Question/survey for Podcast Monday 18th October

[Stuwit46]

Family of 5 so we need a bit bigger car with decent range so the MG5 is really the only reasonably priced option available right now.

We took both the ZS and MG5 for test drive as a whole family. It felt like the ZS was actually a smaller car with everyone inside also the MG5 felt a little more "modern" too (whatever that means) also the ZS only has one usb socket in the back while the MG5 has 2 so it was an easy decision. Only the MG5 having a LR version was signifigant as well.

I think the new MG5 looks a lot better but overall I would prefer an app, front/side cameras (like the Leaf) and similar upgrades over a newer look. I think there are a lot more EV choices available now for someone who just wants a good looking car.

Thanks for the info. I’m guessing the USB thing is for the family car

 

[Stuwit46]

Hi Stuart very good thread you have kicked off here, but as for looks they are OK not the best I know but liveable with, and once inside much the same as any car really, running costs are unbelievable, comfort and space is good,rides good, Power is fantastic if you want it, price at the time I ordered mine almost a year ago now was a gift with the discounts they where giving back then, no regrets in any way at all.
Yeh was a little Peeved when the LR came out of the blue but got over that now, this SR can do and does most of what I need, and has done for the past 7 months I’ve had it.
Why did I buy it, apart from my points above I have had estate cars for the last 20 years swear by them, if there was one disappointment it was the roof rail scenario after I placed my order but you know all about that.

Having solar PV to help with charging costs and my son who told me about the 5 when it was first released ( Tesla Model x boy ) but no way am I trying to keep up with him but he also likes the way the 5 drives so there you go my mate.
Very happy with my car.
Les.

Thanks Les…

 

[Stuwit46]

Haven't got mine yet but I'll share my main reason, Company Car Tax!

Previous vehicles were costing £1500-£2000 a year between car tax and PUC (personal usage charge). Don't get me wrong, that's cheap car ownership and I never complained. However...

The MG5 car tax is £120 a year and, because it comes in under my allowance after the government grant is claimed, I get paid £60 a month back in BOB (balance of benefit).

So not just saving money, but in reality getting a small pay rise out of it.

It is a risky move, even though I've done thorough research based on my current driving patterns, if my role changes and I have to travel further I'll probably struggle with public charging, as it's not meant to affect the business or delay me in any way, but for me the opportunities outweighed the risks right now in my current situation.

I'll claim back 4p per business mile which may just cover my charging costs if done right at home, on the right tariff, but in no way would it cover rapid public charging. However in the long run it will still work out cheaper than an ICE or even Hybrid company car.

Another good reason. The BIK is a big deal isn’t it?

 

[Stuwit46]

I like the look of the MG5 and my family thinks it looks good. Well after an early LEAF anything looks good! It does look like a VW estate so who cares?

I actually prefer it to the new look MG5, who cares about fashion other than someone wanting to sell you something new to get you to change your old model?

Thanks, funny how we consider what looks good etc. As “they say” in the eye of the beholder

 

[Stuwit46]

My worst case longest trip I have to make is around 210 mile round trip sometimes on the M25.

So after many months researching all areas and what the real world mileages can be obtained from EV's I had narrowed down what EV's to look at based on practicality, cost and mileage.
One major point was that it did need to fit without putting seats down, my wife's walker or worst case a foldable wheelchair.

Both Nero and Kona were ruled out owing to boot space.
The MG5 along with it's, in my book, tried and tested looks won hands down as could fit what I need in the boot.
Not only that but as a keyworker I could also obtain the car on the Affinity scheme so that really nailed the deal down. Finally when my wife says you should go for it certainly not going to say no!

Now had the car 11 days, enough for the rose tinted spectacles to be taken off and absolutely love the car.
Sure an app would of been nice and the space at the front for a Frunk but that is small pickings.
The MG Pilot system works great and really assists me on long run already made.
The other good point is that makes you think differently in the way you drive and the planning for comfort/top up stops.

Thanks, I’m assuming it’s the LR version? I wish I had Pilot and those extra miles range

 

[Stuwit46]

I wanted the ZS but needed 3 rear headrests. As for EV that was a no brainer when I sat down and worked out fuel costs over 6 years would be £17k for an ICE.

