Get Z51 option if you desire:
1. Rusty rotors
2. Brake dust everywhere
3. Rougher ride than non Z51
4. Tires not to be driven on bellow 40 degrees
5. Paying $6345 more for the above 4 "perks" nobody wants if not tracking

 

Almost 3 years and 11k miles....been aproached a thousand times and never once have I been asked this. I'm more likely to be asked if its a Ferrari then a Z51

 

Low Profile spoiler was first offered on the 2022 model

 

Over half of those sold are with the Z51 option. So, unless you think all those are being tracked (and I do not) its pretty clear that the Z51 options is wanted even when it will not be tracked.

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2021/06...h-z51-package/
https://gmauthority.com/blog/2022/07...g-z51-package/

 

So firstvette99 based on these great shares & all too true real world comments, have you gotten closer to an answer for yourself?

P.S. Their is no real wrong answer here and I will add that age may play into this some but doesn't have to. I also have no intention to ever track my cars, having both a 24 non-Z51 3LT coupe & a 23 Z-51 2LT HTC (both with mag). I prefer the non-Z51 FE2 mag vehicle, for reasons previously cited. The non-Z51 C8's still offer ridiculously excellent road feel with an adjustable ride and WAY less rock noise coming off of the all-season Michelins as compared to the Z51 Michelin Pilot Sports (summer only) 4S's.

Truth is with the deals available today on left over MY24's, if you choose to go after a car with Z51 spec'd out your way it and more will basically come free.
Good luck!

 

I ordered mine with Z51 just because. It will probably see no track time. You definitely don't need it. But I don't buy things like a Corvette out of need. I will say Mag Ride is a need either way if you live in an area with sh!tty roads like I do.

 

As someone who has owned now two Z51 Stingrays, while I understand your points below, they require a little context for those seriously considering buying a Z51-equipped Stingray.
This is seriously overblown and only happens when the rotors get wet and sit for a moment. Once the car is moving, the little rust that shows up goes away. The only reason this happens is due to the Z51 rotors’ cast iron composition, which is prone to rusting when exposed to moisture, especially after washing the car. This surface rust typically goes away after a few brake applications, so it's not a cause for concern. These rotors provide better stopping power.

Another (admittedly) mild annoyance in the effort to keep your wheels looking pristine, but like anything else, it’s a trade off for better stopping power.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/articl...fixable-error/

Something to be aware of to be sure, but I put a coating on my wheels and dust washes off with a simple brush or spray down.

True enough, but if you’re going to get the Z51 package, buy the FE4 suspension (mag ride shocks with Z51 suspension). In sport or tour mode, I get a soft ride.

I drove my 2025 home from Bowling Green eleven days ago in largely below 40 weather. No issues. The all-season tires fit the Z51 just fine. I switched out the summer max performance tires on my 2022 after they wore out for the all-season tires. Plan to do the same for my 2025.

It’s $6345 more. It was $5000 on the 2020s. It’s been $6345 since 2022. There are more “perks” to having the Z51 than just the ability to use it on the track.

The eLSD all by itself has advantages in ordinary street and highway driving, it’s not just for the track and it is only available on the Stingray with the Z51 package.

https://www.carparts.com/blog/electr...a-brief-guide/

Since most Stingrays have the package, not having it might lower resale value, assuming you care about such things.

The point of my reply is not to sharpshoot you or to be argumentative, but to relay to other prospective buyers on the forum that there are tangible advantages to having the Z51 beyond the track.

It’s not a must-have, but like anything else you opt for or opt not to have, there are trade offs.

For example, having the front end lift puts you in a position for it to perhaps fail on you and require service. However, not having it increases your chances of scraping the front end on a high speed bump or a not-so-obvious steep driveway or exit from a business parking lot.

I’m just providing all of the information so that folks reading this thread have all of the information with context.

 

Here is some facts about the Z51 performance package.

The Z51 option is marketed as a performance package, not a track package. However GM requires to car to have the Z51 performance package if tracking the car.

When purchasing C8 Stingrays outside of North America there is no option to purchase the car without the Z51 package. It needs to meet the expectations of the cars it will be competing against overseas.

You shouldn't be driving cars on the street at speeds where the performance advantage of the Z51 makes it faster than the non-Z51. The advantage of the Z51 package on the street is increased feedback and composure at speeds below the absolute limits. Jim Mero has stated that even typical drivers would be able to tell the difference during spirited street driving even if the car is equipped with MSRC.

