"....This car is not bad. It's hysterically terrible...."
Oh dear.
Oh dear.
MGDiesel
I haven't seen the article but I would agree with MG John et al about 'expert' opinions. At the end of the day they are still just opinions. The ranking of cars at the end of group tests in publications such as What Car' are presumably the experts' overall opinion but which are actually irrelevant to the average consumer. The value to consumers lies in the information and data in this and other information sources. As an example, the new Toyota Yaris was third or last in a group test in What Car which went on about the dashboard and plastics but also, more usefully, provides calculatons on more important stuff eg overall costs of ownership. More recent information on the Yaris shows evidence of impressive reliability and running costs in the Autoexpress customer survey. Based on this sort of available information, despite the experts rankings, if I was in the market for a runabout car for town then I would look at the Yaris with test-drives etc. The same goes for the Honda Jazz which is great ownership package as evidenced by customer satisfaction surveys despite the experts going on about stuff like the wind noise at motorway speed on the Jazz. I'd be interested in the new baby Jazz SUV out next year.
Jeremy Clarkson does like a laugh sometimes and people know not to take what he says too seriously at those times I think.
Jeremy Clarkson does like a laugh sometimes and people know not to take what he says too seriously at those times I think.
Typical Clarkson
Typical Clarkson: Sensationalist claptrap, fabricated for maximum impact.
Nothing about how the car goes, ride or handles. Nothing about fuel consumption, practicality, passenger comfort or boot space. Just a total **** take, harping on about a supposed sharp edge on the steering wheel, and horror of horrors, a non damped cup holder!
And then, just to make the whole review totally laughable, a fabricated 'breakdown' - probably just a minor electronic fault, if it happened at all; of course German cars NEVER have those do they!
It's all made up of course. How can you tell? Well Clarkson states the car is Rover 75 based. Wrong. As we all know, the only commonality with the 75 is that it uses that car's front sub frame, that's it.
This result of all this factually incorrect claptrap does mean of course, that these days, fewer and fewer people take Clarkson's ramblings seriously. End of.
Typical Clarkson: Sensationalist claptrap, fabricated for maximum impact.
Nothing about how the car goes, ride or handles. Nothing about fuel consumption, practicality, passenger comfort or boot space. Just a total **** take, harping on about a supposed sharp edge on the steering wheel, and horror of horrors, a non damped cup holder!
And then, just to make the whole review totally laughable, a fabricated 'breakdown' - probably just a minor electronic fault, if it happened at all; of course German cars NEVER have those do they!
It's all made up of course. How can you tell? Well Clarkson states the car is Rover 75 based. Wrong. As we all know, the only commonality with the 75 is that it uses that car's front sub frame, that's it.
This result of all this factually incorrect claptrap does mean of course, that these days, fewer and fewer people take Clarkson's ramblings seriously. End of.
We all know that Clarkson likes a laugh - and the "steering is a whisk in a yoghurt tub" line he has used before of a Hyundai - but he is very influential. People take what he says as gospel. People who don't read the motoring press often know what Clarkson thinks.
He clearly can't work the stop-start. Was there a briefing? If so, was he paying attention?
That is the poorest review I have ever read of the MG6 by anyone who has actually sat in it. Even worse than the Daily Mail one where the journo wasn't locking it properly. Maybe Clarkson feels his review will be more successful if he links it up with existing prejudices - Chinese, British, MG - and isn't changing his tune now. But it looks like MG are not giving Clarkson the corporate schmooze he expects - and get bad publicity as a result.
He clearly can't work the stop-start. Was there a briefing? If so, was he paying attention?
That is the poorest review I have ever read of the MG6 by anyone who has actually sat in it. Even worse than the Daily Mail one where the journo wasn't locking it properly. Maybe Clarkson feels his review will be more successful if he links it up with existing prejudices - Chinese, British, MG - and isn't changing his tune now. But it looks like MG are not giving Clarkson the corporate schmooze he expects - and get bad publicity as a result.
