EV general discussion

Homer-Simpson said:
Looks like delivery of the new car is still on for the 6th, charger being installed on the 7th. Currently very excited, definitely a late Christmas present

First electric car so need to reset my thought process regarding filling it up. I've been without a car now for a couple of months and although nice to be chauffeured by Uber everywhere I really miss the driving. I appreciate it's likely already been covered a million times in various threads but what words of wisdom would you give if you were experiencing an EV for the first time?
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Get a proper charger, I recommend Zappi and go on Octopus Intelligent Go.
With iGo you'll be able to plug in, it will give you a charging schedule and also tell you when you can use cheap electricity in the house so for example my Mrs will put the washer and tumble dryer on at 9.30pm.
Depending on the car go and watch a load of videos on You Tube, I came across a bloke who had made 14 videos for the MG4 and it really helped me.
The garage I bought it from now give future MG4 owners information with that You Tube page on.
We always put ours in ECO Mode, don't need it any higher, it's still like poo off a shovel.
 
Homer-Simpson said:
Looks like delivery of the new car is still on for the 6th, charger being installed on the 7th. Currently very excited, definitely a late Christmas present

First electric car so need to reset my thought process regarding filling it up. I've been without a car now for a couple of months and although nice to be chauffeured by Uber everywhere I really miss the driving. I appreciate it's likely already been covered a million times in various threads but what words of wisdom would you give if you were experiencing an EV for the first time?
Click to expand...

If you’re on a longer trip where you KNOW you’ll be charging at some point, charge when you can and not when you need to. This will help if you arrive at your charger of choice with 5% battery and then discover they’re out of use etc. the more options you give yourself the better. Better to go from 70% to 80% 50 miles from home than be 200 miles without a rapid charger available…
 
Homer-Simpson said:
Looks like delivery of the new car is still on for the 6th, charger being installed on the 7th. Currently very excited, definitely a late Christmas present

First electric car so need to reset my thought process regarding filling it up. I've been without a car now for a couple of months and although nice to be chauffeured by Uber everywhere I really miss the driving. I appreciate it's likely already been covered a million times in various threads but what words of wisdom would you give if you were experiencing an EV for the first time?
Click to expand...
I got into the habit of plugging it in when I pulled up on the drive. I'm still going through a 10amp granny charge tho. I don't think about it at all, traffic lights gp everywhere.
 
Homer-Simpson said:
Looks like delivery of the new car is still on for the 6th, charger being installed on the 7th. Currently very excited, definitely a late Christmas present

First electric car so need to reset my thought process regarding filling it up. I've been without a car now for a couple of months and although nice to be chauffeured by Uber everywhere I really miss the driving. I appreciate it's likely already been covered a million times in various threads but what words of wisdom would you give if you were experiencing an EV for the first time?
Click to expand...
When you’ve got your charger, charge to 80% for daily use - I normally let it run down to about 40 or 50 then charge back to 80, so every few days depending on mileage.

Charge to 100 if you have a long trip or aren’t sure if you’ll need the extra miles that day. Try to avoid leaving the car at 100 longer than you need to (it’s bad for the battery)

When charging at home - charge overnight (especially avoiding 5-9pm if you can) to make sure you’re using the lowest carbon electricity.
 
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b0rn2sk8 said:
The vast majority of people’s definition of handling is how the car handles pot holes and speed bumps. Then how easy it is to park in a tight U.K. parking space.
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It’s quickly becoming that way. The commute to work has ruined my car, will just get something that can handle the holes, rivers, floods etc in future.
 
jpaul said:
people have other purchase priorities and, today, lack experience in an older car with hydraulic steering/rwd/manual gearbox(as well as low weight) - they don't miss what they never had in an everyday'ish saloon.
But, driving can be fun - the number of (positive) ev reviews that extoll straight line acceleration party-piece, immediately concede the handling point.
- the driver of the i-pace thought power would make up for other characteristics M2 had


agree if you mean it is predominately the driver who feels the handling/turn-in/braking... of a car, and as such difficult for someone in (aforementioned ipace) passenger seat to evaluate,
sensation when you are driven in your own car is interesting.
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Today's cars are over powered, over tyred, over weight. Power steering and electric racks. They are much faster A-B. But the feel is gone, on many cars, unless someone gone out of their way to build it in from the start. Personally I don't miss having to park my old GTI without power steering. I think our eGolf is a hoot to drive. I don't need to drive flat out to enjoy a drive..
 
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Homer-Simpson said:
Looks like delivery of the new car is still on for the 6th, charger being installed on the 7th. Currently very excited, definitely a late Christmas present

First electric car so need to reset my thought process regarding filling it up. I've been without a car now for a couple of months and although nice to be chauffeured by Uber everywhere I really miss the driving. I appreciate it's likely already been covered a million times in various threads but what words of wisdom would you give if you were experiencing an EV for the first time?
Click to expand...

As the others said. Charge when you can not wait when it's empty. Bit like you get home from work with your mobile and you stick it on the charger incase you are going out later.

Practise with a few different brands of public chargers, when you got some free time, Sunday drive. Not in the pouring rain when you're late for something. Practise a longer drive get a feel for the range.

Learn the difference between AC and DC chargers. Most cars charge much slower on AC it's limited by the cars onboard charger.
 
