MG4 X Power Vibe/Hum 65 to 75mph

[salty]

Yeah, other reviews have mentioned it as being normal. I suppose going by the definition of the word, it is normal, since most of them do it

It’s also undesirable and unintended so actually a FAULT, going by the definition of that word.

I suppose, on the bright side, anyone buying one used will come to expect to have it as we have had to come tolerate it.

Thing is a used market needs people to buy new cars first (I always buy new), and I’ll never buy an MG again. Nor will anyone I’ve put off!

So far I’ve got 5 people to completely discount buying an MG that were interested...

Pretty sure that won't bother MG though.
Although you might have saved your friends some hassle. Then again they might have got a good un. Lots of folk have. And they've missed out on a good, well priced car. (MG UK aside)

 

[LenEV2016]

Pretty sure that won't bother MG though.
Although you might have saved your friends some hassle. Then again they might have got a good un. Lots of folk have. And they've missed out on a good, well priced car. (MG UK aside)

That's the thing if you have a hassle free car then why wouldn't you get another.

If MG were a lot more customer focused re dealing with issues then you'd probably have another also

 

[salty]

That's the thing if you have a hassle free car then why wouldn't you get another.

If MG were a lot more customer focused re dealing with issues then you'd probably have another also

Agree. It's not so much the problems some MG4s have. They on the whole can be fixed. (X Power vibes aside) And even then not all X Power's. It's the appalling attitude of MG themselves. Also some Dealers are bad, too. But only some, some
are great, and really try to help you.
Shouldn't be a lottery when buying a new car, but seems it can be, when buying a new MG. Which is a shame.

 

[JonnyG]

Your probably on a commission

Talk about brainwashing too !!

No MG's in our household anymore until aftersales / service prices / dealing with warranty issues / free software updates etc. are all improved significantly.

 

[LenEV2016]

Talk about brainwashing too !!

No MG's in our household anymore until aftersales / service prices / dealing with warranty issues / free software updates etc. are all improved significantly.

Absolutely, I never want anyone to get issue with a car but it will be really interesting how MG deal with issues with any of the IM cars.

It shouldn't make a difference but you start paying north of £40k for a car MGs budget attitude to aftersales will really backfire on them.

The wife's car is a company car, no money out our pocket, and I was getting peeved off with the hassle with trying to deal with dealers/MG for faults.

I can only imagine how annoyed id be if I'd spent over £40k on an MG which is quite obviously targeted at the more prestige market

 

[JonnyG]

...and let’s not forget the biggest issue (characteristic!!) of all with the Xpower. It will be interesting to see if any IM5 / IM6 drivers suffer anything similar.

I really feel for this guy in Australia where the dealers to their fairness have at least tried to fix the vibration but not a happy customer story. It does beg the question what longer term damage is being caused ny the vibration (damped or not) :-

Quotes from Doc Queensbury on Facebook "MG4 X-Power Vibration Complaints"

"Australian based and my experience has been noted elsewhere on this page, but as to a reminder and update for the interested: Damper replaced at stage 1. Result = no difference. After months of complaining as per the author of this thread, had motor and shaft bushings replaced, and this indeed took 3 full days. Result = vibration all but resolved at 100kph but introduced a lesser vibration at approx. 80-90kph. Okay, I might have to live with it I thought at the time, so didn't press the issue. But approx. 6 months after this 'fix', the vibration is slowly re-emerging at the original 100kph as well as ongoing in the lower speed range. Nowhere near as bad as originally, but it is getting worse! So that begs the question, are the new bushings wearing out? What I also noticed since the 'fix' was that the vehicle suspension and driveline does not feel as 'tight' as before. There is clunking and banging during acceleration and suspension movement. Combine these issues with 3 episodes of spontaneous vehicle shutdown whilst driving, on one occasion causing the wheels to lock up (which admittedly seems to have been fixed with a so-called software update), a large price drop very soon after I purchased the car thus causing a large depreciation, and warranty increase to 10 years from my 7 year warranty that MG won't provide me, I'm done with the brand. As it’s a lease vehicle I'll have to hang onto it for a bit, but after that, MG can go to the cookers for all I care!

The latest major failure in my x-power has been the last straw. After the so called vibration 'fix' which improved things for a few months but then started rebuilding and with new noises materializing, the vehicle broke a front motor mount and this apparently damaged other drive train components (according to the dealer). Under Australian consumer law I've demanded a full refund for the vehicle. This might drag on for a bit as MG and the dealer try to avoid this happening, but I'll win in the end if it goes to court. I'm divorcing myself from the brand completely. Once done, I'll divulge all the sordid details on Facebook in the hope it might help others get resolution."

 

[salty]

...and let’s not forget the biggest issue (characteristic!!) of all with the Xpower. It will be interesting to see if any IM5 / IM6 drivers suffer anything similar.

