MG 6 - Why isn't it here already?

VolvoMan

The new MG 6 has been out for a few months now in the UK, but there has been little in the way of any promotion of it here in Ireland. K&C Garages (the official importer) still say on their website "Coming January 2011" and it doesn't really inspire confidence.

With the initial pricing of the relaunched TF having been somewhat optimistic (32 grand for a 15 year old design!), I reckon this crowd have pretty much botched any chance of a successful relaunch for the brand in this country. Granted, the MG 6 may struggle for initial sales due to poor Co2 and the lack of a diesel, but they really should be building momentum for any future developments in store for the product range.

johnos1984

KC Garages made a right mess of promotion of the TF and the pricing......the pricing was insane and still is is to a certain extent. My recent purchase of an F has me day dreaming about buying one of the new ones but I know I'd be bad to do it. €22K!!!!!!

From looking on the MG UK website I no longer see MG Ireland or KC Garages listed so I am assuming they have been removed as the Irish importer but I cannot verify this

RobAMerc

I think trying to sell a car that trades heavily on nostalgia to a country which has very little affinity to any car never mind MG is never really going to fly. I doubt they will bother to be honest. A few enthusiasts may look forward to seeing them on the roads based on some misguided idea that the current car is in some way related to the MG's of old but they are the most likely to be tough customers to sell to if they actually know about cars and motoring i.e. any new MG will most likely be a poor performer ( comparatively ) will most probably be unreliable ( underdeveloped ) and will depreciate like a stone ( lack of desirability ).

I too hate what happened to the brand, but this revival is nothing short of a new company trying to gain credence by using a well worn brand.

Mr Benevolent

Because MG can't expect RoverJames to buy all their year's stock.

Confab

Confab wrote: »

Because MG can't expect RoverJames to buy all their year's stock.

€4200 is the most I've ever spent on a car old boy
The MG6 doesn't tickle my fancy at all.

johnos1984

RobAMerc wrote: »

I think trying to sell a car that trades heavily on nostalgia to a country which has very little affinity to any car never mind MG is never really going to fly. I doubt they will bother to be honest. A few enthusiasts may look forward to seeing them on the roads based on some misguided idea that the current car is in some way related to the MG's of old but they are the most likely to be tough customers to sell to if they actually know about cars and motoring i.e. any new MG will most likely be a poor performer ( comparatively ) will most probably be unreliable ( underdeveloped ) and will depreciate like a stone ( lack of desirability ).

I too hate what happened to the brand, but this revival is nothing short of a new company trying to gain credence by using a well worn brand.

It does have links to the older cars, engine and subframes are straight out of the 75.

The handling is on a par with the Ford Focus, the engine however is off the pace however and there will be no diesel option until the years end when it will be offered with a 6 speed gearbox.

SAIC, owners of MG, are cash rich, very cash rich in fact and as all development and design in conducted in Britain we should be able to expect that the future cars will be on a par with anything European. Although from show models the signs so far aren't encouraging. The MG6 has had criticism for the interior materials used but I haven't had a chance to view for myself. Some say they are good others say they are not.

The engine has been updated to solve the HGF problem and I have not come across any failures in any of the N series engine to cause concern. In fact the only quality issue's with the new TF were paintwork and poor welding of the front subframe in certain models.

As for depreciation.......currently they are on a par with the depreciation figure of the old Pug 607 3L V6 and are expected to retain 25% of their value after 3 years............so they aren't great:D

I have heard mutterings that they are not happy with how the relaunch has gone in the Uk with so far only 300 MG6's sold out of a total allocation of 2000 for 2011. The marketing strategy and entry in to market has more to blame for this than the car to be fair.

The marketing team behind the relaunch has been nothing short of a disaster

fletch

My partner used to have an MG ZR and we were invited to the launch of the MG6 in K&C a few Saturdays ago but didn't bother.

johnos1984

fletch wrote: »

My partner used to have an MG ZR and we were invited to the launch of the MG6 in K&C a few Saturdays ago but didn't bother.

