Straight line stability

[Weeble]

Good thinking, heavy battery, low centre of gravity, more stability.

Ah! But genuine question from 11 YO grandson a few days ago.
"Grandad..... when you fill up a petrol tank the car gets heavier. So, does the car get heavier when you fill up the battery?"
I hate smartarse kids. Any scientists out there?

 

[MG Clive]

Ah! But genuine question from 11 YO grandson a few days ago.
"Grandad..... when you fill up a petrol tank the car gets heavier. So, does the car get heavier when you fill up the battery?"
I hate smartarse kids. Any scientists out there?

Google says:

Yes, technically an electric car gets slightly heavier when charged due to stored energy, but the increase is minuscule (around 4 micrograms for a full charge), so it's practically immeasurable and unnoticeable

So technically, yes, but practically, no.

 

[LenEV2016]

Just checked one of the reviews. It claims the issue is related to the weight distribution (more rear, less front).
With head wind, indeed more weight at the front will result in more stability. But it's opposite to side winds, I'm reading on various forums. Yet the reviewer claims the distribution causes the instability (wind sensitivity seems to fit better) with both head and side wind....
Maybe I should check it myself when the winds pick up again.

Depends what they have jumped out off before they got into the S5 as has been said it's an SUV so rides a bit higher, they may have jumped out a saloon car or hatchback and made a comparison, which wouldn't exactly be like for like but it doesn't stop reviewers.

 

[anth5864]

I used to drive a Volvo C30 and it was very easily unsettled with a gust of wind, sometimes not really even that powerful, I even had it back to Volvo at one point but all checked out. I've had a little bit with the S5 but no more than expected - high wind turbulence type of stuff. Just what you get with SUVs being taller, did a trip to the lakes a couple of weeks ago and it was really gusty, held firm, felt great to drive!

 

[NLMGSAN]

Yes. Generally i

Depends what they have jumped out off before they got into the S5 as has been said it's an SUV so rides a bit higher, they may have jumped out a saloon car or hatchback and made a comparison, which wouldn't exactly be like for like but it doesn't stop reviewers.

At least one of them compared it to the MG4. And he wasn't pleased about that one either.

 

[nem]

I find it behaves pretty much like a Nissan Qashqai (drove one for a few years). I wouldn't say it's problematic, but it does require some attention when driving in strong side wind (20m/s +).

 

[Ian Key]

It's difficult to comment about the exact point the reviewer is making about the stability in windy conditions without seeing it in context. Was it an exceptionally windy day, were the tyre pressures correct, had they just been driving a Ferrari?

To counteract that reviewer here's the review from The Car Expert website:
The ride is mostly good, although it can get a bit bouncy when the road surface is uneven. At urban speeds, it’s generally very well composed. When speed picks up to motorway pace, it feels stable and un-flustered by crosswinds, so longer trips should be fairly relaxing.

 

[salty]

It's difficult to comment about the exact point the reviewer is making about the stability in windy conditions without seeing it in context. Was it an exceptionally windy day, were the tyre pressures correct, had they just been driving a Ferrari?

To counteract that reviewer here's the review from The Car Expert website:
The ride is mostly good, although it can get a bit bouncy when the road surface is uneven. At urban speeds, it’s generally very well composed. When speed picks up to motorway pace, it feels stable and un-flustered by crosswinds, so longer trips should be fairly relaxing.

That's why you should not be put of by, negative reviews. There's nearly always a positive review, to counter act, it. Make your own mind up. And that goes for most things, not just cars.

 

[NLMGSAN]

Good point. Thing is, they do influence you. One way or another....

 

[salty]

Good point. Thing is, they do influence you. One way or another....

To a certain extent. I agree. It might well influence some. Even to the point it totally puts them, off. Which is a shame. I knew all about the faults/foibles about the MG4.
And about the dreaded Vibes on the X Power. Also about how bad MG and some dealers can be. But still chose to get a new X Power, after 2 long test drives. And haven't regretted it one bit, it's been great.
Had I took the reviews to heart. And reviews are only some bloke/woman giving their amateur opinions, I wouldn't have got me X Power. And missed out on a cracking motor.
I mostly watch reviews to see the actual cars close up, and to see the equipment they come with. etc. I make my own mind up, about how the car drives/handles etc.

 

[NLMGSAN]

I'm not simply believing them either. That's why I asked you guys (and girls). I have much more faith in actual users than someone doing a 1000 km test.

 

[LenEV2016]

I'm not simply believing them either. That's why I asked you guys (and girls). I have much more faith in actual users than someone doing a 1000 km test.

You mention the 1000km test the only thing I would say is id pay a lot more attention to Bjorn Nylands tests than I would a lot of our motoring journalists

 

[NLMGSAN]

Normally this particular person talks sense. They aren't all that bad.
Nyland mentioned the S5 was slow on the throttle. I checked four different reviews, some extensive, some simple. None of them mentioned this.

 

[LenEV2016]

Normally this particular person talks sense. They aren't all that bad.
Nyland mentioned the S5 was slow on the throttle. I checked four different reviews, some extensive, some simple. None of them mentioned this.

Could be the one he was given to test, let's face it there are a variety of issues that MGs can suffer from

 

[dx4100]

It's difficult to comment about the exact point the reviewer is making about the stability in windy conditions without seeing it in context. Was it an exceptionally windy day, were the tyre pressures correct, had they just been driving a Ferrari?

To counteract that reviewer here's the review from The Car Expert website:
The ride is mostly good, although it can get a bit bouncy when the road surface is uneven. At urban speeds, it’s generally very well composed. When speed picks up to motorway pace, it feels stable and un-flustered by crosswinds, so longer trips should be fairly relaxing.

There is no way the statement "un-flustered by crosswinds" holds true. They must have driven it on a low wind day. I wouldn't say it has a stability issue but if the wind picks up you will feel it.

 

[salty]

There is no way the statement "un-flustered by crosswinds" holds true. They must have driven it on a low wind day. I wouldn't say it has a stability issue but if the wind picks up you will feel it.

Yep, you will definitely feel it, on a very windy day. It's a highish vehicle. So it's inevitable. I've felt my X Power move slightly on a very windy day, on an open road. So an MGS5 will be worse. But certainly no Stability issue.

 

[decrep]

There is no way the statement "un-flustered by crosswinds" holds true. They must have driven it on a low wind day. I wouldn't say it has a stability issue but if the wind picks up you will feel it.

Semantics issue???? what did he mean by unflustered?
my interpretation would be that's it's not a problem, not that you don't feel it.

Same with the other one, what did he mean by unstable, probably not what you and I mean by it.

 

[Ian Key]

How the car drives and handles is very subjective and depends on your expectations. I had an extensive test drive in the MGS5 with my brother and we weren't sure about the car. The ride seemed to be a bit choppy so we walked away.

A few months later the dealer was offering pre-registered ones at just under £24k and I was having difficulty with my knees and getting in and out of my MG4 so I went for another look. Two days later I was the proud owner of a grey MGS5. The ride was a lot better once the tyres were at the correct pressure and as for the slow throttle response, try it yourself in Sport mode especially in the LR or Trophy versions.