Is the MG5 more reliable than the ZS?

[Ron61]

Hi All,

I've been on the forum since September and from what I've seen there has been a lot of issues with the ZS and not too many with the MG5. Is this because there are more ZS's out there or is there a build quality difference. I'd love to know what you think.

 

[Alb]

I've never gained the impression that one was better than the other.

 

[Jomarkh]

The ZS did have the BMS issue.
They were about before the 5 and there is an updated model.

 

[BarryH]

The ZS and MG 5 are derived from quite different cars and many of the systems are different. However, I've not noticed really that there is any difference in the level of reliability reported on the forum.

 

[Les burrows]

The ZSev has been around quite a bit longer than the 5 so there are more off them so more to have problems, the earliest ones did have a BMS issue with several updates, but I think that as now been sorted, there as also been other problems steering rack, sunroof rattles or noises to name but two, but the 5 as not been without issues ether but both are still great cars and even greater value for the money let alone the running costs on any be it SR or LR.
Les

 

[Lovemyev]

The ZS EV was the first EV offering into the UK from MG back in 2019.
Early adopters where vital in providing feedback on the car.
As time as moved on, it is only natural that build quality etc have improved.
MG5 have taken onboard some of the issued found on the Gen1 ZS EV and improvements had taken a step forward.
Two years later after the first ZS EV and now ZS EV facelift has been released.
Same car in many respects, but has it become a better car now ?.
I believe it has !.
We where one of those early adopters of the original ZS EV - which we owned for over two years and almost 20,000 miles.
Just recently, we have been lucky enough to upgrade to the LR face lift model.
The cars feels similar in some ways ( as you would might expect ) but it has taken a big step forward I think.
Not just the improvements you spot straight away, but the way it drives and handles etc have also improved.
The build quality has improved also I think.

 

[Kithmo]

Apart from the regen brake light recall, SWMBO's 5 (SR) has had zero problems, my ZS has the clicking steering column, other than that nothing else has gone wrong,
I feel the 5 is more refined to drive than the ZS, though the ZS looks better on the outside.

 

[BarryH]

The ZS EV was the first EV offering into the UK from MG back in 2019.
Early adopters where vital in providing feedback on the car.
As time as moved on, it is only natural that build quality etc have improved.
MG5 have taken onboard some of the issued found on the Gen1 ZS EV and improvements had taken a step forward.
Two years later after the first ZS EV and now ZS EV facelift has been released.
Same car in many respects, but has it become a better car now ?.
I believe it has !.
We where one of those early adopters of the original ZS EV - which we owned for over two years and almost 20,000 miles.
Just recently, we have been lucky enough to upgrade to the LR face lift model.
The cars feels similar in some ways ( as you would might expect ) but it has taken a big step forward I think.
Not just the improvements you spot straight away, but the way it drives and handles etc have also improved.
The build quality has improved also I think.

#lovemyev it's interesting to hear your feedback on the difference between the 1st gen ZS and the new facelift. I was a fairly early adopter getting my ZS in January 2020 so I was interested in your comment about the handling of the facelift model. I had to test drives on the facelift and with the higher 55 profile tyres on the facelift, I thought the steering was less precise than the original 50 profile of the 1st Gen ZS, Although clearly, the ride benefited from the slightly squishy tyres, although I also think they must have made some adjustments to the suspension.

 

[Lovemyev]

#lovemyev it's interesting to hear your feedback on the difference between the 1st gen ZS and the new facelift. I was a fairly early adopter getting my ZS in January 2020 so I was interested in your comment about the handling of the facelift model. I had to test drives on the facelift and with the higher 55 profile tyres on the facelift, I thought the steering was less precise than the original 50 profile of the 1st Gen ZS, Although clearly, the ride benefited from the slightly squishy tyres, although I also think they must have made some adjustments to the suspension.

Yeah - The jury is still out on this one, but the ride is different alright, but in a good way !.
Car is still very new of course, but I have managed to put 1,500 miles on it already.
We have owned the car for just over 2 weeks now and I STILL can't make my mind up on what they have done to improve the ride ?.
But it feels more than just tyres to me somehow ?.
Is it just simply the extra weight of the LR battery, making the car sit lower, or has the car received some suspension tweaks ?.
It does not "Wallow" about so much as the Gen1 model, that's for sure.
The ride is firmer ( in good way ) but not too firm.
What ever is going on, it just rides better than the Gen1 model is for sure.
Personally, I never had a huge problem with the ride on the Gen1 model, although I do understand why people would criticise the handling when the car is pushed hard around tight back roads.
But if you really wanted to do that with the ZS EV, then its very likely you bought the wrong car in the first place.
What ever the charges are, they are certainly for the better.
That goes for the majority of the improvements on the face lift model.
Simply put, if you liked the Gen1 version, you will love the face lift version.

 

[BarryH]

Yeah - The jury is still out on this one, but the ride is different alright, but in a good way !.
Car is still very new of course, but I have managed to put 1,500 miles on it already.
We have owned the car for just over 2 weeks now and I STILL can't make my mind up on what they have done to improve the ride ?.
But it feels more than just tyres to me somehow ?.
Is it just simply the extra weight of the LR battery, making the car sit lower, or has the car received some suspension tweaks ?.
It does not "Wallow" about so much as the Gen1 model, that's for sure.
The ride is firmer ( in good way ) but not too firm.
What ever is going on, it just rides better than the Gen1 model is for sure.
Personally, I never had a huge problem with the ride on the Gen1 model, although I do understand why people would criticise the handling when the car is pushed hard around tight back roads.
But if you really wanted to do that with the ZS EV, then its very likely you bought the wrong car in the first place.
What ever the charges are, they are certainly for the better.
That goes for the majority of the improvements on the face lift model.
Simply put, if you liked the Gen1 version, you will love the face lift version.

