To Update MG4 software or Not?

[QLeo]

I'm a pensioner now but for decades I was always at the front of the queue for technology and especially hardware/software updates.
Over the last few years I've gone by the saying "If it ain't broke don't fix it".
Very soon I will be having my first MG4 service and to be honest (and touching a lot of wood) I've got nothing to complain about, I don't even turn off LKA now because I'm so used to what it's going to do.
My software is SW168-29958-1300R33

What are your thoughts::
1) Take every update possible?
2) If it ain't broke don't fix it?

Thanks

If I may add a mere opinion, as your question is one of preference. I have 25+ years in the technology industry, though no experience of the automotive software industry. But, rather like the spurious urge to compare the way EV batteries and powertrains work because we all have experience of mobile phone batteries, I think there are dangers in extrapolating our own experience or knowledge into, frankly, the black art of automotive software. In other words, we're not talking about consumer software, about which we're entitled to have opinions, but a very specialised aspect of modern cars. The only thing we absolutely do know is the noticeable effect of software, but we have no idea what's happening with aspects hidden from the cabin.
For that reason, while I may have misgivings, I would tend to accept (I stopped short of saying "trust") when the manufacturer says "Your car really needs this."

However, as Goth Leo goes for his second service in a couple of weeks, and software updates are due to be done, I may come back here later with.... altered opinions.

 

[Nick 828]

2 definitely mine is still on R33 and it works fine .I have had 2 updates from new 2 years ago but they where from MG and part of the service .Sometimes these update cause extra problems if its running ok why bother

 

[Beekay29]

I'm a pensioner now but for decades I was always at the front of the queue for technology and especially hardware/software updates.
Over the last few years I've gone by the saying "If it ain't broke don't fix it".
Very soon I will be having my first MG4 service and to be honest (and touching a lot of wood) I've got nothing to complain about, I don't even turn off LKA now because I'm so used to what it's going to do.
My software is SW168-29958-1300R33

What are your thoughts::
1) Take every update possible?
2) If it ain't broke don't fix it?

Thanks

I thought all s/w updates were supposed to be done via the internet direct to the car?
As to the LKA (which I assume means the Lane Keep Assist) I don't trust this one bit. My previous car had this and it worked without any issues but this feature is dangerous on the MG hence me turning it off!

 

[aardvark5]

I thought all s/w updates were supposed to be done via the internet direct to the car?

Not with the MG4.

 

[Martinonline]

@Beekay29, after the SC077 update most posters have reported it is much better and are not turning it off. That includes me now after my Trophy's 2nd service a couple of weeks ago.

 

[BobA]

I'm a pensioner now but for decades I was always at the front of the queue for technology and especially hardware/software updates.
Over the last few years I've gone by the saying "If it ain't broke don't fix it".
Very soon I will be having my first MG4 service and to be honest (and touching a lot of wood) I've got nothing to complain about, I don't even turn off LKA now because I'm so used to what it's going to do.
My software is SW168-29958-1300R33

What are your thoughts::
1) Take every update possible?
2) If it ain't broke don't fix it?

Thanks

 

[HiFiDave]

When I had my MG4, I always turned LKA off. After the SC077 update I found it was so much better, no need to turn off any longer- in fact I’d consider it a positive post SC077 in that if it was off by default, I’d probably fumble around in the menus to actually turn it on.

 

[Tig170]

.... big no from me. (just need a car that works, similar to as what I passed my test in the '80's - i.e. get in and go ) - luckily mine is an early version (LKA off by default) where we agree no updates when serviced at MG.

 

[BobA]

I would do neither! Ensure the car is maintained by an MG dealer with no instructions about software other than asking for the best current version.

Sadly, "If it ain't broke don't fix it" does not apply apply now.
I used to be responsible for telematics and new enterprise level IT before and after the rise of the internet. My rule then was never to be first with 'new' and definitely "If it ain't broke never never fix it" but not now. The difference now is that software is everywhere including domestic goods, services and cars.
Software is extremely expensive to make. Old software was also expensive to maintain and could be cripplingly expensive on warranty, if faulty. Hence old software had to be as reliable and fault-free as possible.
New software is different. It does not have to be 'good' in the old-fashioned sense. It just needs to work well enough not to detract from the saleability of the product it 'supports'. Thanks to the internet, changes to new software are now cheap to copy and to distribute. Hence, fault-repair and software-update are cheaper too. This means that new software can be put to use in saleable items, including cars, even when that software is very new; still being developed and not-at-all fault-free.

