MG4 Software Update Thread

Oh absolutely, I am done with MG, once the finance term runs out I will be handing it back and walking.
I feel exactly the same. Though I have 18 months to go still. I've given up asking for stuff to be fixed. 1st service they told me they couldn't fix any of the issues I had and claimed my car was up to date (I knew it wasn't).

I've raised the issues with Octopus who engaged MG UK, who told them the same. Gee thanks. I told Octopus I'd never have an MG again and thought the aftersales was awful.

I don’t think it’s all that bad.

MG cars are reliable, well-built, exciting to drive, and offer excellent value for money. Every brand has its pros and cons.

The main shortcomings are clearly the infotainment system, which is about a decade behind its competitors, and MG’s approach to updates.

I believe many customers don’t even care about updates…

In my case, I find it particularly frustrating, especially since I also own a Tesla, which sits at the opposite end of the spectrum—though it comes with its own set of drawbacks.
It does drive well. It's spacious. It's comfortable. It's fun. But it's tried to drive me into ditches more times than I can count. It also feels particularly keen to invite the car behind into the boot in a hurry too with its various phantom braking.
 
I don’t think it’s all that bad.

MG cars are reliable, well-built, exciting to drive, and offer excellent value for money. Every brand has its pros and cons.

The main shortcomings are clearly the infotainment system, which is about a decade behind its competitors, and MG’s approach to updates.

I believe many customers don’t even care about updates…

In my case, I find it particularly frustrating, especially since I also own a Tesla, which sits at the opposite end of the spectrum—though it comes with its own set of drawbacks.

Le lapin heureux, I am now curious as to two things:
(1) what are other car companies update policies? (my experience with VWAG is "if it ain't broke, we don't fix it"). For Tesla, I think it's we provide OTA updates for the software features you already own.
(2) what are the other drawbacks with Tesla (as I've never driven one)?
 
I don’t think it’s all that bad.

MG cars are reliable, well-built, exciting to drive, and offer excellent value for money. Every brand has its pros and cons.

The main shortcomings are clearly the infotainment system, which is about a decade behind its competitors, and MG’s approach to updates.

I believe many customers don’t even care about updates…

In my case, I find it particularly frustrating, especially since I also own a Tesla, which sits at the opposite end of the spectrum—though it comes with its own set of drawbacks.

Well built...dash pad blisters, bulging undertrays (which isn't enough to fix it apparently), blatant lack of integration testing in their software (I consider software part of the "well built and reliable" and battery SoH at 90% after 14353 miles and 2 years, hmmmm.
 
Le lapin heureux, I am now curious as to two things:
(1) what are other car companies update policies? (my experience with VWAG is "if it ain't broke, we don't fix it"). For Tesla, I think it's we provide OTA updates for the software features you already own.
(2) what are the other drawbacks with Tesla (as I've never driven one)?
I haven’t had first-hand experience with other companies’ policies on software updates, so I can’t make direct comparisons.

Tesla’s Autopilot is on another level, but it isn’t immune to phantom braking either. Because it usually performs so well, you tend to let your guard down, which can leave you less prepared to react when it suddenly brake for no apparent reason.


Another drawback is the wipers, which don’t use a traditional rain sensor but instead rely on the cameras. They used to perform terribly, though recent updates have made them generally a bit better.

Tesla’s customer service, however, is completely dehumanised. For example, when I needed my tyres rotated, I had to request a service ticket through the app. They scheduled an appointment, issued an invoice, and only after I’d paid was I able to collect my vehicle. It set me €50 back, and they had even forgotten to confirm the tyre rotation in the service menu.

Nothing serious but they make it deliberately hard for the customer to complain…

Would we buy a Tesla or MG again? That depends on what the competitors bring to the market in a few years.

For the Tesla, my criteria were tech, ability to handle long trips, and regular updates.

For the MG, wifey’s criteria were value for money, fun factor, and the fact that they offered an excellent trade-in deal for her previous car.

No regrets so far, actually!
 

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It also feels particularly keen to invite the car behind into the boot in a hurry too with its various phantom braking.
When I disable ACC, the phantom braking never happens. But no CC at all is a step back compared to my previous car. Well, I did get LKA as a compensation. But that doesn't work as it should either. So that's 2 down for MG ...

Yes, it drives well. Actually, apart from the vibes, from a steering point of view it is the nicest one I had.
 
@elenc I'm also spanish. :)


So, basically, updating Standard is as easy as put everything on root folder, car in P and first the MPU (AVN-VIP) and then the MPU (AVN-SOC)?


