MG4 in Australia

[wattmatters]

In NSW Australia voltage is typically between 240 & 250 volts usually at the higher end during the day when there are a lot of PV systems feeding the grid from rooftop solar.

Certainly the case for us.

Here's our per phase grid voltage for the past two years. Lines mark a nominal 230 V, with extras shown at 253 V and 258 V being the range in which solar PV inverters need to invoke production limiting and/or inject reactive power in an effort to limit voltage rise. Stay above that for for too long and inverters shut down (ones which are correctly set to current standards that is).

We've needed some DNSP support at times to deal with grid over voltage issues. Most recently was a problem with the local 11 kV supply which needed some work to rectify.

The EV acts as a helpful load to help keep line voltage in check, at least on its phase (which is the white phase in the above chart).

One of the reasons I often limit the charge current setting to well below maximum is so it doesn't charge too quickly - that way it provides a bit of load for a longer period and/or spreads it over a couple of days. That bit of load can be enough to help reduce solar inverter throttling.

 

[ozzz]

I was walking down my driveway the other day and found this on the ground:
View attachment 22264

I looked under the car and found it matched the bolts that were holding the tray up and there was one missing. Amazing that I found it on the driveway and didn't lose it on the road somewhere. I screwed it back in and checked the others, most were loose or only finger tight! I'm taking it in to get looked at for other problems but will definitely mention this to them... Sounds like you've lost one too.

Hi after reading your message, today I checked all my tray bolt’s and found all needed some tightening up, especially the most central one this was really loose I suggest all MG4 owners check the bolts asap as my car has only traveled 1800km.

 

[PeterM]

Here's our per phase grid voltage for the past two years. Lines mark a nominal 230 V, with extras shown at 253 V and 258 V

It's a similar story here in Sydney north-west.
Average line voltage of 247V, occasional max is 252V and occasional min of 233V

 

[Corindikev]

If voltage exceeds the maximum of the IEC standard and you have proof and something gets fried due to over voltage you may have a valid claim against the supplier. Most modern switchgear hardware has over voltage protection but that is not mandatory.

 

[Calm as]

Hi after reading your message, today I checked all my tray bolt’s and found all needed some tightening up, especially the most central one this was really loose I suggest all MG4 owners check the bolts asap as my car has only traveled 1800km.

Maybe a low strength loctite would help... Loctite 222 looks like the best.

LOCTITE® 222

Threadlocking Adhesive - low strength. Easy disassembly. Suitable for all metal threaded assemblies.

www.henkel-adhesives.com

 

[Corindikev]

I checked mine the other day and they are not torqued up tightly at all. Remember though that the under tray is LDPE (Low density Polyethelene) and will not take too much compression so I would not be torquing them up much at all. I just used a ring spanner and just nipped them up slightly to about the same for all. None were loose

 

[siteguru]

Probably better to use compression washers to minimise vibration shaking them loose?

 

[ozzz]

Thinking I will not modify anything as not to void warranty but thanks for the input.
will definitely keep my eye on it, even 10mm socket.

 

[RCo]

Hi all. Not sure if there are any Aussies here but I guess I'll try.

So the MG4 EV just began selling in Australia 2 weeks ago. Took one for a test drive yesterday and really liked it. Looking to get the base model 51kW. Do we know if this batch is identical to the ones UK/EU got last year or they have made some improvements?

After doing some research, the issues that I am mostly concerned about are:

1. Some had deformed undertray beneath the rear motor. The ytuber said it is defect and covered under warranty. Can anyone in Aus with MG4 had a look at this and can confirm it has been addressed?
2. Jerky and potentially dangerous lane keeping assistance (LKA) that forced most users to turn it off. Has a patch rolled out that improved LKA or allowed you to turn it off permanently?

Any other feedback and people's thoughts are appreciated.

Edit: Since this thread is getting a lot of traction, I thought it might be a good idea for fellow aussies to share our honest initial experience with the MG4.

I'm liking our excite51 but the lane assist is a pain, sometimes it picks up road defect not the edge line so I turn it off. There should be a way to hold personal driver settings also.

 

[wattmatters]

Charging Stats to date (3 months Oct-Dec 2023)
Essence 64
4223 km

Mid-north NSW rural/regional location

Home charging*: 424.0 kWh / $ 73.44
DC Fast charge: 249.6 kWh / $156.12
Plug-in charge^: 50.0 kWh / $ 13.20
------------------------------------
TOTAL charge: 723.6 kWh / $242.76

Averages:
17.1 kWh / 100km
$5.75 / 100 km

Most driving is on 100-110 km/h roads/highways, some local town driving.

DC fast charging ($10.70 / 100 km) is more expensive than driving my old diesel Golf ($9.80 / 100 km). DC fast charging makes up 35% of our EV energy consumption.

Home charging ($2.96 / 100 km) is considerably cheaper as long as I use solar PV for most of it. Peak tariff periods are avoided, that would be more expensive than DC fast charging.

* Home charging split: 330 kWh solar PV, 94 kWh grid import.
^ Estimate of use of slow plug-in charger both home and away.

