Kanundrum's R1S Build Thread (7 Months Going)

[SANZC02]

Happy 6 Months of Ownership! Boy does time fly when you are having Fun!As a Former Mechanical Engineer for Land Rover North America I am still amazed at the quality and work they put fourth in making the mechanics and dynamics of this vehicle. Here are some highlights as well as ownership points.

• Vehicle has not had any major issues (VIN 391)
• Small service tickets and recalls have been handled via Remote Team in my Driveway
• Paint issues still exists and I will most likely opt to not fix them (drips in unnoticeable places)
• Still perplexed at the failure of Property Management Decisions on the lack of a DC Metro Service Center (they had a LOT of chances and still got it wrong and left in limbo until the summer to which they will outgrow their planned SC almost immediately)
• Phone as a Key as worked Flawlessly on Pixel 6 Pro & Iphone 12
• 1 Charging issue at home where a hard Reset and a Sleep cycle fixed the issue
• No DCFC charging issues (thought I rarely use it).
• Community has been amazing and I try to contribute as much as I can!
• Can talk for hours on the quality of suspension they have put together as well as the rest of the vehicle.

@Administrator feel free to make a post though I dont think its needed!

Thanks for the update.

Have to say your pictures are always incredible.

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[NineElectrics]

• Vehicle has not had any major issues (VIN 391)
• Small service tickets and recalls have been handled via Remote Team in my Driveway

Hey, did they fix those 10% of your panels with fitment issues? How about the squeak?

 

[kanundrum]

Hey, did they fix those 10% of your panels with fitment issues? How about the squeak?

Most of them were paint issues so I left it alone, the squeak was fixed 2 days post delivery in record timing haha. The ones that were gaps were plastic and they did minor adjustments in my driveway to handle it

 

[kanundrum]

Forgot to mention 4500 miles

Happy 6 Months of Ownership! Boy does time fly when you are having Fun!As a Former Mechanical Engineer for Land Rover North America I am still amazed at the quality and work they put fourth in making the mechanics and dynamics of this vehicle. Here are some highlights as well as ownership points.

• Vehicle has not had any major issues (VIN 391)
• Small service tickets and recalls have been handled via Remote Team in my Driveway
• Paint issues still exists and I will most likely opt to not fix them (drips in unnoticeable places)
• Still perplexed at the failure of Property Management Decisions on the lack of a DC Metro Service Center (they had a LOT of chances and still got it wrong and left in limbo until the summer to which they will outgrow their planned SC almost immediately)
• Phone as a Key as worked Flawlessly on Pixel 6 Pro & Iphone 12
• 1 Charging issue at home where a hard Reset and a Sleep cycle fixed the issue
• No DCFC charging issues (thought I rarely use it).
• Community has been amazing and I try to contribute as much as I can!
• Can talk for hours on the quality of suspension they have put together as well as the rest of the vehicle.

@Administrator feel free to make a post though I dont think its needed!

 

[kanundrum]

@opnwide ended up doing a hyperblack which is a metallic reflective black called piano black from dip your car. It will do for now I'll see how I like it for a few weeks and then debate powder coating!

 

[VHRivian]

I think that's about as good as you can make pastidip look - very well done on the application. I have done a few sets of wheels using the same method and even thought it's a ton of work it seems to get the best result.

Go with the gloss (piano) black powder coating - it's absolute hell to keep clean, but WOW it's amazing when it is.

 

[opnwide]

@opnwide ended up doing a hyperblack which is a metallic reflective black called piano black from dip your car. It will do for now I'll see how I like it for a few weeks and then debate powder coating!

Cool sheen on those! I like. Post some pics mounted!

 

[kanundrum]

 

[kanundrum]

Center caps come apart successfully, just need trim pry tools but it's mega easy (don't worry about Rivian insert clips they'll break) but main cap clips stay in tact and provide tension for the insert.

 

[LordUlhtred]

A lot more to come with my build.

Information:

• Ordered 5/1/19
• Guide: 8/26/22
• Steps 7/8 Completed 8/29/22
• Delivered 9/19/2022
• GW R1S, BM, 22's Under body Shield, Launch Edition
• Delivered with 2x Keycards, 1x physical Key, and Wrist Band

Delivery Day: Home Delivery (Delivered with 14 miles)

Funny the VIN States 20's but I have 22's.

Review/Initial Impressions:

Build Quality: So I have driven a variety of vehicles and I basically forgot how the R1T Drove from my mobile drive in April but as expected yes this thing is a beast/unreal. Getting inside feels like you are stepping into a business class seat on a Boeing with your own TV/LED Display for your viewing pleasure. The seats are comfy, the materials are nice to the tough and everything is setup very well. It feels almost UNREAL that this is a vehicle from a company who really just started making vehicles 6/7 months ago. 90% Of the panels were Fitted great while there are a few fitment gaps but almost nothing I'd complain about. The build process does how ever come with some minor issues which I will list below.


