New MG4 owner... any tips?!

[Wil Tryharder]

Hi all!

Just about to take delivery of my MG4 ?

Congratulations ? you bought a great car. Although can’t formally welcome you to Team Orange coz we don’t know the colour!

 

[CharlesCarmichael]

I got a 7kW EVSE for the house, we have gone from 2 ICE cars to 2 EVs in one foul swoop so it made sense. I got VW to throw a charger in with my other lease, OHME so it works with Intelligent Octapis go, as long as you schedule charge you never pay more than 7p per kWh.

As mentioned we schedule our washing machine and dishwasher to run between 23:30 and 05:30 for 7p electric as well.

Over the course of years, depending on car mileage of course, it can be a significant amount.

 

[salty]

Straight in. I tried with a extension first, as the granny charger wouldn't reach the socket which is in the hall and it wouldn't charge. So I had to back the car right up to the front door and it reached, it's charging nicely now.
It was on 19% and 35 miles when I started charging it. It will be charging for about 9 hours, interested to see what it puts in. ? ?

So granny charged it overnight for the first time (9hrs) Started with 19% and 35 miles.
Finished up with 53% and 112 miles.
So probably gonna have to charge it, every other day.
Will probably get a Wall charger eventually, but not just yet.
By the way the wall socket was fine, wasn't even warm. ??

 

[CharlesCarmichael]

So granny charged it overnight for the first time (9hrs) Started with 19% and 35 miles.
Finished up with 53% and 112 miles.
So probably gonna have to charge it, every other day.
Will probably get a Wall charger eventually, but not just yet.
By the way the wall socket was fine, wasn't even warm. ??

I know you know, ya know, but for others your range will reduce in the winter and charging will take longer in cold weather.

You can pre heat your batteries but not sure if this negates the issue completely?

 

[tonybridge]

I’d certainly recommend a wall charger, and going to a cheap overnight tariff. This way, you’ll be charging your car to 100% (for a long trip) in one go, and will cost you just £3 or £4. If you go the home charger route, I’d also recommend an untethered unit - this will mean you’ll have to also buy a cable, but many destination chargers (at hotels etc., which are often free) will require your cable.

 

[siteguru]

This only applies if you are willing to time-shift other heavy electricity usage (washing machine, dishwasher etc.) and go onto a day/night tariff (e.g. Octopus Go) ... if you're not willing to do so then you can simply charge your car as an when you like. (A 7kW wall box is relevant to make best use of the cheap rate time slots of such tariffs).

I'll repeat the above as so many are saying to go to a time of day tariff. This is only beneficial IF you are willing to time shift other heavy usage - if you're not (and you're not putting ~60% charge into your car every night) then it is likely that a time of day tariff will cost you more.

Time of day tariffs have their place, but they're not for everyone - do the sums first.

 

[Martinonline]

I am a low mileage user and retired. I worked out it would cost me more to switch to an EV tariff as my daytime usage is too high. (No dishwasher, limited washing machine use but hob/oven usage daily.) If the Government/Energy supplier wants me to charge the car overnight in order to limit daytime surges they should not penalise me for other usage during the day.

 

[Bam Bam]

I'll repeat the above as so many are saying to go to a time of day tariff. This is only beneficial IF you are willing to time shift other heavy usage - if you're not (and you're not putting ~60% charge into your car every night) then it is likely that a time of day tariff will cost you more.

Time of day tariffs have their place, but they're not for everyone - do the sums first.

Unless you have a home battery...Which goes well with a solar system...

Which gets us back to Rolfe's circular reasoning!

 

[JonnyG]

I'll repeat the above as so many are saying to go to a time of day tariff. This is only beneficial IF you are willing to time shift other heavy usage - if you're not (and you're not putting ~60% charge into your car every night) then it is likely that a time of day tariff will cost you more.

Time of day tariffs have their place, but they're not for everyone - do the sums first.

I did my sums very carefully first and even though I only use 45% of my electricity on charging my car, Octopus Go was still a fair bit cheaper for me compared to any other tariff I could find at the time (April 2024) including Octopus standard tariff.