Simple… Thanks

 

[Stuwit46]

I originally bought the ZS EV as I did want to go electric for 'eco' reasons AND I love gadgets (an electric car is a gadget isn't it ?) AND the reduced running costs. The range was fine for 98% of the time and charging was no bother for longer jouneys.
If I had wanted to I could have followed my usual pattern of buying a 2/3 year old quality used car (quality not a badge) for half the price and kept for it for 10 years or more. This may have led to cost of ownership parity, who knows, but I wanted an EV and the ZS EV was the best usable/most gadgets/affordable option around.
I have taken advantage of good used prices to sell mine to Cazoo and have a 5 LR on order.
Now as mentioned I was happy with 163 mile range so why go to 250, I won't be going anywhere different. Well I'm not buying extra range, I'm buying extra speed @Stuwit46 will appreciate that. I want to travel at 70 without thinking about it. I'm buying heating/AC, I can use without any concerns about range. Oh and now the 5LR has most of the gadgets of the ZS.
Now you have it all

Great move selling the ZS and upgrading to the 5LR have you ordered #teamred

 

[Stuwit46]

The cost of fuelling my diesel Insignia estate was barely being covered by my travel expenses. I like estates to get my dog in the boot and as MG do the only electric estate in the UK I looked at MG5. I am an electrician by trade, so deal with my own home electrics, and have been planning the gradual move to electric for a couple of years (we now have two electric cars). By calculation my monthly expenses cover the 0% PCP payment and the cost of charging is under £25 per month. So compared to the cost of running the Insignia against the MG5 I save about £190 per month. In 3 years once I have bought outright then I will keep all the travel expenses for me. I bought the MG5 in black to blend in with the fake grill. The 115kW motor is no problem on motorways speed wise, and I can make do with the 35kg roof rail weight limit. So I'm winning for once.

Agreed. The dog carrying was essential for me, I carry kit around too for my work

 

[SteveMP]

Thanks, I’m assuming it’s the LR version? I wish I had Pilot and those extra miles range

Yep LR version

 

[Stuwit46]

Like some others at least, I am not averse to how the Mg5 looks - I don't see the ugliness/age that others see, and indeed everyone who has seen it likes it! (At lease they say they do!!) I think it is much better in real life than in the photographs.

I bought mine because (not in any order)

a) I live on the Isle of Wight. Nearly all of my driving is local (up to about 12 miles one way max) and electric seems ideal for this. So far it clearly is. I don't understand why there are not many more electric cars over here, and as yet I have seen only about 4 MG5s. I have yet to test it on a longer journey to family on the mainland, but don't see any issues with charging, (assuming that Instavolt chargers on the way are functioning).
b) My thoughts about relative running costs are coming true. I don't have a cheap overnight electricity tariff, but my rate of just under 20p per unit is fine. I am getting about 4.6 miles per kwh if the display is to be believed, (just trundling round the Island). This is backed up with data from actual charges made (I have a PodPoint 7kw charge), so running cost seems to be about 4.3 pence per mile. My diesel (before the latest price rises) was costing about 12 per mile. Enough said I think.
c) I have always liked estate cars, but never had one. I like their versatility. I did not want an SUV.
d) My 8 year old Toyota diesel MPV (although excellent in many respects) was beginning to cost me money. eg new brake discs.
e) I think MG electric cars are excellent value for money. In any case I can't afford a Tesla!

Overall, it just seemed a sensible option.

Thanks for the answers, seems as though the 5 is a winner in many areas for you

 

[Stuwit46]

Someone a while ago said the MG5 looked like a VW Passat I had one of those so was happy with the shape I actually prefer it to the new front.
I was looking for a small ev to do my 70 mile commute but the MG5 was cheaper, would save me on fuel and is an estate so win win .
I thought I would struggle to convince my wife as she had never driven an automatic but she loved it too especially the acceleration

Thanks. Great when the other half likes it too!

 

[Stuwit46]

I quite like how the MG5 looks - perhaps in the minority but I prefer it to the photos I’ve seen of the facelift model - although the improved interior and app connectivity are nice.

Anyway, I’ve got mine as I like estates and not SUVs. Came from a 10 year old MPV and I needed space for dogs, kids and roof capacity a couple of times a year. Felt that it was time to take the plunge to electric whilst all the incentives existed and the 7 year warranty and prospect of reduced running and maintenance costs were attractive.

Why specifically an MG? It has pretty much everything I needed at a price point I could justify. My only concern is availability of replacement parts as still a niche brand in the UK.

Thanks for the response

 

[Gomev]

Great move selling the ZS and upgrading to the 5LR have you ordered #teamred

Sticking with #teamblue. I do like most of the colours on the 5 (apart from white) and the red does look good but my wife wants blue.

 

[AbandonedTrolley]

Ordered the LR at the weekend, was planning to hold off until the facelift next year, but then realised that UK would probably be even later than the LHD EU launch.

Ordered in red and trading in my current SMax to bring down the payments. Really impressed with the spec and space in the car, it's not going to set the world alight, but it's still nicely put together and does what it's meant to do and well. Main reasons were running costs, going from around £120 a month in diesel down to around £10-12 will be a big saving, along with road tax as well.

