Seems they went way up in price. Has anyone purchased them recently and where? Not sure Im willing to give them a go at over 200 a piece. That's one expensive shift kit and I never complain about cost@!


Thanks!

 

Seems I found a new part number for them 203-270-00-89 Can anyone confirm?


Thanks

 

Eh never
mind those are the brown tops I believe!

 

240 277 00 98 ...Perhaps another blue top #

 

Correct part number is 240-270-00-89 for the Blue Tops.


I just paid $360.24 including shipping for 2 from PartsDiscounters.com


I think they are outrageously priced now compared to years gone by, however, the difference they make to the car is well worth it IMHO.


I own an S55 AMG too and one of the reasons I chose the XKR over the XK8 was it's use of the Mercedes transmission. It is bulletproof.


What saddened me about the Jag's shift quality was just how soft it was, especially under hard acceleration. Not very 'sporty'. I really wish I had thought to take a short video of the before and after shift speeds on the rev counter. I am currently replacing my engine but when I am done in the next 2 weeks, I will gladly shoot a video of what it is like now and you can compare it to yours.


The only difference I see between these solenoids and the brown tops are the flow passages in the end of the solenoid body. I have the measurements from the blue tops and will be carefully drilling out the brown ones to match. I will then throw them in the wife's E320 at its tranny service next month and give them a whirl. If it shifts the same as blue-tops I will post the results and measurements for drill bits etc.


I have encountered no problems with harsh shifts up or down, just firmer and quicker engagement which can only lead to less clutch wear and a more involved driving experience. Now, if I can only figure out how to make a decent 'tiptronic' shifter for this car...


If you need anything else, just ask.


Cheers
Dan.

 

Solenoids have been around for ages.

Being blue only identifies the orifice size, the electrical function is the same(cycle on, cycle off)

With that being sad, if your brown tops have smaller orifices than the blue top, then drilling them out to the same as blue will give you the same performance.

These shops are ripping you off big time, as production cost for these solenoids are under $70,then they are marked up drastically by dealers and retailers.

 

Thats why I feel awful paying these prices. No reason one solenoid should cost more than another. I do now have an extra VB with solenoids so perhaps it be worth a shot at drilling out the orifice. I do however like the fact of having new solenoids. And shift quality was one thing I didn't like in my xkr. Kind of sloppy.


I bought a new conductor plate, plug and sonnax valve sleeve kit. I may just splurge for the blue tops at discount parts.


Thanks much guys

 

Just turned 50k mi short time ago so this winter is the tran fluid/filter replacement. I also wanted to upgrade these and yes I hedge due to price but will probably pull the trigger, I'll have it apart and it might be awhile before I replace fluid again (5k / yr) This thread just nudged me again about this issue (soft shifting) of the car.

 

I've had this on my "wish" list at Amazon for a while...$220...is this the right ones?

 

I was reading that as a pair...maybe that's for each...ouch

 

And if you make a mistake while servicing the transmission, there is no forgiveness in a Jaguar's heart, you will pay for that mistake.

 

You may also want to look into a new conductor plate and sonnax valve sleeve upgrade kit and electrical plug if you are doing the solenoids. Genuine MG conductor plate is cheap nowadays as is the plug. Having had a bad speed sensor and needing to change mine at an un-opportune time just do it:O)

 

So did you managed to make brown top ones work in your wifes e320? What model is your transmission in the jag.... do you know? 722.6XX?

THANKS

 

I don't want to sound like a greedy bast#rd, but I have a freshly rebuilt valve body for my 99 XK8, that was used for approximately 15 minutes, until I found out I needed a complete rebuild, or replacement trans. I bought it from Rev Max for $650. It has 3 supposedly new Blue solenoids, 4 Black, and one Green. I am selling the whole valve body for $400, just to recover a little of my money......Take care.....Mike

 

xk8 and xkr different transmissions. And the solenoid swap was worth every penny!

 

Hi Dan,

Did you ever have the chance to measure the orifice difference between the blue tops compared to the stock brown tops. I'd like to try out the difference

I'm one stripped star shaped bolt away from pulling off the...forgot what's it's called. The filter in connected to it. You drop it to get access to your solenoids.

I hope to remove that stubborn bolt after work tomorrow, clean up everything and bore out the brown tops. If all goes well it all goes back together this Sat. with some clean oil to replace the black as well as the new pan filter and gasket. I replaced the electrical plug last night.

If you or anyone reading this, knows the size difference between two solenoid orifices I'd really appreciate hearing it.

thanks

GGabriel




QUOTE=englishdan;1102884]Correct part number is 240-270-00-89 for the Blue Tops.


I just paid $360.24 including shipping for 2 from PartsDiscounters.com


I think they are outrageously priced now compared to years gone by, however, the difference they make to the car is well worth it IMHO.


I own an S55 AMG too and one of the reasons I chose the XKR over the XK8 was it's use of the Mercedes transmission. It is bulletproof.


What saddened me about the Jag's shift quality was just how soft it was, especially under hard acceleration. Not very 'sporty'. I really wish I had thought to take a short video of the before and after shift speeds on the rev counter. I am currently replacing my engine but when I am done in the next 2 weeks, I will gladly shoot a video of what it is like now and you can compare it to yours.


The only difference I see between these solenoids and the brown tops are the flow passages in the end of the solenoid body. I have the measurements from the blue tops and will be carefully drilling out the brown ones to match. I will then throw them in the wife's E320 at its tranny service next month and give them a whirl. If it shifts the same as blue-tops I will post the results and measurements for drill bits etc.


I have encountered no problems with harsh shifts up or down, just firmer and quicker engagement which can only lead to less clutch wear and a more involved driving experience. Now, if I can only figure out how to make a decent 'tiptronic' shifter for this car...


If you need anything else, just ask.


Cheers
Dan.[/QUOTE]

 

One down and one to go. Drill is easy. Cleaning the orifice is the real job. Hope this works....

 

Well Ill tell you what. If you manage to get this worked out. You should do it to a few sets and sell them on an exchange basis

 

It's too easy. I'd feel bad taking someone's money for something anyone can do.





10 mins later including having a couple of cigarette breaks and playing on the internet with my phone.





Lets bust the companies raping us on the price increase the blues tops have seen in the last few years.

 

Did it work