I’m looking at the new MG essence ZS and wondering if anyone has purchased it; how much you ended up getting it for; and experience so far?
Any help appreciated. This will be my first new car purchase, so out of comfort zone.
Cheers and thanks in advance.
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Who Has Purchased The MG ZS?
Pancakes85 on 21/10/2018 - 09:05
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I don't need to eat a Carolina Pepper to know it's hot.
Yeah but you know it's hot because other people have eaten it before.
The 'majority of people' have not driven the car, that's the point.
Why do you have to buy a new car? Lease agreement?
I don’t have to buy a new car. I was looking at a suv ( I drive 140kms per day/ 5 days/ city traffic. I own a tiny hatch and wanted something a little bigger. Simple) , and this one had the extended warranty for a really cheap price.
This is why I am asking about it. As I have no experience with cars and everyone is just making assumptions about my post and my person.
I came on here for advice and people’s experiences. Some have actually given that, others just negative comments.If you are driving 140km/day, five days a week, you can't afford to have a car off the road while waiting three months for a warranty part to be shipped in (how long it often takes many Chinese car companies to ship warranty parts).
China can make great products. China makes the iPhone, the most expensive 'normal' phone we can buy. Chinese cars tend to be optimised for cost. LDV (MG's sister company) seems to be producing reliable cars so far, but are still fairly new to Australia.
Let the elderly be the guinea pigs on this one. Buy a Cerato Hatch. It has more room, it's cheaper, safer and KIA is generally good with their warranties. Plus the Hatch is on run out. You can't afford to gamble on a part not being available for 3 months.
Ill look into this now. Thanks @thisguy
Save the money, move closer to work and your hourly rate will go up due to not spending 4 hrs a day driving!!
Also, buy a reliable used car. 99% chance you're not going to spend the difference on maintenance. I'd recommend a Subaru XV in this category.
Thanks for the tip. I spend 2hrs travelling. I have 6mth contracts where I work, so no point moving, to move again in 6mths.
However, I will look into the Subie.@Pancakes85: Yeah fair enough!
Re the XV, I had one as a loaner recently, they're absolutely great. Very comfortable, all the right tech even in the base model. Plus, Subarus are almost always in the top 5 (if not higher) in any reliability ratings, and safety ratings too - perfect for someone travelling lots every day. XV should get about 7L/100km, which is about average for its size and being a petrol.
BEFORE you knock a Chinese built MG, let me tell you they were made of shit & string when the british made them and then relaunched them with an added prayer. I have a genuine british soft top MG & it runs as often as Hailey's comet! The chinese can only IMPROVE on the original as they cannot possibly get any worse and be roadworthy!
Yeah but back then most cars were terrible so they were at least competitive.
Yeah run to hills and keep going.
Get a MX5 instead, new or used if you want a roadster.
I personally wouldn't touch a Mazda either, my brother has a new CX5 and the dash has started to warp, the black trims are already weathered and the clear coat thickness is very thin, especially on the roof.
Surprised! Usually hear great things and I know people with Mazdas and been really happy with them.
Still better than a MG!
While I have zero experience with MG, I do have situational experience with this.
Years ago, my brother bought one of the original Hyundai Excels. I remember he had to pay extra to get the 5 speed manual.
Of course, back then it was Hyundai/Kia that was copping the sort of replies being posted here, from people who had never driven one, let alone owned one.
That car was brilliant! Plenty of power for what it was, and quite reliable. My brother is a driving instructor, and the only thing replaced over it's 300K+ life was the clutch, plus the other bits that every car needs replacing.
The problem is, it is a gamble buying a car from a new company. It's manufacture history that gets props for most cars. The thing that their last car was brilliant, so the new model will likely be as well. New manufacturers don't have that.
That might seem like a disadvantage, but any manufacturer serious about cracking the market knows they need to produce a car that will not get bad reviews from the owners, or the mechanics that work on them. They also know they have to sweeten the pot with extra kit.
If you like the styling and equipment levels, and are happy with the hard facts of the vehicle, such as safety shortcomings, for example, go for it.
Every manufacturer sells a lemon now and then. With new manufacturers, it's a little bit more of a potluck thing, but rubbishing a car just because it's made in China is just idiotic.
Thank you photonbuddy for your opinion. I truely appreciate your mature attitude and honest opinion.
Even the builders of 'lemons' let a 'peach' through occasionally.
Not very well thought through this- MG is not like a Korean motor Co
Hyundai is not a new company by any standard, as like its competitors it made vehicles for industrial and local consumer markets. The ones we see in the West were developed for international sale at serious scale. BIG money behind it at every level, employed professionals globally and so on.
