MG4 in Australia

[leonkernan]

That R11 update gets mentioned often, but best I can tell it was only for the Essence and not the Excite. Dealers and MG seem to shrug their shoulders when asked about it. Any word from your MG Contact?

(And the Excite sorely needs it too if it addresses issues like CarPlay randomly switching to left-hand-drive mode, steering wheel buttons forgetting their setting or launching CarPlay unexpectedly, Bluetooth flaky etc…)

I'm hoping there's something newer than R05 for Excite for all the same reasons.

My car was delivered with R05 in September and has been back twice for the OPD and AEB updates.
Lots of changes but never to the infotainment.

It's crazy that the follow distance now remembers but we can't get the star button to remember what it was set to do.

edit: It is worth noting while similar (and sharing some components) the Excite software isn't the same as the Essence software, they're like Windows 10 vs Windows 11. Related but not 100% the same code.
In the service manuals that's why they're referred to as Color Radio and SAIC1.0+.

 

[Wil Tryharder]

One week old and now Ceramic Coated by Tim, owner of 'Ultra Shield' at Coolum Beach, Sunshine Coast. So glad I didn't go with pressure seller from the dealership, who was into me 15 minutes after paying for the car!

Wow what a shine. Just need to tool up with loads of cleaning products and I can go and hang out over at the 'Detailing thread'.

Main problem is going to be finding cloudy days to do the washing part of the process ?. I'll try not to use captured rainwater from my roof. Good for flushing loos but not for washing cars.

 

[Trooper]

Still having issues with the 2Air CarlinKit 5.0

Blank screens, or no connection at all. Sometimes it works but zero pattern to it.

Today after stopping twice to get it going, which involves are lot of farting about, it froze up after about 15 minutes. Requires an infotainment system shut down and sometimes that helps it start up. Often with a blank screen though.

I pulled mine out of the “pfft, cheap junk” drawer and thought I’d give it a second chance (after previously trying it for a few days with the same results as you and it getting stuck in reboot loop after updating) …

But after viewing the thread over here I thought I’d try:
1. Factory reset it while connected to a usb power adaptor instead of connected to the car, and
2. Try the settings below (NB: the WiFi channel’s not relevant - I just use CH149 to avoid overlapping with a nearby router)

And lo and behold it’s been fine now for days and no freezing/blank screen/rebooting ?‍

 

[clayton4115]

Those of you who bought the MG4 do you think the dealer would let you test drive a demo for a weekend? Talking about the 77 version. Or is it just around a couple of blocks and that's it.

 

[Wil Tryharder]

Those of you who bought the MG4 do you think the dealer would let you test drive a demo for a weekend? Talking about the 77 version. Or is it just around a couple of blocks and that's it.

At MG Noosa, they got us to sign an insurance slip with a very large excess. We drove unaccompanied with no sales person. We test drove it twice the 1st time about 8km over 30 minutes and the second time 20km in about 70 minutes. With two tests spread apart and the wealth of info here to lookout for, you should have a good chance to spot the good and the bad of the MG4. Our dealership only had the Essence 64 on demo. Not sure they’d have stretched to a weekend.

We split our test drives between other manufacturers. Mini (latest version), Kona (twice) , Tesla (friends), and an EV6 GT Line. You notice a lot, when you jump in and out of different cars in quick succession.

 

[wattmatters]

But after viewing the thread over here I thought I’d try:
1. Factory reset it while connected to a usb power adaptor instead of connected to the car, and
2. Try the settings below (NB: the WiFi channel’s not relevant - I just use CH149 to avoid overlapping with a nearby router)

And lo and behold it’s been fine now for days and no freezing/blank screen/rebooting ?‍

I've just duplicated those settings, so we'll see how it goes. Thanks for the suggestions.

Just noticed comment on Wi-Fi channel. I did also set that to 149 but checking my home router I see it's also using channel 149 on the 5GHz band, so I may need to change the CarLink setting back. Can't recall what it was, 30-something I think.