The summer tires can be used down to 20F without damage. They will still have traction comparable to the AS tires in cold, dry conditions. However AS tires will be better in cold wet conditions, and much better in snow and ice. The AS tires aren't quieter than the summer tires, both will get noisier with age. People replace worn summer tires with new AS tires and attribute the difference to the AS tires.

Don't buy the Z51 package for better resale, you will only get a portion of your investment back. Get the Z51 package because you are going to track the car or because you will enjoy and make use of what it brings to your driving experience.

The best performance value is probably a non-Z51 with MSRC and performance exhaust. Z51 just turns it up a little. If you live and die for canyon carving you will want the Z51 package.

 

Buying:
I let GF select the car cosmetics and she did not like Z51 rear wing. About 70% of the C8s in 2021 were Z51. 2LT and 3LT were split with about 10% more 2LT. She did not like the colored interior so got 2LT with black interior. With all the money we saved, she bought a handbag. I did not get to choose the color.

Owning:
I was pleased to find the A/S tires will last almost double the Z51 "summer" tires. Yearly, the police check for cars with summer tires driving on a highway to the mountains and they were shocked to find a performance car with A/S tires. I have driven both models and cannot determine any performance or ride difference. Maintenance and other operating costs are similar although I suppose the Z51 brakes may cost more? C8 aficionados may be able to see a difference in the two models but 99% of people look at shape and color more than the badge so even at car shows my blue car gets more attention than a red Z.

Selling:
When selling my previous Corvette, some people asked whether it was Z51, but the fact that it was not did not stop them from asking for a viewing. Here, the Stingray new cost is 7% less than the Z51 so if a used Z51 is selling for $50k I can ask advertise for $47k and that may be a factor for someone looking for a used performance car. However, selling was not a consideration in my purchase decision.

 

Very well said

 

mine is non z

didn’t care for the above things as well as the ricer pep boys rear spoiler

I have mag and exhaust and it goes as fast as I care to go

 

I just got back from Ron Fellows Spring Mountain and I am glad I have a Z-51.
The Z-51 package has more to offer over a standard C-8, including the DCT itself.
For those that go with a non Z-51 car, it is your call but the Z-51 car is a much better car in many ways.
I personally know now just how powerful the Z-51 brake package really is and it is very impressive once you need them.
This has been beat to death but the Z-51 is the way to go, these cars are just so much better.

 

Non Z, added exhaust , Mag ride and the spoiler/ splitter package. It works fine for my needs.

 

A non-Z51 with mag ride shocks and performance exhaust is the sweet spot for a street-only C8 Stingray, in my opinion. You get low brake dust and all-season tires, and you can spend the $5000 on other options.

And don't let people fool you. If you get caught driving fast enough on the street to take advantage of the bits and pieces that come with the Z-51 package, you're looking at jail time.

With that said, If there's any possibility you may track your C8 then by all means spend the money for the Z51 package. But don't skip the mag ride shocks that will cost you another $1800. There's no performance traction management (PTM) without the mag ride shocks. If you're going to go with a track focused C8, you might as well go all the way and get all the goodies.

 

Not!!!!!!!!

 

Way to disagree!

 

I had a 2023 SR non Z51 and I remember for the street it handled great, had some body roll going into the corners at a good rate of speed but nothing bad. I now have a 2025 SR with the Z51 package and I can definitely tell the firmer ride and tuning that I have with this car. I will never track this car but with all of the other stuff that this package comes with, its a great performance package to have. I live in South Florida and in the summer time with ungodly heat and humidity that is here, it is great that the Z51 comes with extra cooling. I'm happy with the Z package and glad that I purchased it.

 

This is what the Z51 provides and NOT only for Tracking. This is what the father of MRC said to folks saying you can feel a difference on he street. In one word he is said BS!

All 7 of my Vettes have had performance suspension. I buy a Corvette for performance and although I don' Track, where safe push near it's limits. If you drive it like a Prius, don't bother!

With my 2020 C8, where safe. Glad I had Z51, MRC and eLSD!

 

Agree with most of what you are saying.
Item # 11- Have never been asked if my SR has Z51 except for other corvette owners and most of them can tell without asking.

 

I agree but it's the first thing I look for when I see one sitting in a lot or at the dealer. I walk up, coupe, check, nice color, check, doesn't have the crazy high wing, check, Z-51 on the calipers, check... Then does it have mag...