I am trying to decide between the Z51 performance package and the Magnetic Selective Ride Control (MSRC) supension and wanted to find out how you all decided on which one to purchase. I will not be tracking/ racing the car, and I think the MSRC supsension would be better for me. But, I like the cross-drilled rotors, bigger brakes, etc. of the Z51, but I don't know if the ride would be too rough. Anyone test or have experience with both of the suspensions. Thoughts on the pros/ cons would be appreciated.

 

MSRC is a great suspension, but i opted for the Z51 mainly because i have 6 speed and love the gears that you can't get in the base or MSRC car. It's all about the acceleration. If you are getting auto then you get the 3:15 gear free but you can buy it with the MRSC and get equal acceleration on autos but MN6 no comparison between the two. The ride is NOT harsh but is stiffer than the MSRC. I live in LA and the roads suck here and i am happy.

 

You will probably make more use of the MSRC suspension especially if you have bad roads in your area. It is the best of both worlds a comfortable ride and if you want to get a bit stiffer switch to sport mode. This system is always on and working for you to keep your car on the road. The downside is cost of replacement of shocks if you keep the car a long time for this as it is 500 to 750 per shock to replace and anything that else that can go wrong with a complex system. The Z-51 only benefits you if you take it to the track and to the limits of the car and gives you bragging rights and wow factor but is still a good value IF you use those features.

 

The Z51 will stop about six feet shorter from 60 mph which might be considered a benefit someday.

 

Good point made one of the great features of the Z-51 package that is applicable in all conditions track or street perhaps that is what came up in a test at that time. We can only hope because depending on the situation if it is on the street there are just too many uncontrolled variables that can happen provided if you hit those brakes at the right moment. MSRC is working all of the time but really depends what your needs and driving style is.
Get what you will make most use of for your type of driving and road conditions in the area you drive.

 

[QUOTE=alps]I am trying to decide between the Z51 performance package and the Magnetic Selective Ride Control (MSRC) supension and wanted to find out how you all decided on which one to purchase. I will not be tracking/ racing the car, and I think the MSRC supsension would be better for me. But, I like the cross-drilled rotors, bigger brakes, etc. of the Z51, but I don't know if the ride would be too rough. Anyone test or have experience with both of the suspensions. Thoughts on the pros/ cons would be appreciated

http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/....php?qstId=503

it is a "must read" for drivers trying to make the decision between these two suspensions. The MSRC in the C6 is superior to the one that Hib describes herein. I like the bigger brakes too but don't want to feel every construction joint and lane divider in town, let alone the lousy roads in West Houston. I also wonder about the "wet" capability of the Z51 "super tires." F55 is the option for me, but others feel differently.

 

[QUOTE=mikeivan]I have a copy of that test and for some reason everybody here ends up comparing the Z-51 to the Magnetic Ride suspension which is always on and I agree with you that I would get more use out of that then the Z-51 because the Z-51 you can get your moneys worth on the track where the F-55 you can get the best of both worlds whereas the Z-51 is not geared towards comfort or bad roads filled with potholes like the F-55 is geared for bad road surfaces. In the area of safety the F-55 would be more useful on the street. On the track it would be the Z-51.On the track you have ideal conditions not a road full of potholes uneven pavement, rain, oil, weather conditions different road conditions. Basically driving on a track is like driving in ideal conditions in a controlled environment where the road you drive on is maintained well. So I would say if you use it as a daily driver F-55 if you want a comfortable ride with safety in mind but can also have some performance when you want it. The only down side I could find on the F-55 is the complexability and what can go wrong will go wrong and will cost alot of $$$ to repair and perhaps more chances of something going wrong. One thing for sure if you keep the car long enough to need shock replacement as of now the cost of replacing those shocks are $500 to $750 per shock and to me that is alot so I went with the base suspension not to throw a wrench in your plans but between the two choices you gave I would go F-55 because I don't drive my card hard and I can see the benefits of a comfortable ride when I want it then switching to performance when I want that but during all of this time the system is working for you against those uneventful conditions on the road you might encounter that you don't get on a track. Just two complete different types of driving so again I would say go with the type of driving you do. I am not going to drive my car hard enough to wear out those expensive tires as fast as I change underwear to me those tires are already costly enough where I will make em last but again that is me which is why I go towards the comfort safety aspect of that suspension. I just don't like those cost replacement figures if you keep the car long enough. Good luck it is a hard decision especially since everyone here on the forum will influence you towards the Z-51 which is a GREAT package if you drive like that utilizing that option and equipment that is in that option coolers, if you drive to the boiling point in your steering, oil, transmission and of course the Z-51 tires wear out faster but that is also a contributor to its great handling if that is what you want ALL of the time you drive ...without regards to the softest ride you can get. Good luck

 

Suffering withdrawl after selling my '85 with 255k+ one owner miles. Wife says ok to c6, but I too have suspension angst. Want the MSRC, but want to know how long until I'll have to pony up the $$ to replace the shocks. If more than 5 years, then not a problem. Any ideas (searching didn't turn up anything on C5 forum--maybe my search technique is off)?

 

For the first 3 years or 36,000 miles the MSRC is covered under your standard warranty but is NOT covered under the extended warranty. Perhaps bythen maybe the price will come down from 500 to 750 per shock downward if they start making it standard on more cars.