Gearing up for R1S purchase - do wheels matter for me?

[R1SFamilyGuy]

Hello, all!

I’ve been given shop access and invite to lock in a config for my R1S. I’m a September 2022 reservation holder. I need some inputs making a decision

I am mainly looking to use it for short/long trips with family - wife, 2 kids (yo in rear facing seat) - and occasionally local drives with visiting grandparents. I was impressed with the test drive and everything about the car on the internet. I need a second car soonish and if I’m going electric, the R1S is my only choice.

Now, I’m fairly certain I’m going with the DM performance model. The max pack price is unjustifiable for me but definitely need as much mileage as I can get and can’t hurt to have a little extra power (compared to plain DM). I don’t expect to 4wheel and maybe I’ll off-road a bit or do wilderness camping and such (none of which I’ve done, tbh).

Are the 21” tires good enough for that? If I go for something from the shop that I like but has the AT package or 22” wheels, what will I lose besides the range? Basically, which tires will work best for me (probably 21s) and which will be second/third best including what I will lose with those choices.

Thank you for your time and sorry for the long post for a straightforward question!

PS: I’ll take any suggestions for QM too if you have a point

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[sub]

The 21s are clear winner for range, but no one makes winter tires for the 21s. If you might want to wear winter tires in the winter, the 21s are not an option unless you also buy new rims too. You can get winter tires for the 20 or 22 size.

Based on how you plan to use the vehicle, range seems like it's more important to you than off-roading. Since the 22s have more range, and are cheaper (unless you can find a vehicle with 20s and no underbody shield) the 22's would be my second choice for you (or first choice if you need winter tires).

 

[Riviot]

Are the 21” tires good enough for that? If I go for something from the shop that I like but has the AT package or 22” wheels, what will I lose besides the range? Basically, which tires will work best for me (probably 21s) and which will be second/third best including what I will lose with those choices.

Good enough, yes.

Range is your only loss with 20/22.

If you're light off-road (forest road), any of the tires will work for you. If you want plug-and-play, 22s. If you're willing to do research and have fun, get 20s and swap to AS tires. They make them in stock 275/65/20 size, but 275/60/20 is where efficiencies are gained.

 

[SANZC02]

Hello, all!

I’ve been given shop access and invite to lock in a config for my R1S. I’m a September 2022 reservation holder. I need some inputs making a decision

I am mainly looking to use it for short/long trips with family - wife, 2 kids (yo in rear facing seat) - and occasionally local drives with visiting grandparents. I was impressed with the test drive and everything about the car on the internet. I need a second car soonish and if I’m going electric, the R1S is my only choice.

Now, I’m fairly certain I’m going with the DM performance model. The max pack price is unjustifiable for me but definitely need as much mileage as I can get and can’t hurt to have a little extra power (compared to plain DM). I don’t expect to 4wheel and maybe I’ll off-road a bit or do wilderness camping and such (none of which I’ve done, tbh).

Are the 21” tires good enough for that? If I go for something from the shop that I like but has the AT package or 22” wheels, what will I lose besides the range? Basically, which tires will work best for me (probably 21s) and which will be second/third best including what I will lose with those choices.

Thank you for your time and sorry for the long post for a straightforward question!

PS: I’ll take any suggestions for QM too if you have a point

I went with the 22s on mine, I did a 5k mile trip using conserve on open stretches of highway last January/February in temps between 15-75 degrees and using conserve only on open stretches of highway staying at speed limits 65-80, averaged 2.23 miles per kWh.

I replaced a Jeep GC that had 20 inch all season radials on it, the 22s have more sidewall than the Jeep had and if your off road is desert and fire roads, nothing extreme the 22s will work. That is what I would drive the Jeep on with no issues, only had the R1S on fire roads once so far with the 22s and handled it just fine.

As @sub said, the 21s will get you the best range but unless you are going to very isolated places you can easily get 225 miles charging to 80% and having a buffer on the 22s and there are more options for replacement tires. I drove from Normal, IL, up to Boston, down the East Coast to the FL panhandle then I10 to SoCal on my long trip and never had a concern about range between stops.

