Mach E or VW Id.4

BMT1071

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Ford has never designed a system to hide its emissions being 40 times higher than what they submitted to regulators, so that's kind of a plus for the MME...
That we know of... ??
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trutolife27

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As you can tell by my name I have a Chevy Bolt (2020 Bolt Premiere). Our second car is a 2014 Honda Accord and will trade it in sometime this year. We are taking a hit for some IRS taxes on unexpected income and would like to buy another EV in order to take advantage of the $7500 tax credit. We already have an L2 setup in the garage. The choice is really between the Mach E and the VW ID.4. In my 50 years of driving I had never owned a Chevy before but took a chance on the Bolt and I think for the money it is good value. 25,000 miles later I have had zero problems with it. I did own a Ford once (Taurus in the late '80s and it was garbage).
I have been lurking on this forum as well as the VW forums.
It sounds to me like the Mach E was not ready for prime time based on what I consider some of the serious problems folks are having. I read about some of the VW problems but they don't sound as numerous or serious.
Any thoughts from Mach E owners would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
It comes down to simple things. Number one are you looking to buy an entry-level mache select or ID4?

Or are you looking at a fully loaded mache awd ext range and ID4 loaded.
The mache at the premium level has alot more than the ID4 and more of a premium feel.
About 3,000 difference in price, not much.

If your want a cheap get-around town, more of a just good all-around nothing great, that is the id4.
The mache or the tesla model y is a step above, but the model y long-range will cost you almost 9,000 more and no federal tax credit.
 

silverelan

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Somethings are good, some are not great but can be fixed with software updates, and other things are just as they are. For example, the Red ID4 AWD has an ugly brown insert motif going on with its interior.

That said, the ID4 AWD has some things going for it over the Premium AWD MME...
  • Heated windshield
  • ID light bar (neat gimmick)
  • Tow hitch
  • 235/255 staggered wheels
  • Roof rails
  • 8"+ of ground clearance
  • Massaging seats
  • Bigger rear cargo
  • 3 years unlimited EA charging
  • Retractable roof sunshade
  • 4 years/50k warranty
Some cons that are worth mentioning...
  • Infotainment system
  • Navigation/charger routing
  • Wonky controls everywhere
  • Roof lets in a lot of heat
  • 5.7s 0-60 mph (1' rollout)
  • Fraction of the dealer network
 

trutolife27

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Somethings are good, some are not great but can be fixed with software updates, and other things are just as they are. For example, the Red ID4 AWD has an ugly brown insert motif going on with its interior.

That said, the ID4 AWD has some things going for it over the Premium AWD MME...
  • Heated windshield
  • ID light bar (neat gimmick)
  • Tow hitch
  • 235/255 staggered wheels
  • Roof rails
  • 8"+ of ground clearance
  • Massaging seats
  • Bigger rear cargo
  • 3 years unlimited EA charging
  • Retractable roof sunshade
  • 4 years/50k warranty
Some cons that are worth mentioning...
  • Infotainment system
  • Navigation/charger routing
  • Wonky controls everywhere
  • Roof lets in a lot of heat
  • 5.7s 0-60 mph (1' rollout)
  • Fraction of the dealer network
No frunk on the id4 also. really bad armrest.
1pedal
the staggered wheels can be a pain.
mache has more range.
more things than this the mache has over the id4.
Even with the shade closed the id4 lets in a lot of heat. Needs to be tinted.
 


phil

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To me that choice really boils down to the "look" of the drivers console. I think the VW is just a little tacky and lame, similar to my complaint on the Tesla. Can't rule out one for that issue without the other.
What is the "drivers console"?
 

silverelan

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No frunk on the id4 also. really bad armrest.
1pedal
the staggered wheels can be a pain.
mache has more range.
more things than this the mache has over the id4.
Even with the shade closed the id4 lets in a lot of heat. Needs to be tinted.
I'll keep playing Devil's Advocate here and offer some additional counterpoints.

The armrests are adjustable on the VW.
The rear cargo room on VW is the same as Frunk + rear on MME.
A lot of MME owners are modding their cars for staggered wheelsets, so it must be good.
ID4 charges faster to 80% and doesn't have a cliff.
ID4 doesn't have a buzzing driver display.
 

trutolife27

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I'll keep playing Devil's Advocate here and offer some additional counterpoints.

The armrests are adjustable on the VW.
The rear cargo room on VW is the same as Frunk + rear on MME.
A lot of MME owners are modding their cars for staggered wheelsets, so it must be good.
ID4 charges faster to 80% and doesn't have a cliff.
ID4 doesn't have a buzzing driver display.
id4 64.2 vs mache 64.4 is not the same. I think alex on autos said the way the mache shape is he was able to get 1 more luggage bag in the mache than the ID4 also.
Also, I think even with the ID4 faster DC charging he was able to make it to his destination way quicker with the mache than the ID4, aka range.
Mache comes with a charger.
plug and charge not to start with the id4
ID4 is only had limited OTA updates.
mache puddle lights.
mache folding mirrors.
as far as different sizes tired go. yeah, you can do it. You can also wear a belly shirt weighing 500 pounds. But when it's time to rotate tires or buy new ones, or have a flat. Different size tires is not fun.

And again the armrest on the ID4 are bad, really bad.
 

deadduck

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The time frame would be at the end of the year so I can take advantage of the tax credit. The cars you mentioned do sound interesting but I live in Florida so they probably won't be sold here. There appears to be plenty of MME's sitting on lots within 100 miles of me.
Checked just now and saw the Ioniq 5 is going to be sold in FL. There’s also a decent chance it’ll hit this year.

The i5 is a damn interesting car.
 