Up to now it would go through multiple cycles, usually eventually coming on line. It might take 5 minutes or so of cycling though the start up process, but sometimes it would fire up straight away.

 

[wattmatters]

Those of you who bought the MG4 do you think the dealer would let you test drive a demo for a weekend? Talking about the 77 version. Or is it just around a couple of blocks and that's it.

A weekend might be a stretch. I had about an hour's drive along with the wife. Fortunately where I am that enabled testing on suburban roads, open highway, country roads and was enough to know exactly how well it performs and general comfort levels and testing some key functions for us (e.g. ACC). I did experience the LKA twitchiness on that drive.

You are not going to get to grips with all the various options in 2 days, let alone 1 hour, so there is always a level of acceptance it will do what you need. If there are specific things which are particularly important to you, then make sure you test that functionality out. Different people have different priorities.

I agree the seats are a weak point. Having done several longer trips though it hasn't been all that bad.

 

[clayton4115]

Thanks, yeah a weekend maybe a stretch

 

[Wil Tryharder]

Ok hand up I was wrong. The QLD EV slush fund only dropped 1.5 million last month! That’s close to 250 EVs under $68k sold in a month. Is that a lot?

Remaining scheme funding (as at 30 May 2024): $9,036,000​

So pretty consistent level of spending on EVs in Queensland. Another 1.5 Million off the rebate slush fund. Looks like VW have completely missed the opportunity for a kick start into the Australian market.
—

Remaining scheme funding (as at 16 June 2024): $7,446,000​

Program update - Enhanced Rebate Scheme (effective 1 July 2023)​

 

[wattmatters]

Up to now it would go through multiple cycles, usually eventually coming on line. It might take 5 minutes or so of cycling though the start up process, but sometimes it would fire up straight away.

With the new settings, have only had three drives so far but it's 3 for 3 the Carlinkit CarPlay starting up without issue.

 

[wattmatters]

With the new settings, have only had three drives so far but it's 3 for 3 the Carlinkit CarPlay starting up without issue.

This morning it would not connect. Phone was connected to the unit as I could see the webpage but no Carplay. In the end I had to unplug the Carlinkit and plug it back in. Then it worked. Later in the day another drive and it started up OK.

 

[Trooper]

This morning it would not connect. Phone was connected to the unit as I could see the webpage but no Carplay. In the end I had to unplug the Carlinkit and plug it back in. Then it worked. Later in the day another drive and it started up OK.

Out of curiosity.. does yours display media information (artist/title/artwork) on the infotainment display Home Screen if CarPlay is playing music? That’s the one remaining thing that’s hit-and-miss with mine. I’ve emailed their support address, but maybe it’s a random MG thing. I had noticed in the past wired CarPlay not displaying artwork, but the artist/track were always displayed ok.

 

[wattmatters]

Out of curiosity.. does yours display media information (artist/title/artwork) on the infotainment display Home Screen if CarPlay is playing music?

I'd have to test it. I rarely play music with CarPlay ever since Apple wiped my entire recorded catalogue some year back.

 

[Wil Tryharder]

So , one month in and it’s time for our 1st ‘complimentary’ service. I’d typed out a nice list of things I wanted checked. But the desk op decided to hand write instructions to the tech instead.
Trunk/tailgate miss alignment - it’s 1/2 cm lower on left which is causing a rubbing and a bit of a clunk and rattle on closing. I asked them not to make a mess of the nice painted bolts. But was met with a glare.
Rear spoiler condensation was normal apparently, as per a bulletin from MG ?
Aircon noise - ‘what kind of noise?’ Well, a rattley whiney clunky kind of noise. More glaring!
Tyre pressures - I asked if there was a window that I could keep the pressures at to limit the alarms going off. I was informed. ‘This is Noosa, everyone drives at 38 psi’.
I winced as I asked for a software update? ‘Oh we’re at the mercy of the internet, so you might have to come back another day when we have more time.’ I knew the answer but asked anyways. ‘Can I do it at home, I’ve got Starlink and it’s lightning fast?’ ‘No, we have to do it.’ Came the reply.

