MG-6 Good? Bad? Bargain?

[wildcat45]

Just browsing Autotrader in the way you do when you are bored. I got past looking at cars I couldn't afford through cars I will possibly buy next time, and then I started looking for cheap and new or nearly new.

I've a friend who isn't into cars but who likes something that "looks nice" He treats cars like white goods but they have to be new. He's no interest in the usual fare here, something interesting older and better value.

I have found MG-6 cars on AT at what seem like silly low prices. Although I have owned lots of MGs I am not a blind fanboy. These are basically Chinese built UK assembled cars with a badge. It could really be any badge I guess. It just so happens its an MG badge.

12K gets quite a smart Loking well equipped car from a main dealer. Respectable enough looking car, and to be honest probably a bit flash and upmarket for my none-car loving mate.

So are these cars heaps of poo? Just OK? Or a pleasant surprise that's gone under the radar?

Has a car like this taken the place of the Korean cars which have steadily moved up market, in terms of build price and long warranties.

I suppose the fact that you don't see any as mini cabs suggests the traditional user of the cheap and cheerful stbox (Hyundai Stellar anyone) doesn't rate them.

I have no need for one, but for a decent sized family car and for someone who will keep it years and years there appears to be quite a lot to like.

[kambites]

They've had very positive reviews for how they drive...

... and rather negative reviews for just about everything else. For someone who isn't interested in cars, I'd say a Kia C'eed is probably a better option even if it's a bit older.

Edited by kambites on Saturday 7th March 11:06

[seopher]

The journalists seemed to like the handling, but the other qualities (that your friend would be more interested in) were not areas it scored well in.

Residual values, VED/CO2 and refinement being a couple. Contrast that against the fact you can get an equivalent age/milage Kia C'eed which has a longer warranty and bigger dealer network, possibly better residuals too. It makes forming a solid argument for the MG6 a little hard.

[ZX10R NIN]

If he wants a white goods car & is interested in an MG6 then he should maybe looking at a Kia Optima huge warranty fairly stylish & loaded with kit, here's an example:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

[Nickyboy]

http://www.motorpoint.co.uk/VehicleSearch/MG%20MOT...

They have them as low as £7k when they're in stock.

[MG511]

Cheap one at Cargiant http://www.cargiant.co.uk/MG/details-694422-MG.asp

Edited by MG511 on Saturday 7th March 21:11

[BenRichards89]

I know a couple of owners through other forums and they seem to either be one extreme or the other.

Some report their car to be faultless, and others have issue after issue.

Poor Electrics
Weak Gearboxes & Clutches
Badly fitting seals
Cheap and badly fitting trim/rattles.
Some parts hard to obtain, or take ages from China.
Dealerships are hit and miss on aftercare.

They are cheap for a reason, and residuals are awful. That £12k car you mention is more likely worth £6-7k in the real world.

I own the smaller MG3, and it isn't any better. I've always loved MGs and it's the most disappointing car I've owned. I can't wait to get rid of it.

[Nickyboy]

BenRichards89 said:

They are cheap for a reason, and residuals are awful. That £12k car you mention is more likely worth £6-7k in the real world.

Indeed, if a car supermarket can sell one less than a year old for less than half the list price it doesn't look good for image

[kuro]

I dont think ive ever seen one on the road. Someone up the road from me has an mg3 courtesy car at the moment, its a bit ugly tbh.

[SL22]

Nickyboy said:

BenRichards89 said:

They are cheap for a reason, and residuals are awful. That £12k car you mention is more likely worth £6-7k in the real world.

Indeed, if a car supermarket can sell one less than a year old for less than half the list price it doesn't look good for image

Was it a year ago, or maybe 15months that Motorpoint had a batch (maybe 30-40 cars?) of the top spec TSE MG6s all with delivery mileage and at a price of £10995. That was a lot of car/gadget for your money for a new car. Speaking of which I think MG have no new petrol MG6s available as they're waiting for the new facelift model, which maybe actually be diesel only?

[anonymous-user]

I'd say good. MG look here to stay, but SAIC their parent company doesn't seem to let much happen.

The 6 is what it is, a decent looking entry to the market. The 3 again is that. Quality might not be perfect inside, but neither were MG Rover's offerings for the last few years.

I'll one day get a test drive for them both as I would like the 6 next. For some they only buy one because it's the natural upgrade from a 75 or ZT, etc.

The 6 essentially has a reworked K series, turbo charged 1.8. Don't tell anyone! HG problems are a thing of the past though, and power output is okay. The diesel might be the better option for some.

And let's not forget who owns other British car names. Country of origin shouldn't mean anything, as these modern MG's perform as they should in NCAP tests, where some properly chinese cars have failed miserably.

[Noesph]

BenRichards89 said:

I own the smaller MG3, and it isn't any better. I've always loved MGs and it's the most disappointing car I've owned. I can't wait to get rid of it.

Any particular reason? I was looking at one in a car park near me this week (the first one I've seen).

[emicen]

kuro said:

I dont think ive ever seen one on the road. Someone up the road from me has an mg3 courtesy car at the moment, its a bit ugly tbh.

I've seen one on the road. Literally, 1.

Whilst that's exclusivity, it's not the good kind of exclusivity.

[northwest monkey]

I've got one & had it for about 18 months & it's now about 4 years old. Had no major problems with it - new alarm module (warranty) and a replacement window regulator after a cable frayed & got tangled up somewhere in the door.

