SL/R230: Can i use none OEM catalytic converter ?.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 583
Likes: 24
From: United Kingdom
AMG GLS63
Can i use none OEM catalytic converter ?.
Hi all
As per the title, can i use aftermarket none genuine MB catalytic converters on my SL500 ?.
The left one has started to rattle and has been diagnosed as needing replacement even though i have no error message showing up. The tech who looked at the car said the right side one is rattling a litte bit and chances are it will fail sooner rather than later.
I just bought it and the dealer (non MB franchise) has said he will pay for replacements but not at MB dealer prices. He has located a parts dealer here in the UK who sells aftermarket cats @ £250 whereas MB dealers want £700 + for the genuine ones. The difference is massive.
The aftermarket cats are "R103 Type Approved" items which reading up is a guarantee that the items are as close to the original MB items as physically possible and they carry a stamp that proves the fact.
My local indysaid he wouldnt recommend using non MB items but i think he was tryin to get the business of fitting the replacements and make some profit from the high cost of OEM parts. He suggested using aftermarket items will throw up an error code.
I cant see how if the items ave been type approved and certified and being fit replacements but i wanted to ask on here to see if anyone else has used aftermarket or knows if its ok to do so.
I have contacted MB about the fact that the car ha 50k miles and both cats have failed but they dot want to know. They told me if anything goes wrong with the car its down to me to fix it.
Any advice welcome
Carl
As per the title, can i use aftermarket none genuine MB catalytic converters on my SL500 ?.
The left one has started to rattle and has been diagnosed as needing replacement even though i have no error message showing up. The tech who looked at the car said the right side one is rattling a litte bit and chances are it will fail sooner rather than later.
I just bought it and the dealer (non MB franchise) has said he will pay for replacements but not at MB dealer prices. He has located a parts dealer here in the UK who sells aftermarket cats @ £250 whereas MB dealers want £700 + for the genuine ones. The difference is massive.
The aftermarket cats are "R103 Type Approved" items which reading up is a guarantee that the items are as close to the original MB items as physically possible and they carry a stamp that proves the fact.
My local indysaid he wouldnt recommend using non MB items but i think he was tryin to get the business of fitting the replacements and make some profit from the high cost of OEM parts. He suggested using aftermarket items will throw up an error code.
I cant see how if the items ave been type approved and certified and being fit replacements but i wanted to ask on here to see if anyone else has used aftermarket or knows if its ok to do so.
I have contacted MB about the fact that the car ha 50k miles and both cats have failed but they dot want to know. They told me if anything goes wrong with the car its down to me to fix it.
Any advice welcome
Carl
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Sl500
How many miles does your car have on it?? My car had the exact same problem and the local MB Dealership replaced them for free. They are covered up to 80,000 miles even if the existing factory warranty has run out.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 583
Likes: 24
From: United Kingdom
AMG GLS63
Hi rockstar i checked with MB UK and unfortunately we arent as lucky as you guys in the US. 2 years cover for everything unless extended warranty is taken out every year after the initial 2 year factory one.
I had them replaced with type approved ones and they have worked ok. The tech said he had to do a bit of manipulatio and fiddling to get them to seal 100% but after a bit of effort they went on and work fine.
I had them replaced with type approved ones and they have worked ok. The tech said he had to do a bit of manipulatio and fiddling to get them to seal 100% but after a bit of effort they went on and work fine.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 269
Likes: 4
From: New York
03 SL500(Sold), 09 C300, 11 E550
wow i didn't know that... just scheduled a service for my car, Thanks!
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 269
Likes: 4
From: New York
03 SL500(Sold), 09 C300, 11 E550
Dealer wont replace
Hey guys, so the dealer is saying because the cat is slightly scratched that they will not replace it for free and are charging 840.00 (inc labor) for replacing one cat. I checked Parts.com and they are giving me a "discounted" price of 533.60 but the dealer quoted me just 450.00 for the actual part. Anyone know where i can pick one of these up cheap so i can do the work myself?
Thanks!
Thanks!
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Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 250
Likes: 4
From: Orange County, CA
2003 SL500, 74 Harley FL, 08 Yukon Denali
i'm heading out to the muffler shop tomorrow to see what they can do. both of my cats are blown out and i'm over the 8 years, so no luck there.
i guess i'll just cruise in and tell him i need to replace the 2 front cats. are there 4 cats on these that i need to worry about?
i guess i'll just cruise in and tell him i need to replace the 2 front cats. are there 4 cats on these that i need to worry about?
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 269
Likes: 4
From: New York
03 SL500(Sold), 09 C300, 11 E550
i'm heading out to the muffler shop tomorrow to see what they can do. both of my cats are blown out and i'm over the 8 years, so no luck there.
i guess i'll just cruise in and tell him i need to replace the 2 front cats. are there 4 cats on these that i need to worry about?
i guess i'll just cruise in and tell him i need to replace the 2 front cats. are there 4 cats on these that i need to worry about?
I am going cut the cat out that is giving me issues this weekend and see if i can shake out whatever is rattling around in there... then reinstall with clamps until i can get it welded back in. Ill be sure to take a bunch of pics and post it up on Saturday.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 250
Likes: 4
From: Orange County, CA
2003 SL500, 74 Harley FL, 08 Yukon Denali
ok, ya, i looked up the error codes, but i'll double check them before i go anywhere. they were the same 2 codes i kept seeing on older posts, but i don't have them handy.
i'm hoping they'll just cut mine out and weld in some new ones.
i'm hoping they'll just cut mine out and weld in some new ones.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 269
Likes: 4
From: New York
03 SL500(Sold), 09 C300, 11 E550
ahh, if its throwing codes then you might be right with the ones closer to the exhaust manifold. I haven't had a chance to look at those yet... Let us know what happens
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 250
Likes: 4
From: Orange County, CA
2003 SL500, 74 Harley FL, 08 Yukon Denali
i'm looking at:
P0422 - Main Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
P0432 - Main Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2)
anyone have these replaced recently?
P0422 - Main Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
P0432 - Main Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 2)
anyone have these replaced recently?
