Minor damage repair estimate: $49,880!

[R1Sky Business]

Astonished!
Just received an estimate to repair the drivers side rear quarter panel, tailgate shell and rear bumper. Luckily the damage was caused by a neighbor who bumped my R1S during the holidays.
Estimated Repair Cost: $49,880.
The shop is the 1st authorized Rivian Repair Facility in the Northeast. They’re a quality outfit!

I’m flabbergasted! I hope I don’t get into an actual accident!

Steel bumper needed!!!!

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[R1Sky Business]

It isnt sustainable... But thats Rivian for you. You cant just replace a quarter panel, nope..

You got to replace the whole side of the truck, from the windshield all the back.

Its one of the things that makes Rivian owners scratch their head.

They couldnt just go with the industry standard and have panels, with split seams, welding, and sealant.

On the other hand, if you are rich, you get into a minor accident, theres a good chance you are just getting a new car. Soo....

Winning!!!

 

[R1Sky Business]

Truth be told, I could live with it, maybe have my local shop fix what they can. Frankly this is absurd! The labor was $26,000 not including paint work. Frankly I don’t want to own a car that costs this much to repair and my other cars are a Cayenne and a 400e convertible! So I’m used expensive cars and repairs.

How long does it take to do $26K labor?

 

[Zoidz]

Very similar experience with my R1S. Almost identical. I took it to a "Rivian" approved body shop and go a similar quote. I was furious and called Rivian. They put me in touch with one of their accident team members. They worked with me with another body shop. The cost went below 10k. Rivian is trying to work this out and as a list of shops that work with them in a better manner. 1st shop wanted to replace the whole rear panel which would involve cutting the metal and really doing a lot of unnecessary repair. The other shop did the majority through pulling the metal and not having to replace the rear panel...saving a ton of work.

That said it was only the rear body and brake light, no bumper. Contact the Rivian support people and they will help you find other shops.

It's encouraging to hear Rivian is actively addressing this issue. $50k to repair this type of damage is way out of line compared to other vehicles. Outrageous repair costs will absolutely affect new Rivian vehicles. Simply put, Rivan cannot afford to allow this to continue - their life depends on it.

 

[Zoidz]

How long does it take to do $26K labor?

Labor rates vary by region and also by type of work (body vs paint vs frame vs etc) but you could use $75 an hour as an average for independents so --- 346 hours. But some "Tesla Certified" (whatever that means) shops charge $150 an hour, so if that game is being played, then it is 173 hours. That seems like more realistic hours compared to 346. Personally, I think it's more like 80 - 100 hours labor, but what do I know?

 

[IPTV65]

Just pound that shit out with a rubber mallet and drive it.

 

[ohseedee]

100% would pocket that 50k and take it to a PDR shop.

 

[R1 EVY]

Winning!!!

??? Literally

 

[Zoidz]

100% would pocket that 50k and take it to a PDR shop.

Or fill it with 5 pounds of Bondo and spray it with a rattle can. ?

Seriously, I had a friend in high school who filled a dent like that with cans of Bondo. Looked like crap.

 

[iansriv]

Luckily the damage was caused by a neighbor

Sorry this happened to you. Love your attitude but can't understand how that's lucky.

 

[ohseedee]

Or fill it with 5 pounds of Bondo and spray it with a rattle can. ?

Seriously, I had a friend in high school who filled a dent like that with cans of Bondo. Looked like crap.

I'd also pocket the 50k and take it to your high school friend ?‍

 

[Wing]

I don't get why these shops are all cutting full panels out.

If PDR isn't an option what a lot of shops do is weld little tabs on and pull the dent that way.

I rented the back of my LX570 tailgate. I brought to a pdr guy he said he couldn't do it.

Body shop quoted $600. That was to pull the dent with weld on tabs and repaint the hatch. Extremely reasonable I thought.

 

[jebinc]

This doesn’t seem sustainable, insurance companies are going to raise their rates 2x what they are now. Are Tesla’s this expensive to repair?

Yes

 

[NineElectrics]

Tesla and Rivian seem to be turning parts into a profit center, by gouging insurance companies. Eventually the owners end up paying in the form of increased premiums.

 

[R1Sky Business]

Labor rates vary by region and also by type of work (body vs paint vs frame vs etc) but you could use $75 an hour as an average for independents so --- 346 hours. But some "Tesla Certified" (whatever that means) shops charge $150 an hour, so if that game is being played, then it is 173 hours. That seems like more realistic hours compared to 346. Personally, I think it's more like 80 - 100 hours labor, but what do I know?

STILL SEEMS EXCESSIVE

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