dvilin

Worth the money? No it is not.

alienranch

Absolutely!

BarneyZ

I agree.

FORD GUY

When I was placing my order I did not originally have the MSRC and after reading many good things about I decided it was worth having as you can never add it in the future. That way no regrets. ADMAN says it best!

dvilin

[QUOTE=alienranch;1589486760]Absolutely Not.

Woodson

So you've tried both? Or you have it and regret buying it?

LrgZ51

You want maximum comfort (best ride) - get the base car.

You want maximum performance - get a Z51 with MSRC.

Even with MSRC at soft setting the ride is much firmer than the base car.

JoesC5

For 2016 you can get the Mag ride without having to opt for the Z51.

I can't imagine why someone would want it on a non Z51 as the base car already has a soft suspension.

BIC

Based on the following, I bought the MSRC. The April 2014 issue of Corvette Magazine does a back-to-back-to-back comparison of a base Stingray, Z51 and Z51 w/MSRC. Some highlights as follows:

Base Stingray

...the base suspension (referred to internally as FE1) isn’t a particularly soft-riding car. It’s not unduly firm in terms of overall ride quality, but rather than absorbing sharp bumps, the car passes a lot of them along to the driver, particularly at around-town speeds.

Even with the base suspension, the C7 is a still 1-g car. Quick turn-in? Check. Seemingly endless grip? Yep. Massively powerful brakes? Oh, yeah. Stupendous power on demand? You know it.

Interestingly, the FE1 Stingray works better the harder we push it. To our hands and butts, the car doesn’t feel entirely happy to be driven merely briskly. Driving at a six-tenths pace, we find ourselves sawing at the steering wheel in corners, making minor corrections to the car’s line, and stumbling over the brake pedal, which has a slight dead zone at the top of its travel that makes delicacy a challenge.

But when we up the pace a few notches, the base-suspension Stingray comes into its own. Pushing harder on the brake pedal reveals excellent feel and modulation. Loading up the superb Michelin run-flat tires clamps the Stingray onto our chosen line, and the C7 doesn’t relinquish its grip as we feed in the power—and more power, and more, until the g force is nearly pressing us against the door panel. When the traction control starts limiting the fun, we switch the DMS from Sport to Track mode, which frees up the rear end to move around a bit. As the turns come faster and faster, the C7 simply gobbles them up.

Z51 without MSRC

In the twisties, the Z51 package proves just as desirable as the Competition Sport seats. Compared to the base, FE1-suspension car, the Z51-equipped FE3-suspension Stingray feels more planted, more responsive and, well, faster. While it doesn’t offer noticeably more grip, it definitely allows us to better exploit that grip, with less nose dive under braking, faster turn-in and less lean in the corners—not that the base car leaned much to begin with. In short, Z51 makes the Stingray feel more like a full-on sports car, one that better connects the driver to the road and really encourages you to attack the turns with conviction.

There’s a price to be paid for the extra connection, however: The FE3 car’s ride is noticeably less comfortable than that of the base suspension. While this suspension setup isn’t too extreme, we do think it does make ride quality an issue for those who want to use their car regularly on less-than-perfect roads, or simply prefer to cruise around.

Z51 with MSRC

When these optional magnetorheological shock absorbers are combined with the Z51 Performance Package—the resulting suspension is referred to as FE4 (there’s no FE2)—there is a real increase in ride comfort and no detriment to handling.

Ordering MSRC along with Z51 is the ultimate no-brainer option. First, it offers better ride quality than the base suspension. Second, it absorbs bumps better than either the base or FE3 shocks. Third, its stiffness varies both depending on the Driver Mode Selector’s positioning—soft in Tour, firm in Track—and what the road underneath is doing. Finally, ordering both MSRC and Z51 gets you Performance Track Management, five distinct levels of traction- and stability-control intervention inside Track mode. The only downside to MSRC is that you have to pay extra for it, but that’s part of how Chevy keeps the base price down. Regardless, we don’t think there’s a better $1,800 you can spend to improve a Corvette.

j3studio

Looks like for 2016 you will be able to buy the non-Z51 car with MRC ...

... we won't buy a new Corvette without magnetic ride.

Samis955

WOW!

Thank you guys for the responses, very helpful.

After reading all the responses, I think I'm going for the base car now. My use of the car will be mostly long road trips on the weekends. Ride comfort is my priority.

Really appreciated all of your comments guys.

As for color, I'm leaning towards Shark Gray/Kalahari combo.

pjitty

I have a 2015 torch red, z51, mrc, Kalahari interior, black painted rims, transparent roof, carbon flash mirrors and spoiler, carbon flash stinger stripe, and pdr. Did I leave anything out...

BIC

GM Delphi invented the MSRC technology. It is licensed to Lamborghini Huracan, various Ferraris, Audi R8 & TT and used on most higher-end Cadillacs. That should tell you something about an $1800 option on a $70,000 Corvette. No regrets.

05XLRtoC7_San Diego

My 2005 XLR has magnetic ride control shocks.
Something to consider is the cost to replace the shocks when they fail.
Mine started leaking around 60k and I had to replace all 4 by 90k.
The cost of the parts from the dealership was $4300! And labor was another $450.
I was able to buy OEM parts through a GM parts wholesaler, but still cost $2300 + $450 labor.

I think the Corvette C7 replacement shocks are a bit cheaper- around $500 each. But still not cheap.
The C7 probably has a better/newer version than what my XLR has.
I personally can't tell the difference with the ride control shocks from other cars I have owned- feels the same going over bumps as my 2005 Honda Accord!!

A bunch of marketing hype that isn't worth the cost. For that reason I've ordered my C7 without these shocks!

-Mark

sycraft

Bought my z51 without magride. Upgrading plans to the penske coilovers for 3500.00.

Keith N

I've never owned a car with magnetic ride control until my C7 coupe. I really like to adjustability and there is a definite difference between the driving modes. I'm very pleased with my decision to go with Z51 and mag ride.

GaryTX

I had a C6 with mrc. Now aC7 with it. It is much improved and a joy to drive. I say get it. No downside except the money

Larry/car

I purchased a base car after owning a C6 with magnetic ride. In three thousand miles, twice I felt where the mechanical suspension couldn't keep up with the demand. This occurres when the car crests a slight grade while turning and the road starts to drop away from the tire. If you never had magnetic ride you'll will never feel it. Yes, magnetic ride is a plus on the base suspension.

MikeyTX

I have it on my '15. Makes long highway trips a real pleasure. In touring mode, mag ride will really smooth out the ride over a lot of crap*y highways. I would not be without it.

grandpawmoses

Buying the Vette was a joint decision between the wife and I. With MSRC, when I'm solo I get the ride I want and when she's with me she gets the comfort she likes (and I don't like it too stiff on the interstate). Worth every penny.