Does it make sense to buy a new base model MG4

[Robf]

I am going to wait and see what has been updated from previous version (2023 is an upgrade), check that bugs have been fixed, undertray etc. Also new Volvo EX30 & new Hyundai Kona are available for pre-order and are near in pricing. Tesla2 and VW 1.2 are immanent.
There are new 1st versions available at increasing discounts as they try and move old stock, but they do have minor bugs.

 

[tsedge]

It’s funny how people say things like ‘it’s never let me down’.
To me any time I have to go to a dealer for anything other than routine stuff, I have been let down.
Some people seem to think if a car starts and has never actually ‘broken down’ mid-drive, it’s fine. ?
It’s not the 70s, we should expect more than this from cars now.

You are right.

However, my MG4 has never let me down - I haven't been to the dealer since collection. 3,500 miles and 4.5 months so far.

I am going to wait and see what has been updated from previous version (2023 is an upgrade), check that bugs have been fixed, undertray etc. Also new Volvo EX30 & new Hyundai Kona are available for pre-order and are near in pricing. Tesla2 and VW 1.2 are immanent.
There are new 1st versions available at increasing discounts as they try and move old stock, but they do have minor bugs.

That's probably wise, getting an understanding of the Phase 2 cars and R40 infotainment improvements is definitely worth it.

 

[Rolfe]

I often said nice things about my Golf. I loved that car. Absolutely reliable, etc etc.

Except the time its engine blew up and had to be replaced under warranty.

Except the time the near front wheel came off while I was doing 40 on a country road. And then did it again after being repaired.

Nothing's perfect.

 

[Kithmo]

Some of the problems are highly subjective and some are just new driver errors.
Most MG4s are perfectly fine but you don't hear so much about those because their owners are not complaining on forums or social media groups.
Overall apart from a few lemons, the MG4 is a great car to own and drive and excellent value for money. I used to wonder if it was worth spending a little more on a different brand, but if you explore their forums and social media groups you'll see that very few makes are without their own problems.
And I just love the economy and range of the 4 compared to my old ZS.

 

[Rolfe]

This is one of the reasons I decided to go down the lease-via-work option over 2 years rather than outright purchase. Its a newly released car, it isnt perfect but I view it as my introduction to the EV world. I actually love the car, it drives really well and its nice knowing that if there are any issues, I can just call the lease company and they will take it away, give me a temporary replacement and (hopefully) fix the MG4.
What the car is doing is letting me have a 2 year trial to decide if I want to invest a large chunk of my own money into EVs. From the experience of the last 6 weeks, the answer to this is a resounding 'Yes'.

I can readily appreciate this point of view, but it took about a minute and a half into my test drive (in a Trophy) to confirm for me that the EV world was where I wanted to go. I'm retired so no option to lease-via-work, I had an insurance write-off on my hands so I needed a new car like now, and my intention was to buy outright. So I went for it.

I loved driving my Fiesta XR2, and my Peugeot 306 GTi6, and my Golf GTi Mk6. They all went like a bat out of hell. But the way the MG4 drives is a totally different experience. There's an effortless quality to the drive, never a feeling that an engine is roaring away to get you to where you are, just a smooth acceleration that at least feels as good as these "boy racer" types from low speeds.

The quietness - so you can actually hear the stereo! - the lack of gears giving you a completely seamless transition through the speeds, the comfort. It's so relaxing to drive. I'd never go back, and I've heard a lot of new EV drivers say the same.

Initially I wanted an EV because I wanted to charge at home (the nearest petrol station is nine miles away), and because I wanted to reduce my carbon footprint, and because I could see that they were probably the future and I didn't want to be left behind in the ICE age as everyone else moved on. But I'm staying for the driving experience! I simply can't understand these commentators who declare that they're changing back to an ICE car. Being paid by Big Oil, I suspect.

 

[staragara]

If i order now how do i know that i will get a R40 car and not the old ver1?

 

[Rolfe]

I think you need to talk to your dealer about your requirements. You are the customer and if you want a specific model it is up to him to make sure you get it.

