I am looking at purchasing a c6 vette and while I *want* a z06, it's just not something I can justify the extra money for right now. So, I'm looking at a couple of '05s that are pretty well loaded with nav, hud, etc. except one has lower miles and the other has the f55 suspension. Since I'll use this car as a daily driver, I'm interested in the suspension but I believe this is the first gen of magnetic ride and I want to know what I'm getting into. I test drove the non-f55 car and didn't really have any complaints with the ride (I'm used to fairly stiff suspensions). I would probably not even mind the z51, but I don't really need it either and I haven't actually driven one.

So, I'm looking for some opinions on the relative value of the f55 option for a daily driver with little to no track time. If it helps any, the f55 car is also a couple thousand less as well. The actual decision will be made after a test drive, but I want to make sure I'm well informed about what it actually does. I'm looking for things like: is it more (or less) prone to failure, has higher (or lower) maintenance costs, etc. Is it just another **** to play with or is it a worthwhile option?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

I depends on the quality of roads you drive on. Here in Michigan, the roads are poor with expansion joints and pot holes. For me the F55 is the only way I'll ride now that I have it. If your lucky enough to have smooth asphalt roads, you might not feel a difference. Do a general search, there are many posts about what it actually does, and how it works.

Also, take a test drive over the roads you will encounter most. That's what I did when I was deciding what to order.

Does it work. Yes. Is it worth it. It is for me.

 

The F55 system is quite nice. To my knowledge all the C6 F55 cars have the same system. The ZR1 got generation #2.

A lot of folks expect to feel a change in the ride when they throw the switch but that's not how it works. It doesn't simply stiffen/soften up the shocks. It changes how the shocks _react_. So the way to test it is to find a road that WILL test the difference. Drive that road a few times with the setting each way to get the idea.

To me, the only real negatives are (a) replacement shocks for the thing are $$$ and (b) if, for whatever reason (like (a)), you decide that you want to swap the system out for normal shocks, the dealers and GM will simply look at you funny and offer zero assistance in doing it. Trust me. (It _can_ be done, however - and don't let anyone tell you it's a simple "5 minutes with a Tech2" routine, either; the C6 is NOT the C5.)

It's a good system but there are a couple of things to to think about.

Z//

 

I don't remember if anyone ever had a F55 shock fail. Used replacements would be cheap if the demand is nearly non-existent.

As far as performance is concerned, an F55 car with Z51 sways and polyurethane bushings will out-perform an equally tired Z51 over most surfaces.

Firesuit on.

 

Thanks for the replies. I'm reading through the various threads to learn more about the pros and cons but there is a lot to wade through. I'm not really concerned with absolute (track) performance of the f55 vs. the z51 because I'll drive the car on the street 99% of the time. What I'm really expecting is that performance over rough roads will be much better. I'm not really concerned about it being more smooth as I am with having more control in that situation because the wheels are more planted. From what I've been able to determine so far, that looks to be the case.

 

I have a 07 with F55 and had Dick Guldstrand install Z51 sways bars and balance the car about a year ago. It's the best of two worlds! You cannot beat the ride on the open road in the touring position, or in the sport position at Willow springs! You won't regret the F55 decision!

 

You said you are looking at a standard vs. F55, and the F55 can be had for less dollars. Go for the F55! The system is holding up fine. I have 70,000 miles on my 05 F55. I can only recall one person on the Forum that had a shock fail since 2005.

 

I'm a proponent of the F55 suspension. More and more high end and performanace type cars are going to controlled suspension technology for good reason...it works well.

The system is extremely reliable and is purported to last for the life of the car. If you want to read some great information about the F55 suspension, PM me your email address and I'll send it to you. IMO it is the best 'all-around' suspension offered by Corvette. Although I ultimately changed to a coil-over suspension for track performance, I ran my 2005 F55 equipped C6 on the track quite-a-bit...it did quite well. On the street it really comes into its own. Again, PM your email address and I'll send you some great articles about the F55 suspension.

