500-800 miles from Service Center......from those with Rivian experience....how risky will this be?

[ndmiller]

Don't do it, no vehicle is worth that self-inflicted hassle.

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[TJM]

I had heard about the mobile service. Do you think they would go 500 miles to get to me? Seem unlikely......

Living in Northern New Mexico, we have had multiple mobile service calls by the two Rivian Mobile Technicians living in NM. Our 2024 R1S has not been to a Rivian Service Center - closest is in Colorado Springs.
Our most recent home service was two weeks ago to replace our 12V battery. Service was initiated by Rivian - preventive maintenance. Appointments are set up to arrive between 8AM and Noon or Noon to 4PM as you prefer.

 

[Yota2R1T]

Good luck with your decision!
I know when I was deciding whether or not to purchase my R1, the absolute lynch pin of the decision was whether or not Calgary would get a SC.
But that was a different time, with little Rivian beta and before 12V batteries were known to be the vehicle achilles heel.
All the responses so far are both right and wrong, in that they reflect personal experience and bias.
I say go for it! Join the adventure and trust your luck .

 

[mferring]

Good luck with your decision!
I know when I was deciding whether or not to purchase my R1, the absolute lynch pin of the decision was whether or not Calgary would get a SC.
But that was a different time, with little Rivian beta and before 12V batteries were known to be the vehicle achilles heel.
All the responses so far are both right and wrong, in that they reflect personal experience and bias.
I say go for it! Join the adventure and trust your luck .

Thanks Rich. I really am tempted. My wife and I are around 70, still in the Go Go years and want to have fun with an EV while we still can. I really like your attitude! And the R2 would be perfect for our use case in the mountains (wife does boutique vegetable farming, I tow small dirtbike trailer, season pass for skiing, etc). But it would still be a real bummer if I get the sample that requires multiple service center visits.

But, I actually don't mind having to visit the service centers as long as the car is drivable and not downgraded to turtle mode. I would wait until we had sufficient niggling issues to warrant a trip. We have family in Houston and can stay there for extended periods if necessary to deal with the car. And I share an old 2004 Subaru WRX wagon with my son that we could use in Houston while the R2 was in the shop. That old WRX is the bomb with a Cobb Stage 2 package. They really messed up when they stopped selling the wagon version.

 

[Rivian R2D2]

You can hit up OKC.

 

[mferring]

Yep. I have a sister in law in OK City so we could go there too.

 

[TLMNM60]

I'm in the same boat. I have an R2 reservation and I'm looking forward to getting it but I'm also concerned about service. It is good to know the mobile service is based out of Albuquerque but I do hope some day Rivian opens up an actual service center here. One thing that hampers getting a service center here in NM is the NM Auto Dealers Association has prevented any auto companies that do direct sales (Tesla, Rivian, etc.) from having delivery/services locations in the state. Tesla worked around this by putting their two service centers on tribal land. Hopefully Rivian might take the same approach but for now New Mexican Rivian owners will have to drive to an out-of-state service center when the mobile service cannot fix the issue. I'm hopeful that my R2 will have minimal problems. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I get one that wasn't one of the first off the line. I had an early run Tesla Model Y and after getting a couple of minor panel gap/ scratches fixed, it was really problem free for the 5 years I had it. I think Rivian can probably produce a vehicle that will have similar reliability.

 

[Rivian R2D2]

Don’t do it. It’s way too far. And there are good EVs from others too.

Yes, or wait for the Scout or Jeep Recon. And rumor maybe Ford will be putting out an electric Bronco, but don’t know how true that is with their failed Lightning.

 

[mferring]

I'm in the same boat. I have an R2 reservation and I'm looking forward to getting it but I'm also concerned about service. It is good to know the mobile service is based out of Albuquerque but I do hope some day Rivian opens up an actual service center here. One thing that hampers getting a service center here in NM is the NM Auto Dealers Association has prevented any auto companies that do direct sales (Tesla, Rivian, etc.) from having delivery/services locations in the state. Tesla worked around this by putting their two service centers on tribal land. Hopefully Rivian might take the same approach but for now New Mexican Rivian owners will have to drive to an out-of-state service center when the mobile service cannot fix the issue. I'm hopeful that my R2 will have minimal problems. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I get one that wasn't one of the first off the line. I had an early run Tesla Model Y and after getting a couple of minor panel gap/ scratches fixed, it was really problem free for the 5 years I had it. I think Rivian can probably produce a vehicle that will have similar reliability.

I am also hoping for a SC in El Paso which is only 90 miles from Cloudcroft. And since Texas does not have the NM dealer law issue.

