MG4 in Australia

[Ozman]

I recently purchased an MG4 Excite. I've just noticed that all passenger seats have a grab handle on the roof next to the door. My driver seat doesn't, although it has the recess where the grab handle would go. Is this normal?

 

[ReintjeWA]

I recently purchased an MG4 Excite. I've just noticed that all passenger seats have a grab handle on the roof next to the door. My driver seat doesn't, although it has the recess where the grab handle would go. Is this normal?

Just checking some images online it appears to be normal. Makes sense really, why would you be holding on to the car roof? Your hands should be on the steering wheel.

 

[kiwi]

Normal? Yes. Convenient? No.

 

[Coulomb]

why would you be holding on to the car roof?

We oldies sometimes benefit from the handle when getting in and out. I'm not quite there yet.

 

[Wizard of Oz]

I assume the recess is to accommodate the handle on LHD vehicles.

 

[wattmatters]

The all access Tesla superchargers at Moonee Beach (just north of Coffs Harbour) are coming along. I popped by today to see if there was any progress.

15 stations.

 

[T1 Terry]

I recently purchased an MG4 Excite. I've just noticed that all passenger seats have a grab handle on the roof next to the door. My driver seat doesn't, although it has the recess where the grab handle would go. Is this normal?

If they had a panic handle for the driver and they used it, the passenger would need another one in the dash so their fingernails didn't tear a hole in the airbags before they deployed ....so it must be a safety item to delete the driver's panic handle

T1 Terry

 

[Coulomb]

15 stations.

Wow. That must be one of the larger sites in Australia.

I see that the graffiti is in place well in time for the official opening.

 

[TonyF]

I have my pickup scheduled for tomorrow (finally!). Wondering what experience drivers on here have had with the so-called "Phantom" braking and LKA/EKA issues. The Aussie Owners Facebook is riddled with people complaining, but I'm not sure if there is a particular reason this is occurring, or something in the way they are driving.

For reference, I have the same systems in the Focus. The LKA gives you a gentle tug from time to time, but none of this spearing you off the road business. As for the AEB, I get the occasional warning alarm (usually when a car in front of me is in the process of turning out of my lane), but it's never actually activated.

Not overly worried, just wondering whether this is overblown, especially among drivers who aren't used to these systems, or are driving too close to the lines etc.

I don't like the sudden "my steering's disconnected" deadspot when LKA cuts in, but it hasn't driven me off road. It's wonky in roadworks, or when lane markings are poor. The manual says to switch LKA off in those conditions. I just turn it off before driving.

I haven't had emergency braking, but I have had the car slow significantly as it approached a pedestrian island in the middle of the road. No pedestrians, not a chance of hitting the island, solid slowing. One place does it consistently.

 

[ReintjeWA]

15 stations.

I thought the 6 station (also Tesla) they're building at King's park was going to be big

 

[Jamesrr]

I don't like the sudden "my steering's disconnected" deadspot when LKA cuts in, but it hasn't driven me off road. It's wonky in roadworks, or when lane markings are poor. The manual says to switch LKA off in those conditions. I just turn it off before driving.

It's not the LKA. It's the ELK. Just go into the drop down menu and turn it off (tapping "yes" you do want to disable it). The graphic of lane keeping in the top left of the "driving display" will turn yellow.
You will experience no more "oh what!" moments.
It's up to you to stay in your lane now
All the other features of ACC continue to work just fine...

 

[NLMGSAN]

I don't like the sudden "my steering's disconnected" deadspot when LKA cuts in, but it hasn't driven me off road. It's wonky in roadworks, or when lane markings are poor. The manual says to switch LKA off in those conditions. I just turn it off before driving.

I haven't had emergency braking, but I have had the car slow significantly as it approached a pedestrian island in the middle of the road. No pedestrians, not a chance of hitting the island, solid slowing. One place does it consistently.

I have that too. Usually the first and third one when I come home from work. On the third, it does happen occasionally in the dry with daylight. But rain or the dark triggers it very often. But only if I have ACC on. It's the same as I described before: a scared car. It also happens with trucks on both sides. But that is on a motorway and it loses about 15 kmh before it picks up again. Less nice...