Does that mean it's there then?

I've asked them numerous times when it is being launched and for a brochure and I've never heard anything back from them

Henry Ford III

It'll be thirsty, and relatively costly to run. We are preoccupied by low motor tax. As mentioned it'll depreciate like few others.

For those reasons alone it just won't sell.

johnos1984

Henry Ford III wrote: »

It'll be thirsty, and relatively costly to run. We are preoccupied by low motor tax. As mentioned it'll depreciate like few others.

For those reasons alone it just won't sell.

The diesel should sort the first two but only time will tell on the third

RobAMerc

btw I saw one in the UK - they are very non de script looking not bad or offensive but bland - a bit Korean looking would be my first thoughts could be anything really but I suppose we havn't seen an MG in quite a while so it would be hard to be instantly recognisable. Interior was ok, think nearly well spec'd Astra territory.

johnos1984

RobAMerc wrote: »

btw I saw one in the UK - they are very non de script looking not bad or offensive but bland - a bit Korean looking would be my first thoughts could be anything really but I suppose we havn't seen an MG in quite a while so it would be hard to be instantly recognisable. Interior was ok, think nearly well spec'd Astra territory.

That's pretty much what I understand from talking to non blinkered enthusiasts.

I called KC Garages earlier to find out when it would be available to test drive and the answer was VERY short "I don't know, name and number please and we will call you whenever it is...."

johnos1984

Actually maybe it is a heap of ****e

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-2014726/MG6-It-start-new-era--end-love-affair-says-JAMES-MARTIN.html

No other car I’ve tested in four years of doing this has been as unreliable.

EPM

johnos1984 wrote: »

Actually maybe it is a heap of ****e

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-2014726/MG6-It-start-new-era--end-love-affair-says-JAMES-MARTIN.html

That does not seem good. I would have assumed it would be reliable at least.

johnos1984

EPM wrote: »

That does not seem good. I would have assumed it would be reliable at least.

That's the first report of unreliability I've heard but as it's a press car it is worrying. I wonder what the other breakdowns were.

The alarm, while annoying, isn't major and could happen any car. It's the two others I'd be worried about.

I've heard the flimsy key requires a couple of pushes to start it sometimes but that's about it with the MSG6

EPM

No detail could mean it's something small. If it was something major it would be everywhere.

johnos1984

EPM wrote: »

No detail could mean it's something small. If it was something major it would be everywhere.

Alternatively he was asked to keep shut.

I doubt it was anything major, could have just been the starting issue I described earlier

EPM

Bad not to elaborate on it given the detail on the alarm.

johnos1984

EPM wrote: »

Bad not to elaborate on it given the detail on the alarm.

I agree. It smells a bit like scare mongering.

I'd like to give one a go myself to decide what they are like

VolvoMan

Besides poor build quality, the guy doesn't exactly highlight what it is that he doesn't like about the car. He says handling and engine refinement are very good, which are two things that are very important; moreso than nicely textured plactic used in the interior surely.

Overall I get the sense that this guy has obviously decided to be lazy and write an article in the style of Clarkson rather than give an honest and balanced review.

johnos1984

VolvoMan wrote: »

Besides poor build quality, the guy doesn't exactly highlight what it is that he doesn't like about the car. He says handling and engine refinement are very good, which are two things that are very important; moreso than nicely textured plactic used in the interior surely.

Overall I get the sense that this guy has obviously decided to be lazy and write an article in the style of Clarkson rather than give an honest and balanced review.

I've been researching a bit on the article.......it appears the writer is in fact a chef and rumour has it he never actually drove the car:mad:

VolvoMan

johnos1984 wrote: »

I've been researching a bit on the article.......it appears the writer is in fact a chef and rumour has it he never actually drove the car:mad:

Quelle surprise....

johnos1984

VolvoMan wrote: »

Quelle surprise....

I know.

