March Build R1S California Dune Edition - My Review (former Model S owner)

[atR1S]

Saw a dune R1S in person last week. I really liked the color and interior. Reminded me of Porsche’s chalk color

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[mkhuffman]

I want the rims on your truck. Hopefully they will become available to buy. The 22 Darks on mine are great, but yours are so awesome.

The only thing is I don't want AT tires. Range is really important to me. So there needs to be an equivalent 20" low rolling resistance AS before I could do it. I have not seen anything worthwhile yet.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

The drive is great, even with the AT tires. If you're coming over from another car like a Model S/3/Y, reset your expectations in terms of overall feel of the drive.

Absolutely. I have seen so many former Tesla owners complain about how their R1 doesn't drive like S/3/Y, without any prior experience with large vehicles AND ATs. Surprising how many lack basic knowledge about tires and vehicle dynamics... especially when such knowledge is just a few clicks away. 20+ years ago, one would have to wade through weeks and months of UBB 1.0 bickering just arrive at basic facts.

• Air suspension... noise is a big miss

Must be a gen 2 thing. I almost never notice it in my gen 1.

• streaming audio volume is up and then down after what seems to be every song.

Disable sound check? Vaguely recall some gen 2 owners recommending that to one another.

 

[R1SCD]

Must be a gen 2 thing. I almost never notice it in my gen 1.

It's possible I have an air leak that causes the unit to turn on often.

Disable sound check? Vaguely recall some gen 2 owners recommending that to one another.

Thanks. Don't know what that is but I'll look for it.

 

[R1SCD]

I want the rims on your truck. Hopefully they will become available to buy. The 22 Darks on mine are great, but yours are so awesome.

The only thing is I don't want AT tires. Range is really important to me. So there needs to be an equivalent 20" low rolling resistance AS before I could do it. I have not seen anything worthwhile yet.

I hope so, too. Might be likely, though, otherwise that would suck for California Dune buyers who don't have an option to buy a spare or new set.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

I want the rims on your truck. Hopefully they will become available to buy. The 22 Darks on mine are great, but yours are so awesome.

The only thing is I don't want AT tires. Range is really important to me. So there needs to be an equivalent 20" low rolling resistance AS before I could do it. I have not seen anything worthwhile yet.

Probably easier/faster to custom order look-alikes from Atomic Wheels

 

[Shnork]

Beautiful enjoy your ride.

 

[edwjmcgrath]

I hope so, too. Might be likely, though, otherwise that would suck for California Dune buyers who don't have an option to buy a spare or new set.

The dune tires aren't really true AT even though they say that. The tread pattern is kind of half way between AT and AS. The knobs on the sidewall make them look more aggressive than they really are. I think they are surprisingly quiet.

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Congrats! Looks great. Applaud you reading through the forums to set your expectations. Am always surprised when people buy a vehicle (not just Rivian) without doing any research, first.

 

[Taco Corp]

Recently took delivery of my R1S Tri Max California Dune. Loving it so far. Its my first Rivian and SUV and I'm really enjoying the ride height. I find myself driving much slower in the R1S then I did with my Model S, perhaps just taking in more of the scenery.

Initial impressions:

• Love the interior. The sandstone/black two tone is right on the money. Everything looks and feels very well put together and premium.
• I'm excited about the new durable flooring material in the California Dune (vs carpet) and the Chilewich Mats look great.
  • The only draw back so far is that the two anchor points for the mats aren't enough. The mats tend to slide inwards (bunch up) from top corner if you drag your feet. Not idea. They need a third anchor point at the top. I may be able to solve this with stiffer all weather floor mats.
• The drive is great, even with the AT tires. If you're coming over from another car like a Model S/3/Y, reset your expectations in terms of overall feel of the drive.
• The software is good, although a bit less responsive at times comapred to the MS.
• The Rivian Autonomy Platform+ self driving is okay and limited, but excited for what's to come
• Had no issue with build quality, exterior panel gaps, or paint (although a bit hard to see with the Dune color)
• Air suspension and heat pump noise is a big miss... Rivian should've done something to deflect the sound before entering the cabin (never heard either in the MS)
• Audio, needs work... FM stations barely work, streaming audio volume is up and then down after what seems to be every song.

