There was a much debated post on a board about actual range expectation. The OP cited all recommendations that would reduce degradation on battery, and all worst-case expectations about battery capacity losses and range reductions. So the general consensus was that they were being overly pessimistic, but it went something like this:
84.0 US. tested range comes in at 84 miles (the EU has a different test, and different figure)
67.2 (-20% = -16.8mi) Recommend only charge to 80% for best battery life (lose top 20% of charge)
53.8 (-20% = -13.4mi) Recommend only discharge to 20% for best battery life (lose bottom 20% of charge)
43.0 (-20% = -10.8mi) It might be cold one day, you will have the heat on and your battery will not accept or deliver full charge (lose 20% of capacity)
34.4 (-20% = -8.6mi) Over the course of 8-10 years, the battery capacity to hold a charge will be reduced (lose 20% of capacity)
And so their conclusion was that you could only count on 34.4 miles of range (or some similar number). When I first read the post, I couldn't believe how negative they were being. But then realized I had essentially done the same analysis, and that only because my daily mileage expectation was <30 miles, I went ahead with the purchase of a LEAF. This was in part why I did not buy something with a lower rated range.
But if you look at it, some of these are predictable conditions, or best practices. If it is best practice to only run down to 20% of charge, but I find myself below that once-and-a-while, it's not a huge deal (get it plugged in right away when returning home to avoid staying that low for many hours at a time). If you can use the heated seats rather than heating all of the air in the vehicle, then better range. If you can pre-heat the cabin while plugged in, then better range. If you can drive a bit slower on the day it is cold, then better range. If you go ahead and splurge and charge to 100% on the cold days, then better range. If your car isn't 8 years old yet, then better range. If you can find a L1 charge for an hour or two on the day you need to run errands, then better range.
So my personal need was 30 daily miles. But I don't see how one would end up short if it were 50mi. ...and they charge to 100% on cold days, and they have half a brain one day a year in extreme conditions.
That's my two cents worth. But I'm still eagerly awaiting my 2015-S in a few weeks. So my "experience" is all from press and message boards.