MG4 in Australia

[Phil]

Paint Supplies: Canberra region go to

Capital Paint Place | Paint Shop in Canberra

At Capital Paint Place, we sell a wide range of industrial & automotive paints. Call our paint shop in Canberra on (02) 6280 7313. We deliver Australia-wide.

www.capitalpaintplace.com.au

Walked in, named the paint and walked out in 10 mins with touch up paint. Brilliant.

 

[Wil Tryharder]

And on a completely unrelated topic, I got a stone chip in the windscreen yesterday, but it's a repairable size apparently (completely covered by a 5c coin and not too close to the edge) so am booked in for a repair this afternoon.

Update with the costs please.

 

[siteguru]

The rack is aluminium and would probably be rated quite poorly compared to alternative Australian made units… but it’s only 12kg. The 70L fridge/freezer weighs 34kg without the cover. We loaded in 12kg of tucker. Bringing us in at 48kg. Noosa MG (now closed) told me the tow ball limit on the tow bar they installed was 50kg. So I try and stick close to 50kg.

You have a typo somewhere ... 12 + 34 + 12 = 58kg.

(Yes, the max approved nose weight of a tow ball on the MG4 is 50kg).

 

[Wil Tryharder]

You have a typo somewhere ... 12 + 34 + 12 = 58kg.

(Yes, the max approved nose weight of a tow ball on the MG4 is 50kg).

Yup probably rushing. Let me check the paperwork on the fridge

 

[wattmatters]

Update with the costs please.

$180 repair.

 

[Wil Tryharder]

Yup probably rushing. Let me check the paperwork on the fridge

One typo, one reading error.
Actual math should read 12+30+12 =54
So take less Tucker next time

 

[David Wennerbom]

David Wennerbom Noraville NSW, a novice. I bought a 15 amp home charger from a crowd in Silverwater, Sydney; EVSE. A great and very helpful group. My MG4 that I bought new in 2023 came without a cover covering the CCS plug (the round, larger one) . On a roadtrip through the Snowys. Then from Kanchan to Omo, 150 or so km of mountainous unsealed dirt road the dust pile-up in the charging bay was chockers. I really thought I'd have trouble charging, everything was thickly covered in dust. Without using water it was difficult to clean up. I went to the dealership I purchased the car from. There was no cover available for MG4. I traded my original EV on the MG4. A MG ZS EV it had a cover I knew would fit. The item is unavailable; the dealerships don't even have a part number for it . I drove down to EVSE they found one for me. And guess what they didn't charge me for it. 'Anyone as ugly as you deserve to get it free.' MG4 is a great little car. I've put mine through the hoops and it's come up triumphant very time. A few minor issues but overall it ticks the the box each time.

 

[David Wennerbom]

Hi all. Not sure if there are any Aussies here but I guess I'll try.

So the MG4 EV just began selling in Australia 2 weeks ago. Took one for a test drive yesterday and really liked it. Looking to get the base model 51kWh. Do we know if this batch is identical to the ones UK/EU got last year or they have made some improvements?

After doing some research, the issues that I am mostly concerned about are:

1. Some had deformed undertray beneath the rear motor. The youtuber said it is a defect and covered under warranty. Can anyone in Aus with MG4 had a look at this and can confirm it has been addressed?
2. Jerky and potentially dangerous lane keeping assistance (LKA) that forced most users to turn it off. Has a patch rolled out that improved LKA or allowed you to turn it off permanently?

Any other feedback and people's thoughts are appreciated.

Edit: Since this thread is getting a lot of traction, I thought it might be a good idea for fellow aussies to share our honest initial experience with the MG4.

I purchased my MG4 new eighteen months ago from a dealership in Gosford NSW Australia. MG4 was chosen car of the year by eight out of ten judges. The reviews were outstanding hence my purchase, and very pleased with the results.

Hi all. Not sure if there are any Aussies here but I guess I'll try.

So the MG4 EV just began selling in Australia 2 weeks ago. Took one for a test drive yesterday and really liked it. Looking to get the base model 51kW. Do we know if this batch is identical to the ones UK/EU got last year or they have made some improvements?

