25/01/21: Just had latest BMS software. Observations...

[notdodgy]

I was not told as well, so I had to go back home to get it. May be a feedback on dealer, or I will email head office.

My garage never asked for both keys either for comfort or bms updates.

Perhaps it's a precaution in case they need to do a full reset.

Both my keys seem to still work.

 

[Smendon]

Was it colder in the evening?

Yes it was - didn’t think of that -which would make sense why the range was lower.

Still doesn’t explain why the voltage was lower in the evening than the morning though. Always thought that was static, regardless of the weather, when it’s fully charged

 

[JodyS21]

My garage never asked for both keys either for comfort or bms updates.

Perhaps it's a precaution in case they need to do a full reset.

Both my keys seem to still work.

From what I’ve read, it’s something to do with if the key is left in range of the car when they perform the update. It sounds like that can cause a few issues and then that key becomes invalid. Both keys then need reprogramming to the car.
Some people have said also the car sometimes thinks it’s being stolen so that causes key issues & they both then need reprogramming to the car.
Maybe once the service engineers have done a few they’ll know what exactly the issue is and how to avoid it.
But for now, take both keys in case!

 

[Lovemyev]

It’s folk who’s cars that have had the buggy Battery Management System update, and then used them lots that are having the major balancing issues. The more they’re used/recharged having the buggy BMS, the more their batteries will be out of balance and, therefore will take longer to now get “fixed” to a proper fully balanced state.

Although I agree with this, my car maybe the exception !.
My car only received the first small update to allow delayed charging prior to collection on the 6th Jan 20.
The car performed brilliantly.
The first time it entered the dealers, was to have the "Comfort 2" update done on the 19th Oct 2020.
This made the car much easier to live with after all the unnecessary bongs etc was addressed.
Because the "Comfort 2" update was done prior to the 24th Oct 2020 when the problems started with the "Buggy" software problems, my car was NOT affected and the car was fine.
due to C19 restrictions, my car had not received many charging cycles OR covered many miles.
The "Comfort 2" update had only been applied about 6 weeks before going back for the service.
The car returned to the dealership on the 15th Jan 2021 to have it's first service and the HV Fuse Protection update applied.
It also had a recall to re-route / replace the wiring harness in the drivers door.
This is only applicable on the first wave of ZS EV cars.
Somewhere in the work being carried out, the car suspected a theft was in process and closed down the car completely and set off the alarm.
It also reported that the key was not present inside of the car, which it clearly was.
Therefore it was stranded on a ramp in the workshop for three days !.
MG Tech requested the data pack recovered from the car and came to this conclusion.
The key was to close to the car when the work was being carried out and detected the attempted break in.
They needed the spare key from home to get the car to even boot up again.
At this point MG Tech had instructed the dealer to recode BOTH keys and update the car to the latest BMS update that was released on the very same day as the car arrived at the garage strangely enough.
So, although my car was running perfectly before the issue, they applied the latest BMS update regardless.
The problem lies in the two BMS updates and the "Comfort 2" updates that where applied after the 24th Oct 2020 is my understanding.
The newly released BMS update ( 15.01.2021 ) is expected to resolve these issues.
The older "Buggy" updates have now been removed from the MG "SIP'S" System so can not be downloaded by the dealership's anymore.
As long as the dealer follows your instructions and installs the latest BMS update, then you should not have any problems.
But just remember, this new update had not been proven yet by owners.
You MAY need to follow a similar protocol of charging / balancing if the new software is applied.
Your packs may not be much out of alignment, but they may require some balancing needed - maybe ?.
I agree, the longer the "Buggy" software has been applied to the car and charging cycles / mileage has increased by use, the more the pack will be affected surly.

Good luck for next week - Enjoy !.