 

[BTOR]

I’d say it’s really up to your tolerance for road trips. I’ve made the drive from Abiquiu to the Colorado Springs service center several times (about 330 miles). It’s a beautiful drive, and I’ve generally just made a little road trip out of it and had fun. In my 3 years of Rivian ownership I have never once encountered an issue that prevented me from driving, or even put me in turtle mode. You hear some horror stories on the forums, but the simple fact is that nobody reports it when nothing goes wrong, which is the majority of the time, so things are always going to sound worse than they actually are.

I agree with JoshO. The reports you read in the forum on issues tend to fall in the minority column, IMO. I think the majority of owners find their Rivian just as reliable and trustworthy as any other EV or ICE vehicle. Sure, SC location my be different for other brands, but if it is not your daily driver, a trip to the SC may only be needed every 9,000 miles. You may only be required to do the trip every 2 to 3 years. Your biggest concern may be tire rotation .

 

[WhiskeyTango15]

Hello all. New member here.

My wife and I are retired in the mountains of southern NM about 90 miles north of El Paso. We love it here but of course are a long way from civilization, especially any current Rivian Service centers. We are EV curious and would really love to pick up a great EV while we are still young enough to enjoy it. We will have 2 other cars to go along with whatever EV we buy (if any). One will be a trouble free medium size SUV that can easily be our travel car if we do not want to deal with charging. The other is currently my BRZ for fun. So we can deal with any short term hiccups with an EV. The Rivian R2 will easily meet our needs for local travel and we would likely take on some trips that are not too long. However.......

The 2 closest service centers are Phoenix and Dallas/Austin/Houston. We are 500 miles from Phoenix where my mom recently passed and I no longer have any real reasons to go there. And 800 miles from Houston where we have 2 kids and 4 grandkids. We don't really have any reason to go to Austin or Dallas. We will probably go to Houston fairly often and can bring the Rivian as needed. It is unclear whether any more centers will be built say in El Paso or Albuquerque any time soon.

I am not very concerned if we need to occasionally visit the service center in Houston with any niggling more minor issues that might crop up in a new model. However, I am very concerned with any issues that would make the vehicle undriveable for an 800 mile trip.

So I thought I would ask you august and wise forum members whether you think it is worth the risk to buy a R2? We currently have an April 2024 reservation date which probably won't come up for awhile for the Launch Edition which is the one we would get. By nature I do not mind taking a little risk for an interesting life experience. But having to say tow the Rivian 800 miles, perhaps multiple times in the vehicles lifetime is not my idea of fun...and waaaay expensive And I am not certain that Rivian would pay for the tow even if it was a warranty item. Modern ICE vehicles have been amazingly reliable and we have not had any ICE issues that made a vehicle undriveable for over 30 years. I have heard stories of some problems with R1's that have made them undriveable, and that makes me nervous.

So what say you oh wise ones!

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or advice you might share.

Best,

Mark

We have had Rivian R1s since 2023. Latest is a R1S Gen 2 leased on Dec last year. We have been at the service center 3 times since Dec. service center in SD is actually REALLY good. They have improved tremendously since our Gen 1. Nevertheless, its a new car company. You will undoubtedly have ratteling sounds from door panels. We had to replaced our rear right suspension due to loud knocking a month into ownership.

so yes, you will go and need your service center in the first 6 months. And hopefully you wont hit a rock down the road which will crack your windshield , which will require the service due to some calibration only they can do…

If you are a maticulous car guy with at ear and eye for perfection. You will need them to danpen dorrs and allign exterior panels not seated quite right.

Hello all. New member here.

My wife and I are retired in the mountains of southern NM about 90 miles north of El Paso. We love it here but of course are a long way from civilization, especially any current Rivian Service centers. We are EV curious and would really love to pick up a great EV while we are still young enough to enjoy it. We will have 2 other cars to go along with whatever EV we buy (if any). One will be a trouble free medium size SUV that can easily be our travel car if we do not want to deal with charging. The other is currently my BRZ for fun. So we can deal with any short term hiccups with an EV. The Rivian R2 will easily meet our needs for local travel and we would likely take on some trips that are not too long. However.......

The 2 closest service centers are Phoenix and Dallas/Austin/Houston. We are 500 miles from Phoenix where my mom recently passed and I no longer have any real reasons to go there. And 800 miles from Houston where we have 2 kids and 4 grandkids. We don't really have any reason to go to Austin or Dallas. We will probably go to Houston fairly often and can bring the Rivian as needed. It is unclear whether any more centers will be built say in El Paso or Albuquerque any time soon.

I am not very concerned if we need to occasionally visit the service center in Houston with any niggling more minor issues that might crop up in a new model. However, I am very concerned with any issues that would make the vehicle undriveable for an 800 mile trip.

