Potential Owner. But many questions

[Dear_OP]

Hello all,

I have always liked the Mach-E when it first came out back in '21. There was no plans to acquire an EV then. Fast forward to today, we are considering to add an EV or PHEV as a family runabout. Test driven a couple of EVs - Teslas, Ioniq 5/6 and EV6. And BMW's i-whatever. I will just get it out of the way, I view EVs as mostly an appliance with wheels. So far nothing really tugged at my emotional driving heart strings. That is until I took the reins of the Mach-E last week. I was pleasantly surprised at how analog it felt. Less so of a giant moving calculator.
Here are some questions:

- Is Mach-E on a slow cruise to death? I don't see many of them lately.
- How is Ford? I have not owned a Ford product ever
- I live in the Vancouver, BC. Can I get away with RWD? I intend to slap winter tires on daily drivers anyway. Since we work from home, we do not have to worry too much on winter commute. And we have a BMW SUV on standby.
- Given a choice of AWD vs ER which is the better choice?
- Longevity. I don't know how often Ford keeps the car updated or tweak it.
- Apart from HVB-whatever, what other issues plague the Mach-e?

I'm considering the Premium version. Pricing of 2023 is enticing.

thank you!

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[TheSteelRider]

- Longevity. I don't know how often Ford keeps the car updated or tweak it.

If you mean, how do they refresh the car from a physical build / manufacturing line standpoint?

Ford is a traditional automaker and in general follows traditional year-model, or 1/2 year refresh cycles. This is opposite of Tesla, for example, which basically just introduces changes on the manufacturing line almost continuously.

If you mean, how often do the remotely update the software; Called OTAs meaning Over-The-Air updates?

You can see this page for all the updates in the last 3 years since the car was released:
https://github.com/elmedico27/fordpowerup
https://github.com/elmedico27/fordpowerup/blob/main/Archive.md

 

[Mrn]

In my region ( Southern Arizona ) the MME has been slowly building a presence on the roads, as you would expect with the continuing sales from Ford. I don't doubt that Ford will support it into the future even when they move more to the mass market with less expensive EV's.

The only aggravation my basic Select has caused me was with the update process, but Ford seems to be sorting through that. It has never let me down as transportation. And at about 4 cents per mile when charging at home, it's a lot cheaper to drive than an ICE vehicle.

 

[Mach-Lee]

Hello all,

I have always liked the Mach-E when it first came out back in '21. There was no plans to acquire an EV then. Fast forward to today, we are considering to add an EV or PHEV as a family runabout. Test driven a couple of EVs - Teslas, Ioniq 5/6 and EV6. And BMW's i-whatever. I will just get it out of the way, I view EVs as mostly an appliance with wheels. So far nothing really tugged at my emotional driving heart strings. That is until I took the reins of the Mach-E last week. I was pleasantly surprised at how analog it felt. Less so of a giant moving calculator.
Here are some questions:

- Is Mach-E on a slow cruise to death? I don't see many of them lately.
- How is Ford? I have not owned a Ford product ever
- I live in the Vancouver, BC. Can I get away with RWD? I intend to slap winter tires on daily drivers anyway. Since we work from home, we do not have to worry too much on winter commute. And we have a BMW SUV on standby.
- Given a choice of AWD vs ER which is the better choice?
- Longevity. I don't know how often Ford keeps the car updated or tweak it.
- Apart from HVB-whatever, what other issues plague the Mach-e?

I'm considering the Premium version. Pricing of 2023 is enticing.

thank you!

Mach-E is still alive and will be produced for at least 3 more years.

Ford is okay, they just have major problems with software right now.

RWD with snow tires might be fine unless you have to go up slippery hills. If so, then I would opt for AWD.

See above, but extended range will be more important in a cold climate due to 50% range loss in winter.

The car should last a long time, but the future of updates is uncertain and subject to delays.

Most of the issues surrounding the Mach-E besides the HVBJB are related to software. If you're a "it just needs to drive" person you'll be okay, but if little software bugs annoy you to no end, then don't buy it.

