Has anyone who bought a 2003 or 2004, put in Magnetic Ride Control, that didn't have it when you bought it?
Thanks

 

 

 

 

 

 

I cant believe no one has reply to you yet.

Well here you go - Most members (IMO) would rather install the Bilstein HD / Sport shocks or the C5 z06 or C6 z06 on their rides. They will improve your handling and cost you around $236 - $300 (c5 z = $450 + new). Throw in the C5 z06 sway bars and end links and you can tell a huge difference in handling (esp. if you have the base suspension now).

I remember reading about the MRC when it came out and the magazines really liked it on the test track and roads but if I recall it is very expensive ($1600 + ?) and most members would not (or could not) justify this price for the benefits. In fact I think some converted to an aftermarket shock for improved performance esp. if the factory setup was worn out or defective.

So IMO if you dont have the MRC already I would not bother with it. Greater benifits with less money can be had.

If you after comfort go the the Bilstin HD = slighly firmer then stock z51 (this is what I have now). I also have the z06 sway/end links (great mod - not any firmer then stock z51 IMO).

Hope this helps.

 

Heck i just looked at your bio, you have been around here long enough and posted a ton to know the answers I just gave you. So sorry if im telling you something you already know. I just thought somebody should repond to your tread. I assumed you were new.

 

Been here a while but never paid any attention to Magnetic Ride due to having a 98.
My car was recently stolen so now I'm interested since the 03 through 04 models had this as a $1800 option. I've found some with and without it and most who have it, seem to really like it.

 

Sorry, I know this is off topic but how was your car stolin? Did they actualy drive it away or was it Towed/Flat bed trucked. Did you get it back?

 

Got it back (had LoJack installed) but it was considered totaled I kept a key hidden in the back bumper since I got stuck once in LA and it was costly.

 

I think you'll find it would be MUCH cheaper to buy a car with the option already installed. Adding the option would require you to get the F55 kit (GM part number 12499507 - list price $2,994.29) and then you'd have to add in the console switch and wiring harness additions for the shocks and shock controller .... parts alone would easily pass $3,000 and that doesn't count the labor to install it.

It's a VERY good system, so good that Ferrari has licensed it from Delco for the 599 GTB Fiorano, and Audi has also licensed it and is using it in the new R8 ...... both VERY cars ......

And, of course, it will be the suspension in the upcoming ZR1 Corvette .....

 

If you can find it as an option already in a c5 then go for it otherwise IMO it would not be worth it. You may find a used c5 with MRC that is close to the same price of one without one and your that much ahead.

Sorry to hear about your old car.

 

I've never heard of anyone adding F55 to a base car, but conversion from the older F45 system is doable.

Having owned Vettes with FX3, F45, and F55...the F55 is worth the money, hands down, unless you only drive on glass smooth roads.

I have an F55 C5 with Z06 swaybars, which is the best of both worlds. If GM ever makes a ZR1 style 2nd gen mag ride retrofit kit for C6Z's, I'll be the first in line to buy it. Smooth ride and flat cornering....truly amazing stuff.

 

Thanks for your responses guys Good advice and info
Now I know what must me done

 

I had it on my 03 and liked it somewhat. It has 2 modes sport and something else that I can't remember, I always kept mine in sport because the other mode was extremely soft. My 04 doesn't have it and I have no desire to install it.

 

If I buy one without it, I won't be installing it due to the responses here

 

The two modes are Sport and Tour. I wouldn't let one guys opinion dissuade you...unless you really like a hard ride all the time. The tour mode makes you forget you're in a sportscar at times, but Sport mode feels just right when you want to attack the twisties. F55 cars stay much more composed over irregular pavement than any other Corvette available, period.

Now, if you are looking for a track car, then conventional shocks are the way to go. In the real world, MSRC is the best option. Just remember to upgrade your tires and swaybars.

 

Why do you have to upgrade the tires? Are runflats no good for the Magnetic Ride? Or are the runflats just not good for any suspension?
Thanks

 

I believe that poster doesn't understand how the F55 suspension system works ......

The F55 system works based on a system called "Skyhook" .... it assumes your car, driving down a flat road (I'm using a simple example here) is suspended over the road by a "hook" attached to a crain.

If you suddenly drive over, say, a speed bump, the software looks at how far, and how fast, the suspension is compressed as you hit the bump. Different tires may affect the the rate and amount the suspension is compressed, but the F55 system doesn't care about that ..... it simply reacts to the amount of compression that occurs. If you have a really "hard" tire, the suspension will see a bigger reaction, a "soft" tire will transmit less reaction, but regardless, the F55 controller will make its decision on how to vary the shock response based on suspension movement, not on the "tire".

Another way to view this ....

Hit a bump in the road that is 2 inches tall with a "soft" tire that only transmits 1 inch of suspension travel to the car ....

Hit a bump in the road that is 1 inch tall with a "hard" tire that transmits the full 1 inch of travel ...

The F55 will react to both cases in the same way ... it sees 1 inch of travel and responds to that accordingly ... regardless of the tire. It is trying to keep the car at a certain "level" as it travels down the road.....

See this article to understand more about how the F55 system works ....

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