So I thought I would ask you august and wise forum members whether you think it is worth the risk to buy a R2? We currently have an April 2024 reservation date which probably won't come up for awhile for the Launch Edition which is the one we would get. By nature I do not mind taking a little risk for an interesting life experience. But having to say tow the Rivian 800 miles, perhaps multiple times in the vehicles lifetime is not my idea of fun...and waaaay expensive And I am not certain that Rivian would pay for the tow even if it was a warranty item. Modern ICE vehicles have been amazingly reliable and we have not had any ICE issues that made a vehicle undriveable for over 30 years. I have heard stories of some problems with R1's that have made them undriveable, and that makes me nervous.

So what say you oh wise ones!

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or advice you might share.

Best,

Mark

We’ve had Rivian R1s since 2023, and our latest is an R1S Gen 2 we leased this past December. We’ve been to the service center three times since then. The good news: the San Diego service center is genuinely excellent, and they’ve improved tremendously since our Gen 1 days.

That said, this is still a young car company, and you should go in expecting some growing pains. You’ll almost certainly get a few rattles from the door panels. A month into ownership we had to replace our rear right suspension because of a loud knocking sound. So yes, plan on needing your service center within the first six months.

And hope you don’t catch a rock on the highway and crack the windshield, because the replacement requires a calibration only they can do.

If you’re a meticulous car person with an eye and ear for perfection, you’ll also want them to dampen the doors and realign any exterior panels that aren’t seated quite right.

Hello all. New member here.

My wife and I are retired in the mountains of southern NM about 90 miles north of El Paso. We love it here but of course are a long way from civilization, especially any current Rivian Service centers. We are EV curious and would really love to pick up a great EV while we are still young enough to enjoy it. We will have 2 other cars to go along with whatever EV we buy (if any). One will be a trouble free medium size SUV that can easily be our travel car if we do not want to deal with charging. The other is currently my BRZ for fun. So we can deal with any short term hiccups with an EV. The Rivian R2 will easily meet our needs for local travel and we would likely take on some trips that are not too long. However.......

The 2 closest service centers are Phoenix and Dallas/Austin/Houston. We are 500 miles from Phoenix where my mom recently passed and I no longer have any real reasons to go there. And 800 miles from Houston where we have 2 kids and 4 grandkids. We don't really have any reason to go to Austin or Dallas. We will probably go to Houston fairly often and can bring the Rivian as needed. It is unclear whether any more centers will be built say in El Paso or Albuquerque any time soon.

I am not very concerned if we need to occasionally visit the service center in Houston with any niggling more minor issues that might crop up in a new model. However, I am very concerned with any issues that would make the vehicle undriveable for an 800 mile trip.

So I thought I would ask you august and wise forum members whether you think it is worth the risk to buy a R2? We currently have an April 2024 reservation date which probably won't come up for awhile for the Launch Edition which is the one we would get. By nature I do not mind taking a little risk for an interesting life experience. But having to say tow the Rivian 800 miles, perhaps multiple times in the vehicles lifetime is not my idea of fun...and waaaay expensive And I am not certain that Rivian would pay for the tow even if it was a warranty item. Modern ICE vehicles have been amazingly reliable and we have not had any ICE issues that made a vehicle undriveable for over 30 years. I have heard stories of some problems with R1's that have made them undriveable, and that makes me nervous.

So what say you oh wise ones!

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or advice you might share.

Best,

Mark

We’ve had Rivian R1s since 2023, and our latest is an R1S Gen 2 we leased this past December. We’ve been to the service center three times since then. The good news: the San Diego service center is genuinely excellent, and they’ve improved tremendously since our Gen 1 days.

That said, this is still a young car company, and you should go in expecting some growing pains. You’ll almost certainly get a few rattles from the door panels. A month into ownership we had to replace our rear right suspension because of a loud knocking sound. So yes, plan on needing your service center within the first six months.

And hope you don’t catch a rock on the highway and crack the windshield, because the replacement requires a calibration only they can do.

If you’re a meticulous car person with an eye and ear for perfection, you’ll also want them to dampen the doors and realign any exterior panels that aren’t seated quite right.

 

[Joules Burn]

I don't think so. The Houston rep said that they have customers from Lousiana.

This was from 2023. They may have changed the policy...

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...he-confirmed-delivery-eligibility-area.18869/

 

[mferring]

I just tried it for a R1T and it said it could deliver to zip 88339 in 1 week......so I guess this changed.

And even before I think that might have just meant I had to pick it up vs it getting delivered.

 

[mark barron]

I live 55 miles north of the factory. 1st trip 350 miles round trip and the charge door rattled like the Front fender was falling off. Stopped 4 times to empty frunk, see if a bird was stuck on the bumper, and bang on front bumper to be sure. Less than 800 miles on the R1T. Seems a 15 minute fix from site search. But Rivian wants me to drive the 110 miles. They are still evaluating my situation. Charge door’s not been open more than a handfull of times. I carry masking tape with the R1T for highway travel to tape the charge door now.
Will see how the mobile techs actually get used, or are they overloaded already.

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