Out of interest what do people think would be a reasonable price to pay for these. I'd love one but the cliff edge depreciation and the asking price are major turn offs

http://www.carzone.ie/search/MG/TF/LE-500-L/201028198844157/advert?channel=CARS

http://www.carzone.ie/search/MG/TF/TF-135/201015197579508/advert?channel=CARS

johnos1984

johnos1984 wrote: »

I know.

Out of interest what do people think would be a reasonable price to pay for these. I'd love one but the cliff edge depreciation and the asking price are major turn offs

..............

Why would you love one of them over a 2004 VVCd one ?

johnos1984

RoverJames wrote: »

Why would you love one of them over a 2004 VVCd one ?

I'd love the LE500. A 2004/5 would be very appealing also. I want to sort the F out and keep it for weekends.

I'm starting to toy with the idea of getting a TF for everyday usage. Am I mental?

johnos1984

johnos1984 wrote: »

I'd love the LE500. A 2004/5 would be very appealing also. I want to sort the F out and keep it for weekends.

I'm starting to toy with the idea of getting a TF for everyday usage. Am I mental?

Yep, having a TF for everyday use and the F for weekends would be madness really. I'd struggle to come up with a more looney thing to do to be honest. Especially for someone doing 20k miles a year, well for anyone really.

If you had a decent TF though I doubt you'd ever want to sit in the F again though.

johnos1984

RoverJames wrote: »

Yep, having a TF for everyday use and the F for weekends would be madness really. I'd struggle to come up with a more looney thing to do to be honest. Especially for someone doing 20k miles a year, well for anyone really.

If you had a decent TF though I doubt you'd ever want to sit in the F again though.

I can see where you are coming from. Needless to say I'm very much enjoying the F.

I thought a nice older F for fooling around with at weekends and a slightly more simple low mileage TF for everyday use.

As yous ay though I'm not sure how they would handle 20k a year though

VolvoMan

RoverJames wrote: »

Why would you love one of them over a 2004 VVCd one ?

Well one advantage is that the new ones don't turn into kettles at some point in their lives, due to the updated N Series engine.

I sat in one of the relaunced TF's and I have to say it was awful. It would have made sense being positioned as a baragin basement roadster at around 15 grand, but when I felt the rough texture of the fabric on the seats and saw the Maestro/Montego switchgear I honestly wondered who they were trying to kid at 32k.

johnos1984

VolvoMan wrote: »

Well one advantage is that the new ones don't turn into kettles at some point in their lives, due to the updated N Series engine.

I sat in one of the relaunced TF's and I have to say it was awful. It would have made sense being positioned as a baragin basement roadster at around 15 grand, but when I felt the rough texture of the fabric on the seats and saw the Maestro/Montego switchgear I honestly wondered who they were trying to kid at 32k.

Thats how I feel. If they were cheap they would start to make sense

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/268759/mg_mg6_magnette_18_tse_review.html

Evo have had a looksee.

Previous review months back of the hatch

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/265942/mg6_18t_tse_review.html

Leonard Hofstadter

The only engine available for the MG6 falls into VRT band E, that I think explains why this car is not yet on sale in Ireland very simply.

Other manufacturers are able to offer petrol engines of similar power yet are only in band B (VW and Opel).

Even if the petrol engine was efficient and in VRT band B (the same as some diesels), it is still powered exclusively by the "wrong" fuel (never mind the fact that for many low mileage buyers petrol is a million times more sensible, the fact remains that people buying this size of car want a diesel even though that may mean expensive DPF, EGR valve and DMF failures) and that means that there will be very few people that will even consider it no matter how good it is.

Finally, Irish people couldn't give a toss about the fact that this car is supposed to be a well sorted car to drive - Irish people in general have no interest whatsoever in a car that drives well, as the enormous success of Toyota in Ireland shows.

-Chris-

Between "high" motor tax, the fact that the MG brand is dead and needs a lot of work, lack of dealer network, lack of proper launch, poor residual values so undesirable for company cars etc. etc. I don't think it'd ever sell in any significant numbers here.

