Maintenance costs pricing is high

[beatle]

I don’t think there’s as much money being saved between a Rivian and an ICE pickup/SUV maintenance as thought. It might seem like it because you aren’t paying for an oil change once or twice a year and a differential/transfer case service every few years but you’re buying a $1000+ set of tires twice as often. The savings is even slimmer if you own basic tools and can do simple tasks like oil and fluid changes.

It's definitely closer than people say, though the delta can go the other direction when you're paying a dealer to maintain an M or AMG. I do most of my own maintenance on both ICE and EV either way (tire rotations, brakes). An oil change with good oil and filter (Mobil 1) is under $50.

I'm not.

Me neither. My EVs have eaten tires at a rate closer to 3x as much as ICE. Rivian is especially bad. I was able to squeak out 30k from a set of Michelins on my Model S, but the Pirellis on the Rivian will be more like 20k. I thought a 5 tire rotation would let me get through the lease without buying tires, but I'm not even going to be close to making that. I drive the Rivian more sedately than the Model S.

My Ridgeline got almost 60k out of a set of Firestone A/Ts, not to mention the price of the tires.

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[SwampNut]

My Tesla tires lasted nearly double the miles as the BMW it replaced and cost less. The Rivian mileage seems to be on par with the truck it replaced, though these tires cost around 15% more.

 

[SwampNut]

I suppose it's worth noting that I never buy EV-rated tires. The regular ones cost less and last longer.

 

[Dark-Fx]

I went through a set of tires every 18,000 miles or so. On my Cobalt SS.

but you’re buying a $1000+ set of tires twice as often.

 

[mmarsland]

Make sure you have a dealer inspection prior to warranty expiry! I am learning the hard way. I love the truck BUT am very disappointed that it needs so much work. It's never been off a paved road.

 

[frostpine_82]

O geez.. to start, my previous car was an ICE sedan and an alignment from an independent shop is $125~$150. For a heavy EV with air and hydraulic suspension and manufacturer gatekept vehicle—$287 makes sense to me.

for everyone though, let us not confuse tire balancing with 4 wheel alignment two very different things! Tire balancing is for the tires ONLY , the alignment is SUSPENSION.

Like what mgk3 said, is there a reason why you needed an alignment? it’s not part of maintenance, it’s something performed only if needed.

Oil changes in my previous vehicles have been around $100-$120 every few months or so even if i do it myself (actual $75 but ill count my time in for $25) but the multipoint inspection has always been free at least. Anyways what im trying to say is that, at the end of the day a rivian is still a car

I did have a complimentary inspection during my first SC appt (bought the car used) but i just remembered recently that if they really did then they wouldve told me my tires are close to bald so who knows exactly what they are inspecting or my SC just forgot about that part of the work order

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