After doing some research, the issues that I am mostly concerned about are:

1. Some had deformed undertray beneath the rear motor. The ytuber said it is defect and covered under warranty. Can anyone in Aus with MG4 had a look at this and can confirm it has been addressed?
2. Jerky and potentially dangerous lane keeping assistance (LKA) that forced most users to turn it off. Has a patch rolled out that improved LKA or allowed you to turn it off permanently?

Any other feedback and people's thoughts are appreciated.

Edit: Since this thread is getting a lot of traction, I thought it might be a good idea for fellow aussies to share our honest initial experience with the MG4.

In 2022 or 23 MG4 51kWh EV in Australia was chosen the car of the year. The reviews were sensational. I waited for the 64 kWh version to be released. Then purchased mine.
There are usually people that bag things or people that appear to have good starts. So I find it is better to take note and check things out. People directly involved or owners give better reports. So if you get positive reactions I think it is better to take little notice and go with the original information. I have found my MG4 has ticked all the boxes and I've put it through the hoops over the eighteen months I've owned it. Sure there will be some things that will need to be fixed to your desire, but if they're not major and the car is performing well don't worry too much about them. Especially if the dealership is able to fix it without too much trouble.
I have no trouble recommending someone purchasing a MG4 for that matter even my first little MG ZS EV. It performed well as well. I was told it would get out to Broken Hill. The 267 km range wouldn't make it. I spoke to owners who travel long distances. Some agreed with that I was being told others claimed they had gotten ranges over 300 km. I reckon if they can get better than 300 km so could I and went for it. So the little ZS went up into Queensland when chargers were few and far between. Then out into central outback Queensland to Longreach and Winton that really raised eyebrows. Down the Snowy Mountains and around about. These days with chargers when within range, carry your home charger I've had no trouble from hotel and motel owners allow me to change using the home charger from my room. If chargers are inside the range, use them don't drive past a charger and run your car out of energy. The car will charge quicker if you don't run it low on power/energy. Drive to the power gauge 10 and 11 will give you 95 to 100 or on a flat road 110 km. Driving with the MG4 in Eco on a flat road, driven on 110 km for some km. If there is a will there is a way. David Wennerbom

 

[Phil]

I purchased my MG4 new eighteen months ago from a dealership in Gosford NSW Australia. MG4 was chosen car of the year by eight out of ten judges. The reviews were outstanding hence my purchase, and very pleased with the results.
In 2022 or 23 MG4 51kw EV in Australia was chosen the car of the year. The reviews were
sensational. I waited for the 64 kw version to be released. Then purchased mine.
There are usually people that bag things or people that appear to have good starts. So I find it is better to take note and check things out. People directly involved or owners give better reports. So if you get positive reactions I think it is better to take little notice and go with the original information. I have found my MG4 has ticked all the boxes and I've put it through the hoops over the eighteen months I've owned it. Sure there will be some things that will need to be fixed to your desire, but if they're not major and the car is performing well don't worry too much about them. Especially if the dealership is able to fix it without too much trouble.
I have no trouble recommending someone purchasing a MG4 for that matter even my first little MG ZS EV. It performed well as well. I was told it would get out to Broken Hill. The 267 kms range wouldn't make it. I spoke to owners who travel long distances. Some agreed with that I was being told others claimed they had gotten ranges over 300 kms. I reckon if they can get better than 300 kms so could I and went for it. So the little ZS went up into Queensland when chargers were few and far between. Then out into central outback Queensland to Longreach and Winton that really raised eyebrows. Down the Snowy Mountains and around about. These days with chargers when within range, carry your home charger I've had no trouble from hotel and motel owners allow me to change using the home charger from my room. If chargers are inside the range, use them don't drive past a charges and run your car out of energy. The car will charge quicker if you don't run it low on power/energy. Drive to the power gauge 10 and 11 will give you 95 to 100 or on a flat road 110 kms. Driving with the MG4 in Ecco on a flat road, driven on 110 kms for some kms. If there is a will there is a way. David Wennerbom

Bought my 64kWh Excite in late September ‘23, 24000km on the clock atm and loving it. Averaging just under 15kWh/100km on mostly rural driving and trips into Canberra, charging to 100% the evening before my next trip (usually 100km+) and I don’t charge again till it gets down to 10-20% and only then if I’m driving the next day.
As I’m getting credits on my solar/battery at home I’m cancelling out any fast charging fees and grid charges. Couldn’t be more satisfied.

