I mean on paper it sounds amazing. Unbelievably quick computer controlled response with a nearly unlimited range of damping and stiffening.

But strangely enough since I first saw it instated in the Vette for the '04 50th anniversary model and then Caddy and Buick... I just don't hear much praise over it - I don't see any other manufacturers scrambling to create or use a similar technology, and I don't see GM rushing it to other vehicles.

So let's have an honest assesment here. What are the ups and downs to magnaride? Are there any downsides to the ride or handling compared to traditional shocks or struts? Are there any reliability or durability problems with them? What is their expected life and what all does it take and cost to replace them when they do go out?

Is GM planning any future revisions for magnaride that may significantly improve it or as of now is there nothing in the works? If they were to improve it, where would they go to work first?

 

More expensive, more complicated stuff to brake.

 

I believe that Delphi recently announced that they will be supplying adjustable ride technology to Ferrari, so add another manufacturer to the list. And if Ferrari is using it, it must be affordable

I think it's like many other technologies - it's expensive, and since it's likely covered by multiple patents, there's little opportunity for competition to drive down the price. I put it in the same category as Quadrasteer - a damn good idea at a price that I wouldn't pay.

Bottom line - most consumers would get more value if companies simply bolted-up a set of premium "standard" dampers. GM has shown a tendency to do this on occassion, such as the stock DeCarbons on my Impala SS, or the Bilsteins on the TrailBlazer SS.

 

So "premium "standard" dampers" have what advantage over magnaride other than cost savings? I'd assume disadvantages would be ride quality.

Yeah after I posted this thread I did a bit of searching and saw reference to an '07 Ferrari model.

I think on the Vette it's a $1250 or so option. I'd be willing to pay that if it'd allow the Vette to be more daily drivable without giving up corner carving handling when I want it.

 

It is the future. Just depends on how long it takes to make it cost effective.

As an aside, when I was at UT, I got to see a HMMWV and a 2.5 ton truck fitted with electromagnetic suspension.

 

Other companies have continuosly adjustable suspensions don't they? The one I am thinking of is on Maseratis. I think it is called Skyhook. I don't know how it varies the damping rate, but I don't believe it was not like magnaride. I also recall that the response rate was not as fast as magnaride.

Is Bose still working on their continuosly adjustable suspension system? I thought that was regarded as the best of the adaptable suspensions, it just cost way too much at the moment.

http://www.bose.com/controller?event..._challenge.jsp

 

That was a fully "active" suspension system. It'll take a conversion to high-voltage electrical system to make that happen (which, of course, is coming with hybrid vehicles). It'll also suck a significant amount of power, which isn't good for fuel economy.

Threxx, to answer your question, "premium" standard dampers are cheaper than electronically adjustable shocks, and that's about it. But they provide maybe 90% of the performance for perhaps 25% of the cost (admittedly I'm guessing at both numbers), which is a "win" in the eyes of most consumers. They're also substantially lighter - nearly 10lbs or so - which should be a big deal nowadays, although we are in the age of 3000 lb "compact" cars and 4500 lb "mini" SUVs.