Currently have a 2016 A8 3LT base Stingray. Thinking of upgrading to the Grand Sport. Not at all into any sort of track use, but do like the wide body look. Would get another A8 btw.

My question is..... I LOVE the ride on my current C7. Find it very comfortable. It doesn't have MRC. My understanding is that all GS' do have that. Would I be able to select a mode where the ride will be comparable to what I currently have?

 

I went from a base 15 to a 17 Grand Sport. The ride is different because of the suspension and wider tires. It's a bit stiffer and you feel bumps more, even in tour mode. With the 19 that has the updated mag ride it could be a smoother ride. I can live with it the way it is. Oh yeah, I don't get as good gas mileage on trips, 32 mpg down to 28.

 

My experience is the same as DYoung's, going from a 2015 base A8 to a 2017 GS M7. The ride is a bit firmer on the GS in Tour mode but IMO it's not harsh or objectionable, even on long hauls. I have the stock 2017 MRSC calibrations and if you're buying a new GS it will have the new calibrations which by most accounts is much more compliant in Tour mode and overall much improved. I'm planning on upgrading mine ASAP.

Mileage has been lower overall with the GS but is improving with time, now with ~6k on the clock, but that wouldn't be unexpected since the GS weighs ~100# more and is geared lower. If I do some hypermiling, which is easier with the M7, I can usually get an indicated 21.5 mpg (actually ~20) in normal suburban driving given not too much heavy stop-and-go traffic. Interstate speeds (~70mpg) can usually hit 30mpg, but it was in the range reported by DYoung for the first 6-9 months, presumably improving as the car has broken in. I averaged 26 mpg on my trip back from MacMulkin but the car was new, I was varying the speeds a lot, and the weather was cold--none of which helps mileage. On that trip I kept it out of Eco mode (i.e. no AFM V4), but I mostly keep it in Eco now, which helps noticeably even in city driving.

Overall I like the GS much better, mostly because of the M7 tranny, which I sorely missed with my 2015. What I also don't miss are the problems I had with the A8, which may be fixed by now in current models.

 

I rented a Stingray for a long weekend before test driving and eventually purchasing a Grand Sport. The GS, due to it's wider rear tires, has a noticeably louder road noise in the rear. For me, this was not an issue as I felt the upgrade in performance from the tire/brake/suspension was well worth it. Plus, i simply prefer the looks of the wide body Vettes.

 

With the new Mag ride calibrations, the tour mode of the GS should ride better than your current car.

 

I agree but am very leary of taking it to the dealer for something that isn't too bad to live with the way it is.

 

Based on what?

 

Go to a dealership and test drive a GS, bet you'll love it.

 

Its just a software upgrade and well worth it.

 

I went from a base 16 stingray to a 17 GS when GM bought my 16 back. I have gotten used to the harsher ride of the GS but prefer the base ride and it just felt more nimble. The big wide tires and stiffer suspension and lower profile tires don't compare to the base stingray if you aren't into tracking or aggresssize driving. Both are great.

 

I have a 2018 GS with the new calibrations and had a 2014 Base Stingray (with Z51 sway bars) before the GS.
Unless you have owned and used both, comments like this are just silly.
The base car, at least the 2014-2017 with 18/19" rims was very smooth and compliant - a lot like the current Cadillac ATS-V - the GS in its softest setting (tour) is very hard compared to a base stingray.
On those roads that have side to side bumps, big concrete expansion joints or washboard surfaces, the GS pounds pretty hard - in sport mode it is very uncomfortable and in track mode the ride is so punishing to the car, GM says not to do so because of the likelihood of rim damage.
I love the look of the GS and will be doing some track days with it, so I accept the compromise in ride for the street.

 

Ride is very subjective and IMO I would want to drive a GS before making a decision.
If you're more interested in Ride, "dyoung" makes some good points with what to expect in comparison to what you have now.
Even a Base car with MSRC set to Tour, the ride is slightly stiffer than a Base without it.
As pointed out with the GS, you're dealing with bigger tires and how they affect ride.
The bigger tires are also stickier and have very shallow tread depth when new being made for Performance.
And, there's less options for All Season tires in the GS Sizes if that's of interest to you with your decision.

That's not to say all these things are a negative, but they are things that need to be considered related to your expectations compared to what you have now.

Yes, if you buy new it will have the Upgraded MSRC Software which helps with ride and improves Handling.
But that comparison is relative to how the GS rides without the Upgraded MSRC Software.
No matter how you look at it, the Base suspension offers the best ride.
The GS does look great with the wide body, but, it is a Track oriented car, so only you can decide.
Again, I would want to drive a GS first and see for myself.
Good Luck with your decision

 

is there a big difference with a base with z 51 sway bar is it a must ?? if you don't track what is the price to replace it thanks

 

According to some people on here, dealers can't even do the trunk release recall properly. I'm going to stick with what I have..It's not that bad.

 

Simple Answer- NO! Even with the ~$350 MRC upgraded, which I just got, do the stiffer springs, huge front sway bar, rear sway bar (which you do not have) and bigger tires ride like your base C7? No way!

In addition if you do get a Grand Sport and can accept the "stiffer" ride you will have to change the brake pads as soon as you get it or you will be cleaning the wheels every 100 to 200 miles of they will not only look bad from the dust from performance brake pads designed for tracking they were pitting the black wheels on my 2014 Z51! You'll also have to learn to check the dry sump oil level. No big deal but you will have to use a watch and check to see that the dealer's Mechanic's Helper (who often works the Oil Change Service Bay) performed the change correctly! No big deal but just be prepared.

I installed low dusting quality Carbotech 1521ceramic brake pads on both my 2014 Z51 and when I replaced it with a Grand Sport, changed them as soon as I got in home! Now brake duct is not an issue.

You'll be getting a high performance car, more than your base C7! It doesn't have wide fenders to LOOK BETTER (which some rightfully would argue it doesn't) but to cover the much wider rear tires. In fact the Grand Sport front tires are as wide as your current base C7 rear tires! No one would think the Spates that cover those wider tires in the front of the Grand Sport LOOK GOOD!




Just a note: I'm 75 and those wide tires are needed, IMO to match the hp and low end torque of the LT-1. Not quite as wide as my street rod but my wife's tires are even wider than the Grand Sport! Does my Grand Sport with the updated MRC software ride as good as the wife's SUV. NO! Did I expect that-NO! Bought the car for performance and on our relatively good roads in Eastern SC it's fine for me! Just Sayn'!

 

There is no difference in ride, but in the handling department, it gets the Base car to go from a decent amount of understeer to almost perfectly neutral. Imo, well work the $300 in parts (forum vendors sell all parts as a kit) and 1.5 hours in time it took me to install them (you must do both front & rear or the car will oversteer). All Corvettes understeer (in theory it is safer for the street) and the base does so more than the Z51.

 

Yeah, there's a "sweet spot" feel to everything on the GS, IMO. Many road tests in mags concur, too.