 

[David Wennerbom]

Bought my 64kWh Excite in late September ‘23, 24000km on the clock atm and loving it. Averaging just under 15kWh/100km on mostly rural driving and trips into Canberra, charging to 100% the evening before my next trip (usually 100km+) and I don’t charge again till it gets down to 10-20% and only then if I’m driving the next day.
As I’m getting credits on my solar/battery at home I’m cancelling out any fast charging fees and grid charges. Couldn’t be more satisfied.

Hi Phil. One thing that's annoying,the distance the car has travelled doesn't constantly appear on the infopanel panel. I have the time appearing twice. My original ZS EV showed time once and kilometres as well. I asked the dealership to change it and they said they couldn't. I think they could but didn't know how to. I also run my car on solar. I haven't paid for electrical power since 2010 for both house/workshop and EV. Free power because I've been paid in feedback cash just under one hundred thousand dollars. Over time the system cost me thirty seven thousand keeping up with the reducing rate per kilowatt•hour. I used to get two thousand cash back per year until I purchased our first EV. Now it's between seven to eight hundred dollars. I still have room for more panels on my workshop roof but getting too bloody old to worry about it. Keep increasing your panels, with the government's help now they make it much easier. Anyway my MG4 handles unpaved roads well. Some of the rough stuff we traveled over getting to Omeo was hellish, 154 km over the mountains. I was cursing myself for taking what I thought would be a short cut. Took longer than going around the paved way, up and down mountain trails. Thank goodness I didn't have to ford any of the fast moving streams and rivers. Narrow roads we didn't see a soul all the way until we came to a T intersection. Never so happy to see a tar road. Anyway we are going do it again in a week or two between Mennindee and Wilcannia, out west. It won't be as bad, rough country but arid. Bulldust this time, hence the mad rush to get a charger cap cover for the cap MG doesn't supply with the MG4. To all the fellows that have purchased or waiting for delivery of your MG4. A few little hiccups but nothing to worry about; you will be pleased with your purchase. Anyway it was good to hear from you Phil, keep on motoring. The MG4 will take you anywhere you want to go.

 

[wattmatters]

Hi Phil. One thing that's annoying,the distance the car has travelled doesn't constantly appear on the infopanel panel.

The driver's display right side info panel:

is user adjustable for what is shown. You can lock it to always show travel info including distance travelled, with the up/down button on the steering wheel scrolling through the options for current drive, since last charge etc.

If that display setting is not locked, then the steering wheel control button can move that section over to another display option such as navigation or media control or tyre pressure monitoring.

 

[T1 Terry]

Hi Phil. One thing that's annoying,the distance the car has travelled doesn't constantly appear on the infopanel panel. I have the time appearing twice. My original ZS EV showed time once and kilometres as well. I asked the dealership to change it and they said they couldn't. I think they could but didn't know how to. I also run my car on solar. I haven't paid for electrical power since 2010 for both house/workshop and EV. Free power because I've been paid in feedback cash just under one hundred thousand dollars. Over time the system cost me thirty seven thousand keeping up with the reducing rate per kilowatt•hour. I used to get two thousand cash back per year until I purchased our first EV. Now it's between seven to eight hundred dollars. I still have room for more panels on my workshop roof but getting too bloody old to worry about it. Keep increasing your panels, with the government's help now they make it much easier. Anyway my MG4 handles unpaved roads well. Some of the rough stuff we traveled over getting to Omeo was hellish, 154 km over the mountains. I was cursing myself for taking what I thought would be a short cut. Took longer than going around the paved way, up and down mountain trails. Thank goodness I didn't have to ford any of the fast moving streams and rivers. Narrow roads we didn't see a soul all the way until we came to a T intersection. Never so happy to see a tar road. Anyway we are going do it again in a week or two between Mennindee and Wilcannia, out west. It won't be as bad, rough country but arid. Bulldust this time, hence the mad rush to get a charger cap cover for the cap MG doesn't supply with the MG4. To all the fellows that have purchased or waiting for delivery of your MG4. A few little hiccups but nothing to worry about; you will be pleased with your purchase. Anyway it was good to hear from you Phil, keep on motoring. The MG4 will take you anywhere you want to go.