Hyundai-Kia did better than its major competitor Daewoo which was bought out by GM after going to the wall in 2001. GM makes Chinese and Korean cars as badly as Daewoo did. Kia OTOH is a successful producer of modern autos in every respect
We bought a kia in 2001 when they came into the country. People when on and on about how it would be unreliable and cost heaps. it cost $15k new, sold 10 years later for $4k and other than a few minor thing we never had any problems. we then bought another one for the same price and kept for about 7 years with no problems again.
Many people said about the depreciation issue, but they were so cheap we didn't lose more than a mazda or toyota etc which are more expensive to start with.
le quoi?
The camless engine here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZWeNPi2XkE
Yah! no more timing belt/chain replacement !
I am glad some Chinese company embrace this innovation. https://www.motoring.com.au/koenigsegg-sells-engine-tech-to-…
Car industry, especially the Internal Combustion Engine, needs more innovation, where is the ceramic engine?
Or electric car will take over in the next decade. LolAdding the FreeValve technology to a 1.6-litre turbo was said to have boosted power to 170kW/320Nm – increasing power by 47 per cent while boosting torque by 45 per cent. Fuel use, meanwhile, was cut 15 per cent.
Car advice gave it a 7.1/10. But you should see the comments
One owner review from an older couple
https://www.caradvice.com.au/owner-reviews/2018-mg-zs-essenc…As an aside, Top Gear UK mag — notoriously harsh — has this to say in their summarised car index:
"MG's rather spacious crossover is actually the best 21st century MG yet.
Other faint praise is available"
(5/10)
why not buy a slightly used japanese car?
I’m seriously looking at many cars. I just liked this one and wanted “user” reviews as I couldn’t find any.
wanted “user” reviews as I couldn’t find any.
Indeed, one wonders why there are no "user" reviews.
Well it copies Mazda so buy Mazda? Saves yourself some trouble in the future and avoid this MG.
Let me guess… Because noone buys them?
Tesla watch out! The Chinese EV cars are coming! https://www.motoring.com.au/shanghai-motor-show-koenigsegg-a…
The biggest issue with these MGs is they just aren’t cheap enough. $22k for a 1.5L engine and 4-speed auto in 2018 is preposterous.
That sort of money would get you a brand new i30, Mazda3, Cerato, Corolla, etc. All quality, proven cars.
Buying the MG is unquestionably a risk, one that the current market situation makes completely unnecessary.
This !! this is the spot on observation so far. These cars are not cheap enough.
Agree..
To further backup your point, you shouldn't count the expense of a car upfront - but instead consider it's depreciation.
A $22k Mazda3 / i30 will still be worth $12-15 in 5 years.
A $22k MG will be lucky to be worth half that.
When I was reading this and saw "MG" I assumed this was a small sporty roadster then I clicked on the carsguide review link and found that the "MG ZS" is a compact SUV?? Why? Why?! The "Small SUV" segment is chock full of competition of proven models in Australia. If you wanted an "MG" Roadster for the badge-sake one could probably understand but an MG Compact SUV makes zero sense sorry. What's next, a BMW ute? Stick to the models that are endemic to a brand.
PS. You are also paying "SUV tax" in this category. Small SUVs are more expensive than the hatchabck platform they are based on and you end up with the same or less space inside (eg Hyundai Kona vs i30). You can save upto $5k off the bat just by getting the hatch/car version of a small SUV, or keep the same budget and move up to the medium sized offering.
Why? Why?!
Because the market said it wanted SUVs, car companies followed that trend and are pushing SUVs, and so more people want SUVs. I think because of the residual feeling that SUVs are bigger and more roomy, people feel like they're getting a value premium when buying one.
I mean - literally everyone else is doing it. Porche has both the Cayenne and the Macan. Lamborghini has the Urus. Maserati has the Levante. Alfa has the Stelvio. Only luxury car-maker that hasn't come out with one is Ferrari, and I'm sure that they've had meetings about it if one's not already in the design stage.
Yep I understand the "why" of car markers doing it, was more questioning why the OP would go with an MG SUV when, as you say, "literally" everyone else already has a model available :)
First time I have heard of the brand MG
EDIT: Just looking through the website. Many car brands have these little boxes which show a picture and a description of some special feature the car has. Like Audi Virtual Cockpit. Or 6.2L Hemi or something. This one shows a picture and says "Engine" Well I sure (profanity) hope so
Dunno what an MG is, but I sure as hell know what an AMG is. Every Tom, Dick and Harry has a $150K+ AMG along my road.
Toorak Rd? Or Hedges Ave?
The ryde and macquarie business park area of sydney. ROFL
Dude these asians live in shoebox apartments but own $100K+ cars.
Tom Lin, Dick Nguyen and Harry Choi.
Fixed.
I'm Asian btw it's cool.