No point in launching it until there's a diesel version, and even then it'd be extraordinarily expensive for the distributor to re-establish MG to the level where there'll be any interest from the general public.

johnos1984

captainspeed wrote: »

Finally, Irish people couldn't give a toss about the fact that this car is supposed to be a well sorted car to drive - Irish people in general have no interest whatsoever in a car that drives well, as the enormous success of Toyota in Ireland shows.

Motoring journalists rave about cars which are good to drive in their top spec form and Irish people then go out and buy the boggo spec models.

Ford Focus anyone?

If they can say good things about it, it will sell to people

Zubeneschamali

johnos1984 wrote: »

Motoring journalists rave about cars which are good to drive in their top spec form and Irish people then go out and buy the boggo spec models.

Irish motoring journalists rave about anything at all no matter how crap it is.

johnos1984

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

Irish motoring journalists rave about anything at all no matter how crap it is.

I meant about the more popular magazines but you're correct in what you say...........very accurate in fact.

I often find the story of a new car in an Irish motoring review has a reference to the launch party in a castle, nice food, good show, a quick spin and some shiney brochures for them to take home.

Not forgetting a quick comment at how the previous model sold so well.

captainspeed

captainspeed wrote: »

.............
Finally, Irish people couldn't give a toss about the fact that this car is supposed to be a well sorted car to drive - ..........

a lad on a rover forum I frequent test drove one, he reckons if drove as well as his Civic Type R, far too slow for him though, he'd have considered one if they are either way faster or way more efficient apparently.

johnos1984

Is it top speed slow or just slow in general?

Removing the limiter will sort the top speed out

I don't think anyone would have an issue with the topspeed tbh, I imagine it just feels a bit lethargic. It's not a hot hatch though which shouldn't be forgotten.

_Conrad_

Well i hadnt even heard of that car, but to me it looks very ugly and ungainly with the rear looking jacked up and a fairly horrible interior. Seems it's been a bit of a disaster in general if people who were actually interested in it couldnt even find out for sure if there's a delaer for it or if any are in the country.

johnos1984

_Conrad_ wrote: »

if people who were actually interested in it couldnt even find out for sure if there's a delaer for it or if any are in the country.

If you read the whole thread you would of seen at the start that KCGARAGES are the official importer but they haven't started bringing it in yet for whatever reason.

I doubt they would of told me why when I called the other day

_Conrad_

johnos1984 wrote: »

If you read the whole thread you would of seen at the start that KCGARAGES are the official importer but they haven't started bringing it in yet for whatever reason.

I doubt they would of told me why when I called the other day

Are you sure they're actually going to bring them in? Sounds suspect to me. Maybe they're struggling to retain the position as importer

johnos1984

_Conrad_ wrote: »

Are you sure they're actually going to bring them in? Sounds suspect to me. Maybe they're struggling to retain the position as importer

All anyone can go on is the official information which says they are. I've no other details but I'd love to know if someone wants to give me a sneaky PM.

I think KC's were the last MGR importer

pburns

johnos1984 wrote: »

Motoring journalists rave about cars which are good to drive in their top spec form and Irish people then go out and buy the boggo spec models.

Ford Focus anyone?

If they can say good things about it, it will sell to people

All credit to Ford for producing cars that are nice to drive but I'm not sure most Irish people know or care much about driver enjoyment. Ford have marketing muscle, big dealer network, good brand etc. That may sound a bit sniffy, defeatest etc. but that's the way it is. The fact that no proper Audis are sold here and Carzone is full of 120bhp A4s showS how clued in the Irish motorist is.

johnos1984 wrote: »

Is it top speed slow or just slow in general?

Removing the limiter will sort the top speed out

Limiter on a boggo Focus? Top speed means nothing, nothing, nothing. If they could tune a car to have better acceleration and tractability and a 100mph top speed I'd be happy enough...