That is such a ridiculous 'review' on so many levels. The so called 'break down' was him stalling the car for a start :lol: whether there was really a problem with the key preventing him from re-starting the car or not, who knows. However it would be no surprise at all if that was made up - I mean, it is not a known fault for sure. Quality wise they are no way near as bad as the ****ty plastic key 'cards' used in older Renault Scenic's etc!
As for the quality of the car, I have been in several and they tend to differ. Some cheaper looking/feeling areas (but then there are in most cars) and some areas are very fine quality. The last one I sat in at Brands Hatch felt better quality than the one I sat in in the showroom.
With regards to the cup holder, how could it pop open spilling your drink everywhere? You can't put a drink in it when its closed!? So that is more bull.
Many cars such as BMW's, VW CC etc have a low 'coffin' like feel.
To say there is a sharp part of the steering wheel capable of cutting your hand is laughable too. Can not think what he is on about :lol:
Basically, why no praise on any of its positive sides? Infact why no praise AT ALL? I actually work for a certain German car manufacturer, I drive dozens of different cars every week, not to mention other makes of cars that come in as part ex too. If I had the choice of what car I was going to take home - the new Golf, MG6, Focus or Astra, I would choose the MG6, as it offers a little bit of fun - something that the Golf/Astra/Focus etc does not. If I was going to BUY or finance a new car with my own money, it would be an MG6 over a Golf, Astra, Focus, Mondeo etc. or infact, anything (anything that I can afford anyway) Purely for value for money. The MG6 is such a lot of car for your money.
As for the quality of the car, I have been in several and they tend to differ. Some cheaper looking/feeling areas (but then there are in most cars) and some areas are very fine quality. The last one I sat in at Brands Hatch felt better quality than the one I sat in in the showroom.
With regards to the cup holder, how could it pop open spilling your drink everywhere? You can't put a drink in it when its closed!? So that is more bull.
Many cars such as BMW's, VW CC etc have a low 'coffin' like feel.
To say there is a sharp part of the steering wheel capable of cutting your hand is laughable too. Can not think what he is on about :lol:
Basically, why no praise on any of its positive sides? Infact why no praise AT ALL? I actually work for a certain German car manufacturer, I drive dozens of different cars every week, not to mention other makes of cars that come in as part ex too. If I had the choice of what car I was going to take home - the new Golf, MG6, Focus or Astra, I would choose the MG6, as it offers a little bit of fun - something that the Golf/Astra/Focus etc does not. If I was going to BUY or finance a new car with my own money, it would be an MG6 over a Golf, Astra, Focus, Mondeo etc. or infact, anything (anything that I can afford anyway) Purely for value for money. The MG6 is such a lot of car for your money.
Single case experiences can't be counted on to provide hard evidence of reliability. It's too early for the MG6 to figure in the Warranty data and it would have to have been sold in sufficient numbers for the stats to really be meaningful.
From the threads, Little Chicken's has not missed a beat and at the other end someone has sold his after faults, and in between, on some threads there's been a coolant light coming on when cornering tightly which is fixable and the steering juddering at speed with no cause being found that, which is more worrying I suppose. I just don't know so we'll have to wait and see.
Article doesn't help but what is more worrying is the MG5 being cancelled and SAIC now being said to be 'testing the water'. If potential buyers know that it might put them off buying one. The MG3 needs to be attractive against it's competitors so the anticipated marketing as 'fun car' seems a reasonable thought.
That TV chef, Martin someone, had also had problems with it not starting or the alarm, which does suggest they may not have been adaquately briefed. With the stop-start feature you just depress the clutch and it re-starts-que?
From the threads, Little Chicken's has not missed a beat and at the other end someone has sold his after faults, and in between, on some threads there's been a coolant light coming on when cornering tightly which is fixable and the steering juddering at speed with no cause being found that, which is more worrying I suppose. I just don't know so we'll have to wait and see.
