[JasH]

I've written reviews of my test drives of various Teslas on here previously. Various models of Tesla Model S, up to the P100D Ludicrous and the Roadster.

I did know having driven quite a few Teslas, including in Ludicrous mode, that they overheat very quickly and throttle back the power. That happened to me on the road. To be fair, I was pushing the car hard though.

What I did not know however was that Ludicrous mode is software crippled - as you can only use it 50 times before the car has to go back to Tesla and have parts replaced - at the same cost as the upgrade in the first place

What a joke

Apparently the ideal temperature range of the batteries is something like 15-30c, so they heat them when it's cold and cool them when it's hot (just like i8). To get the Ludicrous power though they actually heat the batteries to 50c as they drain faster, but they also age a lot faster!

I can see why it's called Ludicrous mode

[Aye-eight]

Typical American approach to cars. Bragging rights on paper and a bit of straight-line performance, and everybody thinks it's a fast car. Las Vegas on wheels. Gold spray paint doesn't turn something into real gold. But they don't care ...

[JasH]

Originally Posted by Aye-eight

Typical American approach to cars. Bragging rights on paper and a bit of straight-line performance, and everybody thinks it's a fast car. Las Vegas on wheels. Gold spray paint doesn't turn something into real gold. But they don't care ...

[bumbaclot]

Originally Posted by JasH

I've written reviews of my test drives of various Teslas on here previously. Various models of Tesla Model S, up to the P100D Ludicrous and the Roadster.

I did know having driven quite a few Teslas, including in Ludicrous mode, that they overheat very quickly and throttle back the power. That happened to me on the road. To be fair, I was pushing the car hard though.

What I did not know however was that Ludicrous mode is software crippled - as you can only use it 50 times before the car has to go back to Tesla and have parts replaced - at the same cost as the upgrade in the first place

What a joke

Apparently the ideal temperature range of the batteries is something like 15-30c, so they heat them when it's cold and cool them when it's hot (just like i8). To get the Ludicrous power though they actually heat the batteries to 50c as they drain faster, but they also age a lot faster!

I can see why it's called Ludicrous mode

So wait..every 50 times, at $10k, means each time using ludicrous costs $200??? Is that for real?? That sounds.......ludicrous

[bumbaclot]

But I'm trying to find info on that and I can't find anything that says you can only use it 50 times

[Nivarox]

Do they really call it like that ? Besides gold spray paint , fancy racing stripes wouldn't help either .Ludicrous mode is ridiculous then

[Jo-Sta07]

Is this true? Where did you find this info out?

[JasH]

I was given the information by someone I know, and initially did not believe it....as it sounded so Ludicrous

So, I double checked, and then triple checked with Tesla themselves (saying I was about to order a car). Tesla confirmed it to me in writing.

I should add however that the salesman then said that due to customer concerns, they are removing the software restriction via a software update.

So the battery and drivetrain damage will still be done, but you will not be limited to 50 uses. Tesla will instead check the car during scheduled inspections, and replace parts as required. At customer's cost though.

Utterly pointless feature, which renders the car's performance claims a complete joke

[Jo-Sta07]

Originally Posted by JasH

I was given the information by someone I know, and initially did not believe it....as it sounded so Ludicrous

So, I double checked, and then triple checked with Tesla themselves (saying I was about to order a car). Tesla confirmed it to me in writing.

I should add however that the salesman then said that due to customer concerns, they are removing the software restriction via a software update.

So the battery and drivetrain damage will still be done, but you will not be limited to 50 uses. Tesla will instead check the car during scheduled inspections, and replace parts as required. At customer's cost though.

Utterly pointless feature, which renders the car's performance claims a complete joke

Thank you for thoroughly checking, I get annoyed by baseless claims. I agree that a lot of these claims are useless, but Tesla's, especially P100Ds are truly quick cars. Not my thing necessarily. But ludicrous mode or not these cars are something.

[SlipperyGary]

Of course, in the i8 you are limited to 100 uses of launch control. So perhaps that's a "ludicrous" feature of the i8 as well.

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by SlipperyGary

Of course, in the i8 you are limited to 100 uses of launch control. So perhaps that's a "ludicrous" feature of the i8 as well.

Where did you get this information?

[SlipperyGary]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

Where did you get this information?

There is a service manual for the technicians that states 100 uses of LC only. It's referenced in another post here on bimmerpost.

http://bmwi.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...3&postcount=56

It's at the very bottom of the pdf that is referenced in that post.

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by SlipperyGary

There is a service manual for the technicians that states 100 uses of LC only. It's referenced in another post here on bimmerpost.

http://bmwi.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...3&postcount=56

It's at the very bottom of the pdf that is referenced in that post.

Terrific thanks for the info.

Glad Porsche doesn't limit LC. I've done it on my 2011 probably 2-3 thousand times.

[SlipperyGary]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

Terrific thanks for the info.

Glad Porsche doesn't limit LC. I've done it on my 2011 probably 2-3 thousand times.

Yikes! How's your neck! Forget the drivetrain components. What's that doing to your body.

[JasH]

Originally Posted by SlipperyGary

Of course, in the i8 you are limited to 100 uses of launch control. So perhaps that's a "ludicrous" feature of the i8 as well.

That is not at all comparable, and is pretty normal for launch control on performance cars. Remember, launch control is a very specific and complicated sequence of steps to initiate, and for the express purpose of a hard launch.

I have never once used it in fact.

Ludicrous Mode is a driving mode, akin to Sport Mode in the i8. You can drive with it continuously engaged, as I in fact did on most of my test drive in the Tesla.

Apples and oranges I assure you.

[SlipperyGary]

I'm not sure I'm understanding the outrage. The Tesla has a mode that can break components of the car, so the manufacturer made an attempt to limit the likelihood of damage. Now Tesla has removed the limitation, but states that if the owner breaks it then the owner has to pay for repairs. Seems reasonable to me. Essentially, the warranty is for 50 uses. If the owner exceeds the warranty, then the cost of repairs is on the owner. Am I missing something?

[JasH]

Originally Posted by SlipperyGary

Am I missing something?

Yes.

How would you feel if you discovered today that BMW had not disclosed to you that you could only use Sport Mode in the i8 a total of 50 times?

That is the equivalent comparison here.

[SlipperyGary]

I see. I guess I'm glad I drive a BMW and not a Tesla!

[JasH]

Originally Posted by SlipperyGary

I see. I guess I'm glad I drive a BMW and not a Tesla!

[Longboarder]

Originally Posted by SlipperyGary

Yikes! How's your neck! Forget the drivetrain components. What's that doing to your body.

Actually I do have neck damage:

[Jo-Sta07]

Originally Posted by Longboarder

Actually I do have neck damage:

You've turned your 911 into a monster. That 918 though is something. You just destroyed super modified cars and the 918 still took it. It's an amazing piece of engineering. Quicker than a veyron SS to 150 mph and gets 6x the gas mileage. I'd say that's progress in 3 years time.

[Aye-eight]

Originally Posted by Jo-Sta07

You've turned your 911 into a monster. That 918 though is something. You just destroyed super modified cars and the 918 still took it. It's an amazing piece of engineering. Quicker than a veyron SS to 150 mph and gets 6x the gas mileage. I'd say that's progress in 3 years time.

My top of the wishlist. Not only an amazing piece of engineering, also quite good looking, in my opinion. It has those "fast" optics without all the plasticky evo-car-style wing, lip, and duct madness. If only I could afford it.