Early Model S Resurrection Saga continues (EVen longer)

[Jay Donnaway]

Well folks, when we left off my Midnight Star had been rEVived with a rebuilt drive unit by WattWorks, but Tesla had cut off Supercharger (and all DCFC) access without warning or EVen admitting what they did.  

I finally got the High Voltage Inspection done at Tesla Fife this week, and long story short, it passed and SC01 (better known as Lifetime Free Unlimited SuperCharging) is restored!

HowEVer, it was a painful path.  I set the appointment and then visited in person to attempt to build a relationship and better learn what’s required to pass said inspection, as I’m not fixing all the cosmetic and minor mechanical issues until the Supercharging question is settled.  They refused to share the inspection procedures or EVen a checklist, and barely confirmed that my leaving the frunk tub out of the car would be a good thing, saving their labor and would not be held against me.  

I was warned that this would be expensive, and that the last salvaged car inspection had cost the owner over $4500 by the time all shortcomings were repaired.  I was also told that even though I had proof that this was an SCO1 car there was no guarantee that would be restored, and I could wind up with regular retail SC04, if it passed, and there were no discounts for repeat inspections.  Nevertheless, I requested the quote as the owner’s forum says this has historically run under $1000.  The service advisor “Submitted my case for approval” and told me to expect a quote within 24 hours.  As soon as I left the property, my phone pinged with a quote to approve and it was a hair under $900!  Of course I immediately accepted that and then waited two weeks for the appointed time.

The original quote said that I was eligible for alternative transportation, which I verified to be a loaner car, contingent upon availability.  A couple of days before the appointment that was changed to “not eligible for alternative transportation”, which I promptly inquired about and was told that yes, indeed I was still eligible for a loaner car.

On the morning of my appointment, the work order was revised upwards by $400 with the only detail being “additional diagnostic time”.  I could get no straight answers by messaging, so drove down to the service center hours ahead of my scheduled appointment to try and get to the bottom of this.  I was able to meet with the service manager, who told me that my quote “Was created by AI, and staff has to review the day’s work orders every morning to correct any errors.”   He said that my quote did not include removal and reinstallation of the battery pack, which is of course the most basic part of the entire procedure!  I requested that they make a good faith effort to honor the original quote as agreed to, but he said that the new price is the new minimum, non-negotiable.  Of course I reluctantly agreed and repeated my request for a detailed list of all inspections undertaken and notes on their findings, and was assured that I would receive the details.  

When I arrived, they accepted the car and gave me blank smile.  I then had to ask about the loaner car and one was rustled up, a 2021 MY with almost 80k miles.  The rough ride, indirect airflow and tight rear seat confirmed for my family that we had made the right choice with the S.

My MS was due back to me in 24 hours but the following morning it was pushed back by another day and the price was increased again by over $600 to allow for three hours of additional diagnostic time.  I of course asked why, and was told that thermal controller (THC) errors and Active Aero codes had to be investigated and cleared.  I reminded them that the drive unit and coolant heater had just been replaced, so the coolant air purge procedure would probably have to be repeated which is a 15 minute process, so have they done that yet?  The response was that this is why they need three more hours of diagnostic time, non negotiable and there would be another 24 hour delay, though they may not need the full three hours….

Finally on Friday, I was messaged that the inspection has been completed, the car has passed, and I can pick it up and return my loaner through the app, with no need to speak with my service advisor. I immediately checked the car’s charging logs and it showed not a single supercharging session. Indeed, it did not show that the car had even been plugged in at all since I delivered it, with SOC below 40%.  I requested proof that the car is successfully supercharging and wrote I would be there within a couple of hours to pick it up.  

When I arrived, there had been no response and the car was still not plugged in.  I proceeded to connect it to the service supercharger and sat there waiting to get up to 80% SOC.  None of the staff passing by acknowledged my presence, even though I was connected to a unit that was labeled “not for public use”.  After I had been charging for about 30 minutes at low kW due to the cold soaked pack, I was finally messaged “ I can confirm your car is connected to the supercharger and is now is at 74%”.   🤯

By that time, I had already confirmed that the car’s Free Supercharging was restored and paid the final $1646 bill, so I abandoned the loaner car that I had generously charged up to 80% and got out of dodge without exchanging any words (per Tesla’s automated request).

Though $1646 was less than the maximum amount approved and I got my SC01 back, it certainly did not feel like a bargain. I got no details on what they actually did, did not feel like a paying customer and I received a car back that was as dirty inside and out as when I dropped it off. 

Never did I think when buying a Tesla that I would yearn for a traditional dealership service experience with staff eager to please and upsell and provide a ‘complimentary’ wash and vacuum!

I also did not receive the requested quote for repair of two nonfunctional door handles, but was relieved that the car wasn’t red-tagged for such an obvious safety hazard!

Peace Out,

-Jay

[Sophia G20]

Amazing read: you got me grateful for the service with smiles and jokes. Basically humans. They must treat them like robots :( 

Yours,

Sophia G20 Grzeskowiak-Amezquita

Sent from Proton Mail for iOS.

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