Article doesn't help but what is more worrying is the MG5 being cancelled and SAIC now being said to be 'testing the water'. If potential buyers know that it might put them off buying one. The MG3 needs to be attractive against it's competitors so the anticipated marketing as 'fun car' seems a reasonable thought.
That TV chef, Martin someone, had also had problems with it not starting or the alarm, which does suggest they may not have been adaquately briefed. With the stop-start feature you just depress the clutch and it re-starts-que?
I saw this coming when the papers showed him pushing the car to the side of the road.
Hes just ****ed off that he had to do a bit of labour for once.
It will have stalled for a reason, i notice he didnt say why it wouldn't restart.
Does anyone know anything about the Ncap rating comment about the airbags?
S
Hes just ****ed off that he had to do a bit of labour for once.
It will have stalled for a reason, i notice he didnt say why it wouldn't restart.
Does anyone know anything about the Ncap rating comment about the airbags?
S
I agree that not being able to get a test drive is poor. That is not the cars fault of course, but the poor MG dealers in the UK. The key and cup holder may be cheap feeling yes, but that does not warrant a scathing review of the entire car.
Expensive? The Ford Focus starts at £13,995 - for which you get a rather poor 85 PS 1.6 litre engine (diesel I believe, but still some 20 PS less than a 1.4 k series which dates back to 1989 for example!) steel wheels etc.
The Vauxhall Astra starts at a more reasonable £12,995 - but for that you get a 1.4 16v petrol engine that produces 87 PS and has a 0-60 time of 14 seconds... slower than a 1.1 litre Rover 25. Again comes with steel wheels etc.
The Volkswagen Golf starts at £16,495 - for which you get a 1.2 TSI engine that puts 85 PS ~great output for its size, but not rapid in a heavy Golf. It is the nicest/best quality car, but you have to put up with 3 doors and steel wheels etc. for £16.5k!
The MG6 starts at £15,455. However it is considerably BIGGER than an Astra, Golf or Focus etc. You get 5 doors, yes a thirstier but MUCH more powerful 160 PS 1.8 Turbo engine, alloy wheels, metallic colours etc. MUCH better spec.
Expensive? The Ford Focus starts at £13,995 - for which you get a rather poor 85 PS 1.6 litre engine (diesel I believe, but still some 20 PS less than a 1.4 k series which dates back to 1989 for example!) steel wheels etc.
The Vauxhall Astra starts at a more reasonable £12,995 - but for that you get a 1.4 16v petrol engine that produces 87 PS and has a 0-60 time of 14 seconds... slower than a 1.1 litre Rover 25. Again comes with steel wheels etc.
The Volkswagen Golf starts at £16,495 - for which you get a 1.2 TSI engine that puts 85 PS ~great output for its size, but not rapid in a heavy Golf. It is the nicest/best quality car, but you have to put up with 3 doors and steel wheels etc. for £16.5k!
The MG6 starts at £15,455. However it is considerably BIGGER than an Astra, Golf or Focus etc. You get 5 doors, yes a thirstier but MUCH more powerful 160 PS 1.8 Turbo engine, alloy wheels, metallic colours etc. MUCH better spec.
In Soviet Clarkson Island, car image determine test outcome!
We here know the car is substantially made of bits produced in China. We also know it is a question of fact that it is designed, engineered, and assembled here making it more British than any Korean brand, all European brands, some Japanese-brand cars, some Vauxhalls and arguably most Fords (none of which is made here). "As British as chop sticks" ha! "As Chinese as an iPod"?
Too expensive - we know MG have not priced at Dacia levels. Would it be reassuring if they had? In Germany, you have to spend £800 extra if you want a radio in your Fiesta or Polo, but those two cars are compared on list prices. I was looking at pricing a (smaller?) Audi A4 against an MG6 in the UK, but stopped adding options to get it to a £17k petrol MG6 SE spec, at £25k...
The key - I found this fine when using it for a day. That could be personal taste. It's not the main thing I want to know about the car.
