I picked up my replacement R2 Performance Launch Edition on Friday, about a month after Rivian offered to swap my original R2 so its engineering team could figure out why the AC compressor kept failing.
The new one is still Launch Green, but this time it has the Coastal Cloud interior and 21″ all-season wheels, which is the combo I wanted when I first ordered. Coastal Cloud wasn’t available when my original was built, so I asked during the swap, and Rivian said yes since the $2,000 interior costs the same as the 20″ All-Terrain wheels I had before.
It was built in October and lands almost 10,000 VINs after my original, so it ships with cushion-only seat ventilation. The backrest fan is gone, and on a hot Florida afternoon my back noticed.
My original R2 lasted two months and 6,000 miles. Its AC compressor failed in South Florida, then failed again when I brought it in for a suspension squeak, and that’s when Rivian corporate called about swapping the car and sending it to Palo Alto for engineering to take apart.
Everyone who helped along the way was great, but there were long stretches with no updates, including about a week where the new car sat in Orlando and nobody could tell me when it’d be ready. Overcommunication isn’t a bad thing, and I’d rather hear bad news than nothing at all.
The AC on the new one has been great so far. Rivian told me it’ll let me know what engineering finds, and I’ll share more with you all as soon as I hear back.
The AC systems used in the Rivian are interesting. I had problems with the multi-value actuator that controls if cooling goes to battery or cabin. The cooling prior to replacement of the multi-valve was cool but not chilling. Once the valve was replaced and the vehicle returned, the cooling ability is significantly better and even too cold at times. Keep in mind that I’m also in the extreme south west and AC is mandatory.
I’m waiting on my R2 to get a new pack after a critical battery issue after only a little over 700 miles. Hope they work out all these issues.
Do you not have the back seat cooler anymore? Just the bottom?