Is active supension worth it?

[Cathode]

I was wondering is there really a japanese computer that really unleashes it, what are the problems with it at this age, and in general is it worth the expense? There are so many infiniti delete kits you wonder why? Also anyone selling a q45a right now?

[redmanfx]

If you want true luxury and a ride that is indeed above all else then YES it's worth it. You must be willing to keep up maint. on it and spending some duckies to get it back to or as close to OEM as possible. Once there you'll see!! GreenQ45a has the active controller and is the only one I know who has struggled through installation and he would be the one to answer your question about it. Money and patients are your best friend with an active Q. Texasoil can also explain the system and recharge your accumulators.

red

[Rex]

I've never been in one, but from what I've read the complete re-hab of an un-maintained one is the big financial hit. Riding in an "as new" one is supposed to be astonishing.

Compare the cost of re-habing an active versus a standard and the "total life" costs aren't that far apart, but the harshness of an un-maintained active is much worse than a worn standard. Make sense?

[elwesso]

One thing that is misconceived, and i have even preached this, that even just recharging the accumulators is only the beginning...! You got all kinds of stuff to mess with.....

At any rate, it was a roughly $5000 option from the factory, and to replace every part with OEM would cost roughly (just a wild figure) $4000 from joe + labor... Id say 3 grand if your lucky with the TO (not terrell owens) recharged accumulators... Fluid is like $12 a bottle, OUCH.

Its rough stuff, but if you could have a perfectly active Q, youll never look at another BMW, mercedes, and so forth..... THe good news in all of this is, your getting the car for 3,000, instead of paying 120k for a new S class for basically the same technology.

[Cathode]

I dont mind spending the money if it will never be replaced, but how long does it last? 4k every 2 years is not my style. Also the oem cpu adjust the suspension 5 times a second is the aftermarket cpu faster?The reason i am asking so many questions is an infiniti cost alot of money for a 15 year old car that uses modern components. If it was an old muscle car id just buy it, but this is a starship. Sometimes starships are better left to people that can aford them. BTW a non running as is q45a just sold for 500$ on ebay. So if the active rebuild has longevity I would do it.

[KU4FIZE]

I have a 98Q, with 110,000 milage. Thinking of selling it. Email me if interested. [email protected]

[maxnix]

I was wondering is there really a japanese computer that really unleashes it, what are the problems with it at this age, and in general is it worth the expense? There are so many infiniti delete kits you wonder why? Also anyone selling a q45a right now?

Wow, you need to do a little, or actually, a lot of reading on these forums!

Start with all posts by texasoil then all by Q45tech.

[elwesso]

Once you rebuild, you could easily keep it in spec for 60,000 miles, and then if you keep up with it during that time, you can keep it up to spec without any major outlays indefinitely...

Good news is the actuators ("struts") dont fail unless you neglect the boots and they start leaking.

[texasoil]

A clean active system is EXTREMELY reliable. As with ANY hydraulic system, enemy #1,2&3 are DIRT, CONTAMINATION,Excessive heat, not changing oil. I just tore down and critically inspected a 160K mile 14 yr old active/PS pump. There was NO visible much less measurable wear on ANYTHING. All surface finishes were as original, not even any polishing of very fine tool marks. Reason for teardown--active system fluid leaking out of suction pipe-to-pump body O-ring joint. PS side Internal end plate O-ring backing seal hardened and compression set,allowing internal fluid by-pass and low output pressure. (when purchased 6 yrs,60K miles ago, PS fluid was nearly black.) This is the FIRST active system part replacement on the car (save recharged accumulators and strut boots @90K and drive belt) and this was not related to the active system.

IF a system has been 'trashed', new components are prohibitive. However, there IS a reasonable supply of good used parts. I have heard of at least 2 'computer' failures, and suspect the usual 'low voltage/battery jump' mayhave contributed to those. All modern cars loaded with electronics are suceptible to electronic compent damage if one carelessly jump-starts them or runs with low system voltage (low voltage drastically increases current draw and heat generation, causing overheating and failure) The pressure control valves are finely tuned and if system dynamics are altered (due to wear, oil breakdown, flat accumulators, sloppy bushings, other) the control stability may suffer and even become unstable, causing the 'fail-safe' system to activate and shut down the active.

How fast the system adjusts is a compromise--faster control consumes more power- but returns a diminishing level of ride/stability improvement. For racing/ultimate performance--never can be too fast--but power consumption becomes a concern. Adjustable DAMPING like GM's magna-ride is NOT 'active' suspension. BMW's 'roll stability' is NOT active suspension--it merely increases compression dampening of the loaded side. Mercedes Active Body Control IS sorta active suspension, but pnuematic, and much lower capacity--mostly height leveling- than the Q45 system (and reportedly very troublesome due to leaks and costly to repair)

[Cathode]

Okay so back to square one. Since it is like an 90% chance I'll buy an active Q where do you find them in good condition? Do you have a stable of cars like those delorian guys? Can i go to any infiniti dealer and have them inspect a car I am interested in?