I seem to have develop the notorious cat rattle. I believe it is one of the front cats but not sure which side yet. If the front cat dies, what are the odds that the downstream cat will follow? Does it make sense to replace both at the same time? Any input is greatly appreciated.
In California you have no legal option but to replace both cats on the same side together. Call around because different dealers charge differently, roughly $600 for each side for the part (both cats, lead and stringer pipes, all welded together). Replacement is definitely within the ability of a DIYer and it's up in the stickies.
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Thanks for the reply. There are some members who opted to replace both with a bolt-on replacement. An internet vendor (can I metion the name?) sells the bolt-on cats for around $360.00. I think i'll just DIY. Now, what are the odds that both sides cats goes at the same time or right after the other?
The OEM ones bolt on as well. It unbolts from the header, then you have pipe, cat, pipe, cat, pipe and a slip connection before the pipe to the resonator.
The internet vendor, however, if they are willing to ship it to you, is helping you violate California law and they are unlikely to pass a physical inspection since they don't meet CA specs. If you want to risk it for a few hundred bucks I wish you good luck.
Magnaflow is working on OBD-II/CARB spec direct fit replacments, but they still aren't out there yet.
I don't like to waste money, I did a lot of homework on this before I bought the ones from a dealer. You're free to not believe me, though.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fdte320
...Now, what are the odds that both sides cats goes at the same time or right after the other?
Just guessing, but I'd say those odds are pretty high. You might as well replace the whole side and if money is no object, the other side at the same time. BTW, the newer OEM cats are supposed to be better than the originals and have a different part number.
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RM European sells CARB legal OEM cats from $330-360 (depending on what side) with free shipping. It's a direct bolt-on and shouldn't take more than 1-2 hours depending on your skill level. Good luck.
I just bought a cat assembly for driver's side from bimmerspecialist.com. OEM Mercedes. I think I was about $331. Shipping from CA to FL was $15 for oversized.
Right on RonM. RM European is the place I checked & the bolt-on cats are 50 state approved. Thanks everybody for the inputs. I will check on Bimmerspecialist.com.
Potential fire issues,misfires in the ignition,poor mpg,shifting issues,loss of power issues,stalling issues and refusal to run at all issues,other than those nothing much to be concerned with.
Oh yeah a chunk goes down the pipe and takes out the muffler.
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