Younger Asians (before they have a family?) like apartment living more, especially more recent arrivals because, well in Asia unless you're a billionaire (or are a farmer), no one has a house. It's just more familiar and more convenient I guess.
All bought with their rapidly reducing home equity I’m sure.
Maybe the Europeans do.. Asians usually buy in cash.
You forgot Chad. You know, the guy who would steal your hot girlfriend?
Just for the record: people who own a brand new product that doesn't simply fail out of the box are the worst people to judge it. They have a large financial investment and their ego involved in the purchase. Anything but a major fault will almost always result in a very high positive review because they made the choice to purchase this expensive item and admitting it's faults would mean admitting they made a bad purchase and possibly having to deal with the large loss of on-selling it.
If this model had been around for 5 years then personal experience would be much more relevant. The shine would have worn off by then and the ego plays a lesser part.
This. Bias aside, what's the point of asking for user feedback if the entire car brand, let alone specific model, has only been around for a matter of months in Australia? This isn't a pair of headphones, things like reliability, depreciation, servicing and post-sale support are just as important as the cost out the door and how "gutsy" the engine feels.
To be honest, I can't believe anyone informed enough to do research and post on a conscious buyers forum would take such a massive gamble on a high value purchase like this. Just buy a Toyota or Mazda, I get being different if it's a passion purchase or a rare opportunity but there's no need if you're only doing it to save a few bucks.
I lost interest, when 30 seconds in he says… “and I’ve already seen 2 or 3 cars within 10 mins of walking in…”
He is a journalist, and at one of the worlds biggest car shows, it took him 10 mins to find 2 or 3 cars?
fyi, 2018 geneva motor show, all new models are EVs or Hybrid.
And this is relevant to OP how exactly? Was there a segment on the MG ZS in there?
@lnq: OP has said…
The Mazda is another 6+K, so out of my price range.
The Mazda at $28k is out of their price range. How much do you think these new EV's are going to cost?? I went to my local Hyundai dealer to enquire about the Ionic full EV, and they said they were expecting it to be around $50k for the base model. For something that is in the i30 size range. I went on to ask about the PHEV and that was estimated at $38k starting.
So no. EV's are still a long way off. Sure, more models coming out, but there is a lot of fuel in the $20k~$25k price premium that buyers are expected to pay.
And not to mention that now you have said it, your original post is vague at best. Making no mention that you were trying to push EV's as an alternative. Why not add that to your original post?
So, your point here is moot.
Hey! Maybe he just has incredibly bad eyesight….
I don't have this car
I know this is probably not the answer you're looking for, but I drive a Jap made 'boring' sedan, and it's been running like clockwork for the past 170,000 Kilometers without skipping a beat. I wanted to sell it at one point years ago if something broke, and I waited for months, and then years, for something to break so I could justify buying another car. I had to give up waiting though, because "unexpected maintenance" other than regular servicing so far (considering 170,000+ KMs and 10 years as said):
- Takata airbag recall replacements (done under warranty - although this hardly counts as a problem with the car)
- Changed the power steering pressure hose at 160,000 KMs - under $1000 incl. labour
- Going to change the airbag clock spring at 180,000 - under $500 incl. labour estimated
[End of list]
I suspect this list will be much longer for that MG, and it will be much before 170,000 KMs or 10 years. But I'm probably being presumptuous.
What is it with people thinking it's ok to use the word Jap. Since when is it ok? Talk about double standards. That or ignorance.
Please explain how it's a double standard…
Feel free to shorten Australian and call me an Aussie.
Ignorance is bliss, isn't it? Google is your friend.
I guess if you were in charge of marketing MG this thread would be a good way of getting some initial feedback.
MG?
Bahahahaha
Are you serious?
Not even the Chinese themselves buy MG lol
This topic is now a troll. OP can't accept opinions on MG. Just let him buy it. Noone gives a damn alright?
We have a MG lover.
Ask YouTuber Scotty Kilmer if you should buy this car? I would stay well away from MG.. MG:Mechanical Gimmicks
MG's are shitboxes. Chinese MG's are likely bigger shitboxes with interiors that have terrible plastics, and horrific resale value.
I've read all of the comments so i'll break it down for you.
You want a new car that's cheap right?
So you look at the MG ZS because it's cheaper than the competition. Here's the flaw in your thought process. There's a reason why i've honestly never heard of this brand before and why literally no one can recommend the car…Because no one owns one. So you'll one day realise it's breaking down, but by looking at this atrocious sales figures, the company wouldn't even exist in Australia anymore.
The resale value will be absolutely terrible, because no one wants one. I can say that for myself and 99% of the population confidently.Screw buying a brand new car, go for a demo car or some form of used. Yeah sure, new cars are much nicer, but regarding your serious consideration of buying a Chinese vehicle…it doesn't seem like your budget is high enough. Also, as soon as you drive a brand new car you're looking thousands in value, more for expensive vehicles. For this car, i'd say its junk.
