Ride quality R1S vs R1T? Should I be worried about reviews?

[Inkedsphynx]

Eh, you might have a point if you hadn’t personally used “physics” in a comparative context, but you did. You said the physics shouldn’t make the S an inferior ride, similar to saying you can’t overcome physics when comparing a sports car to a truck. Contextually you were speaking about physics’ effects on a particular body, not the study in general.

And again, you’re stating confidently that the way “physics” in general are acting on the S vs the T, creating an uncomfortable experience in the former, is completely able to be solved via software. Maybe it is (hell I hope it is!), but I also don’t want someone to see your comment and assume it is.

My point stands - there is nothing in the realm of physics that dictates the R1S, which has similar physical characteristics to many other comparable vehicles with quality rides, cannot have a quality ride.

If you can't understand that statement then I can't help you.

As for people making assumptions - neither you nor I are responsible for that. Your position is no less an assumption than mine, so what's the point of your posts? Any reasonable and rational human should look at any words on a forum and take them with their preferred size of salt grain.

Done with this conversation now. My point was made and, I'm assuming, was understood by most people here.

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[astonius]

My point stands - there is nothing in the realm of physics that dictates the R1S, which has similar physical characteristics to many other comparable vehicles with quality rides, cannot have a quality ride.

If you can't understand that statement then I can't help you.

As for people making assumptions - neither you nor I are responsible for that. Your position is no less an assumption than mine, so what's the point of your posts? Any reasonable and rational human should look at any words on a forum and take them with their preferred size of salt grain.

Done with this conversation now. My point was made and, I'm assuming, was understood by most people here.

I’m not done, lol. That’s a clearly false statement. If you can’t understand that the physical differences in wheelbase between the two absolutely impact how physics impacts the ride and handling experience I can’t help you either, but I can try to help others who might read your post and think somehow physical differences in the two models are definitively solvable by software tuning alone.

 

[rraj2k81]

Professional reviewers (Car and Driver, Road and Track, YouTubers) are really bashing the R1S ride quality compared to R1T. For the everyday driver is it really that much worse?

The only way 'you' will be able to answer this question is to test drive both. Everything else will be anecdotal and will not apply to you.

 

[Inkedsphynx]

I’m not done, lol. That’s a clearly false statement. If you can’t understand that the physical differences in wheelbase between the two absolutely impact how physics impacts the ride and handling experience I can’t help you either, but I can try to help others who might read your post and think somehow physical differences in the two models are definitively solvable by software tuning alone.

Fine. I'll bite.

I've, multiple times, clearly demonstrated that I understand there are physical differences between the two vehicles and the EFFECTS of physics on them will be different. Your reading comprehension is absolute garbage if you still think I don't get that.

As far as software adjusting things - I've got personal anecdotal evidence from 3 separate vehicles all with air suspension and OTAs indicating their ride quality has improved over time, INCLUDING a Rivian sitting in my garage right now.

The complaints about ride quality are typically raised in one of two areas:

Porpoising over bumps - this is 110% an air suspension software issue. Tuning the compressor to react differently will absolutely have an impact on that. How do I know this? Because my R1T rides far better over bumps now after 7 months of OTAs versus when I got it.

Squirrely-ness under hard accelleration - Also something that can absolutely be helped via software. Tuning the compressor to prioritize a slight fill to a wheel which is dipping under accelleration absolutely changes the handling characteristics. Adjusting the roll control fluid dynamics calculations will absolutely help side-to-side motion in multiple conditions.

What part of the driving dynamics of an R1S do you think CAN'T be adjusted by software in this specific vehicle?

At the end of the day, as I said in my last post, you don't KNOW your position is right any more than mine. The difference here is that I can provide evidence supporting my position. Where's yours?

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Ladies please, you're both pretty.

 

[astonius]

At the end of the day, as I said in my last post, you don't KNOW your position is right any more than mine. The difference here is that I can provide evidence supporting my position. Where's yours?

The current state of the R1S ride quality as reported by numerous reviews and owners like @SoCalTravels.

 

[Inkedsphynx]

The current state of the R1S ride quality as reported by numerous reviews and owners like @SoCalTravels.

That is evidence of the current state of things. What bearing does that have on the future state? You're indicating that you don't believe software can address anything in there. This is not evidence of that position.

And after you come at me over my comprehension and use of language. Come on Trolldor, try harder.

 

[astonius]

That is evidence of the current state of things. What bearing does that have on the future state? You're indicating that you don't believe software can address anything in there. This is not evidence of that position.

And after you come at me over my comprehension and use of language. Come on Trolldor, try harder.

It's evidence despite testing and producing R1S for a while they still haven't fully addressed this problem, even after a software update which was explicitly intended to address it. Maybe it can't be addressed, which was my entire point. I guess we both have some reading comprehension to brush up on.

 

[Inkedsphynx]

It's evidence despite testing and producing R1S for a while they still haven't fully addressed this problem, even after a software update which was explicitly intended to address it. Maybe it can't be addressed, which was my entire point. I guess we both have some reading comprehension to brush up on.

Maybe it can't, maybe it can. Again - current state is not necessarily a valid predictor of future state. Your assertion indicates within it that Rivian is aware of the issue and actively working to improve it. I guess that's not good enough for you because the first update they made didn't resolve the issues to your satisfaction, but that's irrelevant wrt whether Rivian is still working on the issue or not.