If you plan on taking road trips with lots of DC charging, there are better options with faster charging speeds and better charge port location.

 

[dbsb3233]

The software is less than perfect, but I don't find it as bad as some do. The OP doesn't sound like one too impressed by fancy software anyway.

EVs are significantly heavier than regular cars and thus tend to do better on wet roads. AWD is always nicer, of course, but less necessary in an EV.

If not planning to use it for road trips, no reason to get the pricier ER battery (IF you'll have home charging). But be forwarned... If you're new to driving an EV, chances are you'll fall in love with it and want to drive it more than your gas car, perhaps even on road trips. The Mach-E is comfortable, really quiet, powerful, and driving an EV is a dream with immediate torque and regen braking.

 

[JustBob]

Ford has been slow with updates is my biggest complaint. AWD here, but I'm in a hilly somewhat rural area. So fun to drive. I never considered Tesla. The EV6 was close but I've watched the Mach-E since it came out and finally bought mine a year ago. It's been great.

 

[Mach Len E]

Personally, I can recommend the Premium AWD with extended range. BC Hydro and Tesla will make your life easy, once you get the EV charging rhythm. I’m in central Alberta and doing a road trip to Vancouver in a couple weeks. It is so fun to drive and I find I’m using it more than my ‘use case’ or plan. One recommendation if you drive into the interior. Get the protection package, the grill wrap and find someone to wrap/protect front louvers and actuator cover in between. It will help with rock damage in winter.

 

[Dear_OP]

Thanks for the many responses!
I am a bit of a luddite when it comes to car tech. Two of my non-dailies are manuals and still sport CD player and stock radio! It's my wife that seems to like the gadgety stuff.
My home garage is equipped with a NEMA 6-50 50A wall outlet.

Is the HVBJB an issue with 2023 models? Is it widespread or limited to either SR or ER?

Would the RWD be more tossable vs AWD? I like the ER, but from my research, it is still using the previous battery tech - NMC vs LFP.

I guess the bottom line is ownership both from an EV and Ford perspective. Since I have zero experience with either. Not gonna lie to you, the local Ford/Lincoln dealership felt more like a warehouse with trucks. Salesguy doesn't know much about MME. Luckily the GM walked over and provided some info.

 

[AllenXS]

Had mine over three years in Richmond, drive to North Vancouver every week day and back. AWD ER, it’s fun and good in Vancouver traffic. AWD is great up the hills. Off to Sun peaks tomorrow, will need one quick charge both ways near the end. Clocked up about 66k in three years. As has been said, you tend to use it more. My wife mind about it over the concordance of gas on long trips but we still always take the MME!

OTA - always want more but on the other hand if it’s going right, why change. HVBJB- been through that twice and it seems real solid now. Windscreens are solid. Had a truck tire explode into my screen. Drive that back from Bellingham at night. Just pushed the button and kept good attention. Got through the border easier than usual!

Hope it goes well. Still see a few of these every day.

 

[pcaw2003]

Thanks for the many responses!
I am a bit of a luddite when it comes to car tech. Two of my non-dailies are manuals and still sport CD player and stock radio! It's my wife that seems to like the gadgety stuff.
My home garage is equipped with a NEMA 6-50 50A wall outlet.

Is the HVBJB an issue with 2023 models? Is it widespread or limited to either SR or ER?

Would the RWD be more tossable vs AWD? I like the ER, but from my research, it is still using the previous battery tech - NMC vs LFP.

I guess the bottom line is ownership both from an EV and Ford perspective. Since I have zero experience with either. Not gonna lie to you, the local Ford/Lincoln dealership felt more like a warehouse with trucks. Salesguy doesn't know much about MME. Luckily the GM walked over and provided some info.

The fact that your local Ford dealer seems more like a warehouse with trucks may be an advantage for you. I have found that certain rural Ford dealerships have been stuck with MMEs that they cannot sell. That’s how I was able to get a good deal on my MME at an upstate New York dealership. They had way too many and they didn’t know what to do with them. If that’s the case with your dealership as well, you may be able to get a really sweet deal. But, you may have to worry about how well they can service you, not being familiar with the technology technology.

