johnnybgoode

My c230k coupe has 90,000 miles and has caused me many problems. I brought it to MB and they told me I need a new catalytic converter and they can do the job for $1,800..

A friend of mine told me I could remove it or use a "test pipe". I do not know much about these things. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO BESIDES BUY A NEW CAT CONVERTER?????????? (No emissions test where I live.)

Please help. It's in the shop at the momment and I'm picking it up tomorrow just as I left it because i don't have $1,800.

rlee02135

is it the primary or secondary cat?
you could replace it with a hi-flow race cat, but it would be louder...
orr just buy any cat on ebay and have it welded on....

johnnybgoode

I'm not sure. Which ever costs $1,400 at MB.
They told me that these cats are much different from other cars, they pretty much span the entire car.

I don't mind it too be louder just nothing over the top.
I would prefer not to do any welding..

What can I do

rlee02135

ask them if its the 1st or 2nd cat...
if its the 2nd, theres no O2 sensor, so you can replace it with one of these: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MakeTrack=true

BadAssC230k

who makes hi-flow cats right off the headers? i was thinking about doing it when I first did my exhaust, but was told by my guy that did the install who deals with dyno-max and magna-flow that they didn't make ODB2 hi-flow cats for my model/year

jgsx

Kleeman

stevenle21

do you get the check engine light? i have that same prob on my 2003 c230 and ive been putting if off.

RUBYMARDIONO

I used to have a e46 BMW 318i. Same thing happened. I took the car to BMW dealership which quoted me NZ$2500 for a new cat. Instead I took the car to the local garage, he cut the cat and put the straight pipe. The result: As good as it was. (and I only spent NZ$ 125 on new pipe and welding). CHeers

w203elegance

what happens (or sound like) when your cat is ready to go?

RUBYMARDIONO

The sound is a bit different to be honest, but hardly noticable unless you compare it to another similar car. But to me, it was worth it, coz no effect on preformance.

W Cole

What country are you in? I seem to remember that the emmisions system was warrantied for an extended period of time (90,000 - 100,000 miles??) I could be mistaken though.

C230 Sport Coup

What year is your coupe? You could get in on the $1000 Kleeman header deal with the cat built in if it's 2003+.
If it's 2002, I have 105K miles, no problems with cat.
The dealer might be full of shee-ite.

tommy

Yes, I was told that a new cat would be around that price, too. An independent local shop found one for $1350 after looking for a while. I said I'd get back to them.

Went to a local shop, got a magnaflow, had them weld in the bungs, $180 out the door. Problem solved. Been over a year now, too.

tee_tz

Wow, sorry to hear. I had a problem last week (see: HELP!!! C320 Fuel Cutoff, Muffler Rattling) and they ended up replacing it for $1,500 I think, but it turns out it wasn't the problem! My car is still losing power occasionally. So the moral of the story, are they sure it's the Cat?? Cause that's what the said for me, but the car is still giving me issues.

Luckily my car is covered under the warranty.


Tee_Tz.

johnnybgoode

I have a 2002. My warranty does not cover it at all and I bought the extended warranty which will expire this December. I live in Florida, USA.
I'm going to pick up my car today from MB and I'm going to ask them to write down what exactly the problem is. I would much rather get a straight pipe or whatever it is like you guys mentioned before than spend so much money. I'm going to be needed a clutch soon too.
And it was the check engine light. I really don't trust MB I know theyve ripped me for years
When I pick up my car and get the details i'll share the bull**** with you all.
Thanks for the help.

GDawgC220

Emission Laws require that emission components of a vehicle (which encompasses your catalytic converters) must be warrantied for 8 years or 80k miles (i'm not sure if its which ever comes first). If it is not by which comes first then you're still covered and the dealer must peform the work and they'll get reimbursted by the proper channels.

Smallbodybenz

Bringing this back from the dead But I AM wondering if i delete my CAT on my 02 c230 coupe and replace it with a straight Pipe will i get a CEL?? Or what are my alternatives under $500

Smokphattys

is there still no magnaflow application for our cars? wtf?