Cost of ownership, parts, and right to repair

[HotPocket]

Hey folks- This absolutely does not address the very valid concerns brought up in this thread but it seems like they are starting to making things a smidge easier. I just got free access to their business/partner portal with all of their parts. It did required that I had an EIN/Tax ID (which luckily I did from some old side hustle). Once I emailed that, and some basic contact, DBA info, etc, to [email protected] I was given access in less than 24 hours. The parts are still expensive, but now I have quick access to the full catalog.

The service manual is another matter- they do want $2,500 for a year's access but I think it also includes an online training course and how-to vids. For $5,500 you get the manual plus their special diagnostic tool. Obviously these aren't appealing prices to a garage mechanic, like me, but this is slightly more accessible than the rumors of $100k-$200k for access that I'd previously heard from mechanics who turned me and my (slightly) marred Rivian R1S away. I still think a hand full of us should chip in together on the manual. Get 5 or 10 of us and it'd be worth it. Anyone with me?

My situation is slightly different because I bought a totaled Rivian for (relatively) very little as a fix-up project. I've been having fun and learning a lot. Lots of cheaper parts on eBay. Starting with the reality that you're completely on your own, and not depending on it as your main car, is a very different situation. Obviously there are ZERO youtube videos or help forums where anyone has done any actual work but that was to be expected.

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[iansriv]

Hey folks- This absolutely does not address the very valid concerns brought up in this thread but it seems like they are starting to making things a smidge easier. I just got free access to their business/partner portal with all of their parts. It did required that I had an EIN/Tax ID (which luckily I did from some old side hustle). Once I emailed that, and some basic contact, DBA info, etc, to [email protected] I was given access in less than 24 hours. The parts are still expensive, but now I have quick access to the full catalog.

The service manual is another matter- they do want $2,500 for a year's access but I think it also includes an online training course and how-to vids. For $5,500 you get the manual plus their special diagnostic tool. Obviously these aren't appealing prices to a garage mechanic, like me, but this is slightly more accessible than the rumors of $100k-$200k for access that I'd previously heard from mechanics who turned me and my (slightly) marred Rivian R1S away. I still think a hand full of us should chip in together on the manual. Get 5 or 10 of us and it'd be worth it. Anyone with me?

My situation is slightly different because I bought a totaled Rivian for (relatively) very little as a fix-up project. I've been having fun and learning a lot. Lots of cheaper parts on eBay. Starting with the reality that you're completely on your own, and not depending on it as your main car, is a very different situation. Obviously there are ZERO youtube videos or help forums where anyone has done any actual work but that was to be expected.

You should start a Utub (j/k) channel of your adventure.

 

[Riviot]

they do want $2,500 for a year's access but I think it also includes an online training course and how-to vids

I'll be that guy

Once someone has access, assuming it isn't an easy PDF you can download and save, can't you just screenshot page by page? Screen record the videos? Etc.

I still think a hand full of us should chip in together on the manual. Get 5 or 10 of us and it'd be worth it. Anyone with me?

Count me in for a share!

 

[CrazyOne]

The difference with Rivian is you can't even buy most parts unlike almost every other car under $100k. This isn't some one off exotic to be so restrictive. At best they have another year or two to sort this or there will be many people jumping ship to Scout who is promising ability to self repair.

Scout isn't a direct competitor with it's weird 6 seat config. I have considered Scout and ruled it out. Scout will be available in time for our next car replacement.

 

[Schroederhc]

Scout is part of the VW group that poses some problems. They will experience many, if not more, of the same ramp issues that Rivian has had to endure. Lot of unknowns.

 

[defcon888]

I see Rivian being between a rock and a hard place there. They can't maintain exclusive control over service with a mass market vehicle like the R2 if they can't service them effectively. it will become all about getting them serviced quickly, even if they're not the cheapest solution.

I live in California and the state is starting a EV training program to train EV mechanics. I think that will lead to independent shops popping up to repair all EV's. I think ICE shops will also start offering that service......soon?.....no, but eventually.

I can't imagine Rivian not offering an extended warranty as the Gen1's start getting to the end of warranty point.

I see all those commercials for expenteded car insurance that they will pay if there are issues......I wouldn't be surprised in a few years they start adding EV's.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I live in California and the state is starting a EV training program to train EV mechanics. I think that will lead to independent shops popping up to repair all EV's. I think ICE shops will also start offering that service......soon?.....no, but eventually.

I can't imagine Rivian not offering an extended warranty as the Gen1's start getting to the end of warranty point.

I see all those commercials for expenteded car insurance that they will pay if there are issues......I wouldn't be surprised in a few years they start adding EV's.

There are already independent Tesla specialists. Only matter of time (and increasing marketshare) for Rivian to be on the radar of such operators.

As for leak of official parts lists and repair manuals, similar happened to BMW way back (2000s?). And it's been an on-going whack-a-mole battle for BMW; in trying to shut the sites down. Bosch publishes consumer friendly repair manuals for most BMWs. But, Rivian is in a legal battle with Bosch...

