citruspilot

Greg/ohlord, I just bought a 2001 E430, white/gray very nice, mileage is 115,000K, clean no blemishes records. Local Charlotte car since new. I am the third owner. First two were a father and then his daughter as per the title search, it was a gift. Its actually a "twin" to my E420, same colors. My neighbors must think I am crazy? (? I must be, afterall I fly around in an aluminum tube going 500 mph at 41,000 ft all the time......hhmmm...)

Anyway, while inspecting the car for purchase I heard the familiar cat "rattle" which the local MB dealer tech verified. They quoted the standard "rip your wallet out of your pocket" $1,500+. I found them online for about $350.00 each (the ones located just under the front seats). Negotiated a fair price for the car considering this issue, for both if needed, and wanted your input on what outlet was the best/cheapest place to get them. Your help is always greatly appreciated!

PS: Do they bolt on and can I do them myself?

Jeff

Buellwinkle

$1,500 from MB sounds about right, the part is about $1K. Go to a good muffler shop, not the flashy one that advertises a lot, the one that's good. A cat costs about $50, I know you probably don't believe me but that's what they cost. What they do is cut off the ends on your MB cat and weld the ends to the generic cat and put it back. Usually costs about $130-150 to do and you'll never know the difference.

Given that, it's very rare an MB of that vintage needs a cat, and I'm sure dealers are all hungry to rob you to make up for losses in other departments. I had a 2 mechanics that told me we needed a cat on a car we have because of a rattle and I told them BS and keep looking, finally they kept it for 2 days and realized it wasn't the cat at all. In my case it was the damper/crank pulley came apart, actually very common for your vintage car but with the V6.

What maybe happening is the heat shields around the exhuast have come lose and are rattling.

citruspilot

Thanks for the reply. The noise is coming directly from the area of where the cats are mounted under the car. While at idle its a very distinct sound that almost sounds like a bolt is loose on the torque converter, kinda. Thats how I decribe it anyway. The car drives fine, no check engine light. Took it to the MB dealership and asked a service writer to take a listen. He said immediatly "thats a catalytic converter". Didnt even flinch. So I took his word and the gal and I negotiated a lower price with the cheaper online pricing we found. We figured about $1,000 for both including install. She didnt want to mess with it and agreed to take less money. Now, its up to me to search out a cheaper price and save money!

I have had my 97 E420 since 2006. I have just over 175,000 miles and have not had this problem. Prior to me, dont know. So I am shooting in the dark. I have heard "heat shields" over the years, kind of a tinny sound, but this is more of a "tumbling noise". Not in time with the engine RPM's just a weird "rock in a bucket" sound. When your head is at the ground its coming right from the "cat" area. Looked to make sure they had not been bottomed out on or smashed and they look fine. But without a lift.........who knows.

I got a good buy. Dont think a tranny would make that sound...at least I hope not. But it shifts fine and no vibrations at any speed even at 80 mph.

So what your saying is that a "national brand muffler shop" can cut off my MB cat ends, weld on a generic cat and reinstall? All for about $200 including the cat??

Jeff

TMAllison

Lots of folks have ended up replacing the "el cheapo" cats with OEM's soon after installing them. Sometimes you do get what you pay for.

citruspilot

Thanks TM. I agree. I am not afraid to spend more money to get it right. So the $350.00 online cats, are they good? And by the way, if only one is bad can you replace only the bad one without tripping a check engine light later? Thought I heard once that they need to be replaced in pairs for the computer to get the right data.............

Jeff

j944

Please PM the info you found on the cats for $350. I am needing the same one as you. I can find universals for the 6cyl all day long but I am having a pita of a time for the 430's.

Thank you

Buellwinkle

$50 is actually a good name brand one like Magnaflow, cheap ones run $30. $350 is probably just a $30 one with MB style ends welded on. Does this sound get less noiser as you get up to speed or as it warms up? Does it smell like sulfer or rotten eggs at the tail pipe (sign the cat is gone). Remember, sounds bounce around an engine bay and you can easily be fooled. Like I said before, 2 mechanics told me it was a cat and it turned out to be the pulley at the front of the motor. Best way is to hold a tube to your ear and to the area you think is making the noise to localize it.

You must have good MB dealer mechanics by you, because mine have a very hard time with car repair, heck, they can't even do oil changes right. I got 4 years free maintenance on my 2004 and I ended taking it elsewhere and paying, that's how bad they are. Would I trust them if they told me it was the cat, no, I would assume it's not if they think it is, haha.

BTW, I said not to go to a national muffler chain, find a small shop that does custom work. National chains are just one notch below a car dealer in overcharging for mediocre work. The place I find these type of shops, is find a local hot rod and custom car club and talk to the members, where they take their cars.

ohlord

or m flow,eastern oe 49 state approved about 60 bucks and anothe 60 per side to have a muffler shop splice them in.Always check why the cat failed,sometimes quality issue,sometimes neglect,oil burning,bad o2,bad maf.Did you get it inspected
pre flight is mandatory,cleared for take off

Air Marshall Eldritch

No, don't PM it, post it here. This is an important bit of information.

Ohlord, when are you doing your East Coast swing? We can have a cat-welding party.

citruspilot

OK, the find online was www.catalyticconverterwarehouse.com

Not hard to find just Googled it. They have the one for the E430, 2000/2002 model for $360.86 each side, includes shipping. Thats the entire piping from manifold back to the pipe joint just in front of the rear end. Unplug the sensor connectors, unbolt from the manifolds, remove the hangars mid-car and unbolt the the rear flange, remove. Exchange the sensors out then re-install.

I hear the job should only take about 2 hours.

Personally, I am not too fond of having my cats cut out and then re-welded. I would prefer to keep it stock as possible. I know thats the cheaper way to go but I dont mind spending the money to get it right.

Jeff

ohlord

next week.With the black wagon to a forum member,and do his plugs and detail on his nice 430 in black sedan.Trying,maybe summer on the racing circuit.Vintage races in Lime Rock
http://www.limerock.com/content/track-directions
great track,nice people.

citruspilot

ohlord, hell if your coming close enough to Charlotte I'll "let" you do the cats!! Theres a case of beer in it for ya............and a nice hot meal. I'll sit back eating popcorn and watch................ I've even got a floorjack and stands.............................

Jeff