 

[GATA614]

The tire replacement cost is also lower on the 22s than the 21s since you've actually got options. The range loss is pretty minimal (10 miles) to go from 21 to 22 so it becomes mostly an aesthetic call IMO. I've got a limestone config confirmed (never was offered shop access) but the darks just look better on limestone than the stock 21 IMO.

 

[R1SFamilyGuy]

Thanks all for your responses!!

about this..

The tire replacement cost is also lower on the 22s than the 21s since you've actually got options

looks like Michelin just launched some new 20” ones. I expect in 3-4 yrs, more 21s should be available in the market?

 

[chipchrome]

I would suggest saving your $5,000 on the performance (which is just a software unlock) and instead start with 21s, and then when/if you need more tires get the 20" AT from Rivian. You will use the extra 'performance' <0.01% of your total miles. Plus it makes people car sick.

 

[R1SFamilyGuy]

I would suggest saving your $5,000 on the performance

Actually a great suggestion that I’ve been discounting. Seems like the 0-60 and hp is what is lesser. Surprisingly towing capacity is not affected? (I don’t enough about the science of it)

 

[chipchrome]

Actually a great suggestion that I’ve been discounting. Seems like the 0-60 and hp is what is lesser. Surprisingly towing capacity is not affected? (I don’t enough about the science of it)

I think there is more upside in having two wheel/tire sets vs. having the performance unlock.

If you are comfortable changing your own tires, you can roll with the 21s in the summer for long road-trips and in the winter put 275/60 r20s tires on 20in wheels. Then you never have to worry about changing the computer/speedometer for wheel size.

 

[cbrcanuck]

Hello, all!

I’ve been given shop access and invite to lock in a config for my R1S. I’m a September 2022 reservation holder. I need some inputs making a decision

I am mainly looking to use it for short/long trips with family - wife, 2 kids (yo in rear facing seat) - and occasionally local drives with visiting grandparents. I was impressed with the test drive and everything about the car on the internet. I need a second car soonish and if I’m going electric, the R1S is my only choice.

Now, I’m fairly certain I’m going with the DM performance model. The max pack price is unjustifiable for me but definitely need as much mileage as I can get and can’t hurt to have a little extra power (compared to plain DM). I don’t expect to 4wheel and maybe I’ll off-road a bit or do wilderness camping and such (none of which I’ve done, tbh).

Are the 21” tires good enough for that? If I go for something from the shop that I like but has the AT package or 22” wheels, what will I lose besides the range? Basically, which tires will work best for me (probably 21s) and which will be second/third best including what I will lose with those choices.

Thank you for your time and sorry for the long post for a straightforward question!

PS: I’ll take any suggestions for QM too if you have a point

I have the 21s and have been happy with them. I got a second set of rims/tires for winter/snow (20" rims), but wanted to maximize range in the summer where I'll have most of my miles. 99% pavement with occasional light dirt road usage on the 21s, they've been good.

 

[R1SFamilyGuy]

performance (which is just a software unlock) and instead start with 21s

Re-reading this. Did you mean save $5000 from not getting the DM performance and get 22” wheels (instead of 21”)? @chipchrome

 

[chipchrome]

If it were me, I would save the $5,000 on the performance unlock, and instead get the 21s that come with it, and then buy another set of 20” AT wheels/tires from the gear shop. That way in the summer you can have the most efficient tires, and in the winter you have tires that will be better in snowy conditions.

I recently bought the 20” wheels from the gear shop and it was $4,500 with install and tax.

Then the only hard part is convincing your spouse that there is enough garage space to keep your extra set

 

[R1SFamilyGuy]

Then the only hard part is convincing your spouse that there is enough garage space to keep your extra set

Wife trumped the whole thing because she likes the 22s better, look wise. ?

So guess I just need extra winter tires (instead of a whole set)

 

[Osyras]

Wife trumped the whole thing because she likes the 22s better, look wise. ?

So guess I just need extra winter tires (instead of a whole set)

You are always better off to get a second set of rims. Swapping tires on rims every year can cause extra wear and tear as well as potential to break the TPMS unit. It is also faster and easier to do yourself at home and after 1-3 years the cost of the rims will have paid for themselves as it costs more to swap tires on the same rim twice a year.

just my 2 cents.

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