New MGs. Any good?
Discussion
Didn't realise they were still going! Has anyone owned/driven one? The reviews of the MG3 I have read seem pretty good (praised for its space and handling) and they seem like very good value new. The MG6 not so much but I guess it carries off the same trick as the Skoda Octavia, in that you are getting quite a big car for the price of a small one. Is it as well engineered as the Skoda? Probably not but then it might be more fun to drive. The most interesting Octavia (vRS) is about 23k list now and a top spec MG6 turbo is less than 20k list (cheaper in reality I imagine) but I'll grant you, it is down on power. The lease deals are better than I expected too and I see that 2 year old MG6 turbos start at 6k, which is a lot of car for the money. Diesels start at about double that, which isn't such compelling value. There isn't an MG dealer near me though and I can't say I have seen that many on the road. However, the cars are assembled in the UK (albeit from a kit shipped from China) and they do have quite a big R&D centre in the UK, so maybe they are better than one might think.
I'm probably one of the few people that liked the early 2000s Rover MGs. I used to sell them and they all drove really well, were comfortable and roomy and excellent value. I particularly liked the ZS V6 and would love to own a ZT-T CDTi Auto or V6 manual at some point (or a RWD V8 if I can find one for that matter)! I liked the fact that you could still get the base engine too and it looked the part (something that BMW/Audi/Mercedes have cottoned on to with M Sport/S-line/AMG very successfully)! I think the handling and sporty looks elevated them slightly above mere "white goods" cars. Sadly, the age of the ZR/ZS's basic design, dated interiors, the poor reputation of the K-Series and inconsistent build quality let them down. About 75% of the new MGs and Rovers we sold, we never saw again other than for servicing but the remaining 25% were back every other week or so. Not good enough in this day and age!
Are the MG3 and MG6 deserving of the MG badge though? Do they drive like an MG should or are they just cheap, Chinese "white goods" (albeit assembled in the UK) rebranded with an evocative/nostalgic badge?
I'm probably one of the few people that liked the early 2000s Rover MGs. I used to sell them and they all drove really well, were comfortable and roomy and excellent value. I particularly liked the ZS V6 and would love to own a ZT-T CDTi Auto or V6 manual at some point (or a RWD V8 if I can find one for that matter)! I liked the fact that you could still get the base engine too and it looked the part (something that BMW/Audi/Mercedes have cottoned on to with M Sport/S-line/AMG very successfully)! I think the handling and sporty looks elevated them slightly above mere "white goods" cars. Sadly, the age of the ZR/ZS's basic design, dated interiors, the poor reputation of the K-Series and inconsistent build quality let them down. About 75% of the new MGs and Rovers we sold, we never saw again other than for servicing but the remaining 25% were back every other week or so. Not good enough in this day and age!
Are the MG3 and MG6 deserving of the MG badge though? Do they drive like an MG should or are they just cheap, Chinese "white goods" (albeit assembled in the UK) rebranded with an evocative/nostalgic badge?
Edited by white_goodman on Tuesday 25th November 18:15
daemon said:
white_goodman said:
are they just cheap, Chinese "white goods" (albeit assembled in the UK) rebranded with an evocative/nostalgic badge?
Yes
From what I can gather they are perfectly reasonable cars in terms of driving and ownership experience, but suffer a bit of an image problem, not helped by the lacklustre marketing.
Well engineered, good handling but hampered by engines that can't really compete with the most up-to-date offerings of other manufacturers.
At the right price I'd consider giving a top spec MG6 hatch a punt as the family second car.
r11co said:
Helpful as ever, eh daemon.
From what I can gather they are perfectly reasonable cars in terms of driving and ownership experience, but suffer a bit of an image problem, not helped by the lacklustre marketing.
Well engineered, good handling but hampered by engines that can't really compete with the most up-to-date offerings of other manufacturers.
At the right price I'd consider giving a top spec MG6 hatch a punt as the family second car.
It was helpful. He asked a question i answered it.From what I can gather they are perfectly reasonable cars in terms of driving and ownership experience, but suffer a bit of an image problem, not helped by the lacklustre marketing.
Well engineered, good handling but hampered by engines that can't really compete with the most up-to-date offerings of other manufacturers.
At the right price I'd consider giving a top spec MG6 hatch a punt as the family second car.
IF i REALLY MUST expand, they are below average cars (not) competing in sectors where excellence prevails.
And frankly you're damning it with faint praise there - "if it was really cheap and if it was a really high spec one then i MIGHT consider buying one for the wife to drive"
I had many MGs and Rovers in my time (and sold them new) "back in the day". Would not have one of these abortions about me.
Was that helpful enough r11co?
