PristDean
Prominent Member
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2022
- Messages
- 812
- Reaction score
- 1,191
- Points
- 346
- Location
- Hampshire, UK
- Driving
- MG4 SE SR
So, bit of a long and final post, however, after one full year of ownership, I thought I would share my approach, experiences, highs and lows. Hopefully anyone looking to 'dive in' with MG will find it useful.
Approach
The EV market was and still is, in its infancy and will develop, so I did not want to spend out on an expensive vehicle only to find it depreciate hugely as the market develops. So I went cheap, but for something I could live with and 'tweak' to suit. The MG4 fitted this nicely, quite a good looking car, rear wheel drive and 50/50 weight distribution. The Trophy came with a lot of 'toys', good range and at a good price by comparison.
Buying Experience
Buying the car was challenging, sales staff didn't seem able to add numbers (on invoices) and the dealership advertised a 'Services & Parts' area which turned out to have no staff. Pick up was, well, very basic and awkward as the sales person declared "Ooo new car day... whoop, whoop". MG Newbury
Initial Challenges
1. Warped under tray
2. AC sounding like a rattlesnake in a tin can
3. Low light detection (auto lights) was very poor.
4. R30 software provides a poor user experience with many software issues.
Back to MG Newbury again with the above, who then sent me to Volvo next door, who then spoke to MG who's 'Mr Smart' who said "That's normal sir"
Long story short... found a sympathetic dealership with common sense and Technicians (MG Gloucester, 68 miles away from Andover) who replaced my undertray and fitted a new AC pump, they found my original AC system contained no oil at all in the gas !
I then took pleasure in clearly informing Mr 'That's normal sir' Smart at MG !
The light sensor on the dashboard has a cover which is a bit too opaque. Some very small holes drilled into the cover to let more light through and the sensor now works as it should.
Software and firmware updates done by MG Gloucester which has improved systems considerably, although still not what you would call, 'slick'. Currently on R59
1st Service
Done at MG Salisbury for a total of £88. When collected they gave me a service sheet which marked the following as 'passed'
'Engine noise check'
'Exhaust pipe blowing check'
Of course, I asked them just how they checked those things and was met with embarrassed mumbling. All other checks on that sheet are done at an MOT (check wiper blades, brake pads, door locks and lights etc), so servicing an EV seems a largely pointless money wasting exercise. I think Tesla has this nailed down.
Upgrades
To bring the car up to be a little more to my liking, I installed a new set of seat covers which vastly improve comfort, looks, quality and ride 'grip'.
I Installed a 'Gunmetal' bar just under the front air vents, this breaks up the sea of black. Also replaced the cheap rubber tray on the wifi charging tray, with a felt one with an MG logo, which I put on myself. Installed felt liners in the glove-box, door bins back and front, sunglasses holder, This quietens any rattling of objects. in pockets or holders
Rear lights, I replaced the bulbs with LED bulbs, this gives a sharper look as they are used and more fitting with a new EV. However due some EMI DAB interference, I installed ferrite clips on the cables just behind the bulb fittings. Job done.
Replaced interior light bulbs with LED bulbs (cabin lights) too, much more light in the interior now
Rear boot liner installed. This looks better and provides a good degree of protection.
Interior door stitching which was blue, but my car is red (MG saving the pennies) I changed to suit.
Covered the front MG badge and sprayed the rear one, both black. Removed the 'Electric'. Looks much better in my opinion.
Whistling wind noise whilst driving. Cured by adjusting the under bonnet height adjusters and installing 'weather strip foam' under the bonnet to form a better wind proof seal. No more whistling.
Charging
My home has solar panels and a battery, so whilst the car is in my garage I often used to use the supplied 'Granny charger' on a smart plug. However with the British Sun playing 'peek a boo' behind cloud cover as it often does, this created a challenge adjusting the cars draw from solar and the house battery (so as not to drain the house battery too much), something I could only adjust from within the car ! Could not use my Hypervolt on Solar only as that only works with 1.4kW min and is connected directly to the incoming main, so is on/off repeatedly. The effect of on/off on the car's electronics as the sun comes out and goes in again would not be good I suspect.
So, I purchased an 'EV Jucion' 'Granny' charger which has an excellent app, connects to WiFi and allows me to remotely start / stop and control the amp draw (6 to 13 in increments of 1) via the charger remotely and whilst charging is in progress too. Scheduled charging and more. If solar draw goes below 1.4kW due to UK sun, then the house battery takes up the slack maintaining the supply.
The MG supplied charger is now in the boot in a Velcro attached case and TAPO smart plug removed.
Overall
MG dealerships have a lot to learn. I won't use my local ones again. This will likely be my last MG ownership experience.
I purposely bought cheap and that's just what I got, but a good driver's car too. However with some attention, the car can be made even better to suit and to live with whilst the EV market matures. Plus, the depreciation burn most new EV cars feel is minimised by not splashing out too much in the first instance (if you buy new outright) on a car within a market which is in its infancy.
