Strake

Got the bug again, after selling our 60th Anniv 427 this past summer.

I will be special ordering either way.

Big decision for me, that I can't seem to come to terms on is whether to order the Z51 version 2LT Coupe, or the base 2LT....

Either choice will be:
Laguna Blue
Gray Leather
painted roof
auto trans ...... last 5 Vettes have been manual, think I want to try an auto this time around).
Mag Ride
Performance Exhaust (standard on Z51)
19" and 20" Chrome Wheels ( I'm old school)....(standard on Z51) with Mag ride option, I can get the larger tires and wheels on the base model.
Red Painted Calipers
battery protector
front and rear splash guards
rear cargo mat

I don't plan on tracking the car.... ever. The price difference for basically the same equipped car is $2k.

Can anyone tell me what the "AERO PACKAGE" specifically is that is part of the Z51 package? I understand that if I order the MAG Ride package FE2 on the BASE model, that it includes a Z51 style spoiler. Are there any other differences?

I'm normally one who would order the 3LT Z51, or better yet a 3LZ Z06.... but having just retired, I figure I should keep it real.

Any compelling reasons to go either way???? Z51, or base?

Any other must have items you have, or wished you had ordered?

I don't want dual tops, or the clear top.... had both of these before and prefer the painted top.

I don't want, or use NAV...... I like my WAZE better. Didn't like the NAV in the 427 or previous GS's we've had.

Thanks in advance

Richard

Zymurgy

I really like being able to control the suspension stiffness with the MSRC shocks. Now that those are available without getting the Z51, I'd definitely get those if you go with the base.

Z51 has slightly different front air dams (no center section) and it has brake cooling ducts on the front that the base does not have. Of course, Z51 provides a lot of other stuff as well ((J55) performance brakes, (J6A) Black-painted calipers, slotted brake rotors, (Z52) dry sump oil system, (FE3) Z51 performance suspension, specific shocks, springs and stabilizer bars, (NPP) performance exhaust, (XFJ) P245/35ZR19 front and P285/30ZR20 rear tires, (Q7S) Silver-painted aluminum, 19" front and 20" rear wheels, performance gear ratios, (G96) Electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD), (KNR) rear differential cooler, transmission cooling and an Aero Package).

Many here will tell you to go Z51 or not to go Z51. I think it is best if you arm yourself with information about what is different and make your own decision.

billd1954

Sounds like we are close in age. I went with the Z51 w/mag ride. I'm with you, I probably won't track the car. I just figured in the entire dollar scheme of things, it was good value! The options that come with the Z51 can not be added on, except when built. Yes you can add the spoiler and larger wheels, but not all the options! I believe down the road if you want to sell, it will bring a higher value and make it easier to sell or trade! Hell I've spent 2000.00 for a carb for a mid-year! For my dream car, I wanted it. JMHO

Bill

J_Vette_Manuel

I had an 11' GS Vert. I bought a 3LT Base... didn't order, if I did would have been a z51. I have the zf1 package which gave me the z51 spoiler and wheels... All that is to say that I just recently installed the z51 sway bars and WOW... it ALMOST handles as good as my GS Vert.

If you had a 427 you will regret a non-z51 car. Just do it. Seriously. Even if you don't track it.

If you go base... factor z51 sway bars as an IMMEDIATE installation.

Kayir

totally agree with the comments already. . .ALL the Z51 guys will say you MUST get the Z51 and the non Z will say the same. it's a personal decision. I personally have a non Z and for me it was the better choice. I'm using it as a DD, do not track the car and I liked the softer suspension and as crazy as it sounds, the lack of spoiler . . .I did add a Z51 sway bar kit and agree it's a big improvement, specifically in twisties with any bumps or elevation change. much more planted so if you do the non Z i would go for that. otherwise most of the Z51 equipment are things that arent going to affect you too much either way. especially now that you can get mag on the non Z cars, I think that makes a difference. Best of luck in your decision, and without disrespecting the C6 guys, the C7 is just amazing and you'll love it!

DAFFYDRUNK

Tough one at this point and I own a non Z51 without mag ride. If it was 15 options all over I'd still say skip Z51, do ZF1 and skip mag ride, but for 2016, the 19/20s force the mag ride option. With the NPP option, it brings you within $2100 to having Z51 with mag ride. Not a huge amount of money. A few % bump in price.

To be honest, Mag ride is actually kinda cool once you really start playing with it.

Larry/car

Your choice; only comment, you will find a mode that you like and seldom change the setting. My car has been set on sport for like forever, occasionally track.

jcp911s

2016 Z51.

I went with Mag Shocks, and 1LT trim. I track the car so the Z51 was a "must have".

First, if you are going with NPP and Mag Shocks, just buying the Z51 will not be that much more money (you estimated $2K which sounds about right). You get ALOT of extra stuff (trans cooler, bigger brakes, ediff) for not a lot of money, and I think a Z51 will have better resale value.

Also, don't sell the 1LT trim short.... I had some of my Porsche buddies tell me it looks really nice, and has more bells and whistles than I can use... for me the 2LT really doesn't add that much value.

If I were buying a street-only C7, I'd just buy a base 1LT with minimal options, and have a really really nice car for a great price.

Just my 2c. Of course, buy what you want.

