MG4 X-Power waiting area

[tsedge]

I've driven ICE cars, and motorcycles, of various incarnations for over 50 years and what I would miss is a very long list, it was bad enough going from a manual gearbox to an automatic, however losing the sound - not so sure.
I have no qualms about the range EV's have, although with one or two journeys I'll be making from near Bourne to Leeds I'll probably have to tone down my speed, alot.

I paid £37,800 for my BMW and really the there are only a small number of EV's that are at least interesting as a substitute, both to look at and to drive, but they all are currently far more expensive. Talking Audi's, Mercedes, BMW's and Tesla's here.

So if I just take performance and price it leads me to the xpower but a pretty car it isn't to me. I need a four door, as I take my granddaughter in it, I need a boot that is around 400 litres, although I could lower one of the rear seats.

I'll reserve judgement until I see one in the flesh, and driven it of course, which I plan to do once we've moved. I've also looked at a Megane EV as well, and, although it hasn't quite the performance, it has the other qualities I'm after.

I won't make any decision lightly, I never do, without fully researching and try to keep an open mind. So appreciate input from anyone who can help me...

I wish you well in your decision.

You seem focused a lot on what you will lose, but have you fully considered what you will gain? EVs do have a number of advantages, superb instant acceleration amongst them.

I thought I would miss the noise but I didn't at all and of course the car still makes a noise with speed, just a different (and quieter) one, so I found I quickly adapted and amplified the new noise in my mind so that it was just as satisfying.

The boot is under 400 litres but not massively so and there's an additional small under floor area. The capacity is good with the seats down.

The Megane is also a fine car. You could also consider the Cupra Born.

 

[Deleted member 10041]

I've driven ICE cars, and motorcycles, of various incarnations for over 50 years and what I would miss is a very long list, it was bad enough going from a manual gearbox to an automatic, however losing the sound - not so sure.
I have no qualms about the range EV's have, although with one or two journeys I'll be making from near Bourne to Leeds I'll probably have to tone down my speed, alot.

I paid £37,800 for my BMW and really the there are only a small number of EV's that are at least interesting as a substitute, both to look at and to drive, but they all are currently far more expensive. Talking Audi's, Mercedes, BMW's and Tesla's here.

So if I just take performance and price it leads me to the xpower but a pretty car it isn't to me. I need a four door, as I take my granddaughter in it, I need a boot that is around 400 litres, although I could lower one of the rear seats.

I'll reserve judgement until I see one in the flesh, and driven it of course, which I plan to do once we've moved. I've also looked at a Megane EV as well, and, although it hasn't quite the performance, it has the other qualities I'm after.

I won't make any decision lightly, I never do, without fully researching and try to keep an open mind. So appreciate input from anyone who can help me...

I have a Megane etech and although I'll get grief for saying it I believe the quality is better than the MG, I cancelled a trophy order. The operating system is flawless (Google) it has in my opinion the right combination of physical buttons and touchscreen and the boot is over 420 litres, there are also some cracking deals available on it now.

@bowfer will be able to give you his opinion on his Born he got that after rejecting his 4, that had a major fault

 

[tsedge]

I have a Megane etech and although I'll get grief for saying it I believe the quality is better than the MG, I cancelled a trophy order. The operating system is flawless (Google) it has in my opinion the right combination of physical buttons and touchscreen and the boot is over 420 litres, there are also some cranking deals available on it now.

@bowfer will be able to give you his opinion on his Born he got that after rejecting his 4, that had a major fault

I think it is clear - but in case it isn't, @bowfer had the fault with the MG4, not the Born.

 

[bowfer]

I have a Megane etech and although I'll get grief for saying it I believe the quality is better than the MG, I cancelled a trophy order. The operating system is flawless (Google) it has in my opinion the right combination of physical buttons and touchscreen and the boot is over 420 litres, there are also some cracking deals available on it now.

@bowfer will be able to give you his opinion on his Born he got that after rejecting his 4, that had a major fault

No point giving him my opinion on the Born, he’s already said the Megane isn’t fast enough for him and they’re very similar.
There’s mixed messages as well, like saying a car isn’t fast enough but he gets 48mpg from his 235i.
He’s not getting that driving fast at all, not a chance, so why moan about cars lacking performance? ?‍
As for “cruising at 100mph”, no one is doing that in the UK.
The odd short blast up to that, yeah, but cruising…nah.
Can’t be bothered, I’m out.