 

[JodyS21]

Although I agree with this, my car maybe the exception !.
My car only received the first small update to allow delayed charging prior to collection on the 6th Jan 20.
The car performed brilliantly.
The first time it entered the dealers, was to have the "Comfort 2" update done on the 19th Oct 2020.
This made the car much easier to live with after all the unnecessary bongs etc was addressed.
Because the "Comfort 2" update was done prior to the 24th Oct 2020 when the problems started with the "Buggy" software problems, my car was NOT affected and the car was fine.
due to C19 restrictions, my car had not received many charging cycles OR covered many miles.
The "Comfort 2" update had only been applied about 6 weeks before going back for the service.
The car returned to the dealership on the 15th Jan 2021 to have it's first service and the HV Fuse Protection update applied.
It also had a recall to re-route / replace the wiring harness in the drivers door.
This is only applicable on the first wave of ZS EV cars.
Somewhere in the work being carried out, the car suspected a theft was in process and closed down the car completely and set off the alarm.
It also reported that the key was not present inside of the car, which it clearly was.
Therefore it was stranded on a ramp in the workshop for three days !.
MG Tech requested the data pack recovered from the car and came to this conclusion.
The key was to close to the car when the work was being carried out and detected the attempted break in.
They needed the spare key from home to get the car to even boot up again.
At this point MG Tech had instructed the dealer to recode BOTH keys and update the car to the latest BMS update that was released on the very same day as the car arrived at the garage strangely enough.
So, although my car was running perfectly before the issue, they applied the latest BMS update regardless.
The problem lies in the two BMS updates and the "Comfort 2" updates that where applied after the 24th Oct 2020 is my understanding.
The newly released BMS update ( 15.01.2021 ) is expected to resolve these issues.
The older "Buggy" updates have now been removed from the MG "SIP'S" System so can not be downloaded by the dealership's anymore.
As long as the dealer follows your instructions and installs the latest BMS update, then you should not have any problems.
But just remember, this new update had not been proven yet by owners.
You MAY need to follow a similar protocol of charging / balancing if the new software is applied.
Your packs may not be much out of alignment, but they may require some balancing needed - maybe ?.
I agree, the longer the "Buggy" software has been applied to the car and charging cycles / mileage has increased by use, the more the pack will be affected surly.

Good luck for next week - Enjoy !.

I'd have thought that your car (along with comfort pack 2) probably got the 07/2020 (SA015) BMS 2 update installed too on 19th Oct 2020 - this allows the car to AC charge unlocked.
Which means since then you've had the bug in that update - Can cause very long battery cell balancing times. It's not a major problem like the BMS3 range killer update, in fact I imagine you may not have even noticed it - I don't think many people did.

After next week, my car will be doing over 300 miles a week, so will get to see what happens after a lot of charges reasonably quickly.

 

[Lovemyev]

I'd have thought that your car (along with comfort pack 2) probably got the 07/2020 (SA015) BMS 2 update installed too on 19th Oct 2020 - this allows the car to AC charge unlocked.

I guess this is possible of course, but I doubt it to be honest.
Because I could NEVER charge my car when it was unlocked.
I look forward to hearing your feed back on your car.
My car is now on it's second charge / balance process after the latest BMS update.
I am charging from a range of 91 miles on the GOM again strangely enough.
Today, the car is pulling the full 7.1 kw's from the wall box.
Therefore it hit the 100% fully charged in a couple of hours.
Yesterday, it was only asking for 3.8 kw and it took AGES to get to 100%.
I have absolutely NO idea why it did this of course.
Now it still balancing the pack.

 

[WalkingBootWeather]

I had comfort 2 and the October 2020 BMS update installed on 2nd November. Had not used the car or charged much in the following months so had not been as badly affected as some. Had the latest BMS update applied on Wednesday 27th Jan, since when I've done about 200 miles and have completed 3 balancing charges.

The car now charges as soon as plugged in and doesn't stop when unlocked. Previously it only charged when locked.