Mike Procter (formally of this parish as they say) made a fair few videos on the suspension mods in conjunction with vehiclehandlingsolutions.com and winter tyres on 16" rims for the Gen 1 if you recall. I was waiting on the outcome of that but then he jumped ship to a Kia Soul for the range as he'd moved home and his daily commute. From the day of my first test drive when I felt to back end of the Gen 1 skip out simply going around a roundabout, I've wanted to get something done to tweak the rear end, but not being a suspension specialist not spent time and money in the past making performance mods I'm not sure of the answer.

However, it is interesting that the facelift ZS retained the same size wheels but changed the profile from 50% to 55% increasing the depth of the rubber in the sidewalls and in effect allowing the tyre sidewalls a little more suppleness which I believe would help keep the contact patch more in contact with the road rather than bouncing and skipping.

As I say I'm not a suspension expert or specialist I'm just reasoning this out, but I'd love it if someone out there has the real answer rather than me just guessing at the answer based on past experience not the science and art of it.

 

[Lovemyev]

Mike Procter (formally of this parish as they say) made a fair few videos on the suspension mods in conjunction with vehiclehandlingsolutions.com and winter tyres on 16" rims for the Gen 1 if you recall. I was waiting on the outcome of that but then he jumped ship to a Kia Soul for the range as he'd moved home and his daily commute. From the day of my first test drive when I felt to back end of the Gen 1 skip out simply going around a roundabout, I've wanted to get something done to tweak the rear end, but not being a suspension specialist not spent time and money in the past making performance mods I'm not sure of the answer.

However, it is interesting that the facelift ZS retained the same size wheels but changed the profile from 50% to 55% increasing the depth of the rubber in the sidewalls and in effect allowing the tyre sidewalls a little more suppleness which I believe would help keep the contact patch more in contact with the road rather than bouncing and skipping.

As I say I'm not a suspension expert or specialist I'm just reasoning this out, but I'd love it if someone out there has the real answer rather than me just guessing at the answer based on past experience not the science and art of it.

I did follow Mikes P’s journey of the suspension upgrades on his Gen1 ZS EV.
All of the “Mod’s” where stripped out, when he sold the car.
He appears to be very happy with his Soul now.
He did say, that the improvements on the facelift model COULD have helped the suspension set up issues, but it was not available at the time and that he needed to make a change of car, due to his circumstances at that point in time.
Mike’s input on the channel IS sadly missed, but things move in life I guess.
It would be interesting to know what changes ( if any ) have been made to the suspension set up of the face lift model.
I guess if you had a friend at a MG dealer, who was willing to cross check the different part numbers of both Gen1 and Gen2 models on suspension items, like shocks and springs etc.
Then this MAY provide an answer to the question !.

 

[BarryH]

I did follow Mikes P’s journey of the suspension upgrades on his Gen1 ZS EV.
All of the “Mod’s” where stripped out, when he sold the car.
He appears to be very happy with his Soul now.
He did say, that the improvements on the facelift model COULD have helped the suspension set up issues, but it was not available at the time and that he needed to make a change of car, due to his circumstances at that point in time.
Mike’s input on the channel IS sadly missed, but things move in life I guess.
It would be interesting to know what changes ( if any ) have been made to the suspension set up of the face lift model.
I guess if you had a friend at a MG dealer, who was willing to cross check the different part numbers of both Gen1 and Gen2 models on suspension items, like shocks and springs etc.
Then this MAY provide an answer to the question !.

I think that would probably be a big ask and if there were changes in part numbers there is no guarantee swapping parts out would make the hybrid suspension any better. It could be worth a shout out to VHS and ask if their upgrade for the Gen 1 is either compatible or required?

 

[Brianlescargot]

I can’t say I agreed with Mike Proctors findings on the suspension set up. It is absolutely fine for the type of vehicle, a bit on the soft side, but it isn’t a sports car. I can’t speak for later ZS models but the earlier ones were plagued with awful steering issues (clicking/squeaking), water leaks (rear footwell in mine), 12v battery drains, door handles sticking and charge flaps not opening in freezing weather.

 

[BarryH]

I can’t say I agreed with Mike Proctors findings on the suspension set up. It is absolutely fine for the type of vehicle, a bit on the soft side, but it isn’t a sports car. I can’t speak for later ZS models but the earlier ones were plagued with awful steering issues (clicking/squeaking), water leaks (rear footwell in mine), 12v battery drains, door handles sticking and charge flaps not opening in freezing weather.

Interesting, I've not heard of those issues other than the clicking steering rack which I believe was down to a batch of Righthand side steering racks. The water leak issues filling the footwell sounds awful which hopefully got sorted in the dealer? I did have an issue when pressure-washing the car with a very small amount of water getting past the top seal of the driver's door seal but soon sorted with a tweak at the dealer.

I did think my transmission was whining on light-overrun and when holding steady speed but I asked them to have a look when in for service and I don't know what they did but no parts were changed and it came back from its regular service all rectified.

I do think panel fit could be a lot better though as the front edge of the bonnet has always been a little misaligned with the plastic section it abuts to and the tailgate is forever getting a rattle no matter what I do to adjust the rubber bump stops.

With regards to the suspension on the 1st Gen it is a work in progress and the guys at VHS were the MG engineers working on the ZS suspension set up during the ZS's development until they were let go so I think they would know that its tuning for UK roads was unfinished.