 

[Rolfe]

Thanks for your reply, yes maybe you're right in there isn't yet an EV that's right for me, they should though become cheaper with battery and motor technology improving one hopes. There is also hydrogen and e-fuels to look at. As for manuals versus automatics, we still have a 1.0l fiesta and I can still have the chance to make tunes with that engine.

The BMW was a early retirement present to myself but now I'm not working I've found it really is a bit of a expensive self indulgence so I may well just sell it, as there is equity in the figures of £7000, and then watch the car markets until something of interest turns up, fingers crossed. I can afford the BMW so no rush as it's not like I can't afford it.
There is a smaller Tesla, and many other EV's, coming soon so I might just wait a year..

My first-ever car was a 1.1 litre Fiesta! Miranda. She was lovely, but not fast enough for me.

I'm with tsedge on this. The experience of driving an EV is very positive, and if you aren't constantly thinking about what you miss, you'll enjoy it.

In my opinion, having owned an EV for just over three months after a very sudden decision to get one, these things are going to do to ICE cars what digital photography did to the 35mm film camera. It won't be immediate, and there will always be a few people who prefer to continue with the retro technology, but the EV will be the norm and ICE cars for a small number of keen hobbyists. Like steam engines. Except I suppose they might have track days with them.

I think this would happen even if there were no environmental issues pushing us to EVs. They're clean (I mean, in the normal everyday sense), convenient, economical and really really nice to drive. We might still be at the stage of the 3 megapixel camera, but give it time.

You do need to meet the right car though. I saw the reviews on the MG4 and decided that if I liked the way it drove, I'd have one, and not look back. I enjoyed the test drive enormously, and had never driven another EV until today. Today I have a Peugeot e208 as a courtesy car. I wouldn't have bought it. It feels boring and sluggish in comparison to the MG4. But if you find the EV that puts a smile on your face, you're on the way.

Having said that, the X-Power has only just been launched. I wouldn't go near it until I heard how the early adopters were getting on.

 

[cuke2u]

No point giving him my opinion on the Born, he’s already said the Megane isn’t fast enough for him and they’re very similar.
There’s mixed messages as well, like saying a car isn’t fast enough but he gets 48mpg from his 235i.
He’s not getting that driving fast at all, not a chance, so why moan about cars lacking performance? ?‍
As for “cruising at 100mph”, no one is doing that in the UK.
The odd short blast up to that, yeah, but cruising…nah.
Can’t be bothered, I’m out.

Thank you for your contribution, love the way you talk to me as not actually being here. Still you're entitled to your opinion, as much as anyone is.
Your comments are noted..

 

[Rolfe]

Thank you for your contribution, love the way you talk to me as not actually being here. Still you're entitled to your opinion, as much as anyone is.
Your comments are noted..

I am not certain that the X-Power is the car for you. It's minimalist and spartan in comparison with the plush specs I imagine you're been used to in the BMW. Also, the other MG4 versions have not been without their issues. There are half a dozen software bugs that annoy me, it's just that I like the car well enough to use the work-rounds and not get bent out of shape by them. You might not feel the same way.

So maybe you should keep looking at other similar models as they come on the market and see whether one seems to gel with you. On the other hand you could give the X-Power a punt, and be a beta-tester for MG, and maybe you'll love it. But if you don't, you might take a bit of a hit if you wanted to trade it in quickly.

 

[Deleted member 10041]

I am not certain that the X-Power is the car for you. It's minimalist and spartan in comparison with the plush specs I imagine you're been used to in the BMW. Also, the other MG4 versions have not been without their issues. There are half a dozen software bugs that annoy me, it's just that I like the car well enough to use the work-rounds and not get bent out of shape by them. You might not feel the same way.

So maybe you should keep looking at other similar models as they come on the market and see whether one seems to gel with you. On the other hand you could give the X-Power a punt, and be a beta-tester for MG, and maybe you'll love it. But if you don't, you might take a bit of a hit if you wanted to trade it in quickly.

