Magneride vs. Std Dampers

IMHO, if you plan to do any kind of performance driving, I suggest you go with the Magneride. Three reasons:

First, based on my test drive, the car does benefit from the firmer suspension that the Magneride provides in sport mode to control body roll for performance driving (I've not driven the California with standard suspension but all the reviews suggest that it may have too much body roll for performance purposes).

Second, my confidence in Evo's opinion was shaken recently when I read their review of the AMG SLS in which they said that the SLS gearbox is "... not, as you might have been led to believe, a double-clutch gearbox of the Porsche PDK variety..." In fact, the SLS gearbox is a dual clutch unit made by the same company as the PDK (i.e. Getgrag) and very similar to the PDK (main difference being the location of the two wet clutch packs). So, I don't think that Evo is really doing their homework the way they used to.

Third, with an investment of $200k in a California, why not spend another 2.5% and have the choice of ride characteristics according to the situation (softer for street and firmer for performance)? If you want to keep the cost down, I'd suggest you focus more on options that are less essential (e.g. carbon fiber, Daytona seats, etc.).

 

OK, I’ll counter blockbuster’s argument who admits to not having driven a standard suspension car to validate his recommendation.

Consider who Ferrari is primarily aiming this car at: current non-Ferrari owners and women drivers were two key groups identified in order to broaden the brand’s appeal and customer base. Then look at what style of car are they likely to be switching over from – Mercedes SL, Lexus, Aston DB9 Volante, Bentley GTC etc. None of these cars are set up as overtly sporting models in their respective ranges as each manufacturer offers different variants to cater for different tastes. Enthusiasts will therefore drive the harder edged SL AMG, Aston DBS, Bentley GT Speed etc. Ferrari has to cover both the owner looking for a softer, more luxury cruiser along with the enthusiast driver looking for a more usable daily driver but without compromising the sporting nature of the car when the road and conditions allow. Enter Magneride which is a compromise system like all active dampers that aims to give a smooth ride in comfort mode whilst firming up in sport mode. The result is a system biased more heavily in favour of the "comfort" driver as the US is a key target market and these “new” buyers aren’t necessarily interested in sports handling.

How many race cars are fitted with such a system? It's nowhere to be found on the 458 options list either with this car set up for performance handling using a finely calibrated passive system. Every road test I've read on the 458 rates ride quality highly on this set up.

The HGTE pack for the 599 shows what's required to bring a comfort focused active system up to par. It's magnetic dampers have been aggressively recalibrated to work in harmony with stiffer springs and a stiffer anti roll bar.

The latest Maserati Quattroporte GT S is a good example of taking a car set up primarily for comfort and turning it into a sharp sports sedan/saloon. The first thing the engineers did with this car to make it handle was ditch the Skyhook adaptive dampers and replace them with a finely tuned passive set up. The result is a car that has been transformed for the enthusiast driver.

It's a similar situation with Porsche where drivers looking for the best performance bypass the active PASM damper system and go for the limited slip diff with the 20mm lowered passive suspension instead.

My Cali rides on the standard passive suspension and there isn't any more noticeable body roll than a Magneride car with sport engaged. What there is instead is better control of initial rebound from poorly surfaced roads and more predictable handling. Ride comfort is still very good and the ride is not overly firm. It's far smoother even on my 20” wheels than the 430 spider my car replaced for example and that wasn't exactly a harsh riding car. Having driven two magneride demo cars over a variety of roads I'm far happier with the standard set up which gives more seat of the pants feedback and more predictable cornering attitude IMHO.

It really depends on what you are looking for from the car as to whether or not magneride is worth having or not I'd suggest Mark. Just remember that Ferrari don’t do poor passive suspension set ups on their cars. If you want to improve performance go for the sports seats (which ditch the heavy electric motors) and take the 19” forged wheel option which are considerably lighter than the 20” and reduce unsprung weight. This was the spec Ferrari provided EVO to set their performance results.

 

interesting. but the 458 does have the magnetic shocks doesn't it? i thought the evo drive, or autocar, talked about how good it was in the video...

 

You are correct Dave. Apologies.

 

How are the roads where you generally drive?

Here in Michigan, where the roads are horrendous, Magnaride is a "must have". If I lived down south where the roads tend to be a lot smoother, I could do without it. I have driven cars back to back, with and without Magnaride, and there is a noticeable difference over the roads around here.

 

no worries mate..so, around your parts you always prefer the passive setups? not car dependent? i'm just curious how certain cars 'react' on varying types of roads...and depending on where and how one drives... thanks for the feedback..

on another note, i remember an article way back where Ferrari said the 'future' of performance were to be found in the electronic manipulation of suspensions and transmissions..as processing power improved and became more cost effective...sounded like they've been keen on the programming for semi-active shocks for a long time...

 

Kizdan, I feel your pain....Michigan is a wonderful state and a beautiful place to drive any F-car however those roads keep my car in Florida. The drives through the farm filled back roads of Florida may not be as pretty as Michigans' but they more than make up for it with miles of beautifully winding smooth blacktop. Here the Magnaride on my California is noticed when I downshift two gears then accelerate into and through sweeping corners. The car is tighter with little roll as it dives into the turns. Without Magnaride it is softer and less sporty, perfect for cruising with the wife. But when I'm alone, maybe on a Sunday morning with the sun shining, I put the top down, flip the magneto to sport and stretch the Cali out on the rural county back roads. There, with little traffic to worry about, I can push this car with a big smile on my face.

I look forward to visiting Michigan whenever I can, still have a lot of family there. But for driving my California, and experiencing the difference between Magnaride and standard ride there is no better place for me than the country back roads of Florida. Just stay away from the cities and all the poeple, they're too unpredictable here.

 

There is no such thing as a passive suspension set-up on the California or any recent Ferrari. The shock absorber ECU is always reading inputs from the steering position sensor and the acceleration sensors to stiffen and soften the shock absorbers, amplitude dependent on which suspension setting you have selected.

The Magneride shocks just allows these adjustments to be made more rapidly and the ECU controls both actuators and viscosity of the shock medium. It is standard on the 599 and 458, so that should tell you something. I was really surprised it was an option on the California. It should have been standard.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Sorry for reviving an old thread: Is there a way to tell if a specific California has been optioned with Magnaride? Or can I tell from the VIN what options may;ve been on the car?

 

Look for the second button on the left side of the steering wheel, has an outline of a shock on it.

 

It's been a while since I've seen a Cali without this option, but if I remember correctly, the bumpy road mode button is still there but it has no function.

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It’ll be listed on the build sheet which you can get from any Ferrari dealer if you give them the VIN.

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Thanks all!

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That's all you need to know, the button is to the left and slightly above the red engine start button. I HAD to have Magneride on mine and haven't touched it yet in 500 miles of driving lol.