Considering swapping MG4 for an MGS5 - Test Drive Thoughts.

Koomi

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MG4 Trophy LR
So - our MG4 Trophy Phase2 is out of PCP in a few months, and at the moment running at an equity loss.
Our original plan was to "hand it back" for the FGMV, and then pick up a discounted ER (in Orange! which is the lesser of colour evils for the missus) on a new PCP at 0% for 36 months.

However the plan was scuppered on Saturday when we went to discuss our options, as a new shiny MGS5 was on the tarmac and available to look around and test drive.

I have to say, initial impressions are great.
Electric boot with swipey foot is good, but the opening/closing alarm isn't.
Under boot floor area to store cables
No Frunk... although the space seems to be there for someone to design something under the top plastic cover.
Styling is less sharp, and that hopefully fewer divots for crap to build up in.
Higher riding car, and no huge sill to step over/avoid is also refreshing.
The Infotainment is a lot more responsive, it remembers things, and things it does not remember can be assigned to save button.
Interior is a lot more welcoming, and generally preferred the seat comfort on an hour drive, apart from a slightly lacking thigh support.
Physical HVAC buttons!
A larger centre screen is good.
Driving screen seemed to be less informative.
Lots more dings, bongs, and warnings (didn't find all of the options on the test drive, but sure they are there somewhere to disable)
Same battery and motor as the 4LR, but somewhere in the bumf it says the battery is better - didn't notice, but for a larger car, the mi/kWh was on par with the 4, so shouldn't be worse than the smaller model.

Overall, it's seriously made us consider changing model.
The 4ER is the approximately the same price as the S5LR - so comes down to more range in a known entity, or same range in what seems to fix all the problems of the earlier model.

Decisions decisions! And one I need to make before the end of the month to be able to hit delivery times and not be without a car for too long.
 
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Higher riding car, and no huge sill to step over/avoid is also refreshing.
Would be interested to know how you get on. We are in a similar situation with PCP and I was planning to hand the car back and get an alternative SUV type. Was considering Elroq, EV3, Renault 4, EC-3 Aircross but the S5 might have to come into the frame too.
Good Luck.
 
I test drive the S5 yesterday at Everything Electric. I would get one tomorrow...unfortunately, my PCP has another 2 + years to go, but I am sure there will be even more progress by then.
 
I test drive the S5 yesterday at Everything Electric. I would get one tomorrow...unfortunately, my PCP has another 2 + years to go, but I am sure there will be even more progress by then.
Hi Ian. You can still part ex your car. If the equity on your car is greater than what you owe it will go towards your deposit. If not you need to weigh up the loss against how much the dealer offers you. You will find the dealer will do all the financial side of it. Also try 'We Buy Any Car' and compare what they say against the px offer. aitch
 
They are definately learning quickly, it is a much improved car over the existing ZS. Faster than the MG4 trophy LR, with longer range. Also rear wheel drive, ride is closer to the MG4 than ZS which is good. My plan is to wait at least a couple of years for the next update as MG have previous regarding issues with new car models.
 
We would love to swap our ZS EV for an S5 however the negative equity we have on our PCP means it’s just not going to be possible.

After paying only £28.5k for a Trophy Connect LR 2 years ago and putting a £3k deposit down on a 48 month PCP we still have about £5k in negative equity!!! Sickening really.

I’m sure this will be the same for many people wanting to upgrade.
 
We would love to swap our ZS EV for an S5 however the negative equity we have on our PCP means it’s just not going to be possible.

After paying only £28.5k for a Trophy Connect LR 2 years ago and putting a £3k deposit down on a 48 month PCP we still have about £5k in negative equity!!! Sickening really.

I’m sure this will be the same for many people wanting to upgrade.
My advice is to get smart and run your ZS PCP to it's end, then get yourself a 2 year old mint condition MGS5 for half the new price. Your payments will then be low enough to use a normal low cost loan or HP and you'll own the car outright by the time you're thinking of changing again and be ahead of the game instead of being a slave to PCP to own a car you can't really afford new. ;)
 
Jesus, thought this was a car forum not moneysavingexpert.com.

I know how it all works, I know what I can afford and what I can’t. That’s why I buy MGs and not MBs.