Never consider Chinese vehicles for the time being. Stick to japanese if you want reliability. European if you want to show a bit and have money to spare.
I've heard of the brand before.
Because my granddad built/rebuilt vintage cars.
He's been dead for about a decade.
Yeah thing is, it's a very old british brand that has been terrible for decades. At this point, the MG today is nothing alike the one before it. Just some skeleton.
At this point, the MG today is nothing alike the one before it. Just some skeleton.
That's saying a lot because "the one before it" was a piece of junk all by itself that I didn't know could get any worse.
The MG-F was anything but terrible, aside from the plastic thermostat housing. Easily replaced.
The MG ZT was also very good.
These are cars from the 90s.@Speckled Jim: Ah yes, the MG-F, what a gem! Any water leak (they will have many), pull the engine to get to it. Electrics are terrible, interior made out of the cheapest plastics possible. Failures of the hydraulic suspension is so common main roads have a bulletin about it lol.
The MG ZT is just a rover 75, itself an atrocious car. Wet cylinder liners, head gasket failures, and not one, not two, but three timing belts! What a swell idea! Same atrocious interior and electrics as other Rovers and MGs.
@brendanm: People are still re-bodying these cars in the UK, as the underlying bits are good, cheap and plentiful. Their main problem is body rot which afflicts all cars up there. If leakage is a problem here, I can only surmise that they rot there before they have a chance to give other trouble.
This is mostly from Total Kit Car and Complete Kit Car mag writers and owners feedback.There's also a choice: you don't have to buy a car equipped with the hydraulic suspension. Those who have no choice can mod that too.
Thanks for all your opinions on this matter.
I’m not considering this car any more.
Cheers.Quality aside for a minute, the car will suffer so much depreciation that you might as well have bought a more expensive car and put a balloon on it to get the payments down to the same level if you need it to fit a budget.
Honestly, take a look at anything with a Great Wall badge.
As an example - let's take a dual cab ute. Dual cabs traditionally hold their value very well.
Driveaway a brand new Great Wall "Steed" dual cab costs $23,990 driveaway. A 2017 is around $16,500 driveaway with around 20,000km on the clock. That's around 25% depreciation in a year! Anyone who buys this will likely negotiate even further.
Put simply, you won't find a second hand market for it - on that basis alone it's a waste of money.
Try the Honda HR-V which is slightly more expensive (around $26k), but it will hold it's value much better.
Whatever you do, do NOT buy an MG in Australia.
I have gone through absolute hell in the last year since purchasing the car. The car came defective, MG have no idea what is wrong with it or how to fix it and don't have a solution. They have refused to replace the car and their customer care department is a nightmare.
My car has been in to the dealer ten times in ten months and I've put together a log book with over 40 entries documenting the entire ordeal.
If anyone wants to see a copy of it, or wants further information, please just reach out to me. I am happy to provide it.
Hi Fabio I would like to see the list if you wouldn't mind … I've been reading the owners Facebook page and there seems to be numourous problems with them.
Well colour me surprised, a brand renowned for poor quality, now owned by the Chinese, and selling cheap crap, is unreliable! Amazing
MG (ROVER), were a piece of poop when they existed in the UK.
Chinese own them now… same quality, different owners. :D
I had a TD then later MGA Mk11, later was BRG colour with chrome wires and had 6k miles on clock when I got it, was a bird magnet.
I know this is an old thread, but just wanted to put 2 cents in.
I was looking to purchase a brand new car late 2019. I wanted a reliable car with a bit of room and decent boot space but not too big, so the Mazda CX9 and other similar models are out. In the end I shortlisted and test drove the Honda CRV, Mazda CX5, Kia Sportage and MG ZS.
After I considered all my requirements, I went with the MG ZS and I'm pretty happy with it so far. I have driven more than 1400 kms since late Dec 2019. Fuel economy is pretty good at around 10L per 100km urban driving, no highways at all. I've done my first complimentary service and they've fixed some paint defects I found as part of warranty as well. It's definitely not as powerful as the other cars, but its sufficient for city driving. It suits my needs very nicely.
In the end I just can't justify the extra premium I pay for the other cars. I don't need gimmicks like a sunroof, emergency braking, blind spot detection, in-car navigation etc etc. Why pay for things I don't need?
I'm starting to see alot of other MG ZSes on the road as well so other people are definitely buying them. I got mine $22990 drive away with 2 years scheduled servicing for free and some free carpets, brand new not a demo. That's great value for a cross over SUV.
which variant of the ZS did you get ?
anyone had one for a while?
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Aka no experience at all driving the car. Nice.