I am looking a buying a 2004 Commemorative edition Vette. How big of a deal is the Magnetic Selective Ride?

 

I have a '04 vert, 6 speed with the MSRC suspension. IMO, The difference is noticable between the "touring & sport" selections. In the tour mode it seems kind of "mushy". I always leave mine in the "Sport" mode.

 

I guess it all depends on how you drive your car. Are you looking for just a weekend ride, daily driver, weekend racer? The mag ride would cost more to have dealership repair.

I remember reading an article back when it came out and the magazine really liked it on the track - they showed comparison pictures of a c5 with and without on the same dip in the road at high speeds and you could see the mag ride absorbed it better and the pilot said it was more well controlled.

Personally I prefer the z51 package (firmer suspension. larger sway bars and lower gearing on auto).

You can upgrade any c5 to z51 or z06 springs/shocks/sways to improve handling at minimal cost so I think I would just buy the one you like the best.

 

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...s+the+50th+Car

Enjoy Well worth the cost to replace...

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48m1_otpD9c

 

Same car for me with same specs, I like the MSRC personally. It is nice and plush when in tour and you can really feel the stiffening when clicked into Sport mod. With that, mine generally stays in the sport mode

 

I like the msrc, but I spend a little more time in tour.
Definitely a difference between the two.

 

I have an '03 Anniversary Coupe Pace Car. I just read on the C5 Net where one of the guys has an '04 Commemorative Edition with leaking MSRC shocks. Basically, the cost to replace seems to run between $800 and $1000 per shock as they are connected to the BCM. Simply installing a standard shock would eliminate that connection resulting in a "Service Ride Control" message on the DIC which automatically limits the speed of a C5 to 80 mph. There does seem to be two options here: (1) Pay close to $4000 to replace them when required or (2) Remove the MSRC shocks, disconnect the BCM and get the dealership to reprogram the computer with the Tech II tool. Sounds like a real pain in the rear but $4000 seems like a lot of money to replace shocks. Having said that, I still would not hesitate to get the C5 you want. There are a lot of other expenses involved in keeping a Vette on the road. The MSRC shocks may last for several years. Oh by the way, the dealership would not cover the MSRC shocks on a GMPP extended warranty. Just received this info in the last 48 hours and it seemed to be relevant to this thread. Just sharing info, good luck with your decision, keep the shiney side up!!!

 

It's nice. It takes my car from a somewhat-rough ride to jarring-sporty ride.

Also ...I think lowering an MSRC car is a mistake. mine rode pretty nice in 'touring' before I lowered it.

 

I have the MSRC on my 2003 coupe and love it. Mine is a daily driver so the comfort of tour mode on south georgia roads is nice. But when I want to get more spirited driving, the sport mode is a nice change.

 

I'd go wit a Z51 car. I like the suspension better on them, and I don't have to worry about replacing very expensive shocks in the event that they go out. That's just me though

 

Excellent article, thanks for posting.

 

I'll have to check my extended warranty information. I bought my '04 vert with MSRC in May 2005. I only drive the car about 2500 - 3000 miles per year. I also purchased a 4 year 32K full GMPP extended warranty. I hope the shocks are covered. Thanks.

 

The shocks are not covered.

From a long conversation with a GMPP rep:

The controllers built into the shocks are covered. If the shocks fail, but the controllers still work. You are buying new shocks out of your own wallet.

If the controllers fail, the shock will be replaced.

 

In writing (because of my paranoia) Warranty Direct will cover my shocks if they fail.

 

I've got an 04 comm. ed with msrc and I like it well enough. Sport mode is more effective than base suspension, but not quite as capable as Z51. However, tour mode has a cushier ride than base or Z51. So it definately gives you options.

Like others have said, it is very expensive to replace shocks though. Fortunately I have not had a single problem with mine yet.

It's the perfect suspension for the part time track star who also likes to take the occasional road trip.

 

The magnetic selective ride control is the most sophisticated suspension system available for the Vette or most any other car for that matter. It is highly reliable, with very low shock failure and long shock life. I have had C5s with both the Z51 and the MSRC suspensions. Both are quite nice and each choice has its strong points.

In no way would I let potential fear about service cost hold me back from the magnetic selective. The magnetic selective is the most refined and it is far less common because it was only available the last two years of C5 production.

Best of Luck with your decision.

 

I knew I wanted either the F45 (97-02) or F55 (03-04) when I was looking for my current car. I narrowed my choice to my current car (02 with F45) and an 03 with F55. I made sure I test drove both thoroughly specifically to see the difference since I heard a lot of good things about the F55. I couldn't feel much if any difference. I've heard many people say that they can't feel the difference between the 3 F45 settings but on mine I could - and the difference was huge. I did like the idea of 3 choice vs the 2 the F55 had to offer.

I am not sure of the cost but I've heard that the F45 can be upgraded to F55. Something I might consider doing once my current F45 shocks die.