Those seem to be cheap, pre-recorded jibes bearing no relation to reality, though. (He might have disliked the key).
We here know the car is substantially made of bits produced in China. We also know it is a question of fact that it is designed, engineered, and assembled here making it more British than any Korean brand, all European brands, some Japanese-brand cars, some Vauxhalls and arguably most Fords (none of which is made here). "As British as chop sticks" ha! "As Chinese as an iPod"?
Too expensive - we know MG have not priced at Dacia levels. Would it be reassuring if they had? In Germany, you have to spend £800 extra if you want a radio in your Fiesta or Polo, but those two cars are compared on list prices. I was looking at pricing a (smaller?) Audi A4 against an MG6 in the UK, but stopped adding options to get it to a £17k petrol MG6 SE spec, at £25k...
The key - I found this fine when using it for a day. That could be personal taste. It's not the main thing I want to know about the car.
Personal taste yes. I thought it was too light and flimsy feeling too. They do seem to break after a few months too according to several owners.
What is unforgivable is the Mr Clarkson ended up in a substandard car which broke down on him and was shoddily finished inside. The ones I have driven were nothing like this, although one of the petrol 6s did stall pretty much every time you started it if you didnt rev it straight away, which was very poor.
Why wasn't he given a pre prepared press car that was spot on in every way? The review would not have been glowing, but would not have been half as bad. All other manufacturers have always done this with review cars. It is simply common sense and good business practice.
How is it one of the most influential motoring journalists in the UK ended up in what sounds like a poorly finished faulty car which had to be obtained through another channel?
Its just another incompetent failure in a string of failures from a useless department in MG UK. This could well be the moment that finishes this market off, and its down to the marketing team.
What is unforgivable is the Mr Clarkson ended up in a substandard car which broke down on him and was shoddily finished inside. The ones I have driven were nothing like this, although one of the petrol 6s did stall pretty much every time you started it if you didnt rev it straight away, which was very poor.
Why wasn't he given a pre prepared press car that was spot on in every way? The review would not have been glowing, but would not have been half as bad. All other manufacturers have always done this with review cars. It is simply common sense and good business practice.
How is it one of the most influential motoring journalists in the UK ended up in what sounds like a poorly finished faulty car which had to be obtained through another channel?
Its just another incompetent failure in a string of failures from a useless department in MG UK. This could well be the moment that finishes this market off, and its down to the marketing team.
But the CityRover was pants and MGR made no attempt to change that, tbh they got what they deserved on that one.
Criticize the article all you like but end of the day the MG6 has some really basic flaws in terms of quality that will continue to provide easy pot shots for the motoring press. I've been in one for a poke around and had a test drive - the latter was OK but first impression was cheap, no surprise it's been the same elsewhere. The perceived quality thing is bang on, it's why people buy Apple, Audi, Bose and so on yet SAIC don't seem to have figured out Western thinking, equally some would argue they don't really care given the size of the Chinese market but at that point why even bother selling cars in Europe if there's no willing to make them competitive?
Seems like the new steering rack in the diesel is rather ropey as the petrol didn't seem to get picked up on this (or am I confused and they're the same item?)
What's really poor is the fact MG haven't sorted out top of the range, perfectly tuned and QC checked cars to give the best possible impression, once the rot sets in from the press it's a long way back, when will they learn? Top Gear have been fairly forgiving of the relaunched MG so far but seeing as the company is making mistake after mistake they're going to latch on sooner or later.
Tbh as I was reading the line about the Coco Chanel carrier bag I was nodding in agreement, kinda sums up SAIC MG at the moment really
Criticize the article all you like but end of the day the MG6 has some really basic flaws in terms of quality that will continue to provide easy pot shots for the motoring press. I've been in one for a poke around and had a test drive - the latter was OK but first impression was cheap, no surprise it's been the same elsewhere. The perceived quality thing is bang on, it's why people buy Apple, Audi, Bose and so on yet SAIC don't seem to have figured out Western thinking, equally some would argue they don't really care given the size of the Chinese market but at that point why even bother selling cars in Europe if there's no willing to make them competitive?