 

[RickMachE]

Thanks for the many responses!
I am a bit of a luddite when it comes to car tech. Two of my non-dailies are manuals and still sport CD player and stock radio! It's my wife that seems to like the gadgety stuff.
My home garage is equipped with a NEMA 6-50 50A wall outlet.

Is the HVBJB an issue with 2023 models? Is it widespread or limited to either SR or ER?

Would the RWD be more tossable vs AWD? I like the ER, but from my research, it is still using the previous battery tech - NMC vs LFP.

I guess the bottom line is ownership both from an EV and Ford perspective. Since I have zero experience with either. Not gonna lie to you, the local Ford/Lincoln dealership felt more like a warehouse with trucks. Salesguy doesn't know much about MME. Luckily the GM walked over and provided some info.

Previous battery tech? LFP is heavier than NMC. It is cheaper, which is why Ford is using it. Superior? No.

Yes, 2023s have had the HVBJB fail. Does Ford have this solved? Not in my opinion.

 

[david_quick]

As someone who lives in the Seattle area and used to live in Nanaimo I would like to say that of all the years from the early 90s to just last year I drove RWD and FWD cars without any weather related issues. This was running just all season tires. My observation is that for the few days each year that it snows people just stay home since the government doesn’t plow the roads especially on residential streets.

That said I bought an AWD GT in September because I plan to go other places where that is not the case. You should be fine with just a RWD.

 

[Jerrytball]

Before I bought my 23 GT, I never considered an electric vehicle. I owned a lot of Ford vehicles and six of those were gas powered mustangs. I don’t believe in the old adage of found on the road dead. The gas powered mustang to me whether fast or slow I think it’s one of the best built sports cars I’ve owned, I love the way they handle they’re not that bad of a ride clearly all around you unlike a Camaro and the electric Mustang has great visibility. I do miss those little Blindspot mirrors they had on all the regular mustangs and the other Ford vehicles but that’s something I liked. as far as reliability, I’ve told Mustang on the dragstrip and it was at the point where it was not quite a total loss and the insurance company repaired penalize because it was not actually a drag race. It was a test and tune lol, And after I got the car back from the shop, I could never tell that I’d wrecked the car as bad as I did. It was solid so if you’re looking for reliability, I’m I’ve always been a Toyota or Ford that’s my two cents.

Let me add I bought the all-wheel-drive and I am just absolutely loving driving this car every day. I don’t have to commute to work. I’m retired. We don’t go on vacations around town and just doing normal driving around the fact that I no longer have to have a gas buddy driving by the gas stations Where my Nissan rogue used to cost me $160 a month for gas. This one’s costing me about 20 bucks so I’m really like it. Silence is cool too.

 

[Adventureboy]

Is the HVBJB an issue with 2023 models? Is it widespread or limited to either SR or ER?

The recall is only up to 2022 (May builds) so should be less prone to failure on 2023.

The MME is a great car and exceeds competitors in quite a few areas. Ride quality is pretty good, initial quality is pretty good with a few glitches in early models. I have the AWD and I'd recommend it if you head interior in winter. I have a good set of winter tires on mine and it is excellent in the snow.

Ford's biggest problem right now is keeping up with repair part supply. HVBJB recall parts are simply not available and it takes weeks if it fails. (5 weeks and counting on my 2022). I'm hoping it is just growing pains for EVs and I expect other new EV brands to be challenged in similar ways as they iron it out.

 

[Dear_OP]

I wasn't very impressed with the last dealership salesguy. I think we're gonna go to another location to explore this car more. Are there anything specific and insightful questions I should ask?

Based on the above, I feel comfortable going with RWD ER if I can get a good deal. AWD pickup would be sweet, but I am not a stoplight racer.

On another note, I did scamper over to Tesla-land as the Model Y's price is within proximity. They say that the MME is based on old EV tech. Any validity to that apart from fanboyism response?

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