In law, as it stands, a driver is responsible for a car whatever that car does by way of behaviour. We are expected to drive a legal car and to know that it is legal yet rely on the dealer/manf keeping it so. They are very keen on safety and reputation hence I rely on updates being, at least safe, even if faulty.

If you modify your car in any trivial way whatever even including software, different wheels, trims or other cosmetics then your insurers want to be informed and, of course, may charge. Otherwise you may risk a claim being challenged. I'm not risk-averse but then my car is absolutely unmodified - except for software chosen and fitted by the dealer - not by me.

Stay safe. Enjoy the car - as I do - 12000 miles so far.

 

[HiFiDave]

I guess my recommendation to update the software is partly based on the numerous issues I had (R40) and the big improvements once R63 and SC077 was installed.
If someone is on an earlier version and has never had any issues at all (which is different to tolerating issues, excusing them or finding partial workarounds) then yes, definitely don’t update unless it’s subject to a safety recall.

 

[Anon70]

We are expected to drive a legal car and to know that it is legal yet rely on the dealer/manf keeping it so.

I guess the exceptions to this would be a leased or hired car where the owner of the car (lease or hire company) is the party responsible for maintenance and deciding where the car is serviced.

I can book my car in for a service with my lease company when it is due, but they will tell me which garage is going to service the car and decide if that garage needs to perform any updates.

 

[Sparky2]

While we are on the subject of software, I have recently had the software upgraded on my MG4 at my local dealer (free) but I have no idea what version they installed and I have no receipt. It took around 90 minutes in the workshop. When I tried to bind my phone to the car using the MG Smart app, it would not work (no QR code on the touchscreen). Apparently, if the previous owner still has the MG Smart app on his/her phone, connected to the car, nobody else can connect to it. All this digital tech is clearly beyond the wit of most car dealers

 

[Vipar]

Yes it solves many nagging problems

 

[QLeo]

If I may add a mere opinion, as your question is one of preference. I have 25+ years in the technology industry, though no experience of the automotive software industry. But, rather like the spurious urge to compare the way EV batteries and powertrains work because we all have experience of mobile phone batteries, I think there are dangers in extrapolating our own experience or knowledge into, frankly, the black art of automotive software. In other words, we're not talking about consumer software, about which we're entitled to have opinions, but a very specialised aspect of modern cars. The only thing we absolutely do know is the noticeable effect of software, but we have no idea what's happening with aspects hidden from the cabin.
For that reason, while I may have misgivings, I would tend to accept (I stopped short of saying "trust") when the manufacturer says "Your car really needs this."

However, as Goth Leo goes for his second service in a couple of weeks, and software updates are due to be done, I may come back here later with.... altered opinions.

Just to report back Goth Leo has his service today and I am glad that we had the software update done. I've not tested the LKA, as we really can't use it on the trip home, but the cruise control improvements have transformed its usability. No more jerky snapping as you turn a corner, and much better fine-grained control over speed increases and decreases.
(Also very happy that, at Goth Leo's second service, and 18500 miles, the battery state of health is 97%. Everything got a green tick by our garage, who seem to be very thorough and efficient)

 

[Rolfe]

Getting tempted to travel to your dealer. (I suppose not really, there are options nearer home, Galashiels is looking good, but I'm jealous.)

I took Caliban out for a try-out of the new software today and I'm currently in the camp that says you can now leave the LKA on because it's not going to do anything you really don't want it to. However, I suppose that's still subject to change. I tried it out on some local unclassified roads, including a single-track one, and the A701 between Mountain Cross and Moffat, where it really didn't worry me in particular despite that being a road where you normally cross the centre line when taking some of the bends.

I didn't realise they'd done anything to the ACC and didn't notice anything in particular different, even though I did use it. But playing follow-my-leader on the A701 isn't the same as using it on the motorway. I should pay more attention to what it's doing now. I'm assuming you had the earlier update of the ACC, the one that made the 5 mph increment the long press, last year? So if so, this must be another one.

