2013 SL vs 2015 S w/upgraded charger

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Bjdr2001

New member
Joined
Sep 22, 2017
Messages
2
Hello I’m new to the form just want to get some good opinions. Looking at upgrading my current leave 2013 SV with no fast charger to either a 2013 SL which currently has all 12 bars on the battery or a 2015 S with the fast charging system again all 12 bars. I have an L2 installed in the garage. The fast charger is my main concern as I’m a stay at home parent with two toddlers and want the freedom of driving to the beach and being able to fast charge instead of waiting on a L1 or L2 away from home. This is my first forum question so please forgive me if this has already been answered.
 
I think what you mean is that you are considering a LEAF that has a 6.6kW charger vs. the one you have that has the older and slower 3.3kW charger.

The more powerful charger will cut the charge time for your LEAF in half which is a good thing, but if you charge at night, it really does not matter.

The main issue is what year of used LEAF to consider. I would recommend that you only consider 2014 or later SV or SL trim level. These cars have a more reliable battery, the more powerful charger, and also a host of improved features like beter HVAC, suspension, charger, etc. The price delta between one of these cars and an earlier one is minimal too.

These cars are your best buy.
 
I think what you mean is that you are considering a LEAF that has a 6.6kW charger vs. the one you have that has the older and slower 3.3kW charger.

Please try to get your facts right, Orient. The 2013 and newer SV and SL Leafs all have the 6.6 charger.
 
and '13 models post 3/'13 have the better battery chemistry :)
The SV/SL models will have the more efficient heat pump heater, not only more important with heating but also defrosting/defogging.
 
OrientExpress said:
LeftieBiker said:
Please try to get your facts right, Orient. The 2013 and newer SV and SL Leafs all have the 6.6 charger.

My facts are always correct, I don't recommend the 2013 cars.

The OP has a 2013 SV and you told them it has the 3.3 charger. Sometimes admitting a mistake really is the least embarrassing thing to do.
 
I would consider a fast charge port essential if you are purchasing. Even if you think you don't need it today, degradation may require it tomorrow.
 
I could be wrong, but I think the OP is referring to DCQC, not 6.6 kWh charging.

I personally don't think mileage matters at all. It's all about the battery health.

Chances are, the 2015 battery is in better shape, but Leaf Spy will provide a definitive answer.

I personally would buy a 2013 SV with QC package over a 2015 S with QC, assuming the battery health is similar as the SV has some nice extras.
 
DaveinOlyWA said:
I would consider a fast charge port essential if you are purchasing. Even if you think you don't need it today, degradation may require it tomorrow.
Disagree completely. Depends on your use cases, DC FC pricing, locations of DC FCs in relation to your where you drive, network reliability, pricing, and tolerance for adventures and waiting. For some folks, it's "essential" or worth it. For others, it's a huge waste of $.

I don't have time to re-type all my arguments on this again, but I've posted these in the past:
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?p=487454#p487454
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?p=444514#p444514
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?p=445110#p445110

I've met in person and seen people post that they used their CHAdeMO inlet 0 times or a very minimal # of times (e.g. 1 to 5) over several years.

My current used Leaf that I bought in July 2015 doesn't have CHAdeMO inlet and it still serves me fine. I'm wasn't keen on paying $1K to $1.5K more for a Leaf with the inlet which gives me the privelege of paying more than it costs to fuel my Prius and have a possible adventure, in the process, besides wasting time.

On on the note of degradation, a Leafer I know posted at https://www.facebook.com/groups/BayLeafs/permalink/1513544178703238/?comment_id=1514390185285304&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D that his 3 bar down car when trying to DC FC "now after 5 to 10 minutes I drop below 20 or even 15 kW". :(
 
cwerdna said:
DaveinOlyWA said:
I would consider a fast charge port essential if you are purchasing. Even if you think you don't need it today, degradation may require it tomorrow.
Disagree completely. Depends on your use cases, DC FC pricing, locations of DC FCs in relation to your where you drive, network reliability, pricing, and tolerance for adventures and waiting. For some folks, it's "essential" or worth it. For others, it's a huge waste of $.

I don't have time to re-type all my arguments on this again, but I've posted these in the past:
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?p=487454#p487454
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?p=444514#p444514
http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?p=445110#p445110

I've met in person and seen people post that they used their CHAdeMO inlet 0 times or a very minimal # of times (e.g. 1 to 5) over several years.