Pushrods&Capacitors

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I'll keep playing Devil's Advocate here and offer some additional counterpoints.

The armrests are adjustable on the VW.
The rear cargo room on VW is the same as Frunk + rear on MME.
A lot of MME owners are modding their cars for staggered wheelsets, so it must be good.
ID4 charges faster to 80% and doesn't have a cliff.
ID4 doesn't have a buzzing driver display.
Why are staggered wheels good? Do you know? Staggered wheels are often spec’d by the chassis engineering team to tame some inherent oversteer trait in higher powered rwd vehicles. If VW specs them for a 201 HP ID.4 there must be a design flaw in their suspension or they’re trying waaaayyyy too hard to get an extra couple miles of range. Using a narrower tire up front will increase tendency to understeer instead, thereby making the vehicle less likely to oversteer (or spin out for newbs).
Staggered wheels for looks are fine, but, you can no longer rotate your tires front to back and if your tires have a mileage warranty the manufacturer will cut it in half because of it. That’s why most all OEM staggered fitments are on performance cars, not run of the mill SUVs and sedans.

The ID.4 is for the EV buyer who wants a driving appliance, not much going aesthetically, fairly weak power numbers (awd will be decent at 295hp), dull handling chassis, decent but not standout range.
 

trutolife27

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Why are staggered wheels good? Do you know? Staggered wheels are often spec’d by the chassis engineering team to tame some inherent oversteer trait in higher powered rwd vehicles. If VW specs them for a 201 HP ID.4 there must be a design flaw in their suspension or they’re trying waaaayyyy too hard to get an extra couple miles of range. Using a narrower tire up front will increase tendency to understeer instead, thereby making the vehicle less likely to oversteer (or spin out for newbs).
Staggered wheels for looks are fine, but, you can no longer rotate your tires front to back and if your tires have a mileage warranty the manufacturer will cut it in half because of it. That’s why most all OEM staggered fitments are on performance cars, not run of the mill SUVs and sedans.

The ID.4 is for the EV buyer who wants a driving appliance, not much going aesthetically, fairly weak power numbers (awd will be decent at 295hp), dull handling chassis, decent but not standout range.
yep, fact.

Another item is the ID4 has drum brakes on the back. WHY?
well, the id4 doesn't really use regen. So Volkswagen went with the drum brakes to save cost and to get more range.
Simply put all-disc brakes and equal-size tires would have cost the id4 20 to 25 miles of range.

Volkswagen cut corners where they can to keep costs down and it shows. Again like it has been said many times here. The entry-level id4 is not a bad buy for someone with a family just an overall decent BEV. But when you compare the top-of-the-line id4 to the premium mache is not even close.
Youtube reviews in general agree.

If your someone who likes to carry a spare just in case. Well, carry two with the id4. No thanks.
 

silverelan

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yep, fact.

Another item is the ID4 has drum brakes on the back. WHY?
well, the id4 doesn't really use regen. So Volkswagen went with the drum brakes to save cost and to get more range.
Simply put all-disc brakes and equal-size tires would have cost the id4 20 to 25 miles of range.

Volkswagen cut corners where they can to keep costs down and it shows. Again like it has been said many times here. The entry-level id4 is not a bad buy for someone with a family just an overall decent BEV. But when you compare the top-of-the-line id4 to the premium mache is not even close.
Youtube reviews in general agree.

If your someone who likes to carry a spare just in case. Well, carry two with the id4. No thanks.
Yup, there's lots of advantages to the MME over the ID4. The ID4 is a wonderful example of cost cutting. From the invisible controls you can't see at night, single pair of window controls for four windows, to the 16A mobile charger for a 48A OBC, VW did a great job of penny pinching in interesting ways.

There's also some cool things about it that are worth recognizing. I hope VW sells a gazillion of them and that we in the Mach-E community can recognize that while the ID4 falls short in many ways, there's some genuine positives to the car.
 

silverelan

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Why are staggered wheels good? Do you know? Staggered wheels are often spec’d by the chassis engineering team to tame some inherent oversteer trait in higher powered rwd vehicles. If VW specs them for a 201 HP ID.4 there must be a design flaw in their suspension or they’re trying waaaayyyy too hard to get an extra couple miles of range. Using a narrower tire up front will increase tendency to understeer instead, thereby making the vehicle less likely to oversteer (or spin out for newbs).
Staggered wheels for looks are fine, but, you can no longer rotate your tires front to back and if your tires have a mileage warranty the manufacturer will cut it in half because of it. That’s why most all OEM staggered fitments are on performance cars, not run of the mill SUVs and sedans.

The ID.4 is for the EV buyer who wants a driving appliance, not much going aesthetically, fairly weak power numbers (awd will be decent at 295hp), dull handling chassis, decent but not standout range.
I'll take your word on the staggered tire fitment and their implications. I just know the ID4 took corners better than the MME 4X in my time with both vehicles on the same roads. Alex on Autos said much the same thing and is enjoying his 4X a lot more now that he's running wider tires.

There is a lot of value to the ID4. It's super practical and blends into the crowd. The ID4 RWD version is fine around town and freeway commuting but as you pointed out, it's underpowered. As a utility vehicle, it's very much so right out of the box with no need to cut holes into the bumper to fit a hitch receiver and has built in roof rails.

Good luck to OP and here's to hoping you find the best vehicle to suit your needs.
 

EVready

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This might have been noted earlier, but after driving a rear drive id4, I came away with the feeling it is a competent people mover, but not inspiring.....If one were looking just for non-ICE transportation without fun factor - yes. But if one were seeking a bit more...call it 'soul' - nope.

Just my 2 cents....
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