Mach-e owners?

[off_again]

After I was offered more than I was expecting for the Macan, I decided to sell it and buy a Mach-e. Our requirements fit perfectly to an EV and we expect to keep it for a number of years. Still keeping the BMW diesel, so we arent constrained by the charging network.

Bought an AWD extended battery one, so not the most efficient. Liking it so far and things seem to work very well. Any other owners out there?

[Martyn76]

Would be interested to hear your thoughts as an owner, they seem to have been forgotten amongst the newer models that have come out recently.

[riskyj]

Also interested in this. Trying to find something about this size that’s not a Model 3, but they’re pretty much the benchmark.

[Zetec-S]

We've been toying with the idea of an EV and this would be on the list, would be interested to know more about why you like it? Other than the usual stuff like range, I guess does it live up to the name? It would probably be a replacement for my Focus ST, and while I don't expect a 2 ton EV to handle the same, does it still feel enjoyable to drive enthusiastically down a quiet B road, for example?

[Risonax]

https://www.motortrend.com/news/nhtsa-government-f...

A preliminary investigation so far into the E-Mustang BlueCruise system, which is available in the UK:

https://www.ford.co.uk/technology/driving-assistan...pc:na:ao:ex:np:na:bluecruise:Mach-E-BlueCruise-Exact:ford%20mustang%20mach%20e%20bluecruise:e:c:g:GOOGLE&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwrcKxBhBMEiwAIVF8rCrmNLfS1WMqDGEUGBqsK8mPuWO4oy_nJxUhoUgjWVTQeq1Gkz5-vhoCksUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[James6112]

I bet that took some finding

[off_again]

Ah, so there are some people interested in them!

A week into ownership and I am pleasantly surprised. I read the reviews and understood what I was getting into. I will admit that I used Carvana here in the US and it was a 100% online experience. I remember back in the early 2000's people said we would be buying our cars online, but that never happened - it does now though. Delivery driver turns up and hands over the car.... weird. Didnt believe it was going to happen until I got the call from the driver!

Anyway, on to the car. The reviews that I have read are pretty spot on with what it is like. Criticisms:

1) Yes, the rear suspension is a little bouncy in certain situations - upgrades are available now though
2) The app experience isnt quite 100% yet - from the phone as a key to the smartphone app, its still not quite excellent
3) Its a Ford, so dont expect a luxury interior and materials - they are good, but still not great though
4) Charging - I knew what the situation is, but its not a super fast charger (100KW or something like that)

Good bits:

1) Big screen and still has stalks and buttons - air con is on the screen, but always available. Its easy to use!
2) Carplay is great - you get a bigger screen and now some integration too (charging stops with Apple Maps)
3) Handling is good - you can feel that it handles well and communicates too
4) Steering is sharp - adds to the fun factor and makes it easy to get around in
5) Performance is good - I have the AWD with extended battery, so one down from the GT, but it pulls really well
6) Efficiency - the GoM hasnt settled out yet, but we are getting 3.1 miles/kWh and higher on the shorter trips.

I would also suggest that its bigger than the Model 3 and more of a Model Y competitor. The interior is spacious and the roof tall. There is plenty of space and the back seats have plenty of leg room. Its pretty conventional for most of the 'car' bits and everything works, just with a little extra flair and fun.

[off_again]

riskyj said:

Also interested in this. Trying to find something about this size that’s not a Model 3, but they’re pretty much the benchmark.

With the older Model 3, I guess they are competitors. But the refresh model? I dont get it. Getting rid of the stalks and now everything is in the screen? I know people get used to it, but its just strange and a cost cutting measure too far. Though size wise, I would say its more of a competitor to the Model Y. Its shorter than the Macan it replaced but has more interior space.

I would agree though - there are others available for this sector here in the US, but at a premium. The i4 is great and drives brilliantly, but its also massively expensive in comparison and just doesnt justify the cost difference (yet). The ID4 is good, but we dont have the faster models yet and Audi is trying to do the faster ones to help sell more models. We will see how that works out.

So yeah, pretty limited. I would say that the build quality is good and its very quiet inside. Comparison to an older Model 3 is fair, but the Mach-e is significantly better ride, noise and build. The new Model 3 will close a lot of those gaps, if not exceed them.

[off_again]

Risonax said:

https://www.motortrend.com/news/nhtsa-government-f...

A preliminary investigation so far into the E-Mustang BlueCruise system, which is available in the UK:

https://www.ford.co.uk/technology/driving-assistan...pc:na:ao:ex:np:na:bluecruise:Mach-E-BlueCruise-Exact:ford%20mustang%20mach%20e%20bluecruise:e:c:g:GOOGLE&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwrcKxBhBMEiwAIVF8rCrmNLfS1WMqDGEUGBqsK8mPuWO4oy_nJxUhoUgjWVTQeq1Gkz5-vhoCksUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

The linky went wrong there, but yes its true - NTHSA has opened an investigation into BlueCruise. 2 deaths reported which indicate that the car hit an object that it didnt 'see'. Will have to wait for the report, but will have to see what happens. I dont have the full hands off BlueCruise (wife hates the idea and shes uses it more than me, so not worth it). But the hands-on system seems great.

I fully expect to see more investigations on other manufacturer systems too. I dont know how many Mercedes have been sold with their L3 system, but I am pretty sure they are next on the list. And recent tests have indicated that safety systems on smaller SUV's are terrible - so there is that too!

[off_again]

Zetec-S said:

We've been toying with the idea of an EV and this would be on the list, would be interested to know more about why you like it? Other than the usual stuff like range, I guess does it live up to the name? It would probably be a replacement for my Focus ST, and while I don't expect a 2 ton EV to handle the same, does it still feel enjoyable to drive enthusiastically down a quiet B road, for example?

Focus is much smaller and no where near as tall - the Mach-e is a tall vehicle. They call it an SUV here, which is probably fair, but its closer to Macan size than Focus.

So far it drives brilliantly. Lots of punch, good characteristics in the driving dynamics and it feels fun, which is nice (and different to some manufacturers). Does it live up to the name? Yeah, I think so. There is that bonnet and the arches, which makes it feel familiar and the performance is there too. I havent driven a new Mustang, but the slightly older one. They are fun to drive and I can see similarities. Yeah, probably lives up to the name.

Yes, its a 2 tonne EV but it does handle well. I did comment a few mins ago about the bouncy rear suspension. That is a fair criticism and it does bounce on certain situations. Makes it feel like its pitching back and forth. But the ride is good and more on the sporty side than you might expect. The Macan did feel a little better, but it had a nasty habit of rocking side to side on rough roads.

I did take it for a quick blast on some country roads here and its fun. It conceals the speed really well and I was well into illegal speeds without trying! While on the drive I messaged my wife telling her its a license loser which is accurate! 65 MPH feels like nothing and stomping on it gets you to 85 very quickly - thats points and a court appearance here in California!

Oh and final comment - checking out the forums, they all said the standard tires are crap (Primacy?). Swap them for something decent and has grip. You will drop a few miles on range (reports of 5-10) but it dramatically improves things. The standard ones are built for efficiency and dont allow you to use the car. I wont be changing them yet, but for sure they are going to get swapped for something decent.