Magnetic shocks

[castellan]

HSV has Magnetic shocks, has anyone got a opinion on them.
A mate says they are the best thing in the world and i think they are just rubbish made by Monroe.
Would they be better than a quality properly valved shock ?
What is the main advantage is it a good ride. or how about serious 4X4 or rally driving etc.

[ratter]

If I remember correctly, they are adjusted via an ecu to control the ride quality that is required, the oil has metal particles in it and by adding a magnetic field effectively thickens the oil and firms the shock. If they work as intended they will be great, a properly valved shock is only good for the situation it is set for, these would be better under a lot of different conditions as programmed

[Rev28K]

Magnetics only in the HSV GTS? They are also used in some Corvettes (ZR1?) and Ferraris (599?).

[Crazy Dazz]

I imagine these are “magneride” or some derivative. In theory the magnetic field is continuously variable so the dampers can be adjusted from very soft to very hard almost instantaneously. Remember though that this is still only the dampers, the primary characteristics are determined by the springs.

[ryeman]

A REALY Desirable option for XRs in particular .... preferably standard .

[castellan]

Anyone driven a HSV GTS with them.

[Danny]

I have driven a Golf R which had them, (I had ordered one with the MRC option before I cancelled and bought the Megané) and they are great if they work as intended, I felt they te VW system in the Golf R was a little too extreme either way the button was pressed. The standard set up was much better meaning that the MRC option was simply a very expensive dashboard button.

[mik]

Originally Posted by Danny

I have driven a Golf R which had them, (I had ordered one with the MRC option before I cancelled and bought the Megané) and they are great if they work as intended, I felt they te VW system in the Golf R was a little too extreme either way the button was pressed. The standard set up was much better meaning that the MRC option was simply a very expensive dashboard button.

i think that the very hard ride in the hsv re; the mrc has been mentioned on the commy forums before, also on the odd road test article, one downfall with the mrc is they are quite expensive apparently, i don`t know what their life span is but from what i have read they are big buckaroonies.....................regardless, i like the idea of adjustable shocks in cabin, my old lexus has the old style shocks with a 2 position adjustment on the console , soft or hard, even though they are the gentlemans version of sports shocks............... soft setting equals boaty .......... hard setting equals slightly less boaty .

[Brent]

My old man has just purchased a 'runout' HSV Senator which has them. Console mounted button that switches them on and off. Can definitely feel the difference with them on. The damping and rebound control is certainly firmer, but the trade-off is a harsher, more jittery ride over poor surfaces.

Haven't had the opportunity to really test them out at highway speeds, but seat of the pants feel is that this feature is most useful over undulating, twisty mountain roads etc where you want the car to sit a little flatter.

Need to remember that the spring rates remain unchanged. Its only the shocker settings that are affected.