 

[mgoz]

I have the MG4 long range 77 and I cannot get the vehicle binding to work. When I scan the first QR code it says app not available in your country. If I install the MG app (AUS NZ) and install it and register, and then try to connect the car by scanning the second QR code I still get the ‘Not available in your country’. I have tried two different iPhones with two different appleid’s and both give the same issue. My appleid is Australian. MG have been unable to help. Any ideas?

 

[wattmatters]

MG have been unable to help. Any ideas?

I think you are going to need to press them harder.

 

[Coulomb]

When I scan the first QR code it says app not available in your country.

Does it know that you're in Australia? Maybe your phone needs its location set, though that seems unlikely.

 

[Corindikev]

MG4 is now the largest selling EV in Australia knocking the Tesla model 3 off the top slot for the first time in November. That is a pretty outstanding result as it has only been on the market since August

Electric car sales November 2023: MG outsells Tesla with one key EV model

Mgoz try an Android phone for iSmart. Android is far more common in China and most likely the platform the app was developed on. I have read plenty of complaints regarding getting Apple carplay to work & iSmart with Apple phones as well.

My old 2017 LG Android phone connected first time for everything & every function works, Android Auto, iSmart, Bluetooth & WiFi.

 

[leonkernan]

I had a feeling with the amount I'm starting to see on the roads that they were selling a few!

Tesla has a few shipments arriving at the moment though so expect them to take the top spot back soon.

 

[Coulomb]

MG4 is now the largest selling EV in Australia knocking the Tesla model 3 off the top slot for the first time in November.

I suspect that this is an anomaly. For example, a ship was sent back to China recently, because of stink bugs. It was known to have Teslas on board.

Usually the Model Y outsells the Model 3 in Australia.

I'm happy that the MG4 is doing well. MG Australia seem to look after their customers better than MG UK (a completely separate company it seems).

Ship carrying Tesla electric cars to Australia turned back to China

Australian authorities have sent a ship carrying Teslas back to China for processing of what are believed to be biosecurity hazards.

www.drive.com.au

 

[Corindikev]

That could be true and especially as Tesla has reduced the price of its lineup recently.

The thing is that the MG 4, BYD Dolphin & GWM Ora have opened a new door to potential EV buyers who found the Tesla range just too expensive. BYD & GWM have opted for flasher interiors & software but very ordinary driving experience. The MG4 is completely the opposite & I actually prefer the minimalist interior and the styling beats them all including the model 3 IMHO. The RWD MG4 is easily the best drive.

 

[ozzz]

I have the MG4 long range 77 and I cannot get the vehicle binding to work. When I scan the first QR code it says app not available in your country. If I install the MG app (AUS NZ) and install it and register, and then try to connect the car by scanning the second QR code I still get the ‘Not available in your country’. I have tried two different iPhones with two different appleid’s and both give the same issue. My appleid is Australian. MG have been unable to help. Any ideas?

I had no problem with the set up using iPhone I just sat in driving seats and followed the set up , down loaded the app from App Store first, I suggest start again good luck.

 

[ozzz]

Charging Stats to date (3 months Oct-Dec 2023)
Essence 64
4223 km

Mid-north NSW rural/regional location

Home charging*: 424.0 kWh / $ 73.44
DC Fast charge: 249.6 kWh / $156.12
Plug-in charge^: 50.0 kWh / $ 13.20
------------------------------------
TOTAL charge: 723.6 kWh / $242.76

Averages:
17.1 kWh / 100km
$5.75 / 100 km

Most driving is on 100-110 km/h roads/highways, some local town driving.

DC fast charging ($10.70 / 100 km) is more expensive than driving my old diesel Golf ($9.80 / 100 km). DC fast charging makes up 35% of our EV energy consumption.

Home charging ($2.96 / 100 km) is considerably cheaper as long as I use solar PV for most of it. Peak tariff periods are avoided, that would be more expensive than DC fast charging.

* Home charging split: 330 kWh solar PV, 94 kWh grid import.
^ Estimate of use of slow plug-in charger both home and away.

Hi interesting looking at different ways to run , I charge at home using granny charger, from my solar power day time only and get free fast charging from local shops as they have two banks of 4 charging at 6.4kw for free while I shop and have coffee so in two months I have spent $2:40 on running my MG 4 & the $2:40 was to c if I could use a charge fox unit in shellcove Woolworths.

 

[wattmatters]

MG4 is now the largest selling EV in Australia knocking the Tesla model 3 off the top slot for the first time in November.

While MG4 sales are good, there were way more Tesla Model Ys sold in November. Nearly four times as many as MG4.

Model 3 sales dropped because of a supply constraint and people holding out for the new Highlander model which has now started to arrive.

Rank	Make and Model	Nov 2023	YTD 2023
1	Tesla Model Y	3151	27,418
2	MG 4	835	2527
3	Tesla Model 3	788	16,506
4	BYD Atto 3	688	10,286
5	BYD Dolphin	589	689
6	BMW iX1	257	820
7	Volvo XC40 Recharge PE	215	2649
8	Kia EV6	212	1579
9	Polestar 2	191	2058
10	Mercedes-Benz EQA	169	1056