 

[m4rmite]

For me is the entire combination of price, estate(only 1 out there ), range of 200+ and availability.

I picked mine up within a week of the test drive.

While i do ogle at other ev designs and features i haven't regretted buying the mg5 in the slightest.
I chose blue as the last few cars I've had have been grey.
I do like the grey slightly more though

 

[Kompins]

We had a car and a 2.5 tonne van for my business, at nearly 70 I'm cutting back on work so we were looking to just have one vehicle. As part of a long term strategy to reduce our carbon footprint and reduce our outgoings we had recently had a solar PV array installed so an EV made a lot of sense. I test drove the 5 first and immediately new it was the right car: I can carry all my tools and welding gear in the back, it was easy to drive, very comfortable and quiet and the Excite was gadget free. Testing a couple of Leaf models just conformed my first impression. Ailing van to WBAC, car to daughter then got a great price on a delivery miles pre registered Excite from Just EVs. Sooo pleased with the car which has far exceeded our expectations. Was not fussed at how the car looked to be honest but we really like it and to my surprise so do a lot of my clients of all ages in the car and motorcycle trade.

 

[Fudge]

for me i was looking at an EV as i drive into London a few times a month, and alot of other places are soon to be putting in a low emissions zone's.
i looked at a few other ev's befor i looked at the MG5 and with the affenity deal most others were over 10k more and they didnt offer me anything else i would be interested in.

the space is nice and easy to use, the looks i dont like it, but then i dont dislike it, and in another way i like it that it looks similar to an ICE car, so not in your face ev, like some of them.

 

[Lucky5]

I’ve had mine 7 months and bought it due to the massive value for money offer. Under £20k on the road, good space, range over 200miles most of the time and I don’t mind the looks. Not sold on the new one front end wise and don’t like the tablet stuck on the dash look inside. I am happy not to have the “driving aids” either. When I can no longer manage to keep in a straight line or at a constant speed myself I’ll give up driving

 

[WalkingBootWeather]

Nearly 40 years ago when microwave ovens first became vaguely affordable for domestic use, I spent hours considering the various features, making a shortlist, viewing appliances at various stores and talking to sales staff before finally making my choice. A couple of months later I visited my parents and my mother was keen to show off her newly re-fitted kitchen and very expensive microwave. Impressed she was moving with the times I asked her what the power output of her microwave was, and she looked at me blankly. Well then. "how many power levels does it have?" I asked. She had no idea. "So, does it use a turntable to rotate the food or one of those stirrer fans to deflect the microwaves?" I ventured, but she was still clueless. "Tell me then", I said, "why did you pick that microwave which cost double the price of the one I'd just bought when you don't seem to know anything about it?" She just smiled and answered brightly, "Easy. It was brown!"

You ask me why I bought an MG EV? Easy. It was red!

I fear I am becoming my mother.......

 

[Toby]

We have been waiting for the combination of sufficient range, affordable price and an estate car with space for kids and dog. We really wanted an EV, but didn't think we would be able to get one. Luckily Toyota did a bad job trying to sell us the Corolla Touring Sport/last generation Avensis (its replacing a 2006 Avensis that we love) so we walked away. Having had toyotas and loved them for 15 years I found myself unhappy with what they had to offer and the way they tried to sell them and looked around. We test drove a 2016 Avensis, a new Toyota Corolla Touring Sport, looked at a Skoda Octavia, looked at and got quotes for a Hyundai Ioniq, Nissan Leaf, Volvo V60, Kia Niro, Volkswagen Passat.

I also have an electric motorbike so am comfortable with how range and kW hours and all that interact. To all those boast about range. I get over 20 miles per (useable) kWh on it!

The minimum spec was a winter, fully laden, motorway range above 140 miles which is the distance to family (mostly it will be a less). We have never charged on the move so wanted to be safe on that drive.

It also needed to match up to a decent spec inside and be a decent drive.

We have a diesel second vehicle so we can choose which vehicle we take on some journeys which takes some of the stress out of the decision.

So price, range and drive came out excellent. None of the rest was below acceptable (much was actually very good). In fact, simple things like the sound system was very clear and better than most added to the impression it was going to be simple but effective. (Does what it says on the tin...)

Finally the gentleman who organised the test drive let the car sell itself and just answered the questions we asked and this was a blessed relief compared to some. One competitor even spent 15 minutes telling us how to operate the DAB/FM radio and why it was great. 15 minutes of my life I'll never get back.

The nice to haves would have been:
A flat boot, from bumper to the back of the front seats!
Nicer wheels, for the same price it could have had a much nicer base option.
Towbar option, even if only rated to 250kgs or for bikes etc.

But life is full of compromises.