to be more stable than my car now and will be a 2015 - and who knows what else will come out by then
If this sounds like I'm trying to justify it to myself - it is. I've asked my DS to at least confirm the situation 100% before I take any action. Either way I'll be watching the deliveries with great interest.�
Dec 12, 2014
jpet Gpetti, you should be able to delay delivery. Not sure if that in all cases also results in a delay in building the car but since Tesla is production constraint I assume it is. Have it confirmed by your DS (or even better, by your sales because they do not have the same authorizations to do stuff in the system). Note that I just received my VIN during the night and it is a 2014 VIN although delivery is expected in March 2015. You might want to choose early Q2...
�
Dec 12, 2014
andrewket In one of the other threads people are reporting their VINs are changing from 2014 to 2015. Same suffix.�
Dec 12, 2014
jpet Indeed, I expect mine to change as well. Interesting to see they (Tesla) are able to do this. TMC is great at tracking these types of things.�
Dec 12, 2014
darthy001 Yes my VIN changed to a 2015-one. So hoping that gives me increased odds of getting this unholy heated steering wheel. Have to admit I don't really need it, and after some consideration I will clearly not delay my order to get it.
BUT it is still a bit annoying if I end up not getting it.. I might have to apply for a job in Teslas "Not so great at timing new features and communicating it to customers"-department�
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