 

[CrazyOne]

I live in California and the state is starting a EV training program to train EV mechanics. I think that will lead to independent shops popping up to repair all EV's. I think ICE shops will also start offering that service......soon?.....no, but eventually.

I can't imagine Rivian not offering an extended warranty as the Gen1's start getting to the end of warranty point.

I see all those commercials for expenteded car insurance that they will pay if there are issues......I wouldn't be surprised in a few years they start adding EV's.

While we need that, almost all of the unscheduled maintenance on my cars - EV or not wasn't with powertrain. It was always the non powertrain components, thankfully. It's a huge step if we can address everything except battery and motors. Batteries are pretty much unserviceable now. I hope that changes to smaller battery modules that can be replaced independently.

 

[Electrified Outdoors]

It’s a legit concern but not unique to Rivian IMO.

What is unique to Rivian is the kinetic ride control and the lack of 3rd party repair options. But seriously, though even with something like the Silverado EV, which I just leased one by the way repairing that requires a lot of specialized skills, equipment, and software.

I really would like Rivian to provide access to such tools so that when these vehicles do come out of warranty, there will be third-party options. The service situation I fear will get worse before it gets better, especially when R2 comes.

None of these vehicles is going to be what I would consider cheap to repair. If Juan is planning to keep the vehicles for a long time extended warranties might be a good idea. Just make sure you select the company with a good reputation for paying on claims otherwise Look for the simplest models. For example, the Silverado EV comes in a work truck version that has standard suspension 18 inch wheels and tires, etc..

Things may change for me as I grow older, but for right now I don’t keep my vehicles for a really long time and while that is the costly way to go it saves a lot of headache worrying about unexpected large repair bills.

 

[kong]

Aside from the RTR discussion, I remember reading that Rivians were reportedly designed without much consideration for bodywork repairs. As a result, even minor bodywork might require replacing larger sections, like entire side panels, rather than say quarter-panels. I’m not sure if that was accurate or just misinformation, but if true, it could be a real concern, as it might lead to significantly higher insurance premiums.

 

[bfilippo]

While I agree this needs to be addressed and I will consider trading in before warranty ends if nothing changes, I have very serious doubts about Scout shaking out that way with transparent ability to self repair for consumers. The legal nerd in me sees way too many risk factors for VW to ever actually commit to that when they finally come out over 2 years from now. I could be wrong, but I’ll be incredibly surprised.

 

[Riviot]

I can't imagine Rivian not offering an extended warranty as the Gen1's start getting to the end of warranty point.

There's a cohort of us rolling passed 60k and none have been offered extended warranty. See reasons above.

Perhaps with the R2 designed around repairability...

 

[emoore]

I do hope to keep my Rivian for 10+ years but not if I have to dump a bunch of money into. A Rivian extended warranty would be nice. I also don't think Scout will be offering all the stuff they say they will. The OOS video reminded me of all the Rivian talk when they were 2 years before production. Quite a few things that Rivian wanted to include never made it to production. You can tell that there are a lot of former Rivian employees working for Scout.

 

[Rivianero]

Get 5 or 10 of us and it'd be worth it. Anyone with me?

My situation is slightly different because I bought a totaled Rivian for (relatively) very little as a fix-up project. I've been having fun and learning a lot.

I'm in quite the same situation. Rebuilt from salvage and no warranty but still a bargain.

I don't have any more repairs to make, but would definitely chip in for access to service manuals, diagnostics, parts and OEM tools

Don't want to run afoul of Rivian's rules, but feel a bit held hostage in that there is only one (slow and expensive) source of service for the vehicle I own. Falls into "right to repair" territory that Rivian has stated they support but actually moved to restrict both in policy and legislation.

 

[JeromePowell]

It’s a legit concern but not unique to Rivian IMO.

What is unique to Rivian is the kinetic ride control and the lack of 3rd party repair options. But seriously, though even with something like the Silverado EV, which I just leased one by the way repairing that requires a lot of specialized skills, equipment, and software.

I really would like Rivian to provide access to such tools so that when these vehicles do come out of warranty, there will be third-party options. The service situation I fear will get worse before it gets better, especially when R2 comes.

None of these vehicles is going to be what I would consider cheap to repair. If Juan is planning to keep the vehicles for a long time extended warranties might be a good idea. Just make sure you select the company with a good reputation for paying on claims otherwise Look for the simplest models. For example, the Silverado EV comes in a work truck version that has standard suspension 18 inch wheels and tires, etc..

Things may change for me as I grow older, but for right now I don’t keep my vehicles for a really long time and while that is the costly way to go it saves a lot of headache worrying about unexpected large repair bills.

Good point regarding the Silverado EV WT which also includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto unlike the Silverado EV RST and LT trims. I really like the WT4 after driving it back-to-back against the RST; I did not miss the rear steer and not sure how much I would actually use the mid-gate though it is a great feature (should definitely be available on WT trims).

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