Homer-Simpson said:
Looks like delivery of the new car is still on for the 6th, charger being installed on the 7th. Currently very excited, definitely a late Christmas present

First electric car so need to reset my thought process regarding filling it up. I've been without a car now for a couple of months and although nice to be chauffeured by Uber everywhere I really miss the driving. I appreciate it's likely already been covered a million times in various threads but what words of wisdom would you give if you were experiencing an EV for the first time?
Click to expand...
Learn the EV side of things before you go putting it in the fake ICE mode :p

As most have said, get in the habit of just plugging in whenever you get home. Limit charging to 80% unless you need the full 100% the next morning.
 
Also download Zapmap and ABRP on your phone, good apps for route mapping and working charge stops until you understand the car range etc. Zapmap is good to locate chargers around you. Also get an electroverse card, that can give you a small discount when public charging, personally i look out for Tesla SC's as they seem to be relatively well priced.
 
OspreyO said:
Today's cars are over powered, over tyred, over weight. Power steering and electric racks. They are much faster A-B. But the feel is gone, on many cars, unless someone gone out of their way to build it in from the start. Personally I don't miss having to park my old GTI without power steering. I think our eGolf is a hoot to drive. I don't need to drive flat out to enjoy a drive..
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it's the aesthetics of setting up a bend / roundabout with those prehistoric cars, conservation of momentum, experiences you get without driving flat out.
conversely I remember when I had first carbon frame bicycle - technology improved here - the power transfer but suppleness/feel - took 10 years off your age.

(I've got to wait until 3pm to pick up my electric loaner - it will only be recharged then - lol ...... I don't know if garages have DC chargers the immediately visible ones looked like AC )
 
OspreyO said:
Today's cars are over powered, over tyred, over weight. Power steering and electric racks. They are much faster A-B. But the feel is gone, on many cars, unless someone gone out of their way to build it in from the start. Personally I don't miss having to park my old GTI without power steering. I think our eGolf is a hoot to drive. I don't need to drive flat out to enjoy a drive..
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I absolutely agree. I even posted on here of my experience of buying a brand new F80 M3 Comp DCT in 2018. It was stunningly good looking in San Marino Blue and a fantastic cockpit to sit in with Full Merino black leather/carbon fibre. Sounded great too. It was fast. It was grippy. But my god there was absolutely no feel or texture or feedback from the steering or chassis. Completely sterile and numb. As a driver these things - feel, feedback, communication, texture - are far more important than pure performance figures. Ultimately it had to go.
Younger drivers who have never driven things like an Evo or Subaru STI or Porsche 996/997 just do not understand the extra dimension and pleasure that they are missing out on with regard to poxy electric steering and chassis feel.
I'm an Evo guy at heart, having owned a 7 and a 9 and now a 6. But the M3 was replaced by my first Subaru - a 2016 WRX STI. Very much an "inferior" car and a great deal slower - especially in a straight line - but it is so very much more rewarding and enjoyable to drive.

That said - I'm considering changing it for a Taycan. Test drive in the next few days to see if it has the magic of Porsche DNA and has any detail or feedback through the steering wheel. If it doesn't, I won't be changing. Being fast in acceleration just does not make up for the loss in driver involvement or communication that can be had from a great driver's car - and let me tell you all, that a F80 M3 is not a "great driver's car". Shock!
 
RampantMark said:
I absolutely agree. I even posted on here of my experience of buying a brand new F80 M3 Comp DCT in 2018. It was stunningly good looking in San Marino Blue and a fantastic cockpit to sit in with Full Merino black leather/carbon fibre. Sounded great too. It was fast. It was grippy. But my god there was absolutely no feel or texture or feedback from the steering or chassis. Completely sterile and numb. As a driver these things - feel, feedback, communication, texture - are far more important than pure performance figures. Ultimately it had to go.
Younger drivers who have never driven things like an Evo or Subaru STI or Porsche 996/997 just do not understand the extra dimension and pleasure that they are missing out on with regard to poxy electric steering and chassis feel.
I'm an Evo guy at heart, having owned a 7 and a 9 and now a 6. But the M3 was replaced by my first Subaru - a 2016 WRX STI. Very much an "inferior" car and a great deal slower - especially in a straight line - but it is so very much more rewarding and enjoyable to drive.

That said - I'm considering changing it for a Taycan. Test drive in the next few days to see if it has the magic of Porsche DNA and has any detail or feedback through the steering wheel. If it doesn't, I won't be changing. Being fast in acceleration just does not make up for the loss in driver involvement or communication that can be had from a great driver's car - and let me tell you all, that a F80 M3 is not a "great driver's car". Shock!
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I considered a Taycan, felt alright to drive but still lumbered about a bit, however when you added all the options on to get it somewhere like the i5 M60 Touring i'm getting it was an extra £4-500 a month additional.
 
What's the best place to get a decent, longer charging cable for home charging? I need a longer one so that I can park the ID 7 in a better location on the drive :-)


Any on Amazon? I have a few gift cards to use so would be handy if there's a decent brand on there.


Thanks
 
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proof of life photo V well I lived after driving it.

yes the power and torque is impressive, with some torque steer/traction control evident if exited roundabout fast (not really via steering wheel but backside) but it's fwd, too.
brakes are biggest issue not progressive, seemed on and off, so that you couldn't modulate bend/roundabout approach speed by feeling what kind of momentum/deceleration you created
'otherwise' weight wan't too evident could feel some chassis movement side to side on uneven fens roads that suspension wasn't able to quell & it rather fell into potholes
... several days to try it out now.

IMG-0137-result.jpg
 
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