Seems like the new steering rack in the diesel is rather ropey as the petrol didn't seem to get picked up on this (or am I confused and they're the same item?)
What's really poor is the fact MG haven't sorted out top of the range, perfectly tuned and QC checked cars to give the best possible impression, once the rot sets in from the press it's a long way back, when will they learn? Top Gear have been fairly forgiving of the relaunched MG so far but seeing as the company is making mistake after mistake they're going to latch on sooner or later.
Tbh as I was reading the line about the Coco Chanel carrier bag I was nodding in agreement, kinda sums up SAIC MG at the moment really
Whilst this is more vile output from Clarkson, MG UK should have anticipated this. When the Times researcher approached them for a car they should have pulled out all the stops to ensure a well-prepared car was delivered and the driver(s) briefed with how it all works. For example, isn't it possible to switch off the stop-start feature? Clarkson would have liked that as I have heard him criticise stop-start before.
Instead they have repeated the CityRover debacle and this is the result. Now a million or so Times readers (who largely will not have heard of the MG6 before) will now think that it is overpriced, unreliable and made in China.
Top Gear and major motoring journalists are hugely influential. Take the new Fiat Panda - praised by James May in the CityRover episode - now probably Fiat's best selling car. They also routinely praise German manufacturers (despite quite a lot of evidence that they are unreliable and expensive to maintain) and our roads are now awash with them.
Like it or not, any manufacturer needs to devote resource to a charm offensive when dealing with motoring journalists. Fail to do this and the sales will suffer. However as MG UK have failed to devote any real resource to marketing the MG6, perhaps we shouldn't be surprised about this?
And that key - they just need to change it! Enough people have said they don't like it so the next model revision should have a redesigned key that feels better, even if they use a generic item which other cars use with an MG logo on the front.
Instead they have repeated the CityRover debacle and this is the result. Now a million or so Times readers (who largely will not have heard of the MG6 before) will now think that it is overpriced, unreliable and made in China.
Top Gear and major motoring journalists are hugely influential. Take the new Fiat Panda - praised by James May in the CityRover episode - now probably Fiat's best selling car. They also routinely praise German manufacturers (despite quite a lot of evidence that they are unreliable and expensive to maintain) and our roads are now awash with them.
Like it or not, any manufacturer needs to devote resource to a charm offensive when dealing with motoring journalists. Fail to do this and the sales will suffer. However as MG UK have failed to devote any real resource to marketing the MG6, perhaps we shouldn't be surprised about this?
And that key - they just need to change it! Enough people have said they don't like it so the next model revision should have a redesigned key that feels better, even if they use a generic item which other cars use with an MG logo on the front.
@matthewsemple - too many quotes for me to do easily on my phone but you've summed up very well, given that MG haven't exactly got a great product to start with they've not made enough effort to at least try and ensure they don't fall at the first hurdle.
I'm amazed the car is still pretty much the same as it was in 2010 as in current form it seems to be doing the brand more harm than good, with no replacement on the horizon how much longer can it go on being slated in reviews before it gets sorted out?
Now the MG5 is dead in the water as far as Europe is concerned it's all down to the MG3, given the sloppy reveal and marketing (FUN FUN FUN!) it doesn't look hopeful, wonder if Top Gear have that one stored in the joke book when it comes out?
I'm amazed the car is still pretty much the same as it was in 2010 as in current form it seems to be doing the brand more harm than good, with no replacement on the horizon how much longer can it go on being slated in reviews before it gets sorted out?
Now the MG5 is dead in the water as far as Europe is concerned it's all down to the MG3, given the sloppy reveal and marketing (FUN FUN FUN!) it doesn't look hopeful, wonder if Top Gear have that one stored in the joke book when it comes out?
