danmclaren

I have recently purchased a 2003 Anniversary Edition (red with grey interior) with the magnetic shocks. I was expecting a Corvette to have a somewhat stiffer ride than my current Focus ST (and the Mustangs that I have owned in the past), but the ride seems much harsher than those vehicles. My back still hurts from a 4 hour drive to Chicago and back last weekend. Unfortunately I have no other vettes to compare it to, so this may be normal. I'm trying to decide whether to get new shocks or just bail out and forget about my dream of owning a vette. From studying other postings it seems like Bilstein HDs are frequently recommended as replacements, as long as I can get the magnetic ride tuned out. Any thoughts or advice for a possibly regretful newbie?

Dan

Carmine97

I wonder if you have something broken in the shock control system.

My AE coupe is very smooth with the switch in the [Touring] position. It stiffens up noticeably in the [Sport] mode but I still would not call it harsh by any means.
I don't have runflats on it which would make it stiffer.

My '97 with the F45 shocks ran runflats from Goodyear, Firestone & Michelin with a stiff but not harsh ride.

danmclaren

Interesting. I certainly would not call the ride "very smooth". You're in Ohio so you probably have messed up roads like we do in Michigan. I don't have runflats either. I need to do more digging!

Dan

JR-01

Make sure the stuffers have been removed from the shocks. It is amazing how many dealerships forgot to remove them and people drive for years and 100K miles with shocks with no travel. I have magnetic ride and my car rides great.

danmclaren

Thanks, JR - I'll check that as well. I've found the service bulletin on that.

dleibman

Can drive my AE 12 hrs a day, did on a 3600 mi trip. No back problems at all and I have a very bad back. Other cars need to use a cushion for back just going to store. Run on touring and non run flats by Cooper. Just saying, good luck.
flats

GCG

By your description of the situation, this is likely what's happening.

danmclaren

Thanks, all - I'll let you later this week if the find the shock stuffers!

ALLEGRO

I am doubling-down on the stuffers not being removed.

As sports cars go, the Mag Ride shocks make my AE amazingly comfortable.

Hope you find a remedy. Too nice a car not to enjoy

jrbartholomew

we had the same issue, 3 of the 4 shocks were leaking oil, i tend to think thats why the previous owner sold it. replaced all 4 shocks and it works great.It only had 50000 miles on it but was 13 years old.

Sabre34

Pounder

Coyote

I have had several Corvettes (92 through 2015 models)... And my AE 03 has an exceptionally pleasant ride even on crappy Houston roads while in touring mode (best ride of all my vettes). Sport mode is noticably more firm. Perhaps your system was changed to non magnetic solutions in the past?

K-Spaz

I can't speak for how the mag ride works but I would have guessed if your back hurts that it was from the seats, not from the suspension. My current vet has mag ride and it certainly isn't harsh.

GTs 58

Maybe check the date on the tires if you haven't already. I can say from first hand experience that 10-15 year old tires make a Corvette ride like crap.

JR-01

Especially if they are run flats.

ZigZag

This is the first thing I thought of. Many people seem to think that 15 to 20 year old runflats are okay. If yours are old and runflat I'd change them and go with nonrunflat tires and enjoy a better ride.

Thera p

I have an '02 coupe with new Michelin tires and it rides great! Make sure the 'stuffers' are gone and that you have good tires. Tires can make a huge difference, especially when going to non-R/F variety. Use tire rack tire evaluation results to compare ride quality of different brands.

Vetteman Jack

I’ll echo the comment on checking the shipping stuffers that were on the car from the factory. If they are still there, the ride will be significantly improved once you remove them.

Simtech