I really feel for this guy in Australia where the dealers to their fairness have at least tried to fix the vibration but not a happy customer story. It does beg the question what longer term damage is being caused ny the vibration (damped or not) :-

Quotes from Doc Queensbury on Facebook "MG4 X-Power Vibration Complaints"

"Australian based and my experience has been noted elsewhere on this page, but as to a reminder and update for the interested: Damper replaced at stage 1. Result = no difference. After months of complaining as per the author of this thread, had motor and shaft bushings replaced, and this indeed took 3 full days. Result = vibration all but resolved at 100kph but introduced a lesser vibration at approx. 80-90kph. Okay, I might have to live with it I thought at the time, so didn't press the issue. But approx. 6 months after this 'fix', the vibration is slowly re-emerging at the original 100kph as well as ongoing in the lower speed range. Nowhere near as bad as originally, but it is getting worse! So that begs the question, are the new bushings wearing out? What I also noticed since the 'fix' was that the vehicle suspension and driveline does not feel as 'tight' as before. There is clunking and banging during acceleration and suspension movement. Combine these issues with 3 episodes of spontaneous vehicle shutdown whilst driving, on one occasion causing the wheels to lock up (which admittedly seems to have been fixed with a so-called software update), a large price drop very soon after I purchased the car thus causing a large depreciation, and warranty increase to 10 years from my 7 year warranty that MG won't provide me, I'm done with the brand. As it’s a lease vehicle I'll have to hang onto it for a bit, but after that, MG can go to the cookers for all I care!

The latest major failure in my x-power has been the last straw. After the so called vibration 'fix' which improved things for a few months but then started rebuilding and with new noises materializing, the vehicle broke a front motor mount and this apparently damaged other drive train components (according to the dealer). Under Australian consumer law I've demanded a full refund for the vehicle. This might drag on for a bit as MG and the dealer try to avoid this happening, but I'll win in the end if it goes to court. I'm divorcing myself from the brand completely. Once done, I'll divulge all the sordid details on Facebook in the hope it might help others get resolution."

Yep, he's been unlucky, and got a bad un. ☹ Hope it all gets resolved, satisfactory
for him.

 

[LenEV2016]

...and let’s not forget the biggest issue (characteristic!!) of all with the Xpower. It will be interesting to see if any IM5 / IM6 drivers suffer anything similar.

I really feel for this guy in Australia where the dealers to their fairness have at least tried to fix the vibration but not a happy customer story. It does beg the question what longer term damage is being caused ny the vibration (damped or not) :-

Quotes from Doc Queensbury on Facebook "MG4 X-Power Vibration Complaints"

"Australian based and my experience has been noted elsewhere on this page, but as to a reminder and update for the interested: Damper replaced at stage 1. Result = no difference. After months of complaining as per the author of this thread, had motor and shaft bushings replaced, and this indeed took 3 full days. Result = vibration all but resolved at 100kph but introduced a lesser vibration at approx. 80-90kph. Okay, I might have to live with it I thought at the time, so didn't press the issue. But approx. 6 months after this 'fix', the vibration is slowly re-emerging at the original 100kph as well as ongoing in the lower speed range. Nowhere near as bad as originally, but it is getting worse! So that begs the question, are the new bushings wearing out? What I also noticed since the 'fix' was that the vehicle suspension and driveline does not feel as 'tight' as before. There is clunking and banging during acceleration and suspension movement. Combine these issues with 3 episodes of spontaneous vehicle shutdown whilst driving, on one occasion causing the wheels to lock up (which admittedly seems to have been fixed with a so-called software update), a large price drop very soon after I purchased the car thus causing a large depreciation, and warranty increase to 10 years from my 7 year warranty that MG won't provide me, I'm done with the brand. As it’s a lease vehicle I'll have to hang onto it for a bit, but after that, MG can go to the cookers for all I care!

The latest major failure in my x-power has been the last straw. After the so called vibration 'fix' which improved things for a few months but then started rebuilding and with new noises materializing, the vehicle broke a front motor mount and this apparently damaged other drive train components (according to the dealer). Under Australian consumer law I've demanded a full refund for the vehicle. This might drag on for a bit as MG and the dealer try to avoid this happening, but I'll win in the end if it goes to court. I'm divorcing myself from the brand completely. Once done, I'll divulge all the sordid details on Facebook in the hope it might help others get resolution."

It really is the big unknown the whole question around premature wear.

I don't think I'd fancy having a 5,6,7 year old X power, all the potential issues could be well out of warranty by then

 

[Chrisdriving]

Long term ownership is certainly food for thought.

 

[JonnyG]

IMHO I think we have a good few years to go until EV's get to a more slower pace of progress (i.e. when range is great across all EV's / battery weight and size has reduced to very acceptable / better qualified and many more technicians are available to service them) etc......

Until then I think I will stick to short term 2 year leases of EV brands that have had a good track record of good customer service.

 

[salty]

Long term ownership is certainly food for thought.

Agree to a certain extent. But to be honest, don't put to much thought into it.
Don't honestly know, how long I'll have my X Power, at the moment I'm loving it, and that's all I'm bothered about. I'm certainly not going to give a 2nd thought, to what might happen down the line. If something goes wrong, I'll deal with it then.

