2014 Q50 S 3.5H Sport... Buy or pass?

[wiliam the first]

Hello all, new boy to the site; I know little or nothing about the 2014 Infiniti Q50 S 3.5H SPORT AWD. I am looking to buy one from a local Infiniti service center, from the service manager who’s car it is. It has full service history looks in mint condition, klm;s are 150,000. He is looking for around 19000$ I think it’s a little over priced but the history is perfect on paper anyway. The couple of things that are a concern for me, map updates I think it is a TOM,TOM system, which I hope can be done, as in updated, and the second is the Hybrid aspect and the battery state part of the drive. I have only spoken to the garage sales person and looked around the car, so still not sure of anything yet, just done a little reading. So, do these cars have a Hybrid battery state, level, or condition meter, or how can I find out that it is in reasonable health, as it seems if they go down, its near goodnight car, money wise, from what they seem to cost, ouch!!. But I would think anything like that would have been done, if he is the service manager of course. It is all very interesting for me, but I have these few concerns; Any advice or pointers would helpful thanks Or should I run away.....

[wiliam the first]

AnyoneG,? is it go or runaway...

[VStar650CL]

If a hybrid has problems in the HEV section, you generally need to romp on it to expose the flaws. You don't want to trust that they didn't clear codes out and are handing you a car they already know needs a battery or traction motor. Ideally they'll let you take a spirited test drive, then hook up a scanner and show you that it has no codes in the VCM or battery. If they won't agree to that, I'd pass.

[wiliam the first]

Yes thanks for the input. maybe I would be better going for the non Hybrid version and go stright for the 330 or 400bhp 3.7 version near the same money.. Well where I am anyway...

[wiliam the first]

If a hybrid has problems in the HEV section, you generally need to romp on it to expose the flaws. You don't want to trust that they didn't clear codes out and are handing you a car they already know needs a battery or traction motor. Ideally they'll let you take a spirited test drive, then hook up a scanner and show you that it has no codes in the VCM or battery. If they won't agree to that, I'd pass.

Umm digging around on Youtube I came across some interesting little films regarding the Q50 Hybrid. The file seems to have been up or put out by Infiniti. It is seems there is a screen or display option showing live EV type energy re-gen transfer to the Hybrid battery system. like a slider, I suspect looking at the energy or charge level gauge it would show some reasonable basic indication of the health of the power pack; Which I did not know existed. But with all that tech built into these motors, I suspected something as basic and also important as the Hybrid system would be left out. Almost as stupid as forgetting to install a Gas fuel gauge, in it all that computer tech. Yes some deep dive into in electric genes as they say needs some more sophisticated tools and machines, but I think it would give some basic level of health of the system.

[VStar650CL]

Just about all EV's and HEV's have a discharge/regen gauge. That only tells you the amount of energy being used or reclaimed, it doesn't tell anything about the battery's state of health (SOH). With Nissan products, generally only some EV's can display SOH on the dash (ZE0 Leafs, for instance). For Ariya, ZE1 Leafs, and all the recent HEV's I know about, SOH can only be read out with a scanner if it's readable at all.

[wiliam the first]

Just about all EV's and HEV's have a discharge/regen gauge. That only tells you the amount of energy being used or reclaimed, it doesn't tell anything about the battery's state of health (SOH). With Nissan products, generally only some EV's can display SOH on the dash (ZE0 Leafs, for instance). For Ariya, ZE1 Leafs, and all the recent HEV's I know about, SOH can only be read out with a scanner if it's readable at all.

Yes agreed,, BUT !!! it does show the level of stored charge in the batteries and it is being charged. the green line, I think, shows a rough level of stored charge to be re-used. The idea I am tying to say is, if its a stuffed battery pack, it would not hold near any charge. Used these types of batteries all the time, 18650 Lithium iron types in my E cig, I see the fade when they get tired. in the end, as you would know, feed it all you like, nothing goes in or near nothing, anyway hence, no puff in my case. same logic with EV Pack ; no electric super charger boost for the Hybrid pack, or near no boost. Same logic but of course a 1000 times more

[wiliam the first]

Another aspect which comes to mind is maybe to use the port on the car, ODB2 and to dig a little deeper in the condition. I am sure they would give a little more info on the Battery health. lol. Maybe....

[VStar650CL]

The HV battery system isn't subject to OBD2 (only ICE engines are) and in most cases will speak its own language like a Leaf. No run-of-the-mill OBD scanner will even detect the HV systems. So you'll probably need an extremely high end shop scanner to address the VCM and HV Bat controllers.

[wiliam the first]

The HV battery system isn't subject to OBD2 (only ICE engines are) and in most cases will speak its own language like a Leaf. No run-of-the-mill OBD scanner will even detect the HV systems. So you'll probably need an extremely high end shop scanner to address the VCM and HV Bat controllers.

Umm OK.. Thanks