Some time back, we decided to be adventurous and travel to Ivanhoe NSW and the dirt rd to Mennindee and on to Broken Hill, after maybe 2 kms, any further would have resulted in a divorce, and we were in a Mazda 3500 converted to a motorhome, so plenty of ground clearance and could drive out of just about anything ...... Next we tried the road to Wilcannia, same deal, so we ended up heading to Balranald instead. Tar road, so many blood patches from the feral goats not doing well against the truck bullbars that they near joined together ..... who ever had the job of cleaning up the remains had a full time job for life ...... maybe they supplied the Kebab shops ...... but anyway, nice drive and some great scenery out that way .....

T1 Terry

 

[David Wennerbom]

Some time back, we decided to be adventurous and travel to Ivanhoe NSW and the dirt rd to Mennindee and on to Broken Hill, after maybe 2 kms, any further would have resulted in a divorce, and we were in a Mazda 3500 converted to a motorhome, so plenty of ground clearance and could drive out of just about anything ...... Next we tried the road to Wilcannia, same deal, so we ended up heading to Balranald instead. Tar road, so many blood patches from the feral goats not doing well against the truck bullbars that they near joined together ..... who ever had the job of cleaning up the remains had a full time job for life ...... maybe they supplied the Kebab shops ...... but anyway, nice drive and some great scenery out that way .....

T1 Terry

Hi Phil, I don't know what T1 Terry is??? But going out to Longreach and Winton was the same, roadkills everywhere. Plenty of wild goats, kangaroos and emus. They dress up anthills coats, football jerseys, beanies, hats and masks, quite amusing. Exceptionally beautiful scenery on the hill where the dinosaurs display is, Winton. Longreach is a good size town, Winton is only small but both have councils that put and look after flowerbeds down each side of main streets. Only trouble is charging stations are few and far between. After leaving Rocky Dingo has one. We got to Emerald although I checked and was told motels had two. But when we got there there were both Tesla chargers. So we trickle fed from our motel room. Another long run to Alpha, another small town on the top of the Great Dividing Range. Guess what, bad info again, I couldn't believe it. Nobody knew the difference between a Tesla charger and CCS. They had seven charging stations around their showground all 7kW ones and all Tesla's. Back to the motel and had to stay there for two nights. Barcaldine had a fast charger so did Longreach and Winton. Hopefully for other travelers the government has subsidised charger out there. I heard Emerald is inline for one. But it is a nice trip out there if you'd like to go. The would be a piece of cake for an MG4 but you would need a better range than I had in the ZS EV if you didn't what a couple of headaches. That's not quite right, it was loads of fun, a bit of a worry for 'she who must be obeyed'. Some good wall murals to look at on the way. See yar David

 

[Jamesrr]

...Guess what, bad info again, I couldn't believe it. Nobody knew the difference between a Tesla charger and CCS. They had seven charging stations around their showground all 7kW ones and all Tesla's.

Ok, you've got me. What is the difference?
I've got a Tesla Wall charger in my driveway configured to support 7kW and 11kW (32A on all 3 phases).
It's CCS as are Tesla cars and MGs ( and every other car except for Leafs).
It charges our two MG4s just fine.

 

[T1 Terry]

