2k for cat converter!! Help!

[spinedoc]

1996 SL500, I just split the right side cat converter in half, my indie says this is quite common. Dealer wants $2050 for the cat, plus labor and O2. My indie says he might be able to get an aftermarket for $700-800, but is checking.

Anyone have any aftermarket solutions or suggestions?

[spinedoc]

http://www.1motormart.com/catalytic/part.php?partid=2609&year=1996

$380 for one, any reason I should not buy this one? Is there any pressing need to go with the OEM cat?

[LeaUK]

Remember of course you will get another 10-15 years of life from the OEM Cat!

I too almost found myself in a similar position of buying a new Cat, GBP1500 here but thankfully I reviewed UK law on emissions - it was well worth it as I discovered that my '93 can pass non-cat limits so that's GBP1500 to spend on car toys Must be some quirk of the Eurodirective

However, I had the same thoughts as you before my research, new OEM Cat or patent?

Over here a patent part is around GBP380 but my concern was for it's life? For the cost difference I think I would have voted for the cheaper and took the chance. But if it only lasts just in excess of the guarantee (one year) that's expensive!

Never did make up my mind.

Lea

[RickM]

How many miles on the car? Did it split due to a manufacturing defect or did you hit something?

I believe federal law dictates that all emmision equipment be guaranteed by the manufacturer for 100k miles and/or 10 years (?). Worth checking into.

I also think you can get an aftermarket cat for much less than $380.

[RickM]

Also, which converter?

[Fastlane Phil]

We offer this cat under Special Order part number MB2251 delivered for $379.00 including a 5 year warranty

Genuine Mercedes OE will be $1,870.00

Call me if interested...

partsman
1 888 333 4642

[spinedoc]

My indie found an OEM one for $830, so I guess it could be worse, at least I know I will not be using an aftermarket one. My indie told me his experience with aftermarket ones were that they had about a year or so of life in them, and also usually did not come with the front and rear pipes, which the oem one did. He was willing to do anything I wanted to though.

RickM my car has about 83k on it, US miles. Is there anything more you can tell me about that 100k warranty? Is it possilbe I can go to the dealer and have them pay my bill? I was just driving and accelerated and heard a loud pop, did not hit anything or run over anything. My indie says that the cat splitting like that is not uncommon in the SL's.

[spinedoc]

It's the right side converter.

http://64.233.187.104/search?q=cache:43H7nkfhpKUJ:www.epa.gov/otaq/cert/factshts/catcvrts.pdf+manufacturer+catalytic+converter+warranty&hl=en Interesting stuff about aftermarket converters, which are supposed to be warrantied for 5 years/50k miles.

Google search did not yield any info about manufacturers warranty, I would think the cat would be covered under the factory warranty of 50k. Currently searching for any TSB's which might cover this.

[spinedoc]

http://www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/warr95fs.txt

For those of you interested the manufacturer is responsible for manufacturers defects in emissions related parts/repairs for 8 years/80,000 miles, so if my Cat went bad about 3000 miles ago it should have been covered. Interesting that ECU's and OBD computers fall into this category.

[Fastlane Phil]

The 8/80K Warranty only applies to New vehicles. Aftemarket cats are warrantied for 5 years or 50,000 miles which ever occurs first. All other emission related parts such as o2 sensors are warranty for one year.

Thank you
Partsman
1 888 333 4642

[spinedoc]

partsman so once a new car buyer sells his car the 8year/80k emmissions warranty is void? It is non transferrable? Good stuff to know.

[spinedoc]

"IMPORTANT NOTE: Before buying a used vehicle, be sure that all of the emission control components as originally installed by the manufacturer are present and functioning properly. If emission control components are missing or have been tampered with, or the configuration of the exhaust system has been changed, the emissions warranties on this vehicle may be void. In addition, if you live in an area with an I/M program, the vehicle will probably not pass inspection and you will incur the expense of parts or repairs necessary for the vehicle to pass."

This quote from the EPA document makes me think that a new AND used car buyer is protected by the warranty. More specifically it covers most emmissions parts for 2 years/20k, exclusions being intervally replaced parts which are warrantied to their first intervals, and major components (ECU, Catalytic converter, OBD) which are warrantied to 8 years/80k.

http://www.drivecleanpa.state.pa.us/drivecleanpa/news/warr_1995.htm

[Fastlane Phil]

No, the warranty is good no matter how many times it's transferred.

partsman


Please E-mail me direct or call, it's easier for me to respond sooner.

philip@peachparts.com

1 888 333 46442

[RickM]

OK, I thought it was 100K...shoot.

However if you have a good relationship with the dealer they may squeeze you in under warranty. Worth a try.

[spinedoc]

Originally Posted by Fastlane Phil

We offer this cat under Special Order part number MB2251 delivered for $379.00 including a 5 year warranty

Genuine Mercedes OE will be $1,870.00

Call me if interested...

partsman
1 888 333 4642

Revisiting this thread as now my drivers side cat just went out, what luck!!! The same indie that saved my cat last time is doubtful that this one can be saved, so I have to spring for one.

partsman I am going to ring you on that part you mentioned above. I am assuming it is not OEM? My indie is VERY skeptical of non OEM cats, he says almost all the ones he has installed have failed within a year. Any comments on that $379 cat, have you had a lot of feedback on its reliability? What kind of warranty do they have and do you deal with the warranty or does it go back to the manufacturer?