Pondering buying a '94 Q45, I'd like to know about ride level control with FAS

[Loud94TC]

I am new here, and as of yet have no Q. I test drove a beat up q45 with FAS and 260k miles, it was a very interesting drive, and I immediately got the feeling that I was at the helm of a very high quality vehicle.

I am currently pondering the purchase of a '94 Q45 with FAS, it has 160k and looks like this (actual car):



Seems awful low to me...

My knowledge of these cars is only as deep as the massive amount of reading I have done on this site for the last hour, so please, forgive my ineptitude and throw me a few ideas as to what to expect to do to get the car to properly level.

-Mike
Modified by Loud94TC at 4:19 AM 3/30/2008

[qship96]

Welcome to Nico!

old Q are wonderful cars when restored to near new operating condition.

No matter how good the car may look on the outside, be prepared to invest 4-10 thousand dollars to bring the mechanicals up to proper running condition.....If you dont have this extra money or dont want to invest it in the car, expect a nightmare ownership experience, as these are old complicated foreign luxury sedans, and parts and labor are expensive to say the least.

The active suspension model while desirable to many, significantly adds to the costs and difficulty in repairs, especially if you are not a do it yourself kind of owner.Not many service providers will understand the system, unless you get the car serviced at an Infiniti dealer that has a master technician that was trained on the Q back in 1989

[96Qowner]

First thing is to find all posts by texasoil (Keith Bowers), probably the most knowledgeable person in the USA on Infiniti's ACTSUS suspension. He recharges accumulators and actuators for a minimal cost ($1200 or so for all 9).

Also search for "active" in the Q45 and Infiniti Online Mechanic forums, both Archived and Recent. Be sure to choose Post Bodies.

You can also contact him through his website:

http://www.activesuspensionsystems.com/

[Q45tech]

If a non active used 94 needs $3,000 at minimum in repairs, then assume an ACTIVE 94 Q might only need $5,000. The $2,000 difference is netting out the $500 is standard shocks vs $2,500 on active.

A major question is when will either version need a transmission replacement [$3,000] and when will AC need rehabilitated[ $1,000-$2500], same with valve covers, plugs, plenum hoses, knock sensors, [$2,000] and injectors.

Differentials usually need replacing around 200k. [$750-$3,000]

Purchasing any 14 year old used lux V8 is just the introductary price you pay to spend at least that amount again over a year or a few years.

Buy cheap [depreciated] and repair well.

[qship96]

Or just realize this old Q is really going to be a 10-14K dollar investment once you add in purchase price plus needed rehab. and decide if thats ok with you or would you rather invest the same $ in a couple year old Accord, Altima, etc type car and enjoy the benefits of a newer, less maintenance hungry machine? First option gets you a fantastic car, second option gets you a simpler ownership experience......If you are a car enthusiast, the Q is the way to go, for all others,the newer vehicle probobly m akes ALOT more sense- especially if it is your only vehicle and you rely on it daily to get you to/from work.

[lino]

Just like the others mentioned, you need the $$$ to maintain a Q properly. They know what they are talking about. It can be done, you just need to understand the commitment and either choose to accept or decline.

Regarding the Active, Keith / member: teaxasoil is your life line. Without him and the help of the fine gentlemen on this board, it would have been impossible for me. I am forever grateful.

[Loud94TC]

Thanks for the input, I am used to old V8 lux vehicles, I am a long time Lincoln enthusiast and have had several Mark VII LSCs with adaptive air suspension and all the power luxury items and thier old complexities.

My biggest question is just one thing. Why does the car seem so low to the ground? In the pic I posted, that is the car, and to me it looks very low.

[Kiven422]

IF that vehicle is a "Q45-A" (Active) which it seems like from the pic. The car has an active suspension system which makes the car comfortable, level, and keeps body roll to a minimum even when driving hard. The active suspension system has aged and lost all its fluid, that is the reason why it is so low. Scroll up to 96Owner's post for more information on repairing it.

I've always liked older V8 Lincoln's and its good to see that you are Lincoln enthusiast because then this task may be for you!

[Jesda]

I love the Mark VII and VIII, but Lincoln's air ride is MUCH cheaper and simpler than Infiniti's active hydraulic.

Going from a Mark to an active Q is like 5 steps ahead in terms of performance and 10 steps up in terms of cost of ownership.

Thankfully, specialists out there who work with the active components make ownership tolerable. Try to get the car for dirt cheap and enjoy the ride.

[Loud94TC]

It's advertised for $800. Is that cheap?

So the verdict seems to prevail that the hydraulic fluid is low?

[qship96]

It's advertised for $800. Is that cheap?

So the verdict seems to prevail that the hydraulic fluid is low?

You are confusing PRICE with COST!! Even if they Gave it to you for free, it will COST 4-10 THOUSAND dollars to restore to good driving condition.

The only verdict you should pay attention to is the one given by the senior Infiniti technician who you PAY to inspect the car in a complete PRE-BUY INSPECTION who will produce a long list of items that need replacement and their associated costs.

You gotta ask yourself this.....if the car is currently operating as designed, why would any owner dump it for $800 ???? BECAUSE they know what lies ahead as far as high dollar repairs, and choose not to pay for them

[Jesda]

How is the interior? Any maintenance history? The reason I ask is that should you decide it isn't worth the trouble later on, you could still part out the leather seats and other bits and make a small profit.

The suspension is complex and requires much more than a top-off of fluid. The accumulators need to be recharged, the lines need to be checked for leaks, and much more. Do a search on the forum to reveal whats involved.

Nothing came close to the Q's active system until MB finally took a shot at it a couple years ago. Its great when it works, and expensive when it needs help. If you restore it, you'll end up with $60k of high tech goodness for much less.

[lino]

My biggest question is just one thing. Why does the car seem so low to the ground? In the pic I posted, that is the car, and to me it looks very low.

It's that low probably because the accumulators need to be recharged. The car is definitely sitting way, way too low. The ride in that car is probably very harsh, bumpy and uncomfortable. You would have to check the ACTIVE fuse, and Fluid A level and then do an ACTIVE test.



Page 65 tells you how to do the ACTIVE test:

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Q45/1994_Q45/fa.pdf
Modified by lino at 5:07 PM 3/30/2008