How to identify 1.5 gen Leaf from 2013?

Orebro

Would anyone have a cheat sheet on how to identify if a 2013 leaf is gen 1 or 1.5 (the 2014 onwards model)? Is the only difference the dark interior? I'm widening my search to 2013 purely down to price as I'd like to save a few quid by going a year older, but want to make sure I get a gen 1.5 Acenta.

Mope

My guess would be either by engine code or VIN. Most likely by VIN

homer911

Well the older models have a big bar running across the boot directly behind the seats - cant remember what it was for

goz83

The newer model has the ECO button on the right side of the steering wheel. The older model doesn't have an eco button.

cros13

homer911 wrote: »

Well the older models have a big bar running across the boot directly behind the seats - cant remember what it was for

That's where the charger is located on the MK.1

Gumbo

The first give away is the light coloured dash (Gen 1).
The Gen 2 has the dark dash (but you have to keep checking as the light dash was seemly an option on the Gen 2 car).
Eco button on steering wheel is Gen 2.
Check the VIN, if it starts with SJ, then that's the sysmbol for it been built in the Sunderland factory and hence a Gen 2.
Irish Gen 2 cars seem to be 132 onwards but you can get 131 Gen 2 cars as they were first produced in March 2013 in the UK.

Soarer

The older version has an a/c button on the centre console.
In the newer ones, that changed to 2 buttons, an a/c and a heat button.

Something like that.

isnottheword

- Gen 1 doesn't have the light under the 'charge flap' whereas Gen 1.5 does.
- The VIN on a Gen 1.5 starts with 'SJ' as Gen 1.5's built in Sunderland (Gen 1's were built in Japan).
- Eco button on the steering wheel = Gen 1.5
- Gen 1 has electronic brake in the centre console whereas Gen 1.5 has footbrake.
- Ridge of battery visible in the boot of a Gen 1 whereas not visible in Gen 1.5 (battery position was changed).
- Gen 1 - A/C button to the right of centre in the centre console; Gen 1.5 - A/C button to the left of centre in the centre console.
- Gen 1 has light cream interior fabric whereas Gen 1.5 has dark grey interior (be careful with this one - it's not totally exclusive).

unkel

Are the Japanese built Gen 1 cars better built / more reliable than the Sunderland cars? I know they have full spec and the battery is not the best, but apart from that?

Edit - Jaysus the cheapest non-battery lease Leaf on autotrader is now £6.5k. It was about £5k last year. Negative depreciation?

isnottheword

unkel wrote: »

Are the Japanese built Gen 1 cars better built / more reliable than the Sunderland cars? I know they have full spec and the battery is not the best, but apart from that?

I don't hear anything negative about Sunderland built. I think there was mention of the paint job being of a higher standard on the Jap build.

unkel wrote: »

Edit - Jaysus the cheapest non-battery lease Leaf on autotrader is now £6.5k. It was about £5k last year. Negative depreciation?

Was that actually a battery-owned at £5k? There were (and still are) plenty of instances where flex/battery lease versions were not advertised as such.

n97 mini

Easiest way is Eco button on the steering wheel on the new one.

unkel wrote: »

Are the Japanese built Gen 1 cars better built / more reliable than the Sunderland cars? I know they have full spec and the battery is not the best, but apart from that?

Dunno about reliability but the Japanese ones are better assembled. Panels, internal and external are better aligned. I look (closely) at the interior of ours and wonder sometimes was it built by Fiat/Alfa Romeo.

Orebro

Excellent advice all, thanks very much. The search begins!

isnottheword

Orebro wrote: »

Excellent advice all, thanks very much. The search begins!

What's your budget?

Orebro

isnottheword wrote: »

What's your budget?

Going on other threads here I'd say around the 11 to 12k mark - spoke with the real boss of the house earlier and she'd like me to try for 141+ so fair enough!

isnottheword

Orebro wrote: »

Going on other threads here I'd say around the 11 to 12k mark - spoke with the real boss of the house earlier and she'd like me to try for 141+ so fair enough!

PM sent.

Gumbo

Orebro wrote: »

Going on other threads here I'd say around the 11 to 12k mark - spoke with the real boss of the house earlier and she'd like me to try for 141+ so fair enough!

Don't discount a 132 car to stay in budget. There are identical, 13, 14, 15 all identical Cars (charger aside and spec).

Start your own thread on the search and post up any that interests you and we will try offer impartial opinions.

Talk to Phil in electric autos in Naas would be my first call.