Marc SS

I believe the mag ride cost more on a non Z51 than it does on a Z51. Might as well just get the Z.

shakeydog

Richard: Magride on a base includes Z51 19"/20" wheels and tires as well as the Z51 spoiler. So exterior looks will be identical to a Z51. The base with magride will not have Z51 drysump engine or as heavy duty external cooling for the transmission and engine oil. Which really aren't needed if you do not track the car. The base car magride has softer springs than a Z51. So it will ride smoother than a Z51 with magride and will still handle the curves better than 99% of the cars on the road today. If you think you need even better handling, you can update your base cars swaybars with a complete Z51 spec kit for around $300 (contact Cultrag forum vendor). You said you will special order, so get what you want. My preference would be base with magride for daily driver and occasional track use or Z51 with magride for more serious track use. The base with magride will save you a coupe of grand over the Z51 magride. Your listed colors and options look pretty good to me. If you went base the $$$ you save could be applied to that 3LT you are thinking of. Happy shopping.

GS1960

Richard, I played the same game you did and almost went with the Z-51. I settled on the Base as I didn't want to screw with the brake cooling ducts and the dry sump of the Z-51. I plan on adding the Z-51 sway bars and some other little mods to make me feel better.

I am happy with my decision and have not looked back.

bigsapper

I'm looking at buying too. It will be a true daily drive but I will be bracket racing it.

2LT base, no mag ride is what I'm looking for.

MikeyTX

This ! Find some friends that have both models that will let you drive them so you can experience the difference. I am coming out of a '15 Z51 2LT into a '16 2LT base. Both A8. I am simply adding the Z51 roll bars to lessen body roll. The '16 is to be my long distance touring car. As such, I did not want a dry sump. There are still way too many dealerships screwing up the oil changes. I also wanted to be able to change over to all season tires asap. Not sure if they are available yet in the 19/20 size.

kp

my first C7 was an early '14 2LT base car with the only option being an A6. My only regret with that car was it didnt have NPP.

Its only 2K difference if you buy a 2LT Z51 with MRC and 2LT with MRC/NPP. In my case it was only 1000 difference because the base car I wanted had a transparent top and the Z51 had the painted roof - same options otherwise.

Thought about it for quite a while before I bought, I will never-ever track the car. But for that little difference I could get e-diff, bigger brakes, dry sump etc so its tempting. Then I thought simple oil changes, no brake dust or rusty rotors and how I was happy with the base '14 I had before. I went with the base/MRC/NPP/2LT/PDR car.

I was going to skip the MRC, but I do like the Z51 wheels and Z51 spoiler and now the mode **** has a purpose. On tour the ride is really compliant, more so than the base car suspension IMO. The lower profile tires are stiffer, you can feel that on smaller sharp bumps but it takes big bumps and big highway dips wit more grace than the base car. In sport you instantly feel the shocks stiffen up. How much thats worth on the big picture who knows but its pretty cool.

Smart to save the money on the NAV/PDR. IMO the NAV is bleh and while the PDR is kinda neat it has no value to me. Would be nice to have the NAV only option back without PDR but it is what it is. I have NAV and find apple maps through carplay to be easier to use, would be great if they put google maps or waze for carplay but I doubt that will ever happen.

Either way good luck, no right or wrong answer.

redvetteman97

Did u ever consider a zf1 has most of the z51 features that's what I bought zf1 with 2 lt

B-STOCK

I ordered the Z51 because you could not get mag ride in the non Z51 in 2015. If I had to order one now I would get a base car with Mag Ride with the wheels, tire and spoiler upgrade. The ride in tour with Z51 & mag ride is quite ridged and sport and track mode is out of the question for normal highway use for me. Z51 & mag ride in sport or track is incredible as far as handling is concerned. Just don't hit a bump. If your not going to track the car don't get the Z51. You won't get a dime more when you sell the car.

Nice Ride

2015 C7,A8,Z51,3LT. I liked the features of Z51 so I bought it. That said I would have been OK with a base C7. Just didn't want to go through five years of ownership driving a base car wondering what I might be missing by passing on the Z51. While I don't plan on tracking my car nor am I an aggressive driver if I ever did want to run down the track or do a spirited drive on a mountain road I want all the goodies in place, hence glad to have Z51.

1776DAVE

I was going to do mag ride but was told that it does not make the ride better it makes it stiffer for the track. The 2lt has nice matching stiching on the dash the 1LT don't. The z51 has great sound from the pipes ...
yea you would like the z51 2lt package.

B-STOCK

Base car with Mag Ride will be a bit softer in touring mode. Firm up a little in sport and track.

Maxie2U

I personally decided against a Z51 and mag ride because I don't plan to track the car.

The Z51 crowd will try to convince you it's totally worth the additional $8495.00 price tag (Z51 + mag ride). That's $8595.00 for features that will hardly (if ever) be used anywhere near the car's capability. My educated guess is not even non-Z51s will ever be driven anywhere near its full potential so why sink another $8495.00 into a car?

Just search this forum for the many Z51 complaints about the sticky tires, hard ride, brake dust, ride noise, Oil sump burping, etc. I rather take the money and spend it on other after market toys.

The only reason I can feature why people pay such a premium for a Z51 is for the "cool" factor.