Hi Phil, I don't know what T1 Terry is??? But going out to Longreach and Winton was the same, roadkills everywhere. Plenty of wild goats, kangaroos and emus. They dress up anthills coats, football jerseys, beanies, hats and masks, quite amusing. Exceptionally beautiful scenery on the hill where the dinosaurs display is, Winton. Longreach is a good size town, Winton is only small but both have councils that put and look after flowerbeds down each side of main streets. Only trouble is charging stations are few and far between. After leaving Rocky Dingo has one. We got to Emerald although I checked and was told motels had two. But when we got there there were both Tesla chargers. So we trickle fed from our motel room. Another long run to Alpha, another small town on the top of the Great Dividing Range. Guess what, bad info again, I couldn't believe it. Nobody knew the difference between a Tesla charger and CCS. They had seven charging stations around their showground all 7kW ones and all Tesla's. Back to the motel and had to stay there for two nights. Barcaldine had a fast charger so did Longreach and Winton. Hopefully for other travelers the government has subsidised charger out there. I heard Emerald is inline for one. But it is a nice trip out there if you'd like to go. The would be a piece of cake for an MG4 but you would need a better range than I had in the ZS EV if you didn't what a couple of headaches. That's not quite right, it was loads of fun, a bit of a worry for 'she who must be obeyed'. Some good wall murals to look at on the way. See yar David

Been out that way in the '74 Kombi many moons ago, the camels were the scary ones, same on the road each way to WA and back. Plan to visit the ex neighbour from Lake Illawarra NSW who moved to Emerald a bit before we moved to Mannum.
The MG4 51 will be on the trailer behind the V10 6.8ltr fuel guzzling Winnebago Explorer, so any short trips can be recharged by the solar on the motorhome.
At the moment, we get around 320kms out of the "51" kWh, so any trips like that are beyond the capable range .... although, that big hill out of Adelaide and the other smaller variety between there and Mannum probably don't do wonders for the range

T1 Terry

 

[wattmatters]

Ok, you've got me. What is the difference?

Software.

Many of the (especially early) Tesla AC chargers were software locked to charge only Tesla vehicles.

These got installed in a lot of accommodation venues around the country. Many owners/operators of these facilities have little clue on how they work, they just tick the box "we have an EV charger". That they don't work with other EVs is not something they tend to care about.

This is a random example of a venue with such a Tesla charger - but at least they recognise it and have provided 15 A outlets for people to use their own plug-in charge module.

Crowdy Bay Eco Resort | Crowdy Head, NSW | EV Station

Self-contained beachside glamping accommodation nestled beside Crowdy Bay National Park. Optimise your stay in a comfortable and luxurious eco-retreat while immersing in the serenity of Crowdy Bay. Tesla Charger 11kW and multiple 15A outlets for customer EV charging.

www.plugshare.com

It's a good idea to call the venue you plan to stay at and validate the destination EV charging facility and arrangements for use. I've been caught a couple of times relying on the advertised facility not turning out to be actually available, working or in existence.

 

[Jamesrr]

Software.

Ahhh, the config setting in the Tesla App you use to manage the charger... A bit sad they don't know how to change it from "Any Tesla" to "Any EV". It is such a simple process
You open the app, tap "Settings", "Vehicle Charging", "Access Control", and select "Any EV" rather than the default "Any Tesla".
Of course Tesla make that the default

It's a good idea to call the venue you plan to stay at and validate the destination EV charging facility and arrangements for use. I've been caught a couple of times relying on the advertised facility not turning out to be actually available, working or in existence.

Yeah, I've called a couple of Motels to check if they have facilities but my go to motel in Hay has an excellent 2 plug unit (the state government paid for them to install it) that they then let customers use for a flat $10 charge. Excellent value for money!

 

[Corindikev]

After having moved home and not being able to keep our EV plan from before (our new place had an old meter incompatible with those plans) we've had our utility meter upgraded, and so I'm swapping our electricity plan over to the Powershop Night EV plan.

At our previous home I was using the EV Day plan with 2 hours/day free and a flat rate otherwise, but with the change in available tariffs the Night plan works out a bit better once I shift car charging to that window.

Still expensive here though in Essential Energy land, rates in $ comparing our current plan with the Day and Night EV plan options.

View attachment 36430
SOP = super off-peak

We will also be installing solar PV and home battery in the weeks/months ahead, so I'll review things again once that's fully operational.

I have my house on the market & have just bought another. My charger will be moving with us. I am on the day plan with Powershop & the new place has an old analogue meter, & no rooftop solar. We will still be in the Essential energy supply area. Until I get the 7kW EVSE installed I will be using the granny charger. I have only used it once & that was when the car was new & I plugged the car in with it to make sure it worked.

