MG4 Excite 51: 6 month owner's review Australia. Charging, undertrays, updates, price, other issues

We've owned the MG4 Excite 51 for just over 6 months. Here's what I think of the car - good, bad and in-between. Links to some products mentioned in the video;
The best wireless applie carplay/android auto unit is the Carlinkit 5.0 2air - Where can you get it?
Aliexpress (worldwide shipping!) s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DFN...
Amazon amzn.to/3w0AsMc
You may consider these others;
EKIY wireless carplay adapter (Aliexpress) s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DkG...
Ottocast U2Air Pro amzn.to/3U9wyIU
Other products useful for MG4 and other EV owners:
5m 22kW cable Type 2 cable for public charging: amzn.to/46jkNop.
Redtiger F7N 4K dashcam amzn.to/3PNHDgP
Rangetour dashcam hardwire kit USB-C amzn.to/46Duy0c
--------------------
With the latest price drops in Australia, I find the MG4 to be a fantastic city EV. We haven't (yet) done any long road trips in the car, and to be honest we'd probably take the Model 3 for road trips anyway because of the Tesla Supercharger network and class leading autopilot.
Nothing seriously wrong (yet - touch wood) however I keep complaining about the lack of over the air updates. I've often been asked by many people if they should get an MG4 - and it's a qualified Yes/But. Yes, if you want a well priced, small-ish EV, BUT if you can spend a little/lot more to get a Tesla, you'll get access to fantastic software updates every few months for free and full access to all Tesla superchargers - which is important I feel for long road trips.
However, with the MG4 Excite 51 at $40,000 driveaway, versus the cheapest Tesla at around $65,000 driveaway, that's a lot of money that you can put into other charging networks. There's also a bit more competition in the sub $40,000 EV space that didn't exist a year ago, so we may look at other entry level EVs on the channel in the future.

[@fishingwiththomas]

I've had my 64 Essence for about 2wks less than you've had yours. I am really enjoying it. No charging issues for me I have it scheduled in the app and charge from 12am-6am on a 15amp charger to 80%. I turn off lka everytime I get in and turn on opd. I've done just over 11000kms now.

[@peterengland6153]

Also had my MG4 51 since end of September, same kms. Have not done it for a long time, but stopped the other day and reached to take my keys out of the ignition Doh! Also have a diesel van that I infrequently drive, and I have to sit in it and think for 40 seconds about how to drive it.

[@lbd-po7cl]

Have had my MG4 long range Essence for just on 2 weeks and am loving it so far. Only 400km, which included a return trip Melbourne to Queenscliffe (300km round trip), and so far efficiency is pretty good - about 14.5kwh/100km).

[@marcjost509]

I have the same as yours from the same dealer, love it, great honest review, I have been lucky to have no issues at all, the not charging issue can be avoided by always unlocking when charging with the key fob button, then quickly plug in, then let it auto lock, and it works every time for me, I also saw they are testing ota car updates in France, so I'm sure they are coming to the car in the future 😊

[@bozugarage]

We can only hope OTA updates come!

[@metricstormtrooper]

Wow, that's a game changer, who would buy a car with no light on the vanity mirror.

[@JuanIChiapetta]

Thanks for sharing, soon to be owner here! What are you floor mats? Are these what they ship with in Australia, or aftermarket?

[@p.goonan7569]

Thanks for your review. Am interested in the dongle for cordless AA. Noted your reference in the description. But what type of phone do you have?

[@bozugarage]

We use it with an iphone XR and my pixel 7 pro. Works with both. Best to check my vide on it here kzbin.info/www/bejne/noOThmqvZZdoo5Y

[@RidhwanAmir]

400km range? That is wild. I only got 270km in KL. City drive

[@bozugarage]

The estimated range will reflect your most recent driving conditions and style, so not everyone should have exactly the same estimated range

[@hemamalinilakshminarayanan6908]

Nice 6 month review! I too noticed the issue with charging not starting always when plugged in. Sometimes, need to unplug and plug again. Not sure what the issue is

[@twisted_panties]

Try turning on the charger first before plugging it in.

[@bozugarage]

Not everyone has the same problem, but it definitely exists. If it gets worse, will bring it back to the dealer for a check

[@louisphilp5815]

Definitely not a perfect car but I do love mine

[@clayton4115]

Should have been able to put a frunk in the front from the factory, with the motor in the back.

[@bozugarage]

Of course. I'm sure some aftermarket manufacturers will come up with one - apparently there's a few frunks being made for BYDs

[@johnmckay428]

agree with all that. had essence 64 since dec. no over air updates is a major problem. very slow responsiveness and start up of the info system shts me every day, along with lack of settings memory. their after sales support is in shambles or non existent, their dealers are completely useless and just lie quite frankly. the 6kw ac charging is also a prob for me but I was unaware it would be at time of purchase - long range with 11kw would have been better for me. other than that, a lot to love.

[@claughlin]

What's all the dust on your screen and vents?

[@bozugarage]

haha yes dust is... dust. I have many cars and not enough time to keep them spotlessly clean 😜

[@p.goonan7569]

Thanks for reply Bonzo. I assume Pixel phone is android. Will watch you video

[@bozugarage]

Pixel is android yes, google's phone. The wireless unit has been working flawlessly, on both carplay and android auto, so far extremely happy with it - game changer!

[@evgenykyselgov9533]

"phantom breaking" could it be related with dirty sensors (i see it's rain at moment of this event) ?

[@bozugarage]

I'm hoping MG don't sell cars that are defective when it rains. Driven the car in all kinds of conditions so far and it's only been that one occurence of phantom braking - so far

[@evgenykyselgov9533]

​@@bozugarage yes, i understand you and agree with you, i just try to imagine what kind of "noice" of sensorcs could be causing this single case