 

[Chrisdriving]

Agree to a certain extent. But to be honest, don't put to much thought into it.
Don't honestly know, how long I'll have my X Power, at the moment I'm loving it, and that's all I'm bothered about. I'm certainly not going to give a 2nd thought, to what might happen down the line. If something goes wrong, I'll deal with it then.

My food for thought pretty much comes to same conclusion

 

[JonnyG]

…….If something goes wrong, I'll deal with it then.

But that could be MG UK and their dealers dealing with it, not you . That’s my food for thought given their track record so far.

 

[salty]

But that could be MG UK and their dealers dealing with it, not you . That’s my food for thought given their track record so far.

True, and we know MG UK and some dealers can be a nightmare. But I'll still deal with it...  IF anything happens. And that's my point IF.

 

[JonnyG]

Yeah, I get your point

 

[Chrisdriving]

Me too.

 

[LenEV2016]

What was your point again

 

[ilukey77]

Driveshaft imbalance really does seem to make sense.

Driveshaft imbalance really does make sense. Especially for mine as once it’s started it doesn’t stop doing it until going at a much lower speed (around 40 mph). It also drifts around and sometimes doesn’t do it at motorway speeds but around 50 mph instead. It also does it under harsh acceleration.

What I don’t get is that if it is the driveshafts, why don’t they just replace them?!

Drive shaft out of balance cannot be the problem ( in my case no drive shafts were replaced to fix said vibration problem )

the reasoning for a out of balance drive shaft is anything that spins ( for this example lets take a buckled rim ) the faster and faster the wheel spins the more unstable it becomes !!

centrifugal forces will cause it to vibrate more and more it cannot smooth out by going faster ..

so with the vibration issue on the X power at 100Kmh it will start to drone / vibrate at 120 it smooths out this just cannot happen if the shaft is out of balance its impossible !!

I could only speculate .,
That with the sub frames and bushes being replaced put the drive shafts in a better balanced position OR at that speed 100 to 120 the shafts were spinning strangely causing the vibration so i would say the sub frame and new bushes dampened the vibration at them specific 100 to 120 speeds

replacing Drive shaft would not solve the problem as i cant be the shafts themselves

Got my car back from repairs it had blown the high voltage module on the battery causing it to be locked in reverse and a motor not working warning light ..
took 6 week to get it back !!

 

[jamherber]

Drive shaft out of balance cannot be the problem ( in my case no drive shafts were replaced to fix said vibration problem )

the reasoning for a out of balance drive shaft is anything that spins ( for this example lets take a buckled rim ) the faster and faster the wheel spins the more unstable it becomes !!

centrifugal forces will cause it to vibrate more and more it cannot smooth out by going faster ..

so with the vibration issue on the X power at 100Kmh it will start to drone / vibrate at 120 it smooths out this just cannot happen if the shaft is out of balance its impossible !!

I could only speculate .,
That with the sub frames and bushes being replaced put the drive shafts in a better balanced position OR at that speed 100 to 120 the shafts were spinning strangely causing the vibration so i would say the sub frame and new bushes dampened the vibration at them specific 100 to 120 speeds

replacing Drive shaft would not solve the problem as i cant be the shafts themselves

Got my car back from repairs it had blown the high voltage module on the battery causing it to be locked in reverse and a motor not working warning light ..
took 6 week to get it back !!

It's not quite that black and white though as various harmonics may be coming into play as the rotational speed increases which can actually result in vibration reducing at higher speeds, particularly with a relatively high frequency vibration such as the one we are experiencing.

My personal take on why it isn't just a driveshaft issue though is that MG would just replace the affected shaft (or shafts) with a redesigned item, which would be far far cheaper than paying the labour to change all the subframe bushes, like they have in certain countries.

 

[ilukey77]

It's not quite that black and white though as various harmonics may be coming into play as the rotational speed increases which can actually result in vibration reducing at higher speeds, particularly with a relatively high frequency vibration such as the one we are experiencing.

My personal take on why it isn't just a driveshaft issue though is that MG would just replace the affected shaft (or shafts) with a redesigned item, which would be far far cheaper than paying the labour to change all the subframe bushes, like they have in certain countries.

That’s exactly why it’s not a drive shaft issue ..

I'm by far a car designer or master mechanic engineer..

For them to replace sub frame bushes etc etc it has to do with transferring vibration..

Vibrations can travel from the strangest places to the strangest place ..

As for other vibrations after my car has been fixed well nothing that I would say I paid 55k AUD for a cheap arse rocket on 4 wheels, that I don’t really expect.

Apart from the major blown high voltage module 6 weeks ago and the vibration that is now fixed the car for the most part has done well ..

Little story back on 1995 I was a apprentice mechanic, a guy brought his brand new Camry in complaining of wind noise. The foreman bent the door frame a little, helped a bit, but nothing spectacular

The guy kept coming back complaining of a wind noise in the end the Forman said look go buy a Merc or BMW, this is a cheap car so expect these sort of issues ..

Problems like the vibration are an obvious fault and should be fixed no question, but little other things revolve around the price you paid.