Tenorplayer23

Guys,

Am spec'ing out a 2011 Grand Sport Coupe/6sp. for order soon.

My current Corvette is a 2003 Coupe/6sp. with Z51 suspension option. A great car. Picked the correct suspension when I bought this one.

My question: Should I opt for the Magnetic Ride Control Option or not.....and why??? Have never had the pleasure of test driving one and am not likely to anytime in the near future up here in the frozen north.

Could really use your experiences and opinions about this $1700 option. Is it worth it?

Typical driving will probably be entirely street; not likely to be on a track with the car.

Let me know. Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Regards,

Bob

QUAKEJAKE

The F55 suspension is the thing for a Vette used for tripping,On a $55K vehicle $1,700. is money well spent. Better than $2K spent on Chrome Wheels.I wish I had it for my 07 Z.

RicK T

Only a few here have it so far and all report they like it. Worth it? Only you can answer that. IMO if you have been happy with your C5 Z51 all this time you will probably like the standard GS suspension, maybe even more so. It is basically the same as the previously available Z51 on the C6 but with the addition of the Z06 rear sway bar and "unique to the GS" rear shocks. Most all who have posted here are very happy with the GS suspension. Can't go wrong either way, just a matter of money.

And remember, the F55 is just different shock absorbers, nothing else. And the GS F55 is not equivalent to the F55 in the base car because the base car uses the base springs and sway bars.

XmentalPilot

Former 2006 'vert w/Z51 driver here. 2 or 3 times a week someone comes on and asks the same question.. I did too back in November when I was shopping for my GS. I thought the GS without F55 would be a deal breaker for me... most of the responses to this question were "must have" , after 2+ months with the new car, I think I would have been just as happy without the F55. On my old car I had swapped out the run-flats for some mich PS2's... big overall improvement in ride and handling. The GS w/F55 rides a little harder in "tour" with the runflats than my old car with the PS2's... damn runflats!!! Spend the extra $$ on some good tires!!

mack morrow jr

I have it on my 06. Glad I do. Well worth the money. Makes a real good difference in handling at high speeds or spirited driving.

phileaglesfan

Regular shocks can't adjust about a million times a minute or whatever it is. Tour setting is great for those cold beaten up roads.

Eventually regular shocks wear out also at different rates. Magnetic shocks generally don't wear out or break.

jksvet

Doesn't the f55 come with the better Goodyears? That would persuade me to go for it.

Zoomin

How many miles a year do you plan to put on the GS, and how bad are the roads where you live?

If you're going to have a 1000 mile per year garage queen, save your money. If you're going to drive it every day over frost heaved roads, then get it.

Zoomin

Let's re-order!

george vee

Yes only on the 6 speed manual trans which also has dry sump and hand built motor like the Z06 and ZR1. The magnetic shocks are standard on the ZR1 and come with the Z07 packaged Z06 thats a clue on how good they are.

ncvette_1FUNRIDE

I order my regular 2010 coupe with it and LOVE it.

The ONLY reason I didn't get a Grand Sport was because they didn't offer it with the F55 in 2010.

I have already changed out my sway bars to the Z51 and have installed Z06 rear quarter panels so I am almost there.

mack morrow jr

They also help when crossing over speed bumps. I use sport in parking lots with speed bumps and they help from bottoming out.

JerriVette

I don't have a Grand sport but rather the Z51 LS3 coupe which I totally dig. That said..I have non runflat tires on it and its improved handling and ride are great.

Yet to answer your question? I suggest getting the F55 suspension on your grand sport.

I believe the technology is so impressive, its on the Ferrari's, ZR1 and new Z06 as an option for a reason. Its a better way to keep the tires in contact with the road where there are road imperfections..

Better performance and better ride...Whats not to like?

My vote? Go for the F55 if you have the ability.

Good luck and awesome car!

vettedoogie

Don't have a GS but do have F55 on my '05. My opinion is that you really can't go wrong getting F55. I live in the midwest and it does help with keeping solid tire contact on less-than-perfect roads. I chose it over Z51 for that very reason.

What it is worth to you is an entirely different question.

diyguy

I've had 2 C5's. One with and one without the (C5 F45) version of F55. If you are coming from a Z51, while it's not a true Z51, it is very close. You would also appreciate the flip of a switch and quite literally, instantly go to tour mode. The response is instant, no waiting for it to 'blend' in.

The C5's F45/F55 weren't as impressive (at least to me) as it is more pronounced on the C6 F55. The way I view it is, a $1700 option on a very expensive car only amount to 3 or 4% additional. You'll like the option no doubt for the somewhat stiff ride you've had with the Z51 and you and your passenger will apprecaite the tour mode which is not near as harsh on a trip, for instance

There is a section of road I go over every day that has sort of a sharp crested hill. At 35 or 40 in tour, the back almost feels like it bouncing up and out of contact. Flip to F55, and it keeps the tires planted on the surface. Night and day difference and since I drive it every day, it is a good solid 'controlled' environment to prove beyond any doubt the difference.

Anyways... I think it's worth it, you'll like it and for just 3-4% more in total cost of the car, you would spend that or more swapping out to a different suspension if you wanted more feel... I look at it as having two different but distinct suspensions.

LTC Z06

Lot's of used cars out there, go find some mag cars and test drive them.

laconiajack

It is the most advanced suspension system available on any car today for keeping the tires in contact with the road, which when all is said and done, is the name of the game.

XmentalPilot

So far I am not impressed with the Gen2 GY's. Getting ready to start shopping for some non runflats.

widgetsupply

Go look at magazine tests of Z06's recently with it versus older tests without it. From what I have read, they make the Z06 significantly better. I have not driven a Vette with them, but our new Acura MDX has them and so will my next Vette.

sdurg24

I have an 08 C6 M6 with the Z51 performance package. I went that route after having an 05 base coup also M6 but no Z51. I love the Z51. This is my 3 season DD and I can't wait to get in it every day no matter what the ride. While I have been on the track my experience is very limited and the car is still way better than I am. To me January was the perfect storm. The GM incentives came to my attention. The offering of the two Driving schools out west with "any" new Corvette ordered and I found out I could get the MSR (F55) option with the GS. This had not been offered in the 2010 GS. Having followed the posts and threads in CF it seemed to me that many felt the Z51 package (forms the backbone on the GS handling package upgrade now called Z16) mated with the MSR would be the best way to go if GM ever offered it. They did and I did, ordered the new cyber gray GS M6 with MSR. I just got in under the deadline and am sooo excited. Let us know what you decide. The good news is - there is no "bad" decision here.