Body shop repairs -- use Rivian repair center 300 miles away or local body shop?

[Fclmd]

My R1S needs body work including paint, antenna, rear header and roof glass.
?
I am looking for opinions from the Rivian universe: Rivian repair center 300 miles away or local body shop?

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[MidnightRivian]

Certified Rivian collision center

https://rivian.com/support/article/certified-collision-centers

 

[FrankieJ]

My R1S needs body work including paint, antenna, rear header and roof glass.
?
I am looking for opinions from the Rivian universe: Rivian repair center 300 miles away or local body shop?

I went to a Rivian Certified repair shop in Houston recently for an estimate on what I considered a minor dent in the left side of the R1T including replacing the left tail light. I received an estimate of $5,500. I thought that was outrageous so I took it to a local shop that has been doing work for me for quite a while. I found a replacement tail light on EBay for $270 (looked brand new). With the $270 tail light the total cost of the repair was $970, including a $50 tip. The finished product looked good as new with a perfect paint match. Be aware, however, that Rivian may not sell parts to a Non-Certified shop. There are guys on EBay that have been buying parts from wrecked vehicles and selling them at very reasonable prices. The cost of a new tail light from Rivian is over $700. Unless somebody else is responsible for damage I would stay away from Certified shops. Even then it just feels like getting a tune-up at a Range Rover dealership.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

Certified Rivian collision center

https://rivian.com/support/article/certified-collision-centers

This. Non certified repair shop could cause warranty issues.

 

[AYAYRON]

I went to a Rivian Certified repair shop in Houston recently for an estimate on what I considered a minor dent in the left side of the R1T including replacing the left tail light. I received an estimate of $5,500. I thought that was outrageous so I took it to a local shop that has been doing work for me for quite a while. I found a replacement tail light on EBay for $270 (looked brand new). With the $270 tail light the total cost of the repair was $970, including a $50 tip. The finished product looked good as new with a perfect paint match. Be aware, however, that Rivian may not sell parts to a Non-Certified shop. There are guys on EBay that have been buying parts from wrecked vehicles and selling them at very reasonable prices. The cost of a new tail light from Rivian is over $700. Unless somebody else is responsible for damage I would stay away from Certified shops. Even then it just feels like getting a tune-up at a Range Rover dealership.

Can I see the dent?


My truck was hit by someone else, so I will be using the Rivian approved shop and it's going to run about $8k he said with his rough estimate, the damage is to the rear drivers side behind the wheel, so she hit the wheel (requires refinish only ) then directly behind, probably a "pop the dent out" and repaint / clear. BUT they do need to replace the wheel well plastic, the bumper, and stuff like that so that will add quite a bit to the price I imagine.

I'm just curious if your dent looks like mine, since I'm not paying they can do the full job, but in the future if it's ever my fault, I'd like to see what your dent looks like to know that I could theoretically use a diff shop and do it much less expensive.

 

[FrankieJ]

Can I see the dent?


My truck was hit by someone else, so I will be using the Rivian approved shop and it's going to run about $8k he said with his rough estimate, the damage is to the rear drivers side behind the wheel, so she hit the wheel (requires refinish only ) then directly behind, probably a "pop the dent out" and repaint / clear. BUT they do need to replace the wheel well plastic, the bumper, and stuff like that so that will add quite a bit to the price I imagine.




I'm just curious if your dent looks like mine, since I'm not paying they can do the full job, but in the future if it's ever my fault, I'd like to see what your dent looks like to know that I could theoretically use a diff shop and do it much less expensive.

Can I see the dent?


My truck was hit by someone else, so I will be using the Rivian approved shop and it's going to run about $8k he said with his rough estimate, the damage is to the rear drivers side behind the wheel, so she hit the wheel (requires refinish only ) then directly behind, probably a "pop the dent out" and repaint / clear. BUT they do need to replace the wheel well plastic, the bumper, and stuff like that so that will add quite a bit to the price I imagine.

I'm just curious if your dent looks like mine, since I'm not paying they can do the full job, but in the future if it's ever my fault, I'd like to see what your dent looks like to know that I could theoretically use a diff shop and do it much less expensive.

The shadow actually makes the dent look a bit bigger than it actually is.

 

[AYAYRON]

The shadow actually makes the dent look a bit bigger than it actually is.

ahh mine's in a different spot, I wonder if they got yours pulled out and didn't need bondo, I hope to god they don't need bondo on mine, it's pretty small of a dent, I think it'll pull out pretty easy

 

[FrankieJ]

ahh mine's in a different spot, I wonder if they got yours pulled out and didn't need bondo, I hope to god they don't need bondo on mine, it's pretty small of a dent, I think it'll pull out pretty easy

They were not able to pull it out completely so they needed to use just a bit of bondo. Not sure why there is such an aversion to a small application of bondo. While somebody else is picking up the tab, a bid of $8K for that damage is outrageous in my opinion. No wonder the insurance is so pricey.

 

[AYAYRON]

They were not able to pull it out completely so they needed to use just a bit of bondo. Not sure why there is such an aversion to a small application of bondo. While somebody else is picking up the tab, a bid of $8K for that damage is outrageous in my opinion. No wonder the insurance is so pricey.

Part of the reason is they’re going to repaint the entire panel back to front, that’s apparently standard now, versus feathering it in. Plus they have to replace several parts that are currently not damaged that will get removed in order to paint the full panel like the top plastic on the bed where the tonneau and tailgate control buttons are, and according to them, it’s a one time use part, when you remove it, the tabs break and cannot be replaced so the entire piece has to be replaced. In my case I think there’s only one of those pieces and rivian isn’t alone in this decision, and to me it makes sense they do this so they endure sales of parts down the road for cases just like this. My friend with his Lexus had the same experience: they used to just be able to replace clips but not anymore and I’m sure they all figured out they make more money selling parts down the line versus clips

 

[Fclmd]

Certified Rivian collision center

https://rivian.com/support/article/certified-collision-centers

“No locations within 200 miles of your zip code.”

 

[Fclmd]

No certified repair shop within 200 miles ?
No local repair shop will work on it.
I’m going to have to drive it 350 miles to the nearest service center and fly home.
… and then figure out how to get it back!

IMHO there at least should be a Rivian service center in each state, and then work toward a certified repair center within 100 miles of every major metropolitan area

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