Mk1 v Mk 2 MG 5LR

[Wibble]

Long time reader, first time poster.

I am seriously considering purchasing an MG5 after testing a Mk 2 Trophy back in Jan. We will by purchasing 2nd had so the main question is whether to but the cheaper Mk 1 Exclusive LR, or perhaps pay more for a Mk 2 Trophy. While I do prefer the Mk2 exterior and interior that alone isn't enough for more to pay thousands more. I would be interested in anyone's thoughts on the differences especially those who have owned both?

 

[Jomarkh]

I have the MG5 SR just clocked up 33k in 2 years still love it.
@Les burrows had a MK1 and now has a MK2 and MG4 so he may give you a better idea.

 

[dragon2611]

Mk1 doesn't have an app or any way to schedule/limit charging from the car side.

The infotainment system is very basic but does support android auto/apple carplay, I've not tried the android auto but the carplay works fine

There were a few late 2022 ones that had an issue throwing Check HV battery errors constantly but that was fixed with a software update.


The only thing I really miss somewhat is an App but it's not worth the price difference between what I paid for mine and what a facelift would have cost.

 

[Fokmg]

There are a few technical difference between the two variants (charging options and access to Apps) but seconnd hand you are looking at £6 -7 K diffence
If you are intending to keep the car for a few years I suspect that when you come to sellthere won`t be a significant difference in proce between the two varriants?
I prefer the old instrument displays and proper knobs and buttons
There are some nearly new Mk1 varriants at silly prices with less than 100 miles on the clock !
Good luck
I will be keeping my MK1 for many years - just love it !

 

[Alb]

There was a time when I'd have automatically gone for the later version but I actually prefer the simplicity of the Mk1. It has to be the least troublesome car of the entire MGEV range.

 

[Amun]

I nearly bought a Mk 1 a couple of years ago, but wanted a longer range and an app. Also I was risk averse for health reasons, so went for another ICEV - I still regret the decision.

We've just bought a Mk 2 Trophy, and one of the big selling points for me over the standard LR model was the 360 deg cameras. I really like them, but my wife has huge issues parking and I felt that it would be a big benefit to have them.

Extremely happy with the car, but a couple of slight disappointments :-

i) no way of turning the audio off
ii) although MG call it MG Pilot, they don't mention that it what is provided varies between MG models - so there's no blind spot monitoring on the MG5
iii) the seats are plastic (or vegan leather - whatever they call it these days) - and I'd forgotten how hot these seats get in the sun - and it's not even summer yet!

I doubt that you'd be disappointed with any of the models. I suspect that second hand Mk1's may turn out to be the most cost effective purchase.

 

[dragon2611]

There was a time when I'd have automatically gone for the later version but I actually prefer the simplicity of the Mk1. It has to be the least troublesome car of the entire MGEV range.

One of the reasons I decided to drop the MG4 pre-order and get a pre-facelift 5 was it had been around a while and most of the bugs had been ironed out.

Then I got the Check HV battery issue... Sigh (But at least it's fixed now, it just made the first month or so of ownership a bit crap)

 

[Tommy]

Totally agree, Mk1 LR Excite is "basic", but just works, perfectly for me at least with 18,000 miles under its belt.

 

[Gomev]

The Mk1 just feels like a car, rather than a motorised computer. Normal instruments, buttons and knobs for heating, radio etc. although the infotainment is basic it is perfectly adequate but I only ever use Android Auto these days.
I would go Exclusive for the climate control, folding mirrors etc (but would have preferred the cloth seats).
As for an app, well I've never had one on any car before and don't feel the need for one., so I guess you don't miss what you've never had.

 

[dragon2611]

The only time I really miss having an app is if it's charging on a public charger, it was nice to be able to check that it is in fact still charging when grabbing a coffee/whatever.

 

[Gomev]

The only time I really miss having an app is if it's charging on a public charger, it was nice to be able to check that it is in fact still charging when grabbing a coffee/whatever.

True, but the only problem I've had in that respect was at an Osprey charger in Banbury, plugged in at 34% SOC and it immediately ramped up to 93kWh. I went to Costa to grab a coffee and when I came back I was on 92% SOC. Thankfully no-one was waiting although that's unlikely ever in Banbury with about 50 Rapids from Osprey, Instavolt and Open Tesla's.

 

[dragon2611]

True, but the only problem I've had in that respect was at an Osprey charger in Banbury, plugged in at 34% SOC and it immediately ramped up to 93kWh. I went to Costa to grab a coffee and when I came back I was on 92% SOC. Thankfully no-one was waiting although that's unlikely ever in Banbury with about 50 Rapids from Osprey, Instavolt and Open Tesla's.

I've had slow charging a few times, from various supposedly high power rapids thankfully they don't usually abort mid charge unless some idiot hits stop.

Had a few issues with handshake/starting the charge including ones that cause the car to get stuck in the charging bay for several minutes (I did have one instance where I left it there not charging because it wouldn't move and I really needed to use the facilities)

 

[Gomev]

I've had slow charging a few times, from various supposedly high power rapids thankfully they don't usually abort mid charge unless some idiot hits stop.

Had a few issues with handshake/starting the charge including ones that cause the car to get stuck in the charging bay for several minutes (I did have one instance where I left it there not charging because it wouldn't move and I really needed to use the facilities)

I did a trial charge at a Gridserve 350kW rapid yesterday at Moto Wetherby. Curiously I have never charged at a Gridserve charger and there had been a few reported problems, so thought I'd give it a go as I plan to charge at The Norwich Superhub or whatever they call it next month.
I reached a massive 31kW charging speed .
In fairness I was at 70% (it was a trial !) and I ended the charge after I had spent £1. The 12 chargers were all fully occupied as well.

 

[dragon2611]

I've had that happen there as well, could either be cable cooling failure, grid load or the car didn't want to allow faster charging due to battery state.

I think I was around 50-60% and ideally I'd have waited until a lower SOC before charging but it was on route and the other options further down were not as appealing. (Also I wanted a comfort break anyway)

 

[Wibble]

So I have paid a deposit on a low mileage 22 plate MK1 LR.

 

[Tommy]

... What colour?

 

[Wibble]

... What colour?

Piccadilly Blue

 

[kevin ellard]

Piccadilly Blue

I bought the same in January. I love it. I gave it a good clean and wax today and the colour looks great in the sunshine.

 

[Tommy]

Piccadilly Blue

 

[Tweed98]

I did a trial charge at a Gridserve 350kW rapid yesterday at Moto Wetherby. Curiously I have never charged at a Gridserve charger and there had been a few reported problems, so thought I'd give it a go as I plan to charge at The Norwich Superhub or whatever they call it next month.
I reached a massive 31kW charging speed .
In fairness I was at 70% (it was a trial !) and I ended the charge after I had spent £1. The 12 chargers were all fully occupied as well.

I went to the Gridserve Electric Forecourt near Braintree on Saturday as I've temporarily lost my workplace charging. My Pre-FL topped out at 73kW around 50% SOC and was down to 7kW when I returned from Costa at 92% SOC. 55 minutes from 21%-92% on a 350 kw charger. No more than 6 of the 22 rapid chargers in use at any one time none of the fast chargers.