New catalytic converter required on my 2000 ML320... options
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee, WI
2000 ML320, 2000 Audi TT Quattro Coupe Modified, 1996 NSX-T Modified
New catalytic converter required on my 2000 ML320... options
As some of you know we have 2 pipes coming off of the engine. One each pipe there are 3 catalytic converters inline, and not individually replaceable. The element inside the first catalytic converter on the driver side is rattling around in the housing. I checked at an exhaust shop and they didn't want to try to cut the old one out and just replace it, clearance looked tight.
They want $900 installed, and the dealer wants $1040 installed. The rest of the cats are fine, just this one needs to be replaced. Has anyone attempted to just replace one of the cats? Is it somewhat easy to remove the driver side exhaust pipe. Thought maybe if I took it down and had someone then cut and install the catalytic converter in place I could save some $$$. Figured just replacing the one cat would be a $200-$300 item, vs. $900 whole new pipe.
If I have to, I will spend the $900, just would like to replace the actual broken item rather then the whole thing. Thoughts?
(I am posting this on the other 2 MB forums I browse, sorry if this is a repost, just wanted max exposure)
They want $900 installed, and the dealer wants $1040 installed. The rest of the cats are fine, just this one needs to be replaced. Has anyone attempted to just replace one of the cats? Is it somewhat easy to remove the driver side exhaust pipe. Thought maybe if I took it down and had someone then cut and install the catalytic converter in place I could save some $$$. Figured just replacing the one cat would be a $200-$300 item, vs. $900 whole new pipe.
If I have to, I will spend the $900, just would like to replace the actual broken item rather then the whole thing. Thoughts?
(I am posting this on the other 2 MB forums I browse, sorry if this is a repost, just wanted max exposure)
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 30
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ML320
I had the same problem recently but in the UK so i can only talk UK prices.
Dealer and garages wanted £1000 or $2000. I sourced the part myself for £200 or $400 and paid a mechanic £35 labour.
Im sure you can source the part yoruself for a lot cheaper.
Also, if a broken seal on the cat is ahts causing the problem you can have soemone weld it. This shoudl keep it going for a few months.
Dealer and garages wanted £1000 or $2000. I sourced the part myself for £200 or $400 and paid a mechanic £35 labour.
Im sure you can source the part yoruself for a lot cheaper.
Also, if a broken seal on the cat is ahts causing the problem you can have soemone weld it. This shoudl keep it going for a few months.
Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 229
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From: East of Athens, GA
Steel Grey 2012 ML350 is wife's
I know many people whom do the following: If emission testing isn't required to obtain your annual tag/registration you could then replace (the CAT) with a straight piece of exhaust pipe. Or you could have a friend or relative who lives outside your emissions testing area let you tag your vehicles at their address.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 435
Likes: 6
ml55, Ml63, Porsche, C63S ED1
i was told by several people that it is always good to have the flow equally balanced on each cylinder bank. With that said you would either need to get the one factory cat to match the new cat, or change as a pair to match the new one. You can get a set for at least $150 each from Magnaflow.
BTW, it is 2 cats in each line, not three.
BTW, it is 2 cats in each line, not three.
As some of you know we have 2 pipes coming off of the engine. One each pipe there are 3 catalytic converters inline, and not individually replaceable. The element inside the first catalytic converter on the driver side is rattling around in the housing. I checked at an exhaust shop and they didn't want to try to cut the old one out and just replace it, clearance looked tight.
They want $900 installed, and the dealer wants $1040 installed. The rest of the cats are fine, just this one needs to be replaced. Has anyone attempted to just replace one of the cats? Is it somewhat easy to remove the driver side exhaust pipe. Thought maybe if I took it down and had someone then cut and install the catalytic converter in place I could save some $$$. Figured just replacing the one cat would be a $200-$300 item, vs. $900 whole new pipe.
If I have to, I will spend the $900, just would like to replace the actual broken item rather then the whole thing. Thoughts?
(I am posting this on the other 2 MB forums I browse, sorry if this is a repost, just wanted max exposure)
They want $900 installed, and the dealer wants $1040 installed. The rest of the cats are fine, just this one needs to be replaced. Has anyone attempted to just replace one of the cats? Is it somewhat easy to remove the driver side exhaust pipe. Thought maybe if I took it down and had someone then cut and install the catalytic converter in place I could save some $$$. Figured just replacing the one cat would be a $200-$300 item, vs. $900 whole new pipe.
If I have to, I will spend the $900, just would like to replace the actual broken item rather then the whole thing. Thoughts?
(I am posting this on the other 2 MB forums I browse, sorry if this is a repost, just wanted max exposure)