 

[wattmatters]

Wow. That must be one of the larger sites in Australia.

They are building another 15 station site in Coffs Harbour next year. Albury has a 16 station site. Many of the other newer highway stops have 12 stations (Yass, Raymond Terrace, Taree, Thrumster). The Moonee Beach stop will be good once the Coffs Harbour bypass opens (end-2027). All the above are all-access.

 

[TonyF]

I have that too. Usually the first and third one when I come home from work. On the third, it does happen occasionally in the dry with daylight. But rain or the dark triggers it very often. But only if I have ACC on. It's the same as I described before: a scared car. It also happens with trucks on both sides. But that is on a motorway and it loses about 15 kmh before it picks up again. Less nice...

I definitely had ACC on last time. I'll watch for that now. ACC definitely makes it scared!

 

[Phil]

Just found the thread, I’ve had my 64 Excite for 14 months, done 19,000km and absolutely loving it.
I am not interested in software, has no issues and may get an update at the first service (40,000km) but…meh!
Just love driving it, LKA is a non-issue, it just keeps you alert and concentrating on what you should be doing as you pilot a 1700 kg piece of metal at 100 kph towards others doing the same. Just get over it.
Phantom braking hasn’t ever occurred but I attribute that to not being a tail-gaiter, so not going to be affected by the vehicle in front of me.
I get about 400-420 km per 100% charge, only ever drive 2hrs before taking a break, plenty of time to recharge/top-up, so range I’d not an issue.
My hometown of Yass has 17 chargers, most of them close to a good pub, call in some time.

 

[TonyF]

It's not the LKA. It's the ELK. Just go into the drop down menu and turn it off (tapping "yes" you do want to disable it). The graphic of lane keeping in the top left of the "driving display" will turn yellow.
You will experience no more "oh what!" moments.
It's up to you to stay in your lane now
All the other features of ACC continue to work just fine...

Whoops! I used the wrong term , but that's what I do.

I've been unimpressed with ACC. It mostly works, but as NLMGSAN says, it's scared. Drives like my mother. "oh no, a mild corner you can see around, slow down" "there's a car on the horizon, slow down, you're too close" "there are large vehicles approaching, slow down" "road furniture, eeek!" To be fair, this isn't motorway driving, but a rolling, turning highway through the hills. It's probably good on motorways, if timid.

 

[Phil]

They are building another 15 station site in Coffs Harbour next year. Albury has a 16 station site. Many of the other newer highway stops have 12 stations (Yass, Raymond Terrace, Taree, Thrumster). The Moonee Beach stop will be good once the Coffs Harbour bypass opens (end-2027). All the above are all-access.

Yass now has 4 Chargefox stations at Woolworths now as well.

 

[wattmatters]

Yass now has 4 Chargefox stations at Woolworths now as well.

I'm surprised the highway service centre doesn't have any. At least not yet.

 

[ReintjeWA]

Just realised the Tesla chargers at Kings Park Perth have opened, but they’re $0.87/kWh which I think is pretty steep compared to Chargefox ($0.60/kWh) or Evie ($0.64/kWh) Are these prices similar to what you pay over on the East coast?

They do go up to 250kW but I find 50 kW is often rapid enough anyway. And the Chargefox at RAC HQ is 350kW and still $0.60/kWh (plus 20% discount if you’re an RAC member).

 

[Jamesrr]

Just realised the Tesla chargers at Kings Park Perth have opened, but they’re $0.87/kWh which I think is pretty steep compared to Chargefox ($0.60/kWh) or Evie ($0.64/kWh) Are these prices similar to what you pay over on the East coast?

Yes,

The Tesla Supercharger price varies somewhat between stations. Where there's little competition the price is a bit higher but gets down to 74c where there are alternatives*.

For example the Tesla chargers in the inner Sydney suburb of Alexandria are 74c. The superchargers at Wagga Wagga and Griffith in the NSW country are 80c while Yass, Hay & Mildura are at 77c.

I seem to recall them being higher at Wagga and Griffith (90c) a while ago but checking today they seem to have balanced the pricing more evenly.

*These are the general public price, not the Tesla owner or member prices.