UK Customers

[SteveUk]

The Q4 E-tron configurator is so much more sophisticated than the Mach-e. To be fair even the US Mach-e configurator puts the UKs to shame. Looking to hedge my bet if this farce continues past august which every day seem more likely.

I'm currently due on 22/05. And it has managed to not be revised for a whole week!

At one point I was due on 08/05!

We know the issues with the car, it's trivial stuff like the battery going dead, the panaromic roof cracking, bolts under the car that need tightening etc

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[portlandg]

I'm currently due on 22/05. And it has managed to not be revised for a whole week!

At one point I was due on 08/05!

At one point mine was due 16/3. The latest I have had is 5/6

 

[portlandg]

Just heard from my dealer and have had some good news. My vista HASN'T updated this week. Why good news I hear you ask. Because my eta is still 5/6

 

[David-HC]

May's whatcar compares the mache as per cover story and they appear to hate the ride saying it's bouncey and that doesn't settle on the motorway. Not the exact words as it was in the papershop and I didn't write it down.

https://www.whatcar.com/news/new-issue-of-what-car-magazine-on-sale-now/n14341

Hi all,

As @SteveUk noted, the What Car comparison against the ID.4 was very disparaging of the MMEs ride and handling - so much so it was probably this factor alone that meant the ID.4 came out on top.

This has been one of the two main concerns I have with the MME, the other being ground clearance.

Following some of the recent "test drive" reviews on this forum over the last couple of weeks, if I recall correctly, the overall feedback on the ride was positive (and certainly my "ground clearance" concerns were somewaht reduced ?)

My concern with this issue is that the "bouncy" ride and handling appears to be totally inconsistent, even across the same MME models.

Whilst most journalists/commentators (both US and UK) agree the suspension is "firm", some reviews say the ride is comfortable and the suspension absorbs the bumps well, whereas others (including some of the UK reviews) have highlighted the bouncy/jiggling ride .... and What Car was not the first UK publication to call it "very annoying".

All of which is ......... very annoying ?

I could understand this when I travel some of the concrete sections of the M25 (especially between the M23 and A3) and surprisingly some of the US concrete roads look just as bad - but the issue seems broader than this.

There is an extensive thread on this (see https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...with-the-mach-e-what-do-i-do.4642/post-137491 ) where Ford in the US are looking into one specific example, but the outcome as yet is inconclusive.

Anyway, apologies for the rather lengthy post - would be interested in any thoughts on this!

Cheers,
David

 

[Smoothbond]

https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/29/22408369/ford-mustang-mach-e-new-customers

 

[SteveUk]

I suspect we wont know for sure about the ride until after we start taking deliveries.

 

[portlandg]

The problem with reviews is that they are personal. What one person says is wollowy and bouncy is another's firm. You will only know for sure when YOU drive the car. It is just the same on any review website which is why I don't pay them much attention. Best not to worry yourselves over it until you can drive it.

 

[Hotspur28]

Hi all,

As @SteveUk noted, the What Car comparison against the ID.4 was very disparaging of the MMEs ride and handling - so much so it was probably this factor alone that meant the ID.4 came out on top.

This has been one of the two main concerns I have with the MME, the other being ground clearance.

Following some of the recent "test drive" reviews on this forum over the last couple of weeks, if I recall correctly, the overall feedback on the ride was positive (and certainly my "ground clearance" concerns were somewaht reduced ?)

My concern with this issue is that the "bouncy" ride and handling appears to be totally inconsistent, even across the same MME models.

Whilst most journalists/commentators (both US and UK) agree the suspension is "firm", some reviews say the ride is comfortable and the suspension absorbs the bumps well, whereas others (including some of the UK reviews) have highlighted the bouncy/jiggling ride .... and What Car was not the first UK publication to call it "very annoying".

All of which is ......... very annoying ?

I could understand this when I travel some of the concrete sections of the M25 (especially between the M23 and A3) and surprisingly some of the US concrete roads look just as bad - but the issue seems broader than this.

There is an extensive thread on this (see https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...with-the-mach-e-what-do-i-do.4642/post-137491 ) where Ford in the US are looking into one specific example, but the outcome as yet is inconclusive.

Anyway, apologies for the rather lengthy post - would be interested in any thoughts on this!

Cheers,
David

Hi David,
I have the same concerns and I was one of those that found the ride was very bouncy. So I have arranged a second test drive next week and I am hoping it's just coming from my current saloon to a suv and that its something I can get used to. Even if I feel the same next week I am not going to give up on the MME and it will ultimately come down to the agreement I have with my dealer that my actual car I can have an extensive test drive, ensure that it fits for real (not just measurements) on my drive and that I am happy with the car full stop. I love this car and do want it to work but it does have to feel that I am making a sound purchase for this money. That's putting aside all the other fears of software issues, pano roof alignments etc and never forgetting poor Ford communications.
Bottom line don't give up and as @portlandg says make the judgement when you have a test drive and definitely test drive your own car. It's all gonna be good ??