These will be an incredible bargain for the skinflint motorist when they are 5 years or so old, like Protons can be and the Korean cars used to be, but you'd have to be faintly mad to overlook the various superb and well proven options in this sector and end up at an MG dealership. I used to see a few MG6s around in the Midlands as I think one of the hire car companies had them, but I've not seen a single MG3 in the wild yet. I did go to look at them at the MG dealer in Hopton and they were nice, if unremarkable and a bit like something from 10-15 years ago inside.
daemon said:
I had many MGs and Rovers in my time (and sold them new) "back in the day". Would not have one of these abortions about me.
Was that helpful enough r11co?
Useless as ever. You have however underlined the image problem, borne of brand past reputation. The cars being sold now under the MG name have no more connection with your 'back in the day' experiences than they do BMW, or Land Rover.Was that helpful enough r11co?
But you've certainly shown your colours in this thread - passing comment with nothing more than prejudice to go on.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Can't argue with £5700ish for a decent sized, 2 year old car. I've only sat in a couple, they seemed okay but nothing ground breaking. If the fuel consumption was a bit lower then I'd give one a serious consideration at a few years old.
Can't argue with £5700ish for a decent sized, 2 year old car. I've only sat in a couple, they seemed okay but nothing ground breaking. If the fuel consumption was a bit lower then I'd give one a serious consideration at a few years old.
I've got an MG6 & had it for about 18 months. It was 2 years old with 13k miles when I got it and paid a midge over £7k. It does have a few rattles here & there, but nothing major. The boot is huge & it's big inside the cabin - much bigger than a Focus. In the time I've had it, I had a problem with the alarm (replaced under warranty) and that's pretty much about it. We went to France earlier this year & did just over 1500 miles in 9 days & averaged over 40mpg.
The dealers are pretty crap (the one I used was anyway) but I've got a great indie place I use for servicing etc & despite being a rare car a lot of the mechanicals have done service elsewhere. The engine is obvious, but the suspension & brakes (I believe) are from the Rover 75.
It goes pretty well & handles really well. Insurance is cheap & it's bright orange so I never lose it in a carpark.
I think the thing is, if you're a car snob then don't bother, if you're not then have a look.
The dealers are pretty crap (the one I used was anyway) but I've got a great indie place I use for servicing etc & despite being a rare car a lot of the mechanicals have done service elsewhere. The engine is obvious, but the suspension & brakes (I believe) are from the Rover 75.
It goes pretty well & handles really well. Insurance is cheap & it's bright orange so I never lose it in a carpark.
I think the thing is, if you're a car snob then don't bother, if you're not then have a look.
northwest monkey said:
The dealers are pretty crap (the one I used was anyway) but I've got a great indie place I use for servicing etc & despite being a rare car a lot of the mechanicals have done service elsewhere. The engine is obvious, but the suspension & brakes (I believe) are from the Rover 75.
Oh, is it still the turbocharged K-Series from the 75/ZT? Where does the diesel engine originate from?white_goodman said:
northwest monkey said:
The dealers are pretty crap (the one I used was anyway) but I've got a great indie place I use for servicing etc & despite being a rare car a lot of the mechanicals have done service elsewhere. The engine is obvious, but the suspension & brakes (I believe) are from the Rover 75.
Oh, is it still the turbocharged K-Series from the 75/ZT? Where does the diesel engine originate from?BritishRacinGrin said:
I don't think the engine has much in common with the k-series- which by the way was a brilliant engine, admittedly hobbled by a couple of poundshop components (mostly cylinder head dowels)
Not according to the garage I use - it seems it's an evolution of the K-series but still recognisable from the old engine. They're not bad cars... but 'not bad' doesn't cut it these days.
For a pretty well balanced review, see here: http://www.carwow.co.uk/car-reviews/MG/MG6
For a pretty well balanced review, see here: http://www.carwow.co.uk/car-reviews/MG/MG6
From the reviews I've read they're pretty similar to the last MGs made before they went Chinese - genuinely good handling (if perhaps not quite class-leading) cars but rather crude and not particularly well built.
The "N-series" petrol is an evolution of the K-series. It's similar to the point that the revised head gasket, stretch bolts and oil ladder can be retro-fitted to the K. They claim to have fixed the head gasket issues but that has been claimed before; I suppose time will tell. I neither know nor particularly care about the diesel.
I think the MG6 is a decent enough budget alternative to the Octavia as long as it's a private purchase, I suspect the CO2 numbers are prohibative as a company car.
The "N-series" petrol is an evolution of the K-series. It's similar to the point that the revised head gasket, stretch bolts and oil ladder can be retro-fitted to the K. They claim to have fixed the head gasket issues but that has been claimed before; I suppose time will tell. I neither know nor particularly care about the diesel.
I think the MG6 is a decent enough budget alternative to the Octavia as long as it's a private purchase, I suspect the CO2 numbers are prohibative as a company car.
Edited by kambites on Wednesday 26th November 08:47
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