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New to MG EVs - I have a few questions

mminehan

Standard Member
Joined
May 2, 2021
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Location
Auckland, New Zealand
Driving
MG5
We just took possession of a new MG5 EV Exclusive. We also have another EV, a Tesla Model S 90D.

I'm reasonably impressed with the MG5. It doesn't compare to the Tesla in terms of features and tech but for the price (almost a third of the Tesla) it's a pretty good car. We have had the Tesla for a while so it's taking a bit of learning to get used to the differences. Some things are obvious, others not. So some questions:

1) How do you set the battery charge limit on the MG5? With the Tesla it is set using the phone app or on the screen using a slider and we usually set it to 80%. I can't see anything that mentions charging limit on the MG. We are using the Tesla HPWC (wall charger) set to legacy mode to charge the MG which works fine.
2) Can you set a default drive mode and KERS? It always seems to go back to normal and 2 respectively.
3) The MG was imported new from the UK. MG New Zealand do not sell the MG5 yet, just the ZS EV. Is there a way to get New Zealand maps on the default navigation system for free? Or do we have to pony up $150 USD for maps from Naviextras? In which case we will just use Google maps on Android auto.
4) I gather there is no wireless Android auto but has anyone tried the AAWirelss dongle on the MG5? It's a pain having to plug in the phone every time you get in the car.
5) For some reason we weren't supplied the 'protection kit' even though the demo car we looked at had those. It a little bizarre that these cars are sold without floor mats. The dealer is in the process of addressing this. The dealer is in another part of the country (3 hours drive away). If/when we get the protection kit can we fit the mud flaps ourselves or is there some specialist skill needed?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions and advice.

Marty (New Zealand)
 
1. No charge limit that can be set
2. Always defaults to normal and kers 2
3. No clue I’m afraid
4. Not tried a dongle, I just leave a cable attached and connect - I soon got in to the habit, it gives me something to do while the kids fasten themselves in
5. Fitting the mud flaps is very simple, just a few screws.
 
Do you not get the first Navigation update for free ?
I did with the ZS, but I haven't checked with SWMBO's MG5.
 
Do you not get the first Navigation update for free ?
Yes I think you do. I went through the update procedure (install USB, get the MG to load the files, go to Naviextras etc). But this only updates the existing EU map. It does not allow me to select another map unless we pay $150 USD, which seems a bit much for a relatively clunky nav system.

1. No charge limit that can be set
2. Always defaults to normal and kers 2
3. No clue I’m afraid
4. Not tried a dongle, I just leave a cable attached and connect - I soon got in to the habit, it gives me something to do while the kids fasten themselves in
5. Fitting the mud flaps is very simple, just a few screws.
Thanks for the information. I've ordered the AAwireless adapter and will report back when it arrives, Eta late June.
 
Yes I think you do. I went through the update procedure (install USB, get the MG to load the files, go to Naviextras etc). But this only updates the existing EU map. It does not allow me to select another map unless we pay $150 USD, which seems a bit much for a relatively clunky nav system.


Thanks for the information. I've ordered the AAwireless adapter and will report back when it arrives, Eta late June.
I have a carplay2air adapter for Apple CarPlay and works great other than it can take a few minutes to register/work on some journeys.
 
Yes I think you do. I went through the update procedure (install USB, get the MG to load the files, go to Naviextras etc). But this only updates the existing EU map. It does not allow me to select another map unless we pay $150 USD, which seems a bit much for a relatively clunky nav system.
Have you tried selecting your $150 map but not entering payment details ?
A different make, but the Free Toyota updates for my old Prius on the Toyota website used to quote £119 on them until you selected them then it went to £0, it's worth a try.
Also, is there a NZ Naviextras website ?
 
In my limited experience I have only come across Tesla allowing recommending an 80% charge limit under most conditions. Being a cynic my feeling is that Tesla allow a higher level of maximum charge on their batteries and this may be the reason for their recommendation.

