Q45A TO SELL or NOT TO SELL.. That Is The Question

Website · Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:37 pm

It's that time.. To part or not to part.. what do you guys think.. look at the pics..

The Active leak is just intimidating.. I dumped 3.5 bottles of active fluid in there and it still needs more.. as you can tell from the pics.. it works.. and I have driven it around and the suspension is not "slammed" it rides relatively nice..CLICK HERE FOR THE Q45A

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK THE POLLWhat should I do with it?

Post by **PalmerWMD** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:37 pm

There are 2 altrenatives:

Talk to texasoil about fixing "or" convert to standard suspesnsion.

Both may be a better deal than selling.

Fred...

Post by **PalmerWMD** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:37 pm

Where are you located?

Fred..

Website · Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:37 pm

I am in Georgia, I have been to T3 and I am sure that you have seen some of my posts trying to understand a little about the car before buying a manual for the active, and just trying to fix it..

I like your seat covers.. where did you get them?

I am thinking about just selling this one.. and buying one for around $3000 or maybe a little more on ebay..

Post by **911/Q45** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:37 pm

You are truly dreaming if you think that one you get for $3k will be any better than the one you have. You've been waffling on two forums now for a month, time to get off the dime and either fish or cut bait. Listen to what the experts say and decide if your budget can cover the repairs they have listed. Perhaps you would be better off in a lesser car.

Post by **SOCAL91Q45a** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:37 pm

Recharge Active - $1200 approx from Texasoil

Active Suspension Pumps Valves - $2000 ????

Seat Re Upholster - $1,000 tops for two fronts and arm rest

Chain Guides done yet? No - $1700 approx

Under Plenum stuff - $1,500???

$6500 approx .............

<$1,500> Sell your rig +

$3,500 - Newer Q45 off ebay$1,700 - likely have to do chains on a $3k car off ebay$2,500 - Misc neglect correction

Seems pretty close to a push ........ unless the active is mad messed up

Website · Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:37 pm

My first post was on August 26th, that was less than a week ago..

Website · Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:37 pm

Active is leaking fluid from the pump..

Is plenum necessary?

Post by **Rex** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:37 pm

I'd suggest getting what cash you can (and sleep at night).

Then I'd go looking for a non-A that doesn't need the guides done. Whether that means a 94-96 or an earlier one you KNOW has had the guides done.

As I've heard several times here, it's a Luxury Car and all the cheap miles are gone.

Post by **AZhitman** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:37 pm

Hmmmm. I'm inclined to say either:

1)sell it and use the $$$ towards either a cheaper car (non-Q),

2) sell it and use the $$$ towards a 94-95 Q in good shape ($5-8K),

3) or if you're mechanically inclined, do the active conversion yourself: $700 for Eibachs and Tokico's from SWA, the rest of the suspension parts and a nice Shamu (B&W) interior could come from Fred's dead Q (or one of the other "parts Q's" here on NICO...

Post by **elwesso** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:37 pm

DIY fixing a Q is always more economical than selling it....... Screw the active system and put the tockicos on it.......

You can get the leather redone in the front for about 500....... If its even that big of a deal......

If your not willing to spend that kind of money (or be prepared to), you shouldnt be driving a Q.......

Post by **PalmerWMD** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:37 pm

SOCAL91Q45a wrote:Recharge Active - $1200 approx from Texasoil

Active Suspension Pumps Valves - $2000 ????

Seat Re Upholster - $1,000 tops for two fronts and arm rest

Chain Guides done yet? No - $1700 approx

Under Plenum stuff - $1,500???

$6500 approx .............

<$1,500> Sell your rig +

$3,500 - Newer Q45 off ebay$1,700 - likely have to do chains on a $3k car off ebay$2,500 - Misc neglect correction

Seems pretty close to a push ........ unless the active is mad messed up

I like to revise a couple of these numbers downward: Chain guides at Jerry tucker and T3 are 1200-1300 if you guides are intact and your pan doesnt have to come off.1700 only <if> pan has to come down (usually dosnt)

Underplenum stuff: $500, rather than 1500

Fred...

PS: Sorry SoCal..

Post by **PalmerWMD** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:37 pm

Your car is so beautiful ..(sniff)..

Fred....

Post by **SOCAL91Q45a** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:37 pm

Undoing Active Suspension due to lack of maint and cost seems a terrible waste. Ive gone pretty fast and cornered in a bunch of production cars - all types 308 ferrari's, porsche's, benzes, VW's ... nothing quite like the "Active" when its working.

Please sell the a car to an Active enthusiast before castrating your "A".

