I took my 01 E 430 about a week ago to the smog check station to get my 2 year smog check. He failed the car. He told me that the catalytic converter that I had installed ( not covered by warranty due to high mileage) in 2005 is NOW illegal and it has to be replaced with a new California ARB Approved CC. I even had the car smogged in 2009 (law was in effect Jan 1 2009) and it passed, then. I tried to explain to the smog tech my situation, but it was like talking a cop out of a 100 mph speeding ticket- the law is the law. I personally think that is grossly unfair that I replaced a catalytic converter in 2005, well before the new law, and now the law has passed in 2009, I must replace this expensive CC with a California aproved CC. Not only are the CA approved CCs hard to find, the only place out there seems to be the dealer, at about $1200 a pop. First i have two questions:
1. Has anybody else had this problem with the smog check and a replaced CC?
2. Can you lead me to a source that has an ARB(california approved) catalytic converter that is made specifically for a 2001 MBZ E 430 Thanks

 

for a ruling from the smog board.
The law can't be changed retroactively you should be grandfathered.
www.germanstar.net stainless steel full side cats CARB a bit over $500.
if you can't beat the Man,man.
Did he run the test and it was a no pass on the gasses?
Or did he do a visual?

 

going back to my cave and go to sleep

 

Looks like Magnaflow 36005 Universal will fit your car. It's $132 at amazon and CARB approved.

 

Wow, the government is eating us alive.

 

if you can show proof that your cat was the correct one installed in 2005, it will pass. The only way you can do that is to find a 2005 catalog stating this is the correct cat for your car and showing proof it was installed in 2005. However, it sounds like your smog tech was being uncooperative and wouldnt pass you either way and you will have to find another place for smog.

 

Where are you located in CA? I too had a problem when buying my car, the seller lowered the price so that i would take care of the blown cats from front to back. Not the smartest idea at the time but it gives me the assurance that i know they were replaced with the high mileage i have. Theres a shop located in La Habra where I will be taking my car to have them replaced from exhaust manifold to the muffler for 600$ out the door, of course its not OEM. Also look around on the web if your willing to take it that extra mile California offers a break of up to 500$ for people who cant pass smog.