I haven't really monitored or noticed a significant difference in charge speed but car does appear to be spending several hours balancing each time. This morning once balancing indicator went off I started the car in N mode with HVAC turned off and saw 449V and a range of just 130 miles. I set off and within a few hundred yards the range went up to 162 miles (still in N with no heating). After running around today doing 26.5 miles with heating on the car is now showing 128 miles (when heating turned off, still in N mode).

The car is back on charge because I need to drive around 400 miles and probably take on 4 rapid charges tomorrow. If range isn't back to something close to what it should be I'm going to struggle.

Wish me luck!

 

[Cocijo]

My car has never AC charged unlocked either. From what I’ve read it’s not just the version that’s installed but how it’s been installed - the application. There are a number of packets to these installs I understand - if a technician misses some elements during install/update you may also get these subtle variations.

 

[Cocijo]

I had comfort 2 and the October 2020 BMS update installed on 2nd November. Had not used the car or charged much in the following months so had not been as badly affected as some. Had the latest BMS update applied on Wednesday 27th Jan, since when I've done about 200 miles and have completed 3 balancing charges.

I haven't really monitored or noticed a significant difference in charge speed but car does appear to be spending several hours balancing each time. This morning once balancing indicator went off I started the car in N mode with HVAC turned off and saw 449V and a range of just 130 miles. I set off and within a few hundred yards the range went up to 162 miles (still in N with no heating). After running around today doing 26.5 miles with heating on the car is now showing 128 miles (when heating turned off, still in N mode).

The car is back on charge because I need to drive around 400 miles and probably take on 4 rapid charges tomorrow. If range isn't back to something close to what it should be I'm going to struggle.

Wish me luck!

that range at this time of Year is very good. I don’t get anywhere near 162miles in winter

 

[WalkingBootWeather]

I don’t get anywhere near 162miles in winter

I'm sure I won't either. If I can do 100 miles at motorway speeds for around 80% battery I'm pleased.

 

[JodyS21]

My car has never AC charged unlocked either. From what I’ve read it’s not just the version that’s installed but how it’s been installed - the application. There are a number of packets to these installs I understand - if a technician misses some elements during install/update you may also get these subtle variations.

It is very frustrating the way the system would seem to handle/perform the updates.
From a software management point of view, it is a diabolical implementation and never would be deemed fit for purpose in a real software company.
The fact that they seem to have to manually select each ECU to be updated, then manually select a configuration update for each, is just asking for things to be missed and cause a completely unstable installation.
A decent system, would perform a check afterwards and compare versions/signatures installed against the intended baseline, then you could be sure it's all installed at the correct level.

I guess it's new to them/most car companies, they really need to get some people experienced in this field employed.

 

[Cocijo]

I Agree. I am also a little surprised - SAIC are not exactly just starting out with EV’s.

 

[Lovemyev]

that range at this time of Year is very good. I don’t get anywhere near 162miles in winter

After the update, the dealer did a full charge and balance of the pack inside of the workshop over night, the predicted range on the GOM was 162 miles and 450 volts on the pack.
Almost 10 days later I did my very first charge and balance at home.
The car was parked on the drive and it was -2 degrees.
It was a long and painful process that had taken 11 long hours to complete from a range of 92% on the battery !.
For some very strange reason, the car was only pulling just under 4.0 kw's from a 7.0 kw wall box.
When finally complete, the range on the GOM was 154 miles and 449 volts on the pack.
Today ( 31.01.2021 ) I have commenced its second charging / balancing cycle.
It started from a similar 91% SOC but today, it pulled 7.0 kw from the wall box straight away ?.
It started to throttle back the charge to 3.6 kw at about 97% which is what I would expect.
Therefore it completed the charge more quickly, in about 2 hours 30mins.
When the charge section had completed, the range displayed was 144 miles and now is still balancing.
The car is now 12 months old and has covered almost 9,000 miles.
Ambient temperature has a big hand in what you receive as a predicted range.
As a quick comparison, my brother has a ZS EV that is only 8 weeks old with less than 1,000 on the clock.
He is still running on the original software with just the "Comfort 2" update applied.
A has a longish trip to hospital tomorrow and has carried out his first fully 100% charge today.
He is displaying 151 miles on the GOM on his very new battery.