The future: Maybe EVs' will be viewed in a similar way to how expensive mobile phones are viewed right now.
Approach
The EV market was and still is, in its infancy and will develop, so I did not want to spend out on an expensive vehicle only to find it depreciate hugely as the market develops. So I went cheap, but for something I could live with and 'tweak' to suit. The MG4 fitted this nicely, quite a good looking car, rear wheel drive and 50/50 weight distribution. The Trophy came with a lot of 'toys', good range and at a good price by comparison.
Buying Experience
Buying the car was challenging, sales staff didn't seem able to add numbers (on invoices) and the dealership advertised a 'Services & Parts' area which turned out to have no staff. Pick up was, well, very basic and awkward as the sales person declared "Ooo new car day... whoop, whoop". MG Newbury
Initial Challenges
1. Warped under tray
2. AC sounding like a rattlesnake in a tin can
3. Low light detection (auto lights) was very poor.
4. R30 software provides a poor user experience with many software issues.
Back to MG Newbury again with the above, who then sent me to Volvo next door, who then spoke to MG who's 'Mr Smart' who said "That's normal sir"
Long story short... found a sympathetic dealership with common sense and Technicians (MG Gloucester, 68 miles away from Andover) who replaced my undertray and fitted a new AC pump, they found my original AC system contained no oil at all in the gas !
I then took pleasure in clearly informing Mr 'That's normal sir' Smart at MG !
The light sensor on the dashboard has a cover which is a bit too opaque. Some very small holes drilled into the cover to let more light through and the sensor now works as it should.
Software and firmware updates done by MG Gloucester which has improved systems considerably, although still not what you would call, 'slick'. Currently on R59
1st Service
Done at MG Salisbury for a total of £88. When collected they gave me a service sheet which marked the following as 'passed'
'Engine noise check'
'Exhaust pipe blowing check'
Of course, I asked them just how they checked those things and was met with embarrassed mumbling. All other checks on that sheet are done at an MOT (check wiper blades, brake pads, door locks and lights etc), so servicing an EV seems a largely pointless money wasting exercise. I think Tesla has this nailed down.
Upgrades
To bring the car up to be a little more to my liking, I installed a new set of seat covers which vastly improve comfort, looks, quality and ride 'grip'.
I Installed a 'Gunmetal' bar just under the front air vents, this breaks up the sea of black. Also replaced the cheap rubber tray on the wifi charging tray, with a felt one with an MG logo, which I put on myself. Installed felt liners in the glove-box, door bins back and front, sunglasses holder, This quietens any rattling of objects. in pockets or holders
Rear lights, I replaced the bulbs with LED bulbs, this gives a sharper look as they are used and more fitting with a new EV. However due some EMI DAB interference, I installed ferrite clips on the cables just behind the bulb fittings. Job done.
Replaced interior light bulbs with LED bulbs (cabin lights) too, much more light in the interior now
Rear boot liner installed. This looks better and provides a good degree of protection.
Interior door stitching which was blue, but my car is red (MG saving the pennies) I changed to suit.
Covered the front MG badge and sprayed the rear one, both black. Removed the 'Electric'. Looks much better in my opinion.
Whistling wind noise whilst driving. Cured by adjusting the under bonnet height adjusters and installing 'weather strip foam' under the bonnet to form a better wind proof seal. No more whistling.
Charging
My home has solar panels and a battery, so whilst the car is in my garage I often used to use the supplied 'Granny charger' on a smart plug. However with the British Sun playing 'peek a boo' behind cloud cover as it often does, this created a challenge adjusting the cars draw from solar and the house battery (so as not to drain the house battery too much), something I could only adjust from within the car ! Could not use my Hypervolt on Solar only as that only works with 1.4kW min and is connected directly to the incoming main, so is on/off repeatedly. The effect of on/off on the car's electronics as the sun comes out and goes in again would not be good I suspect.
So, I purchased an 'EV Jucion' 'Granny' charger which has an excellent app, connects to WiFi and allows me to remotely start / stop and control the amp draw (6 to 13 in increments of 1) via the charger remotely and whilst charging is in progress too. Scheduled charging and more. If solar draw goes below 1.4kW due to UK sun, then the house battery takes up the slack maintaining the supply.
The MG supplied charger is now in the boot in a Velcro attached case and TAPO smart plug removed.
Overall
MG dealerships have a lot to learn. I won't use my local ones again. This will likely be my last MG ownership experience.
I purposely bought cheap and that's just what I got, but a good driver's car too. However with some attention, the car can be made even better to suit and to live with whilst the EV market matures. Plus, the depreciation burn most new EV cars feel is minimised by not splashing out too much in the first instance (if you buy new outright) on a car within a market which is in its infancy.
The future: Maybe EVs' will be viewed in a similar way to how expensive mobile phones are viewed right now.
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