Did you get R38? It's quite strange not having to set the HVAC to 28°C any more. There are some other differences but I haven't explored them all.

Caliban's battery was read as 94%, but I believe LFP batteries drop more than NMC at the beginning then level out. Goth Leo is doing well.

My main gripe was what seems to be an attempt to upsell me nearly £2,000 worth of unnecessary work. I'm getting a second opinion on this, but I'm highly suspicious. I can't see a thing wrong with the brakes, and while there do seem to be a couple of small-ish defects in the front undertray, the carry-on I was getting about this, dirt and stones could get into the engine (sic) you know, was a 180° turn from the dismissive attitude about the warped read undertray, when it was me carrying on about dirt and stones getting into the motor, through a far more concerning defect.

Anyway, I've ranted about all that in the other thread. At least I have all the software up to date now, and once the door handle has been replaced next week I should be in the happy position of never having to darken their door again.

 

[QLeo]

Getting tempted to travel to your dealer. (I suppose not really, there are options nearer home, Galashiels is looking good, but I'm jealous.)

I took Caliban out for a try-out of the new software today and I'm currently in the camp that says you can now leave the LKA on because it's not going to do anything you really don't want it to. However, I suppose that's still subject to change. I tried it out on some local unclassified roads, including a single-track one, and the A701 between Mountain Cross and Moffat, where it really didn't worry me in particular despite that being a road where you normally cross the centre line when taking some of the bends.

I didn't realise they'd done anything to the ACC and didn't notice anything in particular different, even though I did use it. But playing follow-my-leader on the A701 isn't the same as using it on the motorway. I should pay more attention to what it's doing now. I'm assuming you had the earlier update of the ACC, the one that made the 5 mph increment the long press, last year? So if so, this must be another one.

Did you get R38? It's quite strange not having to set the HVAC to 28°C any more. There are some other differences but I haven't explored them all.

Caliban's battery was read as 94%, but I believe LFP batteries drop more than NMC at the beginning then level out. Goth Leo is doing well.

My main gripe was what seems to be an attempt to upsell me nearly £2,000 worth of unnecessary work. I'm getting a second opinion on this, but I'm highly suspicious. I can't see a thing wrong with the brakes, and while there do seem to be a couple of small-ish defects in the front undertray, the carry-on I was getting about this, dirt and stones could get into the engine (sic) you know, was a 180° turn from the dismissive attitude about the warped rear undertray, when it was me carrying on about dirt and stones getting into the motor, through a far more concerning defect.

Anyway, I've ranted about all that in the other thread. At least I have all the software up to date now, and once the door handle has been replaced next week I should be in the happy position of never having to darken their door again.

I don't know the version, but now you mention it, the temperature seemed a lot more sane than before.
Last year, we did get a suggestion that the brakes were wearing fast, and would need replaced, along with the further suggestion that we use regen 1 more frequently to clean up the disks, the theory being that the disks become too abrasive. My response was that I expected them to last longer than a year. This year, they just noted that the "brakes" by which I assume they mean the pads, are "40% worn", which, she said, really meant there's 60% left, at the front, and 30% worn at the rear. She ended up "So all OK there."
We also had a report on checking the bodywork for anything untoward, including rust. Again, all clear, which is good, and very thorough, but I suppose that service could be used to find work.

 

[kozjanc11]

Definitely upgrade to R59, not R63. R46 is ok if you really want the swipe down in Android Auto.

What is the difference between R59 and R63? Why not R63?

Also are firmware downgrades possible or only upgrades to newer version?

 

[siteguru]

If you have the right tools and applications you can apply pretty much any version you like ... someone has even tested putting Trophy/Luxury software on the SE/Standard (and it mostly worked).

 

[kozjanc11]

If you have the right tools and applications you can apply pretty much any version you like ... someone has even tested putting Trophy/Luxury software on the SE/Standard (and it mostly worked).

Can you DM me any more details?

 

[siteguru]

No, sorry, as I don't know them. Look at the VDI, VNCI thread - all the details are in there.