MG4 Electric

No auto wipers - or could this be done in software using front camera? Was very surprised at this, it's been a standard feature for many years.

WOW. Disgraceful but unfortunately not surprisingly bad customer service.

Every other car that does auto wipers has a rain sensor that is tried and tested technology. Tesla for whatever reason thinks it knows best and believes it can simulate this with a camera, a camera that can't see the whole windscreen and has no night vision capabilities.

They've had several years to try and get it working and have failed, but won't admit it. Every time there is a new update people ponder whether it will be improved, or worse, with some swearing blind it feels better (based on completely unscientific testing). The reality is that it only works in a very narrow set of operating conditions, and even then "dry wiping" in sunshine with zero rain is something that can happen.

If queried Tesla will say that "auto wipers" is in beta. This is a driver convenience feature that Just Works™ on every other car that uses a proper, discreet rain sensor.

Anyway, all of that is to say that if the MG4 or others don't have a rain sensor already fitted, I doubt it can be fixed in software.

The Renault Megane e tech in top iconic trim is a good car and I have previously driven one quite extensively. It also has a handy button to the right of the steering wheel to disable LKA. I’m driving a Smart #1 In Premium trim tomorrow having looked at it today. The Smart is very nice inside.

I’m a fan of the Megane e tech as it’s a very compelling package so it was the front runner. However the Smart drove really well. The interior is absolutely lovely and has plenty of space for rear seat passengers. It all has a more quality feel. It has all the Google stuff etc integrated too. I had highlighted my concerns about intrusive tech and the salesman made a big thing of an extensive test drive where we really challenged the system. The systems are nowhere near an intrusive as the MG4 with just gentle vibration of the steering wheel. Here’s the kicker though. You can set your preferred settings into your profile along with the seats etc and the car remembers it every time.

The main takeaway though was the fact Mercedes still own 50% of Smart so have a vested interest in your satisfaction and the customer experience. OTA updates are also slick. When we got into the car the main screen said there was an update, the guy pressed accept and it carried it out in about 3 seconds. The software and voice recognition response was also spot on.

Will be ordering Monday for delivery in 3/4 weeks or sooner. Can’t wait.

The main takeaway though was the fact Mercedes still own 50% of Smart so have a vested interest in your satisfaction and the customer experience.

Just so you know why my above post was edited.
I posted up the reply email I received from MG UK Customer Services.
It was little short of patronising. They suggested the car knows best and will make better decisions than I could make myself and that my driving needs to adjust. It is perfectly acceptable for the car to phantom brake /emergency stop and to input very aggressive steering inputs when it sees shadows etc. They even gave me a little lecture about the LKA and AEB functions being the precursor of fully autonomous vehicles and that their systems design and functionality are absolutely spot on.

I read the contents of my email from them and my lease company employee couldn’t believe it. They have offered me a no cost rejection of the car with a pro rata refund of my deposit which I am taking. MG seem incapable of accepting the car is on occasions borderline dangerous. Even today when passing a cyclist by about 3 metres with indicator on the car tried to steer hard to the left as I passed the cyclist.

I removed the email as I didn’t want to break name and shaming rules. The car is ok and quite a fun steer. The issue with LKA an and AEB are though making it very stressful to drive and the wife no longer will. It will be gone as soon as a replacement is found. Test drives tomorrow.

They must already be aware. The software is very similar across the board.

I think there must be someone sort of more good than harm argument.

Until a line of school children are mown down because the car got spooked by a white line nothing will change.

I sometimes wonder if a 90 year old lady was driving and it jerked the wheel like it does she might not have the strength to overcome it like a fit and healthy person can.