Overall, no big suprises for me on the things that need improvement. I spent some time reading through this forum which has prepared me well (thank you).

Most of all, I can't wait to take this thing off road and go explore on new adventures. That's what makes this Rivian even better. It's like having three vehicles in one: 1) a confortable/luxurious ride for daily commute and errands, 2) an exceptional and fully capable off-roading vehicle, and 3) super car fast drag strip type fun with 0-60 in 2.9 seconds.

I've test drove many different types of cars/SUVs/trucks before leaping in to Rivian, and in my opinion there's no other manufacturer that comes even close to whatt you get with Rivian.

What kind of noise are you getting from the suspension? Mine wasn't fully put together so every time it adjusted down it sounded like I had 50 cats in the back hissing it me in unison. SC discovered the exhaust hose not connected to the baffle. Now it runs silent.

 

[R1SCD]

What kind of noise are you getting from the suspension? Mine wasn't fully put together so every time it adjusted down it sounded like I had 50 cats in the back hissing it me in unison. SC discovered the exhaust hose not connected to the baffle. Now it runs silent.

I do get hissing sounds which I can hear from the 2nd row seats just before the air inflation starts. I'll have the SC check it out soon. Thanks.

 

[Angel2DaMax]

Recently took delivery of my R1S Tri Max California Dune. Loving it so far. Its my first Rivian and SUV and I'm really enjoying the ride height. I find myself driving much slower in the R1S then I did with my Model S, perhaps just taking in more of the scenery.

Initial impressions:

• Love the interior. The sandstone/black two tone is right on the money. Everything looks and feels very well put together and premium.
• I'm excited about the new durable flooring material in the California Dune (vs carpet) and the Chilewich Mats look great.
  • The only draw back so far is that the two anchor points for the mats aren't enough. The mats tend to slide inwards (bunch up) from top corner if you drag your feet. Not idea. They need a third anchor point at the top. I may be able to solve this with stiffer all weather floor mats.
• The drive is great, even with the AT tires. If you're coming over from another car like a Model S/3/Y, reset your expectations in terms of overall feel of the drive.
• The software is good, although a bit less responsive at times comapred to the MS.
• The Rivian Autonomy Platform+ self driving is okay and limited, but excited for what's to come
• Had no issue with build quality, exterior panel gaps, or paint (although a bit hard to see with the Dune color)
• Air suspension and heat pump noise is a big miss... Rivian should've done something to deflect the sound before entering the cabin (never heard either in the MS)
• Audio, needs work... FM stations barely work, streaming audio volume is up and then down after what seems to be every song.

Overall, no big suprises for me on the things that need improvement. I spent some time reading through this forum which has prepared me well (thank you).

Most of all, I can't wait to take this thing off road and go explore on new adventures. That's what makes this Rivian even better. It's like having three vehicles in one: 1) a confortable/luxurious ride for daily commute and errands, 2) an exceptional and fully capable off-roading vehicle, and 3) super car fast drag strip type fun with 0-60 in 2.9 seconds.

I've test drove many different types of cars/SUVs/trucks before leaping in to Rivian, and in my opinion there's no other manufacturer that comes even close to whatt you get with Rivian.

Congratulations!!!!!

 

[R1SCD]

I have to turn off HD radio because it causes issues. I primarily drive on the fringe of HD service, so it cuts in and out a lot.

It's unfortunate... but turning off HD for FM does work much better. Thanks

 

[siuhen]

Is it true that Rivian will only produce 1,000 copies of the Dune? (500 of R1T and 500 of R1S). For some reason, I doubt about that because I would think these will be sold out quicklier especially the current incentives. But obviously, you can still get these as of 4/14/25

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