It's not the most refined car I've ever driven, but it's very well equipped (mines the middle one - SE) & handles very well. It also has loads of room in the cabin & boot. The dealers can be absolute ste - one I've used in the past was awful, but a garage more local to me (who I've used for years) have recently taken on the MG franchise which is good news for me.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with it. I like the fact it's different & also being bright orange means I can always find it in a car park.

Why did I buy one?

When I was looking for a new car I wanted something different. I bought one not because it was an MG, but despite it being an MG.

[wildcat45]

Good write up there. I do like the Orange ones

[BenRichards89]

Noesph said:

Any particular reason? I was looking at one in a car park near me this week (the first one I've seen).

Mine is the 3 Style, the "top model" as advertised on TV.

- I commute 17 miles a day. Motorway and NSL Single Carriageway. I am averaging 33 MPG. The car is too slow to justify this. Engine power low down is very poor.
- One of the DRL's failed, and it took a month, 3 dealer trips, 2 courtesy cars, and a man from Longbridge to sort out properly.
- I had to add my own additional door seals to stop mine from leaking.
- I have a £1 coin secured to the bottom of my clutch pedal to stop revving between 1st & 2nd gear change.
- My parking sensors don't work when the car is dirty or if it is raining. When active they just beep constantly like you are about to hit something.
- I have had glitches where the fuel gauge drops to completely empty despite having plenty of fuel. On one occasion took 4 days to go back to normal.
- I have had the engine emissions warning light come on a couple of times.
- I have had all the stereo illumination go off and on, on its own continuously, which can be distracting on long journeys in the dark. Stereo controls have also stopped working when this happens.
- It has also randomly tried making phone calls despite not being connected to anything via bluetooth. It has also reset all radio presets on numerous occasions.
- Currently, My dash top cubby, handbrake, and one of the rear door cards rattle.

On the positive, it handles nicely, the seats are comfy, and insurance is cheap (I'm 25 and just renewed at £269)

It was just over £10k brand new in December 2013, and now being offered low £5k figures to trade it in. The car is financed so I will have to pay to get rid of it.

I'll admit to being a bit picky, and the car I went to this from was an Audi A4. I was expecting a step down in quality, and I did test drive before I bought (although not my car as it had to be ordered), but I find most of the above unacceptable for a brand new car. I will be going back to Audi once it's gone. If I was ever buying budget again, I'd look at a Kia or something instead.

[Northernchimp]

BenRichards89 said:

Noesph said:

Any particular reason? I was looking at one in a car park near me this week (the first one I've seen).

Mine is the 3 Style, the "top model" as advertised on TV.

- I commute 17 miles a day. Motorway and NSL Single Carriageway. I am averaging 33 MPG. The car is too slow to justify this. Engine power low down is very poor.
- One of the DRL's failed, and it took a month, 3 dealer trips, 2 courtesy cars, and a man from Longbridge to sort out properly.
- I had to add my own additional door seals to stop mine from leaking.
- I have a £1 coin secured to the bottom of my clutch pedal to stop revving between 1st & 2nd gear change.
- My parking sensors don't work when the car is dirty or if it is raining. When active they just beep constantly like you are about to hit something.
- I have had glitches where the fuel gauge drops to completely empty despite having plenty of fuel. On one occasion took 4 days to go back to normal.
- I have had the engine emissions warning light come on a couple of times.
- I have had all the stereo illumination go off and on, on its own continuously, which can be distracting on long journeys in the dark. Stereo controls have also stopped working when this happens.
- It has also randomly tried making phone calls despite not being connected to anything via bluetooth. It has also reset all radio presets on numerous occasions.
- Currently, My dash top cubby, handbrake, and one of the rear door cards rattle.

On the positive, it handles nicely, the seats are comfy, and insurance is cheap (I'm 25 and just renewed at £269)

It was just over £10k brand new in December 2013, and now being offered low £5k figures to trade it in. The car is financed so I will have to pay to get rid of it.

I'll admit to being a bit picky, and the car I went to this from was an Audi A4. I was expecting a step down in quality, and I did test drive before I bought (although not my car as it had to be ordered), but I find most of the above unacceptable for a brand new car. I will be going back to Audi once it's gone. If I was ever buying budget again, I'd look at a Kia or something instead.

Have you tried complaining like fk to MG and the finance company that the car isn't fit for purpose? Ask them to help you trade out of it?

[fido]

BenRichards89 said:

Poor Electrics
Weak Gearboxes & Clutches
Badly fitting seals
Cheap and badly fitting trim/rattles.
Some parts hard to obtain[-], or take ages from China.[-/]
Dealerships are hit and miss on aftercare.

Except for no mention of engine issues - that's pretty much my past experience of Rover cars!
Sounds like a keeper.

Okay maybe that was a tad unfair - I never had a gearbox/clutch issue.

[bobtail4x4]

having had a MGZS before, I looked at one as a replacement,

or should I say I tried to look at one, no local dealer, the nearest didnt have one to try or even sit in,

he would order one for me if I put a deposit down...........

bought an Audi.

[zcacogp]

ZX10R NIN said:

If he wants a white goods car & is interested in an MG6 then he should maybe looking at a Kia Optima huge warranty fairly stylish & loaded with kit.

Having had an Optima as a hire car recently, I can honestly say that walking was the preferable option. If an MG-6 is a worse option, it must be a truly hateful piece of engineering.


Oli.