Is F55 worth it?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Detroit Mi
Is F55 worth it?
Is the F55 a hastle or is it a must have option. I'm looking for a used C5 and I had thought it would be a must have, but now wonder if it's a hastle and how often I'd use it.
Is that option prone to high dollar repairs compaired to a car equipped without it?
Is that option prone to high dollar repairs compaired to a car equipped without it?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 23,234
Likes: 4
From: All that glitters is Gold - Hockey Is CANADA'S game
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
F55 is a great option but it all comes down to what you want and how you plan on driving the car. If you plan to do a lot of autocross then Z51 option many be your best bet. If you want the car to a nice smooth ride at times then a little more stiffer handling at other times then f55 is for you. If you get the F55 option it cannot be turned off on all the time. as for repairs yes it is expensive manily due to the shocks.
Hope this helps
Hope this helps
Last edited by Zilla; Aug 13, 2004 at 11:15 PM.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 665
Likes: 0
From: Hendersonville NC
I read some articles on it and it is very impressive. It's not that complicated and really takes advantage of computer quick responses. The newness and lack of a track record concern me, but if I ordered a car, as opposed to having bought mine slightly used, I think I would get it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,340
Likes: 35
From: Folsom Lake CA
If you plan on running runflats, get it. A C5 with runflats rides like a rock, and although nothing can help the jarring stiffness of runflats you'll appreciate the system especially if you plan on driving it alot. Personally, I wouldn't even think of a C5 without it. I had a vette without it, and told myself I'd never go without it again. You get the best of both worlds, smooth ride when you need it, and firm when you want.
And, incidentally, the real-time dampening is a charm! No more bump steer! As such, even the lowest setting outrides a vette without it on the street.
And, incidentally, the real-time dampening is a charm! No more bump steer! As such, even the lowest setting outrides a vette without it on the street.
Last edited by MrLeadFoot; Aug 14, 2004 at 12:15 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 26,345
Likes: 232
From: SoCal
Originally Posted by MrLeadFoot
If you plan on running runflats, get it. A C5 with runflats rides like a rock, and although nothing can help the jarring stiffness of runflats you'll appreciate the system especially if you plan on driving it alot. Personally, I wouldn't even think of a C5 without it. I had a vette without it, and told myself I'd never go without it again. You get the best of both worlds, smooth ride when you need it, and firm when you want.
And, incidentally, the real-time dampening is a charm! No more bump steer! As such, even the lowest setting outrides a vette without it on the street.
And, incidentally, the real-time dampening is a charm! No more bump steer! As such, even the lowest setting outrides a vette without it on the street.
Only problem I have is that I want to lower my car and it seem that you cannot get as low on the stock bolts as with the stock or Z51 suspension.
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
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 15
From: My Garage. Upstate, SC
http://www.idavette.net/_magride/page2.htm
I like it for touring. I haven't done any autocross YET! but, I plan to. It really smoothes out the bumps.
I like it for touring. I haven't done any autocross YET! but, I plan to. It really smoothes out the bumps.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 26,345
Likes: 232
From: SoCal
Originally Posted by MTV
F55 here with Hotchkis Sways and Z06 Springs. Just added VnM Backbone. This machine rocks on through the canyons! Best,
mtv
mtv
Didn't know you had the F55 also....I want to see how low your car sits compared to mine..also F55
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 0
From: Katy TX
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Rode in one with f55, easy ride, not up to z51 in sport. Just another area that something can go wrong. If you dont like twists and turns alot then go for it. Anything else...z51
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 12
From: Vancouver
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
I've got the F-45 suspension and love it. It gives me three settings. Tour, Sport, Preformance. I bought a set of spare shocks here on the forum for half the price of one new one. So I think I am set for awhile. I also bought the Z06 sway bars and now the suspension is where it should be. My .02
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,414
Likes: 24,799
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I think it would be a nice option to have, but I too have heard that it is expensive to repair.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 0
From: Brea Ca
I bought the particular '04 I bought primarily because of the mag ride. Added Z06 sway bars and the car's capable of doing everything I ask of it. And the ride on Kalifornia freeways is comfortable. Can't say that about many suspensions these days.
Ron
Ron
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,175
Likes: 237
From: Philadelphia Burbs
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Re: Is F55 worth it?
We love ours, but it does cost a significant amount extra and the long-term costs are uncertain. F55 was the biggest positive surprise with our AE 'vert.
