So long and thanks for all the FSH

[YaR]

To get back on topic, having got my new car and having not yet returned the MG4, weirdly I have a greater appreciation for it. It would make a very decent EV for a second car if you buy a used one for cheap if you can overlook the horrific 'driver assistance' implementation. It remains a car that drives well, has decent efficiency and is comfortable to sit in for long periods.

 

[Ferretusmaximus]

Had it for just over 2 months now and am impressed. Still not pushing it as getting used to it and I like to treat new cars gently anyway. Occasional electrical blip but that seems standard these days (thankfully they have cleared themselves so far). It has addressed all the issues I had with the MG (all of which MG could fix with some investment but I suspect they are putting all their effort into the new model [dull] now). ACC is very smooth and doesn't brake half way through an overtake like the MG did. SatNav is Google Maps (Google built in) so it works. The dashboard display is a real-time map which is surprisingly useful and you wonder why other cars don't do that. I went for the dual motor performance option so when you poke it it does react and also looks quite nice in black. Anyway, at nearly twice the price you would hope for an improvement....

Over a 1,000 miles in now and have covered a good mix of long and short journeys. I'm finding the Polestar better for motorways (it's a bigger car so the country lanes suit the MG4 more) as the increased range means 70mph is a practical speed (I found 60mph better in the MG as that extra 10mph hurt the battery too much). It charges quickly (I use the multiple 10min ultracharger method on long journeys). Battery management - there isn't any; only guidance is to charge to 90% as your regular limit. I certainly don't miss the pre-flight schedule (wait for infotainment to boot, turn off LKA, etc.) - it's get in and go. MG would do well to copy the LKA implementation in the Polestar - very subtle but just enough to stop you going wrong. At this time of year the ventilated seats are a real bonus.

 

[siteguru]

If your MG4 hadn't had the SC077 update then I can understand your LKA comment - if it had then I can't; since getting SC077 I never bother turning LKA off anymore.

 

[salty]

I'm just presuming my X Power has the SC077 update. I'd did ask them for all the available updates, when I picked it up on
14th September 2024. And they said they had. My LKAs never bothered me.
And yet when I booked the 1st service for this September, they said your car is down for a LKA recall update. But as I've said, it's never bothered me.

 

[pjmmk]

I still turn LKA off in both my EV's. I just hate the way it makes the steering feel when it tugs at the wheel. I can see a use for it on long motorway runs where you're sitting in one lane for mile after mile but around single lane NSL roads where you're having to steer around potholes, damaged drains, abandoned cones, etc. it's little more than a nuisance.

 

[YaR]

To get back on topic, having got my new car and having not yet returned the MG4, weirdly I have a greater appreciation for it. It would make a very decent EV for a second car if you buy a used one for cheap if you can overlook the horrific 'driver assistance' implementation. It remains a car that drives well, has decent efficiency and is comfortable to sit in for long periods.

A further update, it's just a joy to drive something where all the software and driver aids just work without any annoyances. MG badly messed up a great car with poor software governing everything from the centre console to LKA and ACC. Let alone the non functional TJA. The BMW has perfect adherence to lanes when activated...

 

[GaryMG4]

Done a few miles in SWMBOs 71 plate Niro, LKA is a bit intrusive but you can turn it off with a button on the steering wheel otherwise its noisier, rides quite heavy over the bumps and feels a little quicker than my Trophy but being front wheel drive its not as pleasant to drive. The 25 plate Niro we were given as courtesy car while her 'turtle mode' problem was being sorted was similar hers but speed recognition was very intrusive and beeped repeatedly. Especially annoying as it was only doing 28 when it thought it was doing 30, and it was a menu job to shut it up.

 

[Caramaddy]

I had the MG4 SE as a courtesy car while my MG5 SR PFL was being service. The LKA was a pain as I kept forgetting to turn it off. The car drove really well but it did not "feel" as plush or comfortable as my MG5.
The important thing to remember is the PRICE of these cars. I think my MG5 is a fantastic car on its own merits, adding it is an EV is even better. It is not perfect but I really enjoy driving it. My ONLY concern (this applies to most modern cars ICE or EV) is the software when things go wrong. If it can be fixed, no problem. However, if the car is in the garage for weeks on end then that is a big concern. This is not limited to MG - all makes of EV's have had these issues. There seems to be a lack of expertise in dealing with these types of faults.

 

[GaryMG4]

This is not limited to MG - all makes of EV's have had these issues. There seems to be a lack of expertise in dealing with these types of faults.

I think the problem is they rely utterly on fault codes. On the day we picked the car up it did a phantom 'turtle mode', flashed reduced power for a few seconds, then returned to normal even though the soc was over 60%. That night I found on a Kia forum a known fault where the BMS loom was faulty and mis-reporting a low cell voltage. Despite me telling the garage this, it had to go back three times before it happened while they were driving it and they contacted Kia they said yes its a known fault and got the parts to them the next morning to fix it! But at least they gave us a 25 plate Niro4 to play with for a week.

 

[YaR]

Mine has now finally gone after repeated delays from the finance company that meant I had to fork out for extra insurance. Anyway, I took it out for one last 50 mile drive before it went to compare to the BMW i4 which replaced it.
It's more nimble in town than the i4 and still decent to drive, but the adaptive suspension on the i4, the software, and all the driver assistance is just massively better. Even the various bings and bongs are more pleasant to the ear in the BMW. Efficiency is about the same with AC off, but the BMW does seem better with it on. No idea about winter use, but I expect the heat pump to also make a difference.
Now as a more expensive car you can expect the i4 to excel on the mechanical and engineering side, but there really is no excuse for MGs software and driver assistance to be so awful. These are now solved problems for many manufacturers.
MG4 would be great as a second hand EV if they could just sort that out.

 

[siteguru]

To be fair, after the last round of updates my SE SR is fine - no issues with LKA, ACC/TJA or HVAC.

 

[MG Clive]

Mine has now finally gone after repeated delays from the finance company that meant I had to fork out for extra insurance. Anyway, I took it out for one last 50 mile drive before it went to compare to the BMW i4 which replaced it.
It's more nimble in town than the i4 and still decent to drive, but the adaptive suspension on the i4, the software, and all the driver assistance is just massively better. Even the various bings and bongs are more pleasant to the ear in the BMW. Efficiency is about the same with AC off, but the BMW does seem better with it on. No idea about winter use, but I expect the heat pump to also make a difference.
Now as a more expensive car you can expect the i4 to excel on the mechanical and engineering side, but there really is no excuse for MGs software and driver assistance to be so awful. These are now solved problems for many manufacturers.
MG4 would be great as a second hand EV if they could just sort that out.

I think at over £50k for the basic model, the BMW is in a different league, and probably beyond what most of us lowly MG drivers would want to pay.

 

[OriginalBigAl]

Nice choice, again out of my league , but you have not answered the big question. When joining the BMW forum is your first post going to start , " Coming from a MG4 to......... "
Seriously though your impressions after a few weeks would be appreciated.

 

[YaR]

I think at over £50k for the basic model, the BMW is in a different league, and probably beyond what most of us lowly MG drivers would want to pay.

Let's just say the depreciation is incredibly steep so a low mileage, decent spec second hand is, if not cheap, then much better value than a new one.

 

[JonnyG]

Nice choice (the BMW I4) IMHO Hope you enjoy !

I would have loved the I4 M50 but lease prices never got low enough and I have decided to stick with two year lease deals for future EV's !!.