First time poster, longtime lurker.

I've been looking for the past couple of months for an SUV to replace my wife's convertible. We wanted something fun but spacious and have settled on either an SRX (my choice) or a Volvo XC90 (her choice). I think I've found an awesome deal on a returned SRX V8 AWD from a local dealer. One of the selling points of the SRX for me is the magnetic ride control suspension. Don't know why, I guess I'm just a gadget geek and think it's cool to switch from hard damping for corners to soft for potholes instantly without me having to do anything :bouncy:

Anyway, this particular dealer doesn't seem to have the original window sticker and couldn't tell me over the phone if it had MRC. I was under the impression that any V8 AWD with nav (which this one also has) should come with MRC bundled with it. But, checking on Cadillac's site, it appears that it is ordered as a special option.

Is there any way to tell by looking at some part (a control box under the hood, maybe?) if an SRX has MRC? Did SRX's built between a certain build date have it bundled with the AWD and nav? Thanks for any help you guys can provide.

Not all of the V8 AWD SRX's came with Mag Ride Control. Like you said, for a while, you had to order the Lux Perf Package (with Nav, Xenon headlights, etc) to get the Mag Ride. Since the one you're looking at came with the Nav option, I bet it probably does. Anything built Mar 2004 or earlier should only have the MRC bundled with the Nav (probably even later than this).

I do notice in the engine compartment on ours there is a wire that runs to about where the top of each strut would be (on either side of the engine). I haven't compared this to a non-Mag Ride SRX to see if they all have this.

The Volvo XC90 is not bad, but the SRX offers a lot more luxury, ride and performance, especially with the V8. Go for the SRX, you won't be disappointed. After 7,500 miles, we sure aren't...

I remember the dealer saying those wires are for the Magnetic Ride suspension. I am not 100% sure tho. You can compare it with another one at the dealer.

If I recall correctly, the original Luxury Performance Packages for the V8 SRX included the MRC, but that made for a bunch of $50k+ SRXs that sat unsold on dealer lots. Very early this year, Caddy changed this bundling/pricing scheme and the MRC was made a standalone option.

If I recall correctly, the original Luxury Performance Packages for the V8 SRX included the MRC, but that made for a bunch of $50k+ SRXs that sat unsold on dealer lots. Very early this year, Caddy changed this bundling/pricing scheme and the MRC was made a standalone option.

Although oddly enough, they have gone back to the same type of bundling (as the early 04's) for the 2005's. GM works in mysterious ways.

Thanks for the help, guys. I'll see if the dealer can look for those wires under the hood for me before I go up there since the dealership is an hour away.

The dealer did say that the original sticker was "around" $53k, so that would seem to match it having the original Luxury Performance package.

Again, thanks a ton for the help.

Thanks for the help, guys. I'll see if the dealer can look for those wires under the hood for me before I go up there since the dealership is an hour away.

The dealer did say that the original sticker was "around" $53k, so that would seem to match it having the original Luxury Performance package.

Again, thanks a ton for the help.

$53K for a V8 SRX means there are a lot of options not present. An 04 V8 with all options stickers at just over $60K.

Also I would think the last of those original production V8's with the MRC included in the Luxury Performance Package must have been sold out in the March 2004 timeframe when I was looking and buying. So if one was recently returned, then that original owner must've had it for at least 3-4 months now!?