 

[staragara]

I think you need to talk to your dealer about your requirements. You are the customer and if you want a specific model it is up to him to make sure you get it.

In Slovenia 100% that the dealer don't even know what is a r40 or r33. They will give me the what they have. Are r33 only 2022 model or also in 2023?

 

[Tight Git]

R40 is the infotainment for the Trophy model, the SR SE uses different numbering for the infotainment.

I would expect if you are ordering now that you would get a MY23 but I guess there is no absolute guarantee of that.

 

[bowfer]

I'm retired

You’d never know

 

[Rolfe]

At least I'm posting on the forum that caters for the car I actually own. Just saying...

 

[bowfer]

At least I'm posting on the forum that caters for the car I actually own. Just saying...

At least there wasn’t a story this time.
It’s progress.

 

[Rolfe]

Feel free to put me on ignore. Nobody is compelling your eyeballs to read anything I type.

 

[staragara]

What are charging speeds at home do you achieve on smaller battery? Any problems there maybee with dc charging?

Is the basic model less prone to software problems as higher versions?

 

[tsedge]

What are charging speeds at home do you achieve on smaller battery? Any problems there maybee with dc charging?

Home charging speeds are the same across both battery versions, since almost everyone has a single phase supply at home capable of delivering 7kW (6.6kW after losses).

Both versions are equally good at DC charging except for maximum charge rate which is around 135kW for the LR and 87kW for the SR. However, both figures are very respectable and the 20-80% charge time is similar for both.

Is the basic model less prone to software problems as higher versions?

The SE and Trophy have different branches of the software with different bugs. So no, but you may be less affected by specific bugs depending on your usage - for example, Trophy models have bluetooth connectivity bugs which will affect you if you rely on that but not if you always plugin and use CarPlay / AA.

 

[staragara]

Home charging speeds are the same across both battery versions, since almost everyone has a single phase supply at home capable of delivering 7kW (6.6kW after losses).

Both versions are equally good at DC charging except for maximum charge rate which is around 135kW for the LR and 87kW for the SR. However, both figures are very respectable and the 20-80% charge time is similar for both.

In Slovenia on Houses the standard is 3 phase electricity on flats 1phase. I have 3x25A fuse installed + 20kw solar panels which can internally bring up the power even more.

 

[tsedge]

In Slovenia on Houses the standard is 3 phase electricity on flats 1phase. I have 3x25A fuse installed + 20kw solar panels which can internally bring up the power even more.

Apologies, I didn't look at your location. The LR MG4 supports 3 phase charging up to 11kW, the SR only single phase.

 

[Rolfe]

There are about three bugs in the SE software that the Trophy doesn't have, that annoy me a bit. (One of these is really trivial.) I keep reading long posts from Trophy owners moaning about bugs affecting things only the Trophy has, though.

 

[ukslim]

A few observations:

• MG4 has a 7 year warranty. That's got to reassure you - although I do see people complaining about the standard of customer service. I've had no problems with mine, so no opportunity to experience the customer service.
• I don't know about Slovenia, but here in the UK there's been a sudden crash in second-hand prices of EVs in general. That's a mini-bubble bursting, because they were holding their value too well before -- and it looks as if prices are rising again. So if you act fast, it might be a really good time to buy a nearly-new EV.
• Nobody can predict long-term issues like rust, nor how it'll hold its value. But, it's a new car built to current standards. Current cars just don't turn into rustbuckets like they used to in the 90s when I first had a car.

 

[tsedge]

MG4 has a 7 year warranty. That's got to reassure you - although I do see people complaining about the standard of customer service. I've had no problems with mine, so no opportunity to experience the customer service.

True about the warranty, but there are a lot of exceptions on the list, so not that much is covered for 7 years.

Nobody can predict long-term issues like rust, nor how it'll hold its value. But, it's a new car built to current standards. Current cars just don't turn into rustbuckets like they used to in the 90s when I first had a car.

You don't live by the coast! Rust is still an issue for those of us who do, although it is far better than it once was. The concerns are that some Chinese makers will be cutting corners on rust proofing to save money, but there is no conclusive evidence of this yet. Some have pointed out shortcomings with the MG4 sill protection.