victorylap

I've noticed a faint internal rattling in my cat converter - the dealership would not change it under my starmark warranty since my vehicle (at the time) had 80,567 and the warranty would replace the cat converter if the vehicle was under or at 80k miles - much to my chagrin, I'm still fighting this since my starmark warranty ceases in 03/2008 or 100k miles whichever comes first. In the meantime, I'm trying to get a cost of what a new cat converter would cost?! My dealership was going to charge me $910 for new cat converter and labor.

Again, I'm still trying to determine if I can get my warranty to cover this and if not, to see if they can cover half the cost via my local MB dealership.

I appreciate your feedback!

victorylap

NO feedback needed - I searched the old post of cat converters with warranty questions!

sts15

just curious. What did you do?

JamE55

Save yourself $910 and go buy one here...

http://www.randomtechnology.com/

victorylap

jamE55 - I visited the link you included; however, I couldn't find cat converter for MBs - do you know what you paid for yours? I'm trying to compare prices.

Another member gave me a local mechanic who specializes in this type of work here in Arizona - just comparing prices - Thanks.

JamE55

You might have to give them a call. The one i got is a race cat specific for my application. Don't remember exactly how much i paid but it was somewhere around the $300-400 ballpark figure.

jlmills

I called Random Technologies to see if they had a fitment for mycar - 01 E430.....they had no info on it, but asked for the specs (size) of the one on the car now. Do you by chance know the size of the right side cat on the 01 E430?

If I don't have to spend $945 at the dealer I sure won't.

Air Marshall Eldritch

I'm surprised that they refuse to budge on the replacement under starmark. I believe the dealer gets paid out by MB for this type of work. As far as I know, cats are covered and the rattle is the well known indication that one or more are going.
Also, since there are 4 cats on these cars, and one has the deathrattle, the others aren't far behind. So multiply the eventual outlay. I'd fight hard to get all 4 replaced before the coverage expires.

lkchris

Not when the coverage is expired.

Musikmann

I thought he said the Starmark was still in effect? The 80,000 mile deal (and some people think 8 years too), as I understand it, is for cars with no warranty. Plus some people have reported the dealer and/or MB paid for all of it under that, and others had to pay a portion.

Air Marshall Eldritch

He did say the Starmark is in effect until 100k miles, so the dealer should do it under that. Unless Starmark has a weasel clause these days.

Federal law is the one that covers 80k or 8 years regardless of warranty.

jlmills

www.raceparts.com they have them for 393.95 - IN STOCK!

ohlord

racepages.com the whole unit o2 sensors included or universal cats meet or exceed oe and you have them spliced in if your pipes are still good for about 50 bucks each,much less then the dealer.
ohlord

jlmills

ooops... the link is www.racepages.com also their is another www.thebenzbin.com (same price) w/free shipping.

Musikmann

That's a funny way of putting it RBrenton. I bought a CPO, and the finance guy "mis-represented" a couple of things about what it covers. When I mentioned it to him he said the rules are constantly changing and he can't keep up. My issues were very minor, so I was only telling him as an FYI.

Juggernautind

http://1motormart.com/mercedes~e430~...rter_year.html

$358.77 per side. Cheapest I found for the direct fit. Going to call Eastern Cat. to detrimine if I can get just the cat. converter. 2001 E430 85K

http://www.easterncatalytic.com/

E43 S

Hey by any chance did u fix that cat problem???? Cuz im in the same situation!!

Air Marshall Eldritch

Just a comment on the famous rattle noise. I had a jingle sound occurring at idle which everyone jumped to the conclusion that it was a bad cat. I had a feeling that was not the problem, but I couldn't be sure without getting it on a lift for a closer listen. When I did finally get around to that at my indie, it was indeed a broken exhaust clamp, which he replaced for free (!)

Just a ray of hope for anyone in this situation.

E43 S

HA!!! --i wish...unfortunately i already looked under there....and its not a clamp..

Bossman123

My GF used my car for a few days. Filled it with 87 octane. Then I got to buy a new left side cat. After her mistake, she let me pet the kitty cat for a week straight. Was almost worth the $600

victorylap

I just replace my cat converter - all is well and it rides nice, smooth and 'quiet'! It's good to network and I found a mechanic who works for a local MB dealership here in PHX and he does work on the side - he replaced my cat with OEM parts for $575. It sure beats $910 from my dealership! Let the good times continue to roll.

Vlap

ohlord

cat only to splice into good pipes.$50ea. from racepages.com eastern cat
for ca. cars you need to call for apps.
ohlord