{{"PS: Sorry SoCal..}}

And Palmer ... no need to be sorry bro .... Im sorry I messed up the prices, perhaps your conscience i troubling you? trying to build a case for the young master christopher to SELL vs. fix? hehehe - j/k

Post by **aaacomp** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:37 pm

Parts (including important rubber and metal caps for non-active suspension) run $1200. I've converted 4 now and have it down to a day.. No experience two days, no major special tools but need coil compressor and a right hand cut off saw... Any questions I'd be glad to answer

Post by **elwesso** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:37 pm

Id like to say, unless the active system is really that bad, youd probably be a happier camper by restoring the system.....

Post by **Q451990** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:37 pm

I voted for keep-and-fix. Living in Atlanta with T3 nearby sure makes that type of project easier! If you can DIY some things, you'll have a great car when it's all said and done.

T3 could probably do an inspection of the other expensive problem areas and tell you more.

Heath

Post by **QShip** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:37 pm

Rex wrote:As I've heard several times here, it's a Luxury Car and all the cheap miles are gone.

LOL!! Sad but true!

Website · Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:37 pm

Well... I was hoping for more votes and opinions.. but for now I think I am going to take my Q and have it looked at really well by q45tech. Give me more info and VOTE on the POLL.

Post by **SOCAL91Q45a** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:37 pm

"Give me more info and VOTE on the POLL."

Ahh the youth of america today!!!

Poll/peer driven decision making :-)

"I am going to take my Q and have it looked at really well by q45tech."

I'm sure you will get 100% accurate and knowledgeable assessment of your q45 .. but sorry Q45Tech .... I cant help but mentally pciture him as anything other than the Q45 "GRIM REAPER" :-)

I get both enlightened and disheartened by his posts ... reality sux I guess :-) IGNORANCE is BLISS......

Post by **PalmerWMD** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:37 pm

I think more folsk should vote in this poll too.I bet a couple dozen folks looked here and havent voted yet...

Dennis is an incredible guy and very knowledgable.He has very high standrds though and those high standards arent cheap..

Fred..

Post by **SOCAL91Q45a** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:37 pm

"Dennis is an incredible guy and very knowledgable."

Hope its clear that that was NEVER in question .....

Website · Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:37 pm

I have more info:

I ran the car up to a relative's Heating and Air shop where they have a lift used to work on their vans...

I wanted to find where, exactly the fluid was coming from...

We cleaned everything really well at the front Driver's side shock using rags and an air compressor.. Unfortunately, its a little difficult to get the shocks to respond when the car is level and the shock is at full open... eventually using a hand jack to compress the shock and turning the car on and off.. we found a leak on the shock itself..

tracing the shock up to where the mounting plate that attaches to the spring.. we found that the fluid is gathering underneath this plate..

This is curious to me, because, again as all of you know, I don't have an active suspension q45 manual. I will be going to take up Q45Tech on his offer to allow me to read his book at T3, but in the meantime I have this offer with Carmax, that stands for just a couple days and want to get some info..

So, again, thank you all for helping me out I really appreciate it. Here is what I need to understand:1) recharging the shocks through texasoil, would this repair the leak on the strut?2) what is the makeup of the struts.. since they have nitrogen which makes the strut move up and down, and hydraulic fluid and a pump to make the strut move.. how is the shock designed.. does it have a plate that seperates these fluids?

Any more info would be greatfully appreciated..Thanks,Christopher Vigil

Post by **Q451990** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:37 pm

I wouldn't let CarMax pressure for $1500 - I think that's about what T3 typically pays for Qs that don't run.

Heath

Post by **PalmerWMD** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:37 pm

Q451990 wrote:I wouldn't let CarMax pressure for $1500 - I think that's about what T3 typically pays for Qs that don't run.

Heath

True

That what T3 offers for non runnign parts cars.

Fred..

Post by **Q45tech** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:37 pm

The last 6 Q varied from $500 to a peak of $1500 with body damage but $5,000 in new parts.........Average around $950, but each had something we wanted for resale to someone else.Ready buyer to get the purchase price back as the dismantling labor has to be covered.

Post by **96QQ45** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:37 pm

Fix it and keep it. The repair bills may be high but it's still one of the best cars you can have for the money!

Website · Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:37 pm

I think I might have found my replacement Q on ebay..http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...54629

Does anyone live near here?

Post by **SOCAL91Q45a** » Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:37 pm

Be sure not to jump out of the frying pan abd right into the fire there brother ....

"I think I might have fond my replacement Q on ebay.."

Website · Sat Aug 30, 2003 2:37 pm

I think that the idea of keeping my q and replacing the active on it is a great idea, but in the mean time transportation is key.. If I could find another Q , then I could plan on taking out a loan (which isn't really a good idea on repairs of my existing car) and make good use of a low miles Q...

I think it might be more of a good idea than you think unless this likelyhood of problems with Qs is higher than my understanding.. This car has a clean title and looks well cared for..

Plus.. the book in the trunk.. I think its the service manual everyone tells me I need..

Q45A TO SELL or NOT TO SELL.. That Is The Question

Q45A TO SELL or NOT TO SELL.. That Is The Question

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