Mountain Biking - Marzocchi MZ1 vs MZ Race

I've been looking at buying a new set of forks while on a budget. At first I had been looking at the Mazrochi EXR PRO because they were pretty much the cheapest I could find. Now I've noticed a few MZ 1 and MZ race forks around the same price range.
the EXR PRO is pre 05
the MZ1 is a 2006 model
the MZ Race is a 2007 modelou

can anyone give some insight on the differences between the MZ1 and MZ Race, and which one would you recommend

http://www.marzocchi.com/template/listSPAForksIntendedUse.asp?p=&LN=UK&Sito=mtb&Y=2006
I can't find any MZ RACE??
this one is on ebay, is the listing wrong then.

Homie, I think those are OEM forks. So I don't think you can usually just buy one at a shop. But people sell them off their bikes, which is apparently what you found. I have the MZ1 and it's alright for the money. If you are going budget than I could justify it. Otherwise get together some more money and get a higher end air fork.

A freind has a MZ Comp on his new Diamondback Response Comp. Unless you weigh under 150 or so pounds the fork is [B]CRAP![B] It' has a 120mm of travel and you only get abot 50mm . Bottoms out real easy. Save your money and get a better fork. Look at your LBS for an older model air fork or for a good used one replaced from a customers bike .

I realize all these forks are OEMs and not sold in the aftermarket but I've seen some listings on ebay from other bike stores selling off ones they had but never sold with the bikes. Originally I had wanted the EXR PRO because my friend has one and I've ridden it and was not disappointed, especially for the money he paid for it ~$200. I had bid on a few EXR PRO's but never won. So I went to my LBS and all they had was a 2006 MZ1 for ~$200. I don't know anything about that fork so I said I might come back this week to look at it again. Then while looking for info on the MZ1 I came across the MZ RACE for about the same price, but again i know nothing about it. All I want is a fork comparable to the EXR PRO (i know it doens't have much adjustment possibility but I've already ridden one and know what its like and loved it) and I'd like to stay in the sub $200 range becuase I just purchased my new bike not long ago (FUJI Nevada 3.0) which is an entry level bike but I liked the frame and the price. (I'm a college student) but after a few rides I noticed I could barely stand the SR SUNTOUR 50mm spring forks on this bike. They have absolutely NO rebound control and they bottom out VERY easily. almost makes trail riding kinda dangerous.


So if anyone can give some suggestions on some comparable forks I would greatly appreciate. I know many of you have suggested saving up some more $$$ but I've noticed that forks are either $200 and below or $400 and above which makes it hard to justify since that would be about 80% of what I paid for the bike new! I hope I've made some sense.
Thanks
Andre,

My Caldera has the MZ Race and it's alright for the XC that I do. With that said the fork seems like it flexes when I tighten the QR and makes my disk brakes rub. I've tried a new rotor, pads, caliper adjustment, a different wheel with a different hub, etc and I still get this rubbing. I'm going to swap in a F100 this week and get rid of the MZ Race.

Hey buddy,
you just can't put fork with 100/120 on a bike with original 50mm travel, it'll completely change the geometry of the frame and maybe you'll see it's not what would you like. But anyway, if so, try to buy some relevant for this bike, on ebay you can buy some really nice deals under $100 like older Marzocchi Z3, Z4, Z5 with 80 or 100 travel. Also you can find sometimes some Manitou Black or Scareb. If you really want that one MZ1, there is a deal for $100:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230164113402&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=013
but as I said before, that 120mm travel will completely change your geometry...
Take care!!
And btw... rather then buying XTR der. try to find out better setup on complete bike ;-)

a friend of mine just Completely busted his Marzocchi Mz Comp ... kinda out of topic but I had to say it :p I have to say this fork jumped pretty big stuff