Magnetic Selective Ride ??
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 69
From: Hanover MA.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville AR
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.
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.
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 66,409
Likes: 2,061
From: Bel Air (by way of Fort Worth, TX) Maryland
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '21
All you need to know about MSRC
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 955
Likes: 4
From: Union City, CA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,654
Likes: 5
From: Silver Spring MD
Racer
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 383
Likes: 180
From: Montgomery, Alabama, USA Alabama
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!!!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,025
Likes: 2
From: Valdosta GA
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. 
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 17,336
Likes: 8
From: Maker of Sharp Objects, AL - Roll Tide
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
St. Jude Knife Maker
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
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 69
From: Hanover MA.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 69
From: Hanover MA.
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!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
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.
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.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 404
Likes: 0
From: KY
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.
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 30
From: Fairfax Virginia
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.
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.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,706
Likes: 5
From: Toronto Ontario
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.
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.