No-one expected the used electric car market to plummet like it has in the past 18 months.

My car is worth £15k trade in when in 26 months time it’ll be worth £11k so although I can quite easily afford to pay the £5k negative equity off it doesn’t make financial sense at the moment.

I will, however, add that I’ve been talking to a dealer today and they’d do a deal where I only need to pay £3k and I’d get in to a S5 Trophy (with effectively no deposit). Less than £100 a month more than my current deal too. They’re obviously under pressure to sell, they’ve literally only had the car available to sell a few days and they’re effectively knocking £2k off. And it’s already cheaper than the outgoing model.

Tempting but not quite tempting enough.
 
Jesus, thought this was a car forum not moneysavingexpert.com.

I know how it all works, I know what I can afford and what I can’t. That’s why I buy MGs and not MBs.

No-one expected the used electric car market to plummet like it has in the past 18 months.

My car is worth £15k trade in when in 26 months time it’ll be worth £11k so although I can quite easily afford to pay the £5k negative equity off it doesn’t make financial sense at the moment.

I will, however, add that I’ve been talking to a dealer today and they’d do a deal where I only need to pay £3k and I’d get in to a S5 Trophy (with effectively no deposit). Less than £100 a month more than my current deal too. They’re obviously under pressure to sell, they’ve literally only had the car available to sell a few days and they’re effectively knocking £2k off. And it’s already cheaper than the outgoing model.

Tempting but not quite tempting enough.
Haha!, yes, sorry I slip into my old ways sometimes as I'm a retired financial consultant, so I really did used to be a money saving expert! :ROFLMAO:
 
What kind of PCP deals are people seeing?

I've had one as follows

Trophy LR
£6,800 down
36 months
0% APR
Monthly £318.55
Balloon £15,030
8k miles

11.5k over 3 years but total is right on list price of 33.5k. Arctic White paint, I don't think much of the other colours anyway.

I'm wondering if anyone is offering better than this.
 
Stick what you want on Carwow, MG Leicester came back within an hour offering me a Trophy LR for £32.5k. Not seen any 0% deals anywhere, maybe that’s because you’re putting a large deposit down. And as I said earlier my local dealer were finding £2k “from somewhere” to push a deal through for me and that was with zero pressure from myself. All PCPs I’ve seen so far are 2.9% APR which is still very good.
 
Stick what you want on Carwow, MG Leicester came back within an hour offering me a Trophy LR for £32.5k. Not seen any 0% deals anywhere, maybe that’s because you’re putting a large deposit down. And as I said earlier my local dealer were finding £2k “from somewhere” to push a deal through for me and that was with zero pressure from myself. All PCPs I’ve seen so far are 2.9% APR which is still very good.

They told me that with a 20% or greater deposit they would do 0% APR. Presumably that is through MG but I didn't ask.
 
Don't forget the affinity scheme if you are eligible? they are stating 30k for the trophy, any colour and type 2 cable
 
The 0% is an MG deal you can see the figures on the MG website...

SE LR...

Screenshot 2025-04-24 at 10.32.10.webp


and Trophy LR

Screenshot 2025-04-24 at 10.31.13.webp
 
The monthly payment is higher though. I wonder what they are doing to get it lower.

I wonder if it will be better to do this or wait for pre-reg. Take the 0% and stick the money in an ISA or shares, or wait for a few k discount up front.

Does it say anywhere what you get with the car? A charging cable, a granny charger, mats, how many years of map updates and app support etc?

I'm thinking that because this car is sold in China as well the accessories will be cheap and readily available on AliExpress.
 
As the OP to this thread - an update.

We have just ordered a Trophy in Blue to be delivered in line with the MG4 PCP finishing - and handing back at no loss (sitting in negative equity)
32,995
6,600 down
15k Miles (never going to hit that)
36month 0% pcp
13,450(or so) FGV

The MG4 ER in Orange with discounts was near enough the same deal - so have decided to go for the grown up colour, and better infotainment

Edit (as just saw the extra questions)
From a Dealer (Grantham)
Charger - Type 2 included, but could be swapped for Granny if asked
Mats not included, but available, so ordered them anyway as it will be nice to have the MGS5 trim on them
 
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