Three weeks of ownership

[RaspberryMan]

Had the MG4 for three weeks and felt compelled to give a reflection of the experience.

Comfort and drive quality has been great, it's the best car I have driven I think ever, the handling on corners, the performance and more than good enough for me and all in a seat that keeps me well supported, no back ache or discomfort.

The technology seems excellent, integrates with Android Auto very well and easily (for a luddite like me anyway). I had a few early niggles with things like auto lights suddenly stopping working with an error but I have found (and this may be complete coincidence) if I keep my foot on the brake until at least the "ready" message goes away, things just seem to work better.

Charging with my Zappi on the driveway has been flawless with Octopus Intelligent Go tarrif doing exactly as it should...HOWEVER...

...this morning has made me question the wisdom of joining the EV revolution. I woke to find the MG was only charged to 30% via Octopus, then realised the Zappi had no power, no RCD had tripped but the screen was blank and no communication via apps, Octopus or Myenergi was possible, charger was dead. Contacted the original installer but he can't come round till next week. No problem I thought, I can just charge on the only public charger in my town temporarily...nope. When trying to sign up for ChargeplaceScotland (the EVSE operator) all I got back was "failed to create user, please try again". That's okay, I tried Octopus' Electroverse and the car actually started charging, for about 3% then just stopped. The screen on the EVSE simply said "EV has paused charge". From that point nothing I tried could get it charging again, tried charging then locking, locking then charging, locking a couple a times, these resulted in a "starting" message on the EVSE, but never did start. ChargePlace Scotland blamed the MG, Electroverse blamed Chargeplace Scotland and after an hour and a half in freezing drizzle, I gave up. Cold, wet and wishing I'd bought a fossil burner.

I'll get over this feeling I'm sure, but at the moment of typing this post, I'm fuming.

 

[Martinonline]

What is the set charge level?

Do you have a schedule in the car?

Is there a DC Charger nearby?

 

[Everest]

Does the granny charging lead work? Not fast, but could get you going?

 

[RaspberryMan]

What is the set charge level?

Do you have a schedule in the car?

Is there a DC Charger nearby?

Level set to 100%, no schedule set and confirmed by MG app...I've only ever used the home charger which with Octopus which mandates no schedules so have never set one.
Nearest DC (rapid charger?) is about 20 minutes away, that's probably the next port of call.

Does the granny charging lead work? Not fast, but could get you going?

I didn't get one with the car, seem to be about 70-90 quid on ebay, a worthwhile investment do you think?

 

[Everest]

I didn't get one with the car, seem to be about 70-90 quid on ebay, a worthwhile investment do you think?

Oh... I thought they all did. Can't answer that as I don't own an EV yet, but if you can't charge via any other means it's surely worthwhile. Or beg, borrow or steal one from a neighbour temporarily maybe - that will confirm whether it is the EVSE or the car at fault.

 

[RaspberryMan]

There's also the very real possibility that app operator error is the culprit, I mean the car has charged several times now precisely as I would expect letting Octopus do it's thing. The more I think about it, the more I am thinking the EVSE is the issue, I mean it was working...then just stopped without error or issue, as far as the app was concerned it was charging, except it wasn't.

Good advice on the granny charger, a good idea for a back up, especially as I can charge at work by throwing an extension out the window, at least on the night shift when there's no gaffers around

 

[OzricEV]

I didn't get one with the car, seem to be about 70-90 quid on ebay, a worthwhile investment do you think?

Definitely, always a good back up.
I'm using mine daily to charge at work while we build 2 new dedicated charge points. (on ring dedicated to powering food vans, so designed for 16amp continuous).
Just worth lowering the draw to 10amp on a normal house socket.

 

[MG Clive]

Sorry to hear about your bad experience @RaspberryMan, but please don't let it put you off. Your problem probably lies with the equipment rather than the car, and when you get it sorted I'm sure you'll realize you've made the right decision to go EV.

 

[Tight Git]

@RaspberryMan - which model MG4 do you have and does it have a rear window wiper?

 

[RaspberryMan]

Sorry to hear about your bad experience @RaspberryMan, but please don't let it put you off. Your problem probably lies with the equipment rather than the car, and when you get it sorted I'm sure you'll realize you've made the right decision to go EV.

Aye, I know, I'm just ranting, I'll get over it.

@RaspberryMan - which model MG4 do you have and does it have a rear window wiper?

MG4 SE LR and yes, it does have a rear wiper.

I'll get a chance to try a rapid charger tomorrow, hopefully that will work...although I was thinking, can I sit in the car while it charges? I'm thinking it will put the car into 'ready' mode thus stopping the charge...or have I got that totally wrong?

 

[Tight Git]

The rear wiper means you have a phase 2 which AFAIK are not liable to failed CCUs unlike the phase 1 cars so hopefully that's not the problem.

If it's the Zappi that's the problem Myenergi are brilliant - my 3 month old one failed last year and Myenergi replaced it very quickly under warranty even though it is was fitted by my electrician.

On a rapid DC charger you can sit in the car without any issues - I do it all the time

Good luck getting sorted.

 

[RaspberryMan]

If it's the Zappi that's the problem Myenergi are brilliant

My electrician said the same actually, he was the one who bought it so I'll let him worry about any warranties (if necessary).

On a rapid DC charger you can sit in the car without any issues - I do it all the time

Doors have to be locked? I would imagine so...sorry about the newbie questions but I have ZERO experience with public EV chargers.

Good luck getting sorted.

Cheers pal

 

[Tight Git]

On DC CCS I can start the charge, lock it, unlock it, sit in it and do anything and it makes no difference.

We were all where you are once so just ask and you will get help.

 

[Martinonline]

You must distinguish between 'power' on mode and 'ready' mode. The car powers on when you sit the driver's seat. The car enters ready mode when you press the brake pedal.

 

[RaspberryMan]

Got it...so stay off the brake then

 

[wattmatters]

My wife bought me this t-shirt after some early charge session frustrations.

Yesterday I had some EVSE issue, car wouldn't charge. Never a good feeling.

Turned out it was an issue with the service I use to control the charger. I have the portable charger MG supplied and that worked so I knew it wasn't the car. The service was sorted a little while later and I reconnected that charger.

I do recommend having a portable unit - handy for travels and as a backup.

 

[ReintjeWA]

Got it...so stay off the brake then

Welcome to the forum, even if you press the brake pedal the car will just boing at you, and refuse to go into ready mode. It is quite normal for DC charger to stop at ~97% in my experience as the car draws so little power the charger thinks you're done.

 

[RaspberryMan]

Charged the car no problem today on a rapid, I suspect the little local one is faulty so have reported it to the appropriate network. Electrician coming tomorrow to fix the zappi...hopefully.

 

[Slipstream]

There's also the very real possibility that app operator error is the culprit, I mean the car has charged several times now precisely as I would expect letting Octopus do it's thing. The more I think about it, the more I am thinking the EVSE is the issue, I mean it was working...then just stopped without error or issue, as far as the app was concerned it was charging, except it wasn't.

Good advice on the granny charger, a good idea for a back up, especially as I can charge at work by throwing an extension out the window, at least on the night shift when there's no gaffers around

Did you buy the car new ? The car should come with a granny. Have a word with the dealer. Don't let them bull#### you !

 

[RaspberryMan]

It's a lease, delivered to Fife from Glasgowish...I think. I can't remember where, but I think I read somewhere that they don't come with a granny charger. It's moot now anyway because I've ordered one.