Android Auto and wired connection. My understanding is that some of the latest installations allow wireless connection but it is not available through an update of existing installations. Ford Puma offers a wireless charging option but you need a cable connection to use Android Auto of Apple Car Play.
 
I have a carplay2air adapter for Apple CarPlay and works great other than it can take a few minutes to register/work on some journeys.
Do you have a model or link so we can look at the same one please? I would fined it really useful to know it works before ponying up.
 
In my limited experience I have only come across Tesla allowing recommending an 80% charge limit under most conditions. Being a cynic my feeling is that Tesla allow a higher level of maximum charge on their batteries and this may be the reason for their recommendation.
Tesla allow you to set the charge limit to what ever you want. There is a lower limit though. They recommend 80% to 90% for daily charging. If you are planning a long trip then you can do a 100% charge. Of course the first and last 20% charge at a much slower rate as is best practise for batteries. So on a road trip you need to take this into consideration (time charging the last 20% vs distance to the next charger etc.)

I think Tesla are very good at battery managment systems. They spend a lot of R&D money on battery technology. And they have some pretty impressive data which is public. Over 90% capacity at 250,000kms and over 85% at 500,000kms. Google 'Tesla battery scatter graphs' and you'll get the idea.

I have yet to see any data on the longevity of batteries from other vehicle manufacturers. The Gen 1 and Gen 2 Leafs are an example of poor BMSs. The Gen 1s are the 'go to' argument for those that like to bag EVs. You've all heard the arguments: "you have to replace the toxic batteries every few years, just look at Nissan Leafs", "replacing batteries make EVs more expensive to run than normal cars", "lithium mines are worse than coal mines".....bla bla bla.
 
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We just took possession of a new MG5 EV Exclusive. We also have another EV, a Tesla Model S 90D.

I'm reasonably impressed with the MG5. It doesn't compare to the Tesla in terms of features and tech but for the price (almost a third of the Tesla) it's a pretty good car. We have had the Tesla for a while so it's taking a bit of learning to get used to the differences. Some things are obvious, others not. So some questions:

1) How do you set the battery charge limit on the MG5? With the Tesla it is set using the phone app or on the screen using a slider and we usually set it to 80%. I can't see anything that mentions charging limit on the MG. We are using the Tesla HPWC (wall charger) set to legacy mode to charge the MG which works fine.
2) Can you set a default drive mode and KERS? It always seems to go back to normal and 2 respectively.
3) The MG was imported new from the UK. MG New Zealand do not sell the MG5 yet, just the ZS EV. Is there a way to get New Zealand maps on the default navigation system for free? Or do we have to pony up $150 USD for maps from Naviextras? In which case we will just use Google maps on Android auto.
4) I gather there is no wireless Android auto but has anyone tried the AAWirelss dongle on the MG5? It's a pain having to plug in the phone every time you get in the car.
5) For some reason we weren't supplied the 'protection kit' even though the demo car we looked at had those. It a little bizarre that these cars are sold without floor mats. The dealer is in the process of addressing this. The dealer is in another part of the country (3 hours drive away). If/when we get the protection kit can we fit the mud flaps ourselves or is there some specialist skill needed?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions and advice.

Marty (New Zealand)
Tesla and MG are worlds apart. Your mg will charge at full rate to 90% and then slow the charge rate. The car will not charge at more than 7kw unlike your tesla so it does not need as much management.
DO remember that the charging speed is set by the car unless on the CCS in which case the charger should not charge more than 80% at 50kw.
Hope this helps.
 
Tesla and MG are worlds apart. Your mg will charge at full rate to 90% and then slow the charge rate. The car will not charge at more than 7kw unlike your tesla so it does not need as much management.
DO remember that the charging speed is set by the car unless on the CCS in which case the charger should not charge more than 80% at 50kw.
Hope this helps.
Thanks Tom for the useful information. We might go a try a CCS charge today to how it works.
Marty
 
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