Also agree with the last few posts.
Toyota and Honda have been admired globally for their QC and overall governance and it's no surprise that they have two of the most successful car companies for decades. Toyota has just increased global sales by 22% and apparantly is the most valuable car brand just now. This is despite UK motoring journalists tending to mark then down for things like 'driving dynamic' which global consumers are obviously less interested in.
Not sure what 'engineered' in the UK means really means. Where is the tooling done - China or UK?. Who are the component suppliers in China and what quality of materials are used in these parts?
A post above suggested slashing prices. One possible outcome of bargain-basement prices is that the refrain from UK buyers and trade may come to be ' hey, MGs ain't half good at them prices' and sales may then pick up. That would give SAIC the opportunity to produce good value, high tech, good all-rounders that are reliable and that people want to buy as in Kia and Hy. Just a thought. That said, SAIC don't seem that bothered about the market outside China anyway.
Toyota and Honda have been admired globally for their QC and overall governance and it's no surprise that they have two of the most successful car companies for decades. Toyota has just increased global sales by 22% and apparantly is the most valuable car brand just now. This is despite UK motoring journalists tending to mark then down for things like 'driving dynamic' which global consumers are obviously less interested in.
Not sure what 'engineered' in the UK means really means. Where is the tooling done - China or UK?. Who are the component suppliers in China and what quality of materials are used in these parts?
A post above suggested slashing prices. One possible outcome of bargain-basement prices is that the refrain from UK buyers and trade may come to be ' hey, MGs ain't half good at them prices' and sales may then pick up. That would give SAIC the opportunity to produce good value, high tech, good all-rounders that are reliable and that people want to buy as in Kia and Hy. Just a thought. That said, SAIC don't seem that bothered about the market outside China anyway.
My Nan owns a 2011 MG6. Having done over 100 miles in it, I'd have to agree with the points in the review - not enough headroom, the steering has less 'feel' than an oil tanker, the quality just isn't good enough, and overall it doesn't drive half as well as my 2002 ZT190.
Mind you, the worst part was that she'd wasted £24k on it - every option box ticked, no haggling. In that price bracket, there are hundreds of cars to choose from. £23,795 gets you a Ford Mondeo Titanium X with the 163bhp 2.2TDCi engine and a 6-speed manual box (the MG6 I drove only has a 5), which is bigger, drives better, is built better and won't depreciate half as quickly.
The worst part? Nan keeps on about getting rid because she doesn't like it. With just 2000 miles on the clock (she'd rather use her ancient Suzuki Swift 1.0 - the 90's model - for every day motoring), she's only been offered £6k in p/x. That's £18,000 of depreciation in just 18 months. £1,000 per month.
You'd have to be barking to want an MG6. Sorry, but from family experience, that's the reality.
Mind you, the worst part was that she'd wasted £24k on it - every option box ticked, no haggling. In that price bracket, there are hundreds of cars to choose from. £23,795 gets you a Ford Mondeo Titanium X with the 163bhp 2.2TDCi engine and a 6-speed manual box (the MG6 I drove only has a 5), which is bigger, drives better, is built better and won't depreciate half as quickly.
The worst part? Nan keeps on about getting rid because she doesn't like it. With just 2000 miles on the clock (she'd rather use her ancient Suzuki Swift 1.0 - the 90's model - for every day motoring), she's only been offered £6k in p/x. That's £18,000 of depreciation in just 18 months. £1,000 per month.
You'd have to be barking to want an MG6. Sorry, but from family experience, that's the reality.
mg: that's crazy money, is it on finance or paid upfront? The supplying dealer must've had a party after doing the sale.It's not utter tosh though is it? Quite a bit of it is true. Just to many fan boi's on here that won't admit they're wrong.Steve LE said:
We're all on this forum for a reason. We're MG-R enthusiasts but you can't ignore the fact the 6 isn't selling and it does have its problems. You can't put 100% of the blame purely on lack of advertising.
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