jax_c7

Hi folks

Nice to meet everyone. I'm a corvette enthusiast and shopper from Europe. Looking to purchase my first Vette, and the more I research, but more I like.

I'm looking to buy a USED 2016/2017 (auto) Corvette up to $50k, and have noticed a few z51s pop up, along with, of course, the "base" C7s.

Can anyone help me understand what's the major difference (apart from bigger tires/brakes) ?

Is there a performance difference?

What's better for a daily driver? I'm a bit worried Z51 might be uncomfortable, and maybe not worth it as I won't track it --- but I WILL go fast

Thanks in advance.

thill444

It would help if you let us know what cars you have owned in the past. I have owned cars that were a lot more stiff than my Z51 For example my BRZ, both my WRX's with aftermarket suspension, etc. My 2016 Golf R in race mode is very comparable to my Z51 with magride in sport mode in terms of ride quality. The Z51 (with Magride) will not beat you up, and the car in Touring mode is quite good even on bad roads.

In terms of the differences:
Larger 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels (I think the 2018 base car has matching tires/wheels with the Z51 now)
• Dry sump oil system
• Electronic Limited Slip Differential
• Larger front brakes (13.6 inch vs. 12.6 inch)
• Specific shocks, springs and sway bars
• Differential and transmission cooling
• Unique Aero Package that reduces lift for high-speed stability
• Michelin Pilot Super Sport ZP summer-only tires that are aggressively tuned to provide outstanding handling, grip and road-holding capability
• Available Magnetic Selective Ride Control and Performance Traction Management
• HD Cooling
• Slotted Brake Rotors
• Performance Gear Ratios


I drove both and settled on the Z51 because I prefer a more sporty handling car and ride and will track my car several times a year. That said, I still preferred the handling feel of the Z51 over the base for normal driving but my car does have Magride.

Ultimately you would want to be able to drive both yourself to decide because this will come down to a personal preference thing. And some people who test drove both may not have had a Z51 with Magride which makes a pretty noticeable difference.

Bill17601

Not to be rude but check the past threads. This subject has been beaten like a dead horse.
What the answers amount to is which model the owners have purchased and drive.

RicK T

If you haven't driven either yet, the non-Z51 suspension is pretty soft, it doesn't even have a rear sway bar. As already said, depending on your car history and being in Europe, you may not like the softness of the non-Z51. You really need to try both. I suspect you might determine that Z51 with Mag Ride is the overall best choice for you and your roads.

chefcg1

Daily driver here, get z51 with mag ride you'll apricaite it over base suspension.

rkhegler

My Base C7 gets me around just fine.

mpuzach

This is my recommendation also. You gain a lot and give up nothing except a few additional Euros.

dbaker

Get the most car you can afford.

\db2

Skippydoo

My 14 was a base without mag ride. My 2017 is a Z51 with mag ride. I see no reason not to get the Z51 with mag ride

fsvoboda

By the way, you may wish to check how the European spec cars are equipped. There will be some details that are different (amber turn signals, for example), but also possibly different specs for performance options, particularly given the high speeds possible legally on some autobahns. The U.S. models may not translate directly into the European spec cars.

ptran00

I daily drive my new 2017 BASE C7 30 miles roundtrip to work. I also plan to use it on 1000 round trip to other cities. Ride is very comfortable.

I have not driven a Z51 but I did drive a Grand Sport and that ride was too bumpy/stiff.

YO-EL

I've driven both...
For me, BASE suspension with MAG ride was the best and most comfortable.
Easy to firm it up if desired, but in regular driving, your fillings won't be rattled..
Hey, just my opinion....

stanklr

I love my Base. Perfect.

JerryU

Good posts above re the physical differences. You get a lot with the C7 Z51 if you are looking for performance.

RE the ride: My C7 Z51 did not have mag shocks so no ride adjustment, just the HD suspension components mentioned and 45mm vs 36mm Base Car Bilstein shocks. The ride was fine for me (I'm only 74 years young!)

But then my C6 Z51 also did not have mag shocks. My '93 and '88 Vette before than both had the available HD suspension options. In fact the '93 40th Anniversary Vette had adjustable suspension with 3 shock settings. On our good roads could not tell the difference in ride. It was "stiffer" for handling at the highest setting. However it was not nearly as stiff at my current Grand Sport when set at Track. It was about like the Grand Sport when set at Sport.

Since I could NOT tell much difference in the '93 on our good roads did not get the more complicated computer controlled Mag Shocks with my C6 Z51 or CX7 Z51. Frankly considering I mostly drive in Touring with the Grand Sport and don't track the car the decision not to get Mag Shocks in the C6 and C7 was sound, IMO. With the Grand Sport there is no choice it comes automatically.

Bottom Line: Depends on the quality of roads you drive on and if you plan on Tracking the car. As far as performance I would not buy a car that didn't have HD suspension, i.e. a Z51 with or without Mag Shocks.

Scruff Vette

My '16 Stingray has base suspension. It handles and rides better than my beloved 2008 Z51 which handled superbly and was a better car than I am a driver. I do not track my cars.

Walt White Coupe

The base C7 handles better than the C6 with Z51 and the C6 was a great handling car. The base car without mag ride is the softest riding C7. I added the Z51 sway bars for around $440 installed to keep the C7 a little flater around the corners. If you did the same you would not be disappointed.

BeerSkunk

I daily drive my 2016 Z51 with MAG Shocks and have put almost 2k miles on it since I purchased it used less than 2 months ago.

IMO, the ride in Touring Mode isn't stiff at all and comfortably bounces over bumps in the road. If I want a super hard ride, I just nudge the ride control dial to Track Mode and feel everything.

Between the stock Base or Z51, I think you'll notice a ride difference mostly during spirited cornering. But as Walt White Coupe noted, you can add sway bars to the base car for pretty cheap if you want to improve the car's cornering dynamics.

IMHO, you can't go wrong with this car no matter which model you choose.

JoeD-C8

I have a base. Replaced shocks and sway bars and had a change in alignment and I am quite happy. Never drove any others so not sure about mag ride, I would defer to those that have. Is it worth the extra cost, large wheels/tires and sump? I guess if you intend on a track day here and there, your call.

Either way you have made a wise choice!

patentcad

I have a Z-51, it rides fine. The base car rode better, but it pales in comparison to the handling mojo of the Z-51. The Z06 and Grand Sport kind of ride like crap, even with the mag ride.

Z-51 is the sweet spot in my opinion after driving all three, that is what I have.

RedC7AZ

So there you have it. Just about everyone feels that the best choice is the one they themselves made, be it the Base without Z51 or Base with Z51.

Shocking!!!