My current used Leaf that I bought in July 2015 doesn't have CHAdeMO inlet and it still serves me fine. I'm wasn't keen on paying $1K to $1.5K more for a Leaf with the inlet which gives me the privelege of paying more than it costs to fuel my Prius and have a possible adventure, in the process, besides wasting time.

On on the note of degradation, a Leafer I know posted at https://www.facebook.com/groups/BayLeafs/permalink/1513544178703238/?comment_id=1514390185285304&comment_tracking=%7B%22tn%22%3A%22R%22%7D that his 3 bar down car when trying to DC FC "now after 5 to 10 minutes I drop below 20 or even 15 kW". :(

two sides to any option but the OP (who declines to provide location) has experience with both L2 and range issues and specifically stated a the reason why she would want fast charging. This need will only multiply as the range decreases.
 
DaveinOlyWA said:
two sides to any option but the OP (who declines to provide location) has experience with both L2 and range issues and specifically stated a the reason why she would want fast charging. This need will only multiply as the range decreases.
Whoops... I kinda smeeked (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=smeek) and was replying only to your comment.

Unfortunately, w/o knowing even the OP's general location, we have no idea whether a CHAdeMO inlet would help at all. They might be plentiful and on routes she travels on or there may be none/almost none along routes she travels on. And, there's the pricing and reliability of the DC FCs in her area, if any.

OP, what general metropolitan area are you in?
LeftieBiker said:
OrientExpress said:
LeftieBiker said:
Please try to get your facts right, Orient. The 2013 and newer SV and SL Leafs all have the 6.6 charger.

My facts are always correct, I don't recommend the 2013 cars.

The OP has a 2013 SV and you told them it has the 3.3 charger. Sometimes admitting a mistake really is the least embarrassing thing to do.
2013 Leaf SV and SL have 6.6 kW on-board charger. Orient is definitely wrong in this case. This can be confirmed via the Specs tab of http://nissannews.com/en-US/nissan/usa/presskits/us-2013-nissan-leaf-press-kit. And, my current and previous '13 Leafs were both SV trim, both w/6.6 kW OBC.
OrientExpress said:
The main issue is what year of used LEAF to consider. I would recommend that you only consider 2014 or later SV or SL trim level. These cars have a more reliable battery, the more powerful charger, and also a host of improved features like beter HVAC, suspension, charger, etc.
'13 SV and SL already have 6.6 kW OBC, just like the '14 SV and SL.

How is the HVAC and suspension different and/or better on the '14 than '13? Source? Your reply leads me to believe that you thought the OP had a '12 Leaf (with its 3.3 kW OBC only, crappy water block power pig heater, no hybrid heat pump heater, no dedicated heater on/off button, etc.)

http://sfbayleafs.org/news/2013/01/2013-nissan-leaf-product-highlights/ was on the improvements that began with the '13. There were only minimal changes between '13 and '14:
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1085587_2014-nissan-leaf-minor-changes-for-nissans-electric-car
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1089545_2014-nissan-leaf-electric-car-84-mile-range-aroundview-standard
http://insideevs.com/2014-nissan-leaf-mostly-unchanged-as-range-technically-moves-up-to-84-miles/
 
To my point again, I do not recommend purchasing a used 2013 LEAF. I only recommend the 2014 and later SV and SL cars. And yes the 2013 car does have a 6.6 charger in the SV and SL cars, but it is irrelevant to my remarks, because I do not recommend the 2013 LEAF.

Cwerdna, does bring up a point that I noticed with the OP as well. For example I live in one of the most densely concentrations of EVs and public charging facilities in the US, but yet have not used a DCFC in over 2 years. So a DCFC may not be of use for OP either.
 
Great, so you don't recommend the car they already drive and apparently like (apart from no QC port), and won't admit that you made a mistake. Not the way to get people to listen to you in the future.
 
I hope OP comes back to this thread, because it appears he/she stopped after seeing Orient's response?

I myself would've preferred the 2013 SL over the 2015 S. The 2013 SL has the charge limiter (besides the extra features and leather), while the 2015 S does not. Assuming pricing and milage is the same or less for the 2013.
 
LeftieBiker said:
Great, so you don't recommend the car they already drive and apparently like (apart from no QC port), and won't admit that you made a mistake. Not the way to get people to listen to you in the future.

Everyone has an opinion, it's a free country and quite frankly its everyone's choice if they take my recommendation or not.
 
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