1LE versus ZL1 MRC suspension for daily driving

[harmonyp]

I'm going to test drive a 1LE today. I've driven the ZL1 with recaro seats twice now, and I absolutely love the car. But it's too much $, and questionably too much HP for a DD for me.

I know the 1LE doesn't have magnetic ride control. Just how much of a difference does that make in ride quality for daily driving? After falling in love with the ZL1, will the 1LE be a joy, or a disappointment or ?

[Bhobbs]

It's personal preference. I daily drive my 1LE and love it. The ride is fine for me. In fact, I prefer the stiffer ride of the 1LE.

[gajagfan]

Originally Posted by Bhobbs

It's personal preference. I daily drive my 1LE and love it. The ride is fine for me. In fact, I prefer the stiffer ride of the 1LE.

I also daily drive our car, and have put over 24K miles on it over the last year and a half, and it has been great. I can not compare it to the ZL1 because I have not driven one, but I can tell you the 1LE ride is not an issue for me.

[backeddy]

I DD mine 2500 miles a month in bay area traffic, only thing that is a pain is hill assist! Suspension is fine and comfortable. I drive this instead of a Mercedes e500 that is at home so take it from there. Last time at the track a ZL1 driver said he made a mistake not buying the 1LE due to lack of feedback from MRC....his opinion, not mine.

[X25]

If daily driving comfort is what you're looking for, why not buy a regular SS? The comfort penalties you pay for 1LE is so it handles a bit better at the track. If you won't go to track, why bother?

[christianmotox]

If you want comfort you might want to get a regular SS, the 1LE package will have firmer suspension compared to the regular SS and ZL1 (comfort Mode).

I daily drive mine and i can live with it.

[gajagfan]

Originally Posted by X25

If daily driving comfort is what you're looking for, why not buy a regular SS? The comfort penalties you pay for 1LE is so it handles a bit better at the track. If you won't go to track, why bother?

I get what you are saying, but even not at the track, the abilities of this car are great, and I use that suspension nearly everyday. If you want a car that handles, the 1LE is worth every penny.

[harmonyp]

I'm coming from a 2012 base corvette. I really love the vette, but being a 2 seater and 1LT interior (so bare bones) I'm wanting some creature comforts (hud, nav, etc). And 2 hrs a day of driving, the vette interior is feeling pretty cramped. But oh I love that car... so I dunno...

The 2ss without 1LE doesn't turn my crank. I guess I'll see soon if the 1LE feels close to comparable in umph to the vette. Once you have some power / capabilities, it's about near impossible to give them up.

[gajagfan]

Originally Posted by harmonyp

I'm coming from a 2012 base corvette. I really love the vette, but being a 2 seater and 1LT interior (so bare bones) I'm wanting some creature comforts (hud, nav, etc). And 2 hrs a day of driving, the vette interior is feeling pretty cramped. But oh I love that car... so I dunno...

The 2ss without 1LE doesn't turn my crank. I guess I'll see soon if the 1LE feels close to comparable in umph to the vette. Once you have some power / capabilities, it's about near impossible to give them up.

I had space problems with the Corvette, and its why we bought a Camaro, but before the 1LE, I just could not bring myself to do it.

[Mark T]

I could dd my 1e except i live in winter country. Plenty of hp and the suspension feels orgasmic when you drive it.

For the extra money i didnt need the blower ans special shocks. Too much for the badging imho.

[cdb95z28]

Ride quality is subjective.
My 2002 Saturn SL2 (commuter fuel economy beater, 115,000 miles) hits road imperfections worse than my 1LE. Same goes for my '95 Z28. I put 4000 miles in 5 months on mine, driving it every chance I could get. Its ride never had me question my purchase. The chassis is a marvel, race car handling when you turn up the wick, compliant, yet firm when you hit bumps. I had a G8 GT and while that car did not have the high limits of adhesion the 1LE has, it was also compliant yet firm.

[olblue75]

The actual ride quality is derived from the shocks, struts an sways the 1LE has the same springs as the SS. So really depends on what you wanna do with the car. I'm installing 1LE sways, shocks, an struts with ZL1 springs to get a cheap drop of about 3/4 to 1". I think the ride quality will be pretty good an should handle fairly well.

[KINGRENZ]

give me the SS ( manual) with some mods like headers , cold air and tune then add 3.91 gears and with any suspension upgrades (1LE OR ZL1) and still ...AND STILL its cheaper then a 1le
but what will perform better?

[X25]

Originally Posted by KINGRENZ

give me the SS ( manual) with some mods like headers , cold air and tune then add 3.91 gears and with any suspension upgrades (1LE OR ZL1) and still ...AND STILL its cheaper then a 1le
but what will perform better?

I don't think you can fit ZL1 suspension to other models; I doubt you could economically get the magnetic ride to work.

I sold my OEM forged 1LE wheels shod with tires at 60% for about $3K. It's hard to beat 1LE's value proposition.