So here I wait, at the mercy of the internet. Waiting for the call to pick it up.

 

[clayton4115]

So , one month in and it’s time for our 1st ‘complimentary’ service. I’d typed out a nice list of things I wanted checked. But the desk op decided to hand write instructions to the tech instead.
Trunk/tailgate miss alignment - it’s 1/2 cm lower on left which is causing a rubbing and a bit of a clunk and rattle on closing. I asked them not to make a mess of the nice painted bolts. But was met with a glare.
Rear spoiler condensation was normal apparently, as per a bulletin from MG ?
Aircon noise - ‘what kind of noise?’ Well, a rattley whiney clunky kind of noise. More glaring!
Tyre pressures - I asked if there was a window that I could keep the pressures at to limit the alarms going off. I was informed. ‘This is Noosa, everyone drives at 38 psi’.
I winced as I asked for a software update? ‘Oh we’re at the mercy of the internet, so you might have to come back another day when we have more time.’ I knew the answer but asked anyways. ‘Can I do it at home, I’ve got Starlink and it’s lightning fast?’ ‘No, we have to do it.’ Came the reply.

So here I wait, at the mercy of the internet. Waiting for the call to pick it up.

Don't understand why in 2024 car manufacturers cannot incorporate OTA updates in their software's.

 

[Wil Tryharder]

Ok, they called after 1hr 54min. Looks like all inspection work was done. But we’ve got to book a full day for any software updates and to get the Tailgate adjusted.

 

[clayton4115]

Ok, they called after 1hr 54min. Looks like all inspection work was done. But we’ve got to book a full day for any software updates and to get the Tailgate adjusted.

View attachment 27426

Wonder if they will charge you for the software update ?

 

[Wil Tryharder]

Don't understand why in 2024 car manufacturers cannot incorporate OTA updates in their software's.

It’s a bit bizarre really, my game console has been updating it’s self for the last 10 years. Come to think of it my dishwasher, washing machine, IMac, two TV’s, two Freeview boxes, Starlink router x2, Vespera telescope and solar inverter all update at home. Maybe the dealerships get a kick back for each update? I know my local MG dealership (owned by a Toyota franchise) is keen on ‘customer engagement’. ‘Keep them coming back for more’ etc etc.

 

[Wil Tryharder]

Wonder if they will charge you for the software update ?

Good point. And how much? 6 hrs on a slow connection against 30 mins on my Starlink connection.
And from what I can tell, I could be paying for something that makes the car different, and not necessarily in a good way. I doubt whether they’ll be able to tell me what changes an update has. There by, giving me the option to swerve it. Very frustrating.

 

[salty]

So , one month in and it’s time for our 1st ‘complimentary’ service. I’d typed out a nice list of things I wanted checked. But the desk op decided to hand write instructions to the tech instead.
Trunk/tailgate miss alignment - it’s 1/2 cm lower on left which is causing a rubbing and a bit of a clunk and rattle on closing. I asked them not to make a mess of the nice painted bolts. But was met with a glare.
Rear spoiler condensation was normal apparently, as per a bulletin from MG ?
Aircon noise - ‘what kind of noise?’ Well, a rattley whiney clunky kind of noise. More glaring!
Tyre pressures - I asked if there was a window that I could keep the pressures at to limit the alarms going off. I was informed. ‘This is Noosa, everyone drives at 38 psi’.
I winced as I asked for a software update? ‘Oh we’re at the mercy of the internet, so you might have to come back another day when we have more time.’ I knew the answer but asked anyways. ‘Can I do it at home, I’ve got Starlink and it’s lightning fast?’ ‘No, we have to do it.’ Came the reply.

So here I wait, at the mercy of the internet. Waiting for the call to pick it up.

Mmmm, looks like your MG dealer should try your forum name. ?