Leaf owners?

[mr_tony]

Anyone got any views on a s/ h leaf?
Good idea as a runaround or better to lease a new one with all the discounts?

Have they changed / improved much since launch?

[Tophatron]

I've got a Gen 2 Leaf. Main features of a Gen 2 over a Gen 1 are:

Built in the UK instead of Japan.
Much more efficient heater (on Acenta/Tekna models)
Availability of darker interior - early models with light cloth can require regular cleaning.
Change of electric parking break to foot operated mechanical brake.
Plus other bits and bobs.

Any with the model designation Visia/Acenta/Tekna will be the newer model.

Personally I'd look for a good lease deal on a new/nearly new Acenta or above. Ideally a non-Flex model (Nissan's name for the battery lease cars). There are definitely bargains out there. Mine was one!

[mr_tony]

What's the charge time like? Do you need a quick charge station or will it recharge ok from a normal 13 a socket of I only do 10-15 miles a day?

[c2mike]

Gen 1 Leafs only have 16A AC charging. Gen 2 models can be specced with 32A AC charging. If you get a Gen 2 model, ensure it has 32A AC charging. Halving the home charge time (to around 3 hours) is worthwhile. UK street charging points are also starting to adopt 32A.
If buying new, avoid the base model Visia - it lacks a DC fast charge port...and a lot of other stuff.
If you want to save £££, don't be afraid of a second hand Gen 1 - mine has 43,000 miles and is running perfectly. That said, the point made about the light colour interior showing signs of wear is valid. All the first gen models have a high spec (sat nav, DC fast charge, reversing camera, etc.), with the main gaps being 32A AC charging and heat pump heater. Gen 2 models also have a bigger boot due to relocation of the AC charger.

[c2mike]

mr_tony said:

What's the charge time like? Do you need a quick charge station or will it recharge ok from a normal 13 a socket of I only do 10-15 miles a day?

Best to get a home charging point installed (16A gives a full charge in around 6 hours).
If you are only doing 10-15 miles per day, a 13A plug (charging current limited by the electronics to 10A for safety) will take around 2 hours to top up. Full charge around 10 hours.

[Tophatron]

mr_tony said:

What's the charge time like? Do you need a quick charge station or will it recharge ok from a normal 13 a socket of I only do 10-15 miles a day?

Mine is only a 16A 3.3kW standard charge model (I'd go with the recommendation of finding one with the 32A 6.6kW charging option if possible) and can go from ~10% back to full in about 7 hours. From 50% it'll do it in about 4 hours. This is via a dedicated Type 2 charging station - if you're using a three pin plug I'd add 2-3 hours to these times.

If you're doing that sort of mileage, you're likely to only need to charge it once a week or so.

[shoestring7]

What sort of range are Leaf owners getting in real life?

SS7

[c2mike]

To me useful range is the longest journey you can comfortably make with several miles indicated range remaining (NOT the distance to empty which is pointless!).
So, using my definition my Gen 1 Leaf will do a journey of around 50 miles in cold winter weather (with careful use of the heater). Warmer conditions and moderate driving (i.e. mostly below 50mph) gives around 65 miles.
If you keep the heater off and drive real slow, considerably longer journeys are possible.

[Tophatron]

I've just charged my Gen2 Leaf last night - from 100% to 9% it had done 83.8 miles. That was a mix of town and open road driving with the air con switched on.

The warmish weather does seem to noticeably increase the range.