You can argue all you want that you don't have faith that Rivian's fixes will help, but that's altogether different from saying they can't have any impact on ride quality via software updates and can't potentially 'resolve' the issue.

So again, we're both spouting our own personal opinions, which can be right or wrong. The only differentiator is that I can provide (though admittedly anecdotal) evidence to back up my assertions. So far you've still yet to produce ANYTHING to back up the position that software CANNOT improve upon or resolve the current existing issues.

 

[SoCalTravels]

What are you comparing it to? Did it get any better after the last update?

I’m hoping that the R1S will be at least as good as our LR3 so these reports of poor ride quality concern me.

For people who are comparing to the R1T, I can see how the shorter wheelbase of the R1S will feel worse. On the other hand, for those of us used to something closer to the R1S already, it may be comparable. I need to schedule a First Mile drive in an SUV…

we only had the R1S for 3 days before getting the most recent update. So can’t comment on how much it really improved.

our comparison is what we are used to driving before getting the R1S. Lexus RX, Highlander, and F150. All “ride” substantially better and are more comfortable for passengers.

I must enforce I’m only commenting on the ride itself. The handling, acceleration, and breaking are great. It’s just the ride feeling every bump, rattle, and rut in the road and how it vibrates into the vehicle that is terrible.

 

[astonius]

Maybe it can't, maybe it can. Again - current state is not necessarily a valid predictor of future state. Your assertion indicates within it that Rivian is aware of the issue and actively working to improve it. I guess that's not good enough for you because the first update they made didn't resolve the issues to your satisfaction, but that's irrelevant wrt whether Rivian is still working on the issue or not.

You can argue all you want that you don't have faith that Rivian's fixes will help, but that's altogether different from saying they can't have any impact on ride quality via software updates and can't potentially 'resolve' the issue.

So again, we're both spouting our own personal opinions, which can be right or wrong. The only differentiator is that I can provide (though admittedly anecdotal) evidence to back up my assertions. So far you've still yet to produce ANYTHING to back up the position that software CANNOT improve upon or resolve the current existing issues.

Well now you're just mind-reading my position. I've never said I don't have faith that Rivian can fix it. I simply pointed out there are physical differences between the two models causing ride quality concerns that may (key word here!) not be addressable by software.

Contrast this with your own words in the post that kicked off this bizarre back-and-forth: "it's all down to software tuning over time." Pretty definitive statement, and one I hope is true, but not necessarily due to the differences in the effects of physics on the two models. OTA-tunable air shocks and active dampers aren't magic bullets. They have physical (there's that word again...) limitations themselves.

 

[COdogman]

To each their own, but I would not be worried at all if I were buying an S instead of a T. I say that with confidence because all the hardware is there to dial in the ride quality over time. With very capable software updates and an air suspension, they can do so much to change the dynamics on and off road. It may not be exactly where you want it at delivery, but I would be confident it will get there.

 

[SoCal Rob]

we only had the R1S for 3 days before getting the most recent update. So can’t comment on how much it really improved.

our comparison is what we are used to driving before getting the R1S. Lexus RX, Highlander, and F150. All “ride” substantially better and are more comfortable for passengers.

I must enforce I’m only commenting on the ride itself. The handling, acceleration, and breaking are great. It’s just the ride feeling every bump, rattle, and rut in the road and how it vibrates into the vehicle that is terrible.

Thanks! That’s helpful and we’re talking about the same thing: ride comfort. Sorry, I tend to just use ride which isn’t always clear. Our tired LR3 has better handling and much better ride comfort than we should expect given the lack of sophistication compared to an R1S and that it has almost 245,000 miles on it. We can ride on washboard roads in comfort at a decent clip. It’s been well-maintained but I’m sure it was better when it was new.

I hope that software updates can tweak the valving/stiffness on the R1S suspension. I don’t even know if I’m using the right language since it doesn’t have individual shock absorbers (dampers) the way most other cars do and I don’t know if valving can be adjusted on each wheel individually or if they all get adjusted but match. I think that if our LR3, with an even shorter wheelbase, is comfortable and not prone to porpoising or harshness then it should be possible to modify how the existing R1S suspension reacts to achieve the same end result.

Still, I need to schedule a drive in an SUV to see how far apart the R1S reality is from our expectations.

 

[Inkedsphynx]

Thanks! That’s helpful and we’re talking about the same thing: ride comfort. Sorry, I tend to just use ride which isn’t always clear. Our tired LR3 has better handling and much better ride comfort than we should expect given the lack of sophistication compared to an R1S and that it has almost 245,000 miles on it. We can ride on washboard roads in comfort at a decent clip. It’s been well-maintained but I’m sure it was better when it was new.

I hope that software updates can tweak the valving/stiffness on the R1S suspension. I don’t even know if I’m using the right language since it doesn’t have individual shock absorbers (dampers) the way most other cars do and I don’t know if valving can be adjusted on each wheel individually or if they all get adjusted but match. I think that if our LR3, with an even shorter wheelbase, is comfortable and not prone to porpoising or harshness then it should be possible to modify how the existing R1S suspension reacts to achieve the same end result.

Still, I need to schedule a drive in an SUV to see how far apart the R1S reality is from our expectations.

They should all be individually adjustable. If not, leveling wouldn't work, since that can require all 4 to be inflated to different pressures.

 

[SDH]

My answer would be: "go test ride one and make your own mind up. If you like it, who cares what anyone else says."

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