My current daily plan with Powershop is a flat rate of 0.3223 & daily supply charge of $1.10 & 2 hours free from 12:00 - 1400 every day. The FIT is 0.014.

I plan to get 8-10 kW of solar & maybe a home battery. Are the numbers you have quoted without any solar installed or is this the latest price revision for the day EV plan?

Also I am only 30km from Tyndale that has 2 x Evie 350kW chargers & Powershop for some reason just gave me a $50.00 Evie credit voucher so if I need a quick charge that is quite convenient.

 

[wattmatters]

the new place has an old analogue meter, & no rooftop solar

Our scenario was exactly the same, excepting the main meter was an old style digital unit with three registers but it may as well have been analogue as it was manual meter reads and flat rate tariff, plus a controlled load analogue disk meter.

My current daily plan with Powershop is a flat rate of 0.3223 & daily supply charge of $1.10 & 2 hours free from 12:00 - 1400 every day. The FIT is 0.014.

Sad to say you will lose that.

Talk with them, I went onto Switch Saver plan and they gave me $150 credit. It's a worse plan all round but all the new plans are.

I also asked them to arrange for a meter upgrade so I could get back to an EV plan. I figured I'd get ahead of the game in prep for our solar installation as that can't operate without a smart meter anyway.

Our solar PV (14.725 kW) goes in next week and the 24 kWh battery will follow, timing just depends on today's election result.

Are the numbers you have quoted without any solar installed or is this the latest price revision for the day EV plan?

Mine includes the daily charge for the controlled load. If your new place doesn't have a CL then the daily fee will be lower. Table below shows how much the CL adds to the daily charge for us.

This is my comparison of the three Powershop plans based on our average daily consumption so far in our new place (first "CURRENT" plan is the Powershop Switch Saver). We've had no heating or cooling energy consumption in that mix (we've not needed it but this place has none anyway - we are installing that soon as well).

For the comparison I've assumed my EV charging energy will all move to Super Off-Peak and that's the only energy consumption in that window. That's not quite going to be true of course but it's a reasonable starting assumption.

The rates have all gone up, especially the daily charges. The last EV Day plan was too good to last and I'm pretty sure they were going to migrate us eventually to newer tariffs.

At the moment the EV Night plan is looking like the choice for us. Solar will take care of the day, while the night plan is 5 c/kWh from 12-4 AM.

Once we have the battery I'll review again.

Just a note:

It takes a while for a smart meter installation to happen.

I requested the meter upgrade 17 March 2025.
It was installed on 8 April 2025.

Even so that's not the end of it.

I spoke with Powershop earlier this week requesting to be changed to an EV plan, but they were unable to do so even though we've had the smart meter for several weeks now and the interval data is showing in their portal as normal.

Turns out that even though my meter had been upgraded, that did not automatically trigger a change of Essential Energy's underlying tariff, I am still being billed as if I had the old meters.

Powershop have now initiated the request for tariff change with EE, that can take 1-3 weeks, so I can't get onto the EV plan until that's done.

The new default EE tariff is Solar Soaker.
Peak is 7-10 AM and 3-10 PM every day. Off-peak all other times.

I plan to get 8-10 kW of solar & maybe a home battery.

If the government is returned today, then the new battery rebate program is, frankly, very generous and makes home batteries a no brainer, especially in NSW.

That's because can be combined with the NSW govt peak demand reduction scheme rebate. If it comes to pass then my Sigenergy 24 kWh battery stack is going to cost under $6k fully installed. The more expensive bit is the solar PV, inverter and Gateway, which I'd have anyway whether or not I was going to install a battery.

 

[wattmatters]

Also I am only 30km from Tyndale that has 2 x Evie 350kW chargers & Powershop for some reason just gave me a $50.00 Evie credit voucher so if I need a quick charge that is quite convenient.

Yeah, they gave me one of those on 25 March.

My nearest Evie is at Macksville, 26 km / 21 minutes away. 2 x 350 kW units.

Thanks for reminding me, I'd forgotten all about it!

I'm contemplating buying a 2nd hand EV for my wife, seeing some reasonable MG ZS EVs coming available. She only needs something for local driving, so range isn't a factor.