Fortunately Renault paid in full for my charger and installation using the grant in 2019 when I bought a new Zoe but unfortunatley I'm stuck with a dumb charger and dumb car ??‍

Here are the sums I did to compare at the time ... hopefully no mistakes else I will look dumb ?

First line is night time rate (except for standard rate at top), 2nd line is the daily rate and the third is the standing charge. Third column is kwh per year. Total for year in bold. All calcs for a full year and include VAT. Obviously they have changed since April but I find Octopus GO (who I'm with) seem to have the lowest daily rate.

 

[siteguru]

That's a helluva high usage for leccy - almost double mine (even accounting for having my EV; I guess you must do a lot more miles than me and so charge up much more often).

 

[JonnyG]

Yep, Solar Panels and / or a Wall Battery may be worth it for me long term.

Xpower does around 10000 miles per annum at around 3mls/kWh plus losses charging = the 3681 kWh.

 

[Ian Key]

I did a similar spread sheet to @JonnyG and for me E.on were better because their cheap rate is from midnight to 7am which meant I could use the electric shower on it.

You have to do the calculations for your circumstances and use the current tariff prices from each supplier. JonnyG's are already out of date as E.on next Drive is 6.9p night, 28.98p day and 56p standing charge bringing his overall total to £1771.47

 

[Glasgow St Bernards]

Here's my tuppence worth from my very short experience of my new MG4...
It's lovely to drive.
Easily get over 200 miles motorway on a single charge with room to spare.
I switch off the lane keep assist, it's a pain, does to many unexpected random braking, warnings and course corrections.
Learn how the steering wheel buttons work, they're a godsend for the Aircon and radio, the main screen is too fiddly when driving.
The traffic jam assistant isn't great, if you use it remember to switch it back to cruise control when you speed up or you'll think your steering is broken.
If your charging cable is stuck and you can't remove it, lock then unlock the car.
My last car was a petrol Merc, the MG is way better, smoother, faster.

 

[NewbieDoo]

Straight in. I tried with a extension first, as the granny charger wouldn't reach the socket which is in the hall and it wouldn't charge. So I had to back the car right up to the front door and it reached, it's charging nicely now.
It was on 19% and 35 miles when I started charging it. It will be charging for about 9 hours, interested to see what it puts in. ? ?

So..... How'd you get on?! ?

Here's my tuppence worth from my very short experience of my new MG4...
It's lovely to drive.
Easily get over 200 miles motorway on a single charge with room to spare.
I switch off the lane keep assist, it's a pain, does to many unexpected random braking, warnings and course corrections.
Learn how the steering wheel buttons work, they're a godsend for the Aircon and radio, the main screen is too fiddly when driving.
The traffic jam assistant isn't great, if you use it remember to switch it back to cruise control when you speed up or you'll think your steering is broken.
If your charging cable is stuck and you can't remove it, lock then unlock the car.
My last car was a petrol Merc, the MG is way better, smoother, faster.

Awesome thanks! Which MG4 do you have and has it had the updates? I heard the LKA is a but better after the latest update BUT I'll still be turning it off!

Congratulations ? you bought a great car. Although can’t formally welcome you to Team Orange coz we don’t know the colour!

SADLY, that is my only gripe... its the blue. Not a huge fan but it wasn't my choice!

 

[Wil Tryharder]

Bournemouth Blue it is then! Welcome.

 

[salty]

So..... How'd you get on?! ?

Went to 53% and 112 miles. ?

 

[Nick 828]

Thanks!

I will get one eventually, however from what I've seen so far, they're between £800 - £1000 to have installed. I just can't warrant shelling out that sort of cash right now! (Its a busy time of year for our family with birthdays etc & Christmas round the corner)

False economy Charging on rapid chargers and charging for 24 hours on a granny charger are not good options.I had a home charger installed before I bought an EV .With an off peak tariff it's so much more cost effective.

 

[DYWLC]

The best advice I can give you is to part-ex it for a KIA

 

[siteguru]

Yes, we know you're dissatisfied with your MG4. But there's no need to tell us in every post you make. ?

 

[Ian Key]

The best advice I can give you is to part-ex it for a KIA

Is that what you've done?
Which KIA have you got?
Is it problem free?