Take a big hit as the GFV after four years, on the X Power, is just over £17k so MG are predicting a potentially £19k hit over the four years, could work out a very expensive change of mind

 

[cuke2u]

My first-ever car was a 1.1 litre Fiesta! Miranda. She was lovely, but not fast enough for me.

I'm with tsedge on this. The experience of driving an EV is very positive, and if you aren't constantly thinking about what you miss, you'll enjoy it.

In my opinion, having owned an EV for just over three months after a very sudden decision to get one, these things are going to do to ICE cars what digital photography did to the 35mm film camera. It won't be immediate, and there will always be a few people who prefer to continue with the retro technology, but the EV will be the norm and ICE cars for a small number of keen hobbyists. Like steam engines. Except I suppose they might have track days with them.

I think this would happen even if there were no environmental issues pushing us to EVs. They're clean (I mean, in the normal everyday sense), convenient, economical and really really nice to drive. We might still be at the stage of the 3 megapixel camera, but give it time.

You do need to meet the right car though. I saw the reviews on the MG4 and decided that if I liked the way it drove, I'd have one, and not look back. I enjoyed the test drive enormously, and had never driven another EV until today. Today I have a Peugeot e208 as a courtesy car. I wouldn't have bought it. It feels boring and sluggish in comparison to the MG4. But if you find the EV that puts a smile on your face, you're on the way.

Having said that, the X-Power has only just been launched. I wouldn't go near it until I heard how the early adopters were getting on.

Choosing a car can be a compromise, or even 'getting used' to something that is lacking and I went from a manual gearbox to an automatic but that was no real big step as I can still use it in manual mode with the paddles. Unfortunately I am a self confessed petrol head though and follow all forms of motorsport, anything - even a lawn mower, that makes a noise has my interest. The pops and bangs my car makes on overrun is also my kind of music so no need to turn up the radio, it's mostly off anyway.

I'll leave it for now and back out of this conversation but keep a watching brief of this forum for any interesting developments.
Thanks all for your comments..

 

[Rolfe]

It's been nice talking to you, and I hope you find the right car and don't end up with an expensive mistake! Take your time.

I've had my car for about three months, and I feel like I've got my first digital camera after years of 35mm film, or my first DVD player after years of VHS tape. But there is a right time to make the switch, and that varies with different people. It might not be the right time for you yet.

 

[kin]

Choosing a car can be a compromise, or even 'getting used' to something that is lacking and I went from a manual gearbox to an automatic but that was no real big step as I can still use it in manual mode with the paddles. Unfortunately I am a self confessed petrol head though and follow all forms of motorsport, anything - even a lawn mower, that makes a noise has my interest. The pops and bangs my car makes on overrun is also my kind of music so no need to turn up the radio, it's mostly off anyway.

I'll leave it for now and back out of this conversation but keep a watching brief of this forum for any interesting developments.
Thanks all for your comments..

Hi I just read your posts, have you ever driven an EV? Or you just assumed it is going to be boring.
I was a real petrolhead and also an (ex)biker, owned a few nice bikes and a couple of Harleys.
Back on topic, I started my EV journey back in 2014(?)after I test drove a newly launched Bmw i3 and I was hooked on its instant acceleration and brake regen, long story short I ended up with my first ever EV Tesla P85D in 2015. (I was after a C63AMG at the time but went for electric instead and have never looked back)
You should keep an open mind and test drive the Xpower, it’ll blow your mind if you not driven a 3.5sec EV before!
Maybe you’ll change your mind like I did.

 

[Brettus]

I also think acceleration times are barely comparable between ICE and EV, EVs “feel” faster as there’s no power curve and no dips for gear changes (unless you want an Ionic 5N ?) it makes even an on paper relatively pedestrian looking EV feel much more nimble than figures would suggest.

The vast majority that have trouble imagining themselves in an EV is often because nobody can quite explain what they’re like. You just have to try them. It’s like the matrix ?

 

[Robf]

I also think acceleration times are barely comparable between ICE and EV, EVs “feel” faster as there’s no power curve and no dips for gear changes (unless you want an Ionic 5N ?) it makes even an on paper relatively pedestrian looking EV feel much more nimble than figures would suggest.

The vast majority that have trouble imagining themselves in an EV is often because nobody can quite explain what they’re like. You just have to try them. It’s like the matrix ?

