Hello, I'm searching for a 2008 or newer corvette and one of my interest was the Z51 suspension package. However, I have the opportunity to see a car thats equipped with other goodies but this car has the F55 Magnetic Ride Control suspension. For those of you who know about this F55, could you please tell me what you think of this F55. I see most cars have Z51 pkg. One concern was cost if something were to go wrong, etc.. Thanks for your input..
Pretty sure this is a similar system to the one used by Ferrari, a few Audis, BMWs, Cadillacs, Porsche GT2/3s. I believe the ZR1 and Camaro ZL1 use it too. If anything it seems like the F55 system would be more reliable than most. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetorheological_fluid
F55 would be my choice as that option also included the better brake rotors from the Z51 option starting in the 2007 model year. However steering gear improvements starting in 2008 make that model year more desirable to. The F55 was improved from the 2005 C6 calibrations as drivers said they could feel little difference between the two suspension settings. If you are comparing Corvette prices keep in mind that there were a number of different options 'packages' available which can have an effect on the actual value of a 'deal' that you find. Good Luck in your Corvette search! CH
The F55 will give the best of both. For the average driver who has a corvette with F55 most leave it in tour setting. I service alot of corvettes here and have never seen a total system failure with it. Mostly it's a leaking shock and yes they can be pricey but that is usually the extent of the failure. Remember its an intergrated unit so just unplugging a suspect shock or connector to bypass a problem will cause other issues to arise also. The Z51 was the option of choice years ago before they became available as a package. Bigger brakes, sway bars etc... For diagnosis a GM Tech 2 or newer is required and the diagnostics themselves can get intense. On the whole... a good reliable system.
You might want to check the corvette forum as well. I think it depends on whether you are paying more for a car with that suspension, as well as what type of driving your planning to do. There are many aftermarket companies like Phadt that make setups that work as well or better than that system.
Carnut is correct, the F55 is considered in the Corvette community as more of a "cruiser" setup. It does not generally come with the more aggresive springs and is a nice package, but if you are a serious enthusiast is really isn't an aggressive package. Most folks who track their cars get rid of it and put on a set of more aggressive shocks and springs. Corvettes have jack screws on the ends of the springs and it is common to lower the car some to improve handling and get rid of the 4X4 look of the stock car. If you lower the F55 very much the shocks will sense you are near the bump stops and it will stiffen the ride, which makes the car uncomfortably stiff. Also as noted above, the shocks do go bad eventually and leak and they are hideously expensive to replace. Rather than replace them at those prices the typical solution is to remove them, replace with a standard shock and program the F55 out of the ecu. If you are a "waxer" and want the car to go to the country club, go for it.
I have both a new ZR1 and a 2004 C5 with the early gen F55, and I love the setup. On a base C5/C6 with the F55, it comes with softish springs and bars. Not track ready, but great on the street. I added Z06 bars on the '04 car, along with getting rid of the runflats for the best of both worlds. The ZR1 setup is noticeably stiffer, but still among the most civilized sports car rides on the planet.