 

[David-HC]

Hi David,
I have the same concerns and I was one of those that found the ride was very bouncy. So I have arranged a second test drive next week and I am hoping it's just coming from my current saloon to a suv and that its something I can get used to. Even if I feel the same next week I am not going to give up on the MME and it will ultimately come down to the agreement I have with my dealer that my actual car I can have an extensive test drive, ensure that it fits for real (not just measurements) on my drive and that I am happy with the car full stop. I love this car and do want it to work but it does have to feel that I am making a sound purchase for this money. That's putting aside all the other fears of software issues, pano roof alignments etc and never forgetting poor Ford communications.
Bottom line don't give up and as @portlandg says make the judgement when you have a test drive and definitely test drive your own car. It's all gonna be good ??

Hi @Hotspur28

Thanks for your thoughts, and as you say I know we seem to share the same two concerns ?

Good news you've got a second test drive (my first is Saturday week!) and it will be interesting to get your impressions second time out. I might follow your idea of agreeing with the dealer to have a more extensive drive with the actual car before committing ?

Like you I think the MME is a great car and there's nothing else that really excites me with the other recent/planned launches. I'm OK that most things such as software (and even pano roof) could be sorted out, but obviously the ride and ground clearance (the latter especially for you!) are not things that can be easily "fixed"!

Fingers crossed and thanks for your post

Cheers
David

 

[David-HC]

The problem with reviews is that they are personal. What one person says is wollowy and bouncy is another's firm. You will only know for sure when YOU drive the car. It is just the same on any review website which is why I don't pay them much attention. Best not to worry yourselves over it until you can drive it.

Hi @portlandg

Yes, a good point!

Thanks for keeping things in perspective, and will see what I feel once I have had the test drive ?

 

[Tony.T]

A few of our US friends who have had their car for a little while have said that the ride improves with mileage. Either they've got used to it or it has improved and settled. eg rubber bushes may have broken in etc.
Those of the UK group who have had test drives- did you notice what the mileage of the test car was? It seems the sweet spot is 2-3000 miles.
My road test is the 11th, I'll take note of the mileage and critically assess the ride. This is the only thing that really concerns me at present.

 

[Hotspur28]

A few of our US friends who have had their car for a little while have said that the ride improves with mileage. Either they've got used to it or it has improved and settled. eg rubber bushes may have broken in etc.
Those of the UK group who have had test drives- did you notice what the mileage of the test car was? It seems the sweet spot is 2-3000 miles.
My road test is the 11th, I'll take note of the mileage and critically assess the ride. This is the only thing that really concerns me at present.

The grey SR RWD I test drove had just over 1100 miles on it if memory serves me correct. I am hoping it's a different car I test next week and hoping for an ER RWD which is what I have ordered.
I think to repeat what I agreed with @portlandg is your drive is personal and its how you feel with it that counts not what any reviewer or I says as we all have different experiences and most likely different expectations.

 

[Tony.T]

Hi @Hotspur28

Thanks for your thoughts, and as you say I know we seem to share the same two concerns ?

Good news you've got a second test drive (my first is Saturday week!) and it will be interesting to get your impressions second time out. I might follow your idea of agreeing with the dealer to have a more extensive drive with the actual car before committing ?

Like you I think the MME is a great car and there's nothing else that really excites me with the other recent/planned launches. I'm OK that most things such as software (and even pano roof) could be sorted out, but obviously the ride and ground clearance (the latter especially for you!) are not things that can be easily "fixed"!

Fingers crossed and thanks for your post

Cheers
David

Not sure, having spent the middle part of my working life being a senior vehicle tech plus involved in saloon car racing (not driving) I know that anything can be done with the suspension,especially as it's a simple coil spring system.

spring rates
Damper settings
Rubber bush compliance
Geometry
Tyre spec

All these can be altered to tune the suspension, either firm and sporty or soft and comfortable and all points in-between.

But all these components need time to bed in. Often a few thousand miles (but not normally more than a couple of thousand)

Ford has had a good reputation for designing cars with good ride and handling over the years. My feeling is the car will need time to settle in. Personally I would expect it to feel a bit harsh when new, hence why I wondered what the mileage of our test cars was.

The other thing that puzzles me -what is this bounce we hear about? Is this being confused with a hard ride- or is it the bounce you get with worn shock absorbers?

Sorry- just rambling again... ?

 

[Tony.T]

The grey SR RWD I test drove had just over 1100 miles on it if memory serves me correct. I am hoping it's a different car I test next week and hoping for an ER RWD which is what I have ordered.
I think to repeat what I agreed with @portlandg is your drive is personal and its how you feel with it that counts not what any reviewer or I says as we all have different experiences and most likely different expectations.

Ah, good- that is pretty low mileage so probably too early to judge . I'd prefer to test one with 5000 miles on it for instance.

 

[Andeh]

A few of our US friends who have had their car for a little while have said that the ride improves with mileage. Either they've got used to it or it has improved and settled. eg rubber bushes may have broken in etc.
Those of the UK group who have had test drives- did you notice what the mileage of the test car was? It seems the sweet spot is 2-3000 miles.
My road test is the 11th, I'll take note of the mileage and critically assess the ride. This is the only thing that really concerns me at present.

The ER RWD I drove had 232 miles on it on the 12th April. I've noticed a few others have driven the same one recently (reg AXM) so I'm curious how many it's wracked up since

For what it's worth, as I said in my report, I found it firm but not uncomfortable and didn't notice any 'bounce' in my hour behind the wheel.

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