So there I was reading through the twin screw supercharger upgrade thread and I saw the comments on the Blue Top solenoid mod and decided I wanted to do it. Got the solenoids and lined up the shop but I was a little concerned that I couldn’t find anyone who had done this on a 2004 or newer XKR. I now know the reason. The newer car has 6 very different solenoids and I’m now $850 smarter. However there was an upside, I’d had the trans oil changed early to get rid of the trans growl (not a good thing) and it didn’t take. So I had them swap out the oil used by the dealership for:
Pentosin ATF 1 TE ML 11B

No growl that I can see. So that was likely worth the effort (at least that is what I’m telling my wife when she gives me the “you’re and idiot” glare.

The dealership owes me pictures will post when I get them.

 

Well yeah, it's a completely different transmission.

What are you going to do with the blue tops?

 

How many did you buy for $850 Rob?


The Mercedes box is upgraded with just a pair of solenoids. If you bought 6 this might be a nice upgrade for 3 early XKR owners at a pretty reasonable price.

 

Such as an 02? A little bit of searching reveals the new solenoids are supposed to firm up shifts, has anyone here done it? Is it too aggressive or still comfortable for daily driving? Any downsides?

 

In the referenced thread, I point out the use of blue tops by Hemi owners and Avos installs them. He reports that he is happy. Several other owners have since installed them with success on the Merc W5A580 transmissions used on the SC models.

The title of this thread has been changed to reflect that the blue tops are only for the Merc W5A580.

 

This mod is on my list as well. So enderle, if you're selling the blue tops, I pay you for two of them. Just tell me your price.

Mark

 

My XJR has blue tops. They were changed when transmission and torque converter were strengthened and modified. Test drives were quite awful experiences because of VERY HARSH downshifts 3-2, 2-1. After adapation reset and 1K miles it's ok, not so comfort as before the blue tops - but shifts could not be firmer.....like real race car when you use S mode. It's possible if you just change the blue tops, no other mods, you feel good.

 

I almost did the same thing, but I read a bit more about it to make sure these would work and they wouldn't.

I wish this upgrade would work with my 6 speed. Oh well.

 

One of the guys out here is modifying his XJR and helping me with mine, if he doesn't want them they are yours. Give me a few days to check.

 

That was the labor + oil charge to pull apart the transmission and discover they won't work. That is on top of the cost of the two solenoids. So just two, and found a home for them. (Jeff wants them for his XJR)

 

Jeff said he wanted them. Sorry.

 

It was $850 for just 2 solenoids? Never mind then, I'm sure I can do better.

Mark

 

No the $850 was for the labor. I wasn't going to charge anyone that.

 

Since I now have them, here are my $850 (sigh) shots of the inside of the newer transmission.

 

They shift the transmission almost instantly at lower speeds. I only have about 100 miles into driving after the install. Under throttle, they are great. The shifting should ease a little at the lower speeds after more driving. I like them, but I am used to doing weird things to my vehicles to make them perform better.

 

What was the labor time and cost for this to be done?

Anything else a mechanic should be warned of or work that should be done when this upgrade is performed?

 

So this is not a mod for the six speed.

 

5 speed Mercedes transmission in first round XKR (1999-2002) cars only. Not for XK8 of that time with 5 speed ZF transmission either. Cheer up for those of you in 2003-2006 modesl, your ZF 6 speed downshifts much faster.