Having assembled this version of the frame for my dad, and having two of the circa 2015-suspended ones... It is very very nice. Unquestionably a step up from a finish standpoint.
I hope that they do make an upgrade of the front-end for the older frames. I'd stick it on there in a heartbeat.
How different does it ride? I agree that rear suspension is more useful than front suspension, but both (when well tuned) can be useful (or not??)