If you're having any sort of engine failure in an internal combustion car built this century, someone is being malicious and trying to break your car.
Tesla, on the other hand, has had to recall a percentage of their electric motors because they were ripping themselves apart after 10K miles.
All the other parts of the car - the parts that actually still fail on modern vehicles - suspension, electronics, climate control, brakes, drive train, etc. are more complicated in a Tesla than in a regular car. The tesla has an electronically adjustable suspension, remotely upgradable electronics, climate control that doesn't get to run off of excess engine heat and belt driven compressors, two drivetrains (two transmissions and differentials), and regenerative braking. These systems are more complex than normal and only time will tell if they're more reliable than their legacy auto industry equivalents, but my feeling is they won't be.
Repair rates are hovering at 90 repairs per 100 cars for all Model Ss, 2013 - today. 2014's is, ironically, 102 repairs per 100 cars. Compare that to repair rates of 30/100 being average (Minis) for new cars and 1-3/100 being good (Toyotas and their ilk).
Sure a 1980s Merc Diesel might make 500K and the ICE itself might last that long but the surrounding components are not cheap to maintain ....
That's why Lexus (reliability + interiors) is the bees knees. :-)
But it is the _only_ advantage left (see disclaimer at the end).
- Reliability should be much higher with Tesla, as the engine is much simpler.
- Ride quality. The 7 is a boat, does not have the agility of smaller, sportier BMW models.
- Looks. Obviously subjective, but 7's styling is very conservative and has not changed much.
Disclaimer: These two cars are targeted at two quite different (though equally affluent) types of buyers. Some people prefer conservative, some sporty.