Actually, with the 2008 model year the overall body control strategy for the F55 suspension was greatly “tweaked” with the goal of streamlining the calibrations. FWIW I changed my car from its F55 suspension to LGM coil-overs and it wasn't a big deal at all. I suggest your mistake was trying to have a dealership do it.

 

BTW, did I happen to mention that...

 

When people are watching these cars come across the Mecum auction block in 2040 and they are all amazed by the fact that they all have the original shocks, only then will I believe that. These are stressed parts. Stressed parts fail. Corporate America spews BS on a grand scale about the quality and durability of their products. Pardon me for taking that claim with a large grain of salt.

You already sent me that info. It was interesting and informative and, in fact, led to the diagnosis of the problem that in turn led to removing the F55 system. There was nothing wrong with it (My words: "The F55 system is quite nice" and "it's a good system") but the car wouldn't work they way we wanted it to with it installed.

I stand corrected. I did say "to my knowledge"

1. I know you did. That's why I contacted you in the first place.

2. FWIW, all the NON-DEALER Tech2 experts (four of them in total) were not able to do it and it was a dealer that got the job done right (with zero assistance from GM.)

Reports on how easy/difficult this is to undo are all over the map. You say it was no big deal to undo it on your -2005- car. But just doing a BCM mod would not do it on our 2007 car. For all we know the innards of this thing change from year to year (heck, we DO know that.). For all we know the OTHER options on the car change the way (the order? On boot up?) the system sees these components and makes a difference on whether a simple Tech2 BCM "switch" will do it. It would/did not in our case. Despite the software being turned off the hardware would still see the connected (hard wired) ride control module and expect it to communicate.

On OUR car we got the shocks removed and replaced and the car functioning OK *but* the BCM would pop a message on the DIC every 5-10 minutes re "service ride control" (minus the 80 mph limitation.) THAT was what we had to finally fix. We did manage to get the thing working OK but that last little bit that wasn't eliminated was annoying as hell.

My mistake, btw, was in wanting to believe all those here who purport to know what they are talking about when they actually don't but are still willing and able to chime in with their "knowledge". (Not referring to you )

All I know is what *we* had to do to make it work and what *we* went through along the path to success. All this anecdotal stuff borders on the meaningless after a while since there is no way to apply the scientific method to it. Mix in the tremendous level of "I have this option on MY car so you should too!" here on the forum and I'm not sure how anyone here asking a legit question can, or should, expect to know what the truth is. This thread is a prefect example. Why does everyone feel the need to defend the thing against someone who's merely pointing out "things to think about"?? Do replacement shocks cost big money? Yes. Is it a choice that (at least in some cases - your roll of the dice may vary) is semi-permanent? Yep.

Z//

 

Do either of you (Zoxxo or Wayne O) who have removed the F55 shocks retained the pieces and would be willing to sell one part?

I recently removed the rear suspension to do a converter swap. The little bungie on the right side was not in place and had allowed the top connector on the shock to rotate, which then ultimately cracked.

A local dealership had to remove the transmission about 1 1/2 years ago for a gas tank problem and I suspect the mechanic was not aware, or concerned, with the requirements. He might even have broken it upon removal

I'm guessing this is the reason for occasional brief "shocks inoperative" messages that flash on the DIC on rough roads or speed bumps.

The dealership only shows the connector is available only as part of the whole rear harness for about $450.

I've managed to get it back in place and working, but I'd much rather replace it with a good one. None of the local junkyards know one Vette from another and I haven't had time to check them yet myself.

Here's the part that's cracked.

 

I have no intention of changing the suspension if I get the F55 car so any difficulty in doing so is a non-issue. If it works better on the street and will last a reasonable time, I'm good with it even if it costs me more to repair it in the future. However, if it is just an expensive option with little value I'll wait for another vette.

The main reason I started this thread was because of the extreme opinions people seem to have about this option. The Z51 suspension is far more popular, but I wonder about it's value if the car is only street driven. So, the F55 does seem like the best of both worlds for me unless it's just a marketing gimmick.

Anyway, I appreciate the feedback. Thanks.