 

[JodyS21]

I Agree. I am also a little surprised - SAIC are not exactly just starting out with EV’s.

I must admit I’d not heard of SAIC until I happened to stumble across the MG after looking for a while and considering which EV to get.
I just assumed this was all new to them and that’s why/is the excuse for them!

Coming at EVs from a completely new point of view, I would assume Tesla would be way more on the ball and probably have hundreds of people in an experienced software division. From an outsiders perspective their cars appear to be much more orientated towards full software integration between all components, that necessitates a much better level of software change management.

 

[Cocijo]

Yes. I have Tesla experience. I would say they are more a software company that is manufacturing cars - and their cars reflect that. I’m not sure about SAIC/MG but they seem to be the opposite and not very good at wrapping a robust process around their software management

 

[JodyS21]

After the update, the dealer did a full charge and balance of the pack inside of the workshop over night, the predicted range on the GOM was 162 miles and 450 volts on the pack.
Almost 10 days later I did my very first charge and balance at home.
The car was parked on the drive and it was -2 degrees.
It was a long and painful process that had taken 11 long hours to complete from a range of 92% on the battery !.
For some very strange reason, the car was only pulling just under 4.0 kw's from a 7.0 kw wall box.
When finally complete, the range on the GOM was 154 miles and 449 volts on the pack.
Today ( 31.01.2021 ) I have commenced its second charging / balancing cycle.
It started from a similar 91% SOC but today, it pulled 7.0 kw from the wall box straight away ?.
It started to throttle back the charge to 3.6 kw at about 97% which is what I would expect.
Therefore it completed the charge more quickly, in about 2 hours 30mins.
When the charge section had completed, the range displayed was 144 miles and now is still balancing.
The car is now 12 months old and has covered almost 9,000 miles.
Ambient temperature has a big hand in what you receive as a predicted range.
As a quick comparison, my brother has a ZS EV that is only 8 weeks old with less than 1,000 on the clock.
He is still running on the original software with just the "Comfort 2" update applied.
A has a longish trip to hospital tomorrow and has carried out his first fully 100% charge today.
He is displaying 151 miles on the GOM on his very new battery.

I get the impression that the GOM - although clearly a very important bit of information to know, is not a useful measure in regard to the battery charge when trying to compare charge between cars.
I’m basing this on that we know the GOM is an algorithm based on how each car is/has been driven.
This is all new to me, I’ve not even got my car yet!
I believe the only data we’ve got for definitive charging/balancing comparison between cars is the voltage and SOC - I presume the SOC is shown in the car? ?‍

 

[JodyS21]

Yes. I have Tesla experience. I would say they are more a software company that is manufacturing cars - and their cars reflect that. I’m not sure about SAIC/MG but they seem to be the opposite and not very good at wrapping a robust process around their software management

I wonder if the other traditional car manufacturers are doing it any better.
From my years of software development experience, if it’s being developed/directed mainly in China rather than in the UK, then that would totally explain why it’s in a shambles!

 

[Cocijo]

It’s an interesting area. Over the air updates are the future. It’s a big advantage for Tesla and so much easier to manage with benefits for both supplier and customer.

 

[Mike]

It’s an interesting area. Over the air updates are the future. It’s a big advantage for Tesla and so much easier to manage with benefits for both supplier and customer.

Definitely, but there is a cost to be paid. Need 4G minimum I would suggest, a data contract and a modem amongst other hardware! The car could then come with an app!!!!

 

[Cocijo]

Yes, an app would be an improvement for the UK owner. There are other cloud connection options to consider such as tethered and wifi - but all will potentially involve some hardware and software development, plus server infrastructure and of course support. I think it will come in future MG models, as it becomes more and more essential.