Suspension/Handling:

So the great news is this vehicle drives and turns like it has no business doing as we all know. It accelerates blistering fast and turns amazingly well with some great feedback on sport mode.

The odd news is depending on the road type I can't see to fine something comfy for all road driving, around here we have some crazy dips so in soft mode the vehicle has some crazy compression and rebound (bouncy as hell) in stiff mode its very firm almost to a point where its mega stiff like a sports car. I hope another mode is coming soon for a good all purpose sweet spot where compression and rebound are fine tuned (should be easy based on all the work they have done).

The height is still also a factor even in lowest ride height it still goes about 21+ inches for ingress and hits my knees and a little bit higher for my wife. she does like how its easy to get out tho so that is a bonus I guess.


The Drive:

Despite these issues if you find your self a smooth pavement around the area its pretty amazing, I got use to regen almost immediately having another BEV but I wish coming to a stop was a bit smoother as sometimes I didn't get timing right and basically the car thru regen comes to an aggressive stop. Just have to get use to it but again would love an option to tone down % of regen or levels of Regen all together.

Final Thoughts:

The R1S SUV is simply amazing for what you get even at a higher price point for you post March 1st orders. We could not be more happier with all the features and all the amazing storage/frunk space you get. We Love the vehicle and simple was a great experience from start to finish getting it delivered.



Issues:
The Chillewich mats were cut out wrong, not sure how this passed haha, they were cut using the wrong template inversely.

Massive Squeaking from Passengers Seat:

I saw white R1S yesterday at Rockville, MD around 1 pm. Right beside Taipei Cafe. Was that yours by any chance? Wife and kids were all excited to see their first R1S up close.

 

[kanundrum]

I saw white R1S yesterday at Rockville, MD around 1 pm. Right beside Taipei Cafe. Was that yours by any chance? Wife and kids were all excited to see their first R1S up close.

Not me!

 

[kanundrum]

 

[kanundrum]

Mounting next week along with running boards I hope!

 

[jclicky]

Happy 6 Months of Ownership! Boy does time fly when you are having Fun!As a Former Mechanical Engineer for Land Rover North America I am still amazed at the quality and work they put fourth in making the mechanics and dynamics of this vehicle. Here are some highlights as well as ownership points.

• Vehicle has not had any major issues (VIN 391)
• Small service tickets and recalls have been handled via Remote Team in my Driveway
• Paint issues still exists and I will most likely opt to not fix them (drips in unnoticeable places)
• Still perplexed at the failure of Property Management Decisions on the lack of a DC Metro Service Center (they had a LOT of chances and still got it wrong and left in limbo until the summer to which they will outgrow their planned SC almost immediately)
• Phone as a Key as worked Flawlessly on Pixel 6 Pro & Iphone 12
• 1 Charging issue at home where a hard Reset and a Sleep cycle fixed the issue
• No DCFC charging issues (thought I rarely use it).
• Community has been amazing and I try to contribute as much as I can!
• Can talk for hours on the quality of suspension they have put together as well as the rest of the vehicle.

@Administrator feel free to make a post though I dont think its needed!

Any updates on ride quality? I know you’ve posted about that before but can you unpack what you meant by “Can talk for hours on the quality of suspension they have put together”?

I’m worried that R1S suspension performance would be disappointing.

I feel like, after news that the R1S will indeed have a “max pack” puts me back into the position of speculating madly about whether or not the R1S suspension & ride quality would be sufficient for my planned long road-trips, commuting over potholes vs. the superior ride quality of the R1T.

Before, if the T was the only one with a max pack, the question was moot.

What types of improvements has Rivian made to the R1S ride since you first purchased?

 

[kanundrum]

Any updates on ride quality? I know you’ve posted about that before but can you unpack what you meant by “Can talk for hours on the quality of suspension they have put together”?

I’m worried that R1S suspension performance would be disappointing.

I feel like, after news that the R1S will indeed have a “max pack” puts me back into the position of speculating madly about whether or not the R1S suspension & ride quality would be sufficient for my planned long road-trips, commuting over potholes vs. the superior ride quality of the R1T.

Before, if the T was the only one with a max pack, the question was moot.

What types of improvements has Rivian made to the R1S ride since you first purchased?

From a complexity functionality perspective the hardware is beautifully designed and over engineer for longevity as well as abuse (not Baja1000 levels everyday) but way more so than any average consumer would use. My only complaint is their rates of compression and rebounds need to be look into/adjusted as I think its still a little harsh and could get software but likewise the sport mode is a now a little soft and could go back to Rev 1 a bit stiffer.

From there I think their bushings are probably part of their design and made of Polyurethane or well they feel like they are with the NVH they produce. Polyurethane is meant for performance but sacrifices NVH. If they are in fact made from rubber than there are other factors that are contributing to suspension NVH to which I have not really looked into.


Thats just off the top of my head.

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