THANKS!
Yes, the car should be in park and in ready mode.

Once the MPU is updated to R59, the usb_ota_update.zip file must be in the AVN_MPU folder, so it's better to copy this file to both locations.
 
The thing is ... software updates are a check item on the service checklist, so I've no idea why a service dealer would refuse to do them. 🤦‍♂️
There's a difference between mandatory and optional updates. Almost none are mandatory and in my experience some dealers will do the optional ones at service and some won't.

Just because MG has an update for a module doesn't mean a customer's car NEEDS it. Their philosophy seems to be:
  • Mandatory updates for extreme safety issues only.
  • Optional updates, apply if customer complains a lot but otherwise we won't pay for it unless there's a warranty claim.

Now a good dealer will still try to apply any updates at service because they are working on the car anyway. But if there's problems with the servers or they are under pressure, that can go out of the window.
 
I seem to have a good dealer ... or rather, for me they're a good dealer. (I can't comment on what service others receive). They even said that they only had one MG tech working that day so they might not be able to fit in any software updates, which I said was OK if it would be problematic, yet when I got my car back the software updates had been done - including 1100R38 which I wasn't expecting at all.

(That's why I think 1100R38 is linked with the latest HVAC update ... the visual scale of the temperature control needs revising to correlate with the HVAC update).
 
There's a difference between mandatory and optional updates. Almost none are mandatory and in my experience some dealers will do the optional ones at service and some won't.

Just because MG has an update for a module doesn't mean a customer's car NEEDS it. Their philosophy seems to be:
  • Mandatory updates for extreme safety issues only.
  • Optional updates, apply if customer complains a lot but otherwise we won't pay for it unless there's a warranty claim.

Now a good dealer will still try to apply any updates at service because they are working on the car anyway. But if there's problems with the servers or they are under pressure, that can go out of the window.
The dealer needs to connect the car to SIPS and update all. Thats all.
 

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The dealer needs to connect the car to SIPS and update all. Thats all.
That is not at all as I understand it.

Updates have to be baby-sat with manual yes/no approval throughout the process and frequently some fail to apply silently or explicitly and frequently the Chinese servers are down and nothing connects.
 

That's the thread. The answer is buried well inside it though. The workaround is (if vol is at max) to press and hold volume UP again and then TAP the volume back down. Vice versa if volume is at min.
 
That is not at all as I understand it.

Updates have to be baby-sat with manual yes/no approval throughout the process and frequently some fail to apply silently or explicitly and frequently the Chinese servers are down and nothing connects.
I thought they used EU based AWS servers?
 
I thought they used EU based AWS servers?
MG TRIP does but that's just for USB based updates, not sure about MG Care
SIPS uses a Shanghai server

Wouldn't say it needs to be babysat though, from memory doing a one click it only came up with 1 popup midway programming everything

IMO connect it up, have a battery maintainer connected, select one click update, start it off, glance at computer screen when passing whilst doing other stuff, took about 3 hours on my car though, I'd say 20mins of touch time
 
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MG TRIP does but that's just for USB based updates, not sure about MG Care
SIPS uses a Shanghai server

Wouldn't say it needs to be babysat though, from memory doing a one click it only came up with 1 popup midway programming everything

IMO connect it up, have a battery maintainer connected, select one click update, start it off, glance at computer screen when passing whilst doing other stuff, took about 3 hours on my car though, I'd say 20mins of touch time
I don't know how the dealer portal works, whether they do it the same way you have access to, but both my dealer and Miles Roberts have said that it needs babysitting a lot and is frequently unreliable.

It would be great if was simple and automated and I hope they do that. I think then people would have a lot fewer fights with their dealers, but from what I hear on the forums, if it is as easy as you say then there must be a huge technician training problem - because getting updates is not easy for many.

I would also think that not many technicians are going to leave a car connected for anything like 3 hours during what is supposed to be a brief service or visit with lots of other vehicles queued up - so which updates they choose will be selective.
 
There's only one method for modules on the MG4 & that's SIPS

If you go to Programming and Coding you program one part of a module at time & it comes up with info and confirmations

If you go to One Press you can select multiple modules to program & configure which it does sequentially with info etc for the first one then it just plods through

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Also not been having as many server issues lately, last time I had issues was August
 
There's only one method for modules on the MG4 & that's SIPS...
That's good to know. My information may be out of date.

By the way many thanks again on everything you have shared, I am thinking about whether to get the same set up so I can update my own car.
 
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