 

Well, anything out of the ordinary from standard time-proven technology is at least partially a marketing thing (if not necessarily a 'gimmick' )

I think the F55 thing is nice system. If all I wanted was a road crusier I'd have it on my car. Before we modded my wife's car I used to love driving it because of the nice ride the F55 gave.

I just thought you ought to know *all* of the possible issues, rather than just all the rah-rah cheering from those who have already it.

Z//

 

I have the F55 on my 2005. I don't believe these cars were the first to offer this type of 'adjustable' shock absorber. Been around a while. Anyway, I love it. On long drives at speed. the touring mode really soaks up the bumps and makes for an easy day behind the wheel. In the sport mode, the suspension stiffens up considerably. I did put the Z51 front and rear sways on the car. I think I now have the best of both worlds. Also, my car has 45k miles on it with zero major issues. Good luck.

 

And that's exactly what I was looking for. Thank you.

At this point I just need to test drive it for myself and then decide if it's right for me. Unless I'm really disappointed I think I'll probably opt for the F55 car. Given the general consensus on adding the z51 sway bars, that will probably be a future mod.

 

I have all four of them, and they were functioning when I removed them and converted to coilovers. The shocks, however, didn't fare as well. Two were blown at 20k miles and leaking fluid. Dealer wanted a grand to replace them.

You can double that then (or triple, depending on how you look at it) as I lost two of them.

To the OP, truth be told, ditching my F55 system in favor of Pfadt Coilovers has, in my opinion, given the car an even better ride than stock. Its taut and flat through the bends, yet seems butter smooth on rough roads and even seems to soak up bumps better than GM's "magic super fluid magnetorheological whiz bang million samples a second" adjustables.

F55 is overrated. Just more electronic nannies tied into the computer, driving for you, and more crap to go wrong. And believe me, if it's only 2005's you're looking at, there will be things going wrong.

My overall advice is stay away from the '05 all together, but that's neither here nor there I guess, and not part of your question. Just don't say I didn't warn you.

 

Well, I know it's a bit off the thread topic but it's my thread. What is up with the '05s? I know it's the first model year of the c6 but I hadn't heard anything really bad about them until now. Well, I've seen complaints about the rear end being weak, but I'm not a drag racer. If the '05s really do have more issues, I want to know about it before I buy one.

 

Plenty of us have '05s with no problems. People like to beat up the '05s here but the truth is you can do a search here and point to any year of C6 that have some major issues. My '05 had some warranty issues early on but they were replaced/fixed and I have put almost 15k miles in the last two years with zero problems. BTW, I have F55 and love the way it sticks to the road in hard cornering vs the Z51s I tested which tended to hop around in the corners. It isn't just about comfort by any stretch of the imagination but you may not notice a difference in the "feel" by just driving around a bit. Take it through some hard cornering with the switch off and then on and you should notice the difference. Also makes a big diff around potholes and rough roads.

 

This F55 thing isn't anything bad. In fact, on the issue we have here it's good! It (apparently) means that *if* you should ever want to undo F55 (not likely) that it's easier to do than on later models.

I wouldn't give it any more thought (aside from any "first year of production" concerns you would have on *any* car.)

Z//

 

Vettedoogie, realize that if/when he purchases this car, he won't have the luxury of a warranty to fix those "little warranty issues" you had. And even little issues, or what seem to be, can be very expensive and involved if you're not mechanically savvy and confident of making repairs yourself.

OP, feel free to search for 2005 model year plagues or issues. Despite what is said here, don't go off the fact that *some* people have had issue-free '05s. Go off a cross section. If for every 100 2006 and up cars, there are 5 major failures, then for every 100 2005 cars, you'd find 10 or 15.

While the lemons are still in the minority versus the trouble free cars, its comparing the odds of ending up with a lemon that you should address. You're probably twice as likely to have major issues with an '05 than with a newer model year. Things that cannot be disputed are the '05 plague of Dead Battery Syndrome, as well as the weak rear end that is universally accepted as junk.