First Mile Drive - my takeaways

[anagnorisis]

Hi,

This is my first post after I went to a Rivian Service Center on Friday 24th March, 2023 for my First mile drive in ATL. Overall I would say that my experience was pleasurable. Here are a couple things I took away from my First Mile Drive in the R1T.

1/ The guide mentioned the 12V receptacle in the Frunk as they went through the features of the Frunk. They did not mention that it was or will be removed based on what I have read here on this forum.

2/ I mentioned that I wanted to listen to the Meridian sound system. The guide proceeded to explained how great the sound system was but also neglected to mention that it has been replaced with a Rivian made sound system. Again this knowledge I gleaned off of this forum.

3/ Last thing, the guide mentioned that I could still order the new revised automatic tonneau cover when it gets released. I just have to mention this in my order... I am not sure how correct that statement is but, I plan on exploring this as an option. If all else fails I would go the manual tonneau.

Anyway I plan on getting my R1T but I am nervous about all the issues big or small that may come my way. The service center is 2.5 hrs away from me so it would be a pain to drive back and forth to have a car fixed.

I would love to hear everyone else's perspectives.

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[Insight75]

Always good to do research because folks at Rivian will always be biased and that is fair. But I love the truck and none of what you mentioned would be a reason to walk away from it. I say go for it and don't look back! Its an amazing truck. I was an early adopter in Tesla.....I had the same concerns early on but I wouldn't trade those experience for any other car. Its been a really fun ride and I hope it continues with Rivian....

 

[Guy]

Very valid concerns. I too am about 2.5 hours from a service center. They are planning to open more in the Northeast but no news other than the map at this point so am wondering if it will be 2024 until those open. I delayed my manufacture from this month until May because I want some of these issues like 12V and wheel alignment resolved before hand and to see what the manual cover is actually like (along with a spare kit being available).

 

[COdogman]

Only you can decide if it’s the right move for you. Many of us here are risk takers and would not think twice about getting a truck when the nearest service center is that far away. I can think of several who live a full state away from the nearest service center.

If that is something that keeps you up at night, you might need to wait or look at a different vehicle. Rivian is a new company and while most really love their trucks and have had few problems, it doesn’t mean yours won’t have trouble that requires a service center visit. Or even multiple visits.

It’s disappointing the first mile guide didn’t mention the changes, but the important part is you knew about it already. The “new” powered tonneau still seems to be pretty far off. There has been literally no news or updates about it - only rumors. No one has said definitively but it doesn’t seem likely that you can add the powered cover as a retrofit. So adding it to your order would mean waiting until they finally have it to install.

There has also been no news on the manual tonneau, but at least with that it won’t slow your order down.

 

[Tim Dora]

I picked up a new R1T at the Normal plan before Thanksgiving. I ordered the R1T and R1S in April of 2019. I picked up the R1S on March 14th at the Normal plant. I just asked my guide if the R1S has a Meridian sounds system that I ordered. He informed me that it does not. It has the Rivian in-house audio system. I was never told by anyone at Rivian that there was a change to the sound system. I don't think this is right. I ordered an R1S with a Meridian sound system. Rivian did a bait and switch and snuck in a different sounds system without advising me.

I think the R1T Meridian system sounds much better than the R1S Rivian system.

Here is the guides explanation:

Hi Timothy,

Thanks for reaching out. I just checked your R1S and it looks like it comes with the in-house designed audio system.

We made the decision to develop our own audio solution in order to bring an auditory experience to our owners that is completely tailored to our R1 vehicle interiors. Our testing has shown listeners prefer the Rivian in-house audio through all dynamic ranges and music genres.

The in-house Rivian Elevation Audio system allows the R1 vehicles to use a common 1,200 Watt, 18-channel amplifier.

Stay adventurous,
William
Rivian Guide

Phone: 1-888-712-3204
SMS: +13092372791
Email: [email protected]
Hours of Operation: M-F 8:30 AM- 5:00 CST
Click here to schedule a call with me.

 

[anagnorisis]

I picked up a new R1T at the Normal plan before Thanksgiving. I ordered the R1T and R1S in April of 2019. I picked up the R1S on March 14th at the Normal plant. I just asked my guide if the R1S has a Meridian sounds system that I ordered. He informed me that it does not. It has the Rivian in-house audio system. I was never told by anyone at Rivian that there was a change to the sound system. I don't think this is right. I ordered an R1S with a Meridian sound system. Rivian did a bait and switch and snuck in a different sounds system without advising me.

I think the R1T Meridian system sounds much better than the R1S Rivian system.

Here is the guides explanation:

Hi Timothy,

Thanks for reaching out. I just checked your R1S and it looks like it comes with the in-house designed audio system.

We made the decision to develop our own audio solution in order to bring an auditory experience to our owners that is completely tailored to our R1 vehicle interiors. Our testing has shown listeners prefer the Rivian in-house audio through all dynamic ranges and music genres.

The in-house Rivian Elevation Audio system allows the R1 vehicles to use a common 1,200 Watt, 18-channel amplifier.

Stay adventurous,
William
Rivian Guide

Phone: 1-888-712-3204
SMS: +13092372791
Email: [email protected]
Hours of Operation: M-F 8:30 AM- 5:00 CST
Click here to schedule a call with me.

Hey Tim you may not be comparing apples to apples. If you had two R1Ts with varying sound systems and you did the comparisons it would be something. The sound system would have to fill out a larger space in the R1S.

 

[Tim Dora]

Good point. Additionally, the R1S now has two fewer speakers with the new generic system. Makes sense. Cut the number of speakers in the larger space.

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