For everyday driving it is the initial acceleration that gives you a great advantage, especially in those 3 to 2 lane situations. I love driving EV's, and have had one for over 6 years now (zoe, leaf, ZS and now MG4). I never argue with the naysayers, just agree with their increasingly ridiculous "facts" in the hope they stay in their ice vehicles. Very selfish, I know

 

[kin]

I also think acceleration times are barely comparable between ICE and EV, EVs “feel” faster as there’s no power curve and no dips for gear changes (unless you want an Ionic 5N ?) it makes even an on paper relatively pedestrian looking EV feel much more nimble than figures would suggest.

The vast majority that have trouble imagining themselves in an EV is often because nobody can quite explain what they’re like. You just have to try them. It’s like the matrix ?

The 5n should be interesting with the sound, best of both world, hope it doesn’t sound fake? I had a ride in the Maserati Ghibli diesel years ago but it has like speakers in the exhaust (I think) it sounded like a proper V8, absolutely amazing !

 

[Brettus]

Yep, convincing people is often tricky too as if you DO and they find something that annoys them or isn’t the same later then it’s on you (to some degree, be that trust in opinion lost or just wanting to feel like someone is to blame for them being unhappy). People have to be open to be convinced by themselves. Their own experience. If that doesn’t do it then no, you’re not ready for an EV/the tech isn’t there yet to meet your standards but it can’t really be read in a spec sheet. Motoring journalists are often in either camp too so it’s hard to get a balanced opinion. You have to aggregate everything to figure out if their complaints are valid or if they’re glossing over things YOU would care about.

I know, I’m preaching to (mostly) the converted here. But even the most experienced amongst us will have read the specs on the standard and the xpower but until that drone footage of the drag race it wasn’t really apparent what that meant. And even that footage doesn’t convey the feeling of it. (The internal shot showing the Gs at launch was a nice touch though ? )

 

[bowfer]

The 5n should be interesting with the sound, best of both world, hope it doesn’t sound fake? I had a ride in the Maserati Ghibli diesel years ago but it has like speakers in the exhaust (I think) it sounded like a proper V8, absolutely amazing !

Friends have the Ford Mach-e
It can do a fake engine noise via the speakers
It’s utter wa……

 

[kin]

Friends have the Ford Mach-e
It can do a fake engine noise via the speakers
It’s utter wa……

I’m hoping the 5N might be better, it even temporarily interrupt the acceleration to imitate gear changes.

 

[Brettus]

I’m hoping the 5N might be better, it even temporarily interrupt the acceleration to imitate gear changes.

You say that like it’s a good thing

 

[Rolfe]

I had a run-in with a guy on Twitter last night who said EVs wouldn't be a runner until the batteries could give 600 miles range. Because people want what they've been used to.

I said, look at it this way. You have house elves in your garage who will fill your car up for you overnight while you sleep, you don't have to do anything or go anywhere, it just happens. How big a fuel tank do you really want to lug around with you every day?

He never answered.

He was also going on about Teslas going on fire, and "google pictures of Teslas on fire". I found some stats. Over ten years there have been 204 confirmed Tesla battery fires, including those involving static storage batteries, and those caused by car crashes. (ICE cars often go on fire if you crash them too!) This is in the context of 4,527,916 Tesla cars being sold in the same period.

He has sidestepped that and is now going on about hydrogen cars being the future. I reminded him of the Hindenberg.

 

[WonkoTheSaneUK]

I had a run-in with a guy on Twitter last night who said EVs wouldn't be a runner until the batteries could give 600 miles range. Because people want what they've been used to.

I said, look at it this way. You have house elves in your garage who will fill your car up for you overnight while you sleep, you don't have to do anything or go anywhere, it just happens. How big a fuel tank do you really want to lug around with you every day?

He never answered.

He was also going on about Teslas going on fire, and "google pictures of Teslas on fire". I found some stats. Over ten years there have been 204 confirmed Tesla battery fires, including those involving static storage batteries, and those caused by car crashes. (ICE cars often go on fire if you crash them too!) This is in the context of 4,527,916 Tesla cars being sold in the same period.

He has sidestepped that and is now going on about hydrogen cars being the future. I reminded him of the Hindenberg.

Just agree that "hydrogen cars are indeed the future".
Then, when he thinks he's got you, follow up with "and ALWAYS will be!"