Rattling/vibrating catalytic converter
 

My '01 E-320 4-Matic wagon with 75K miles is in for some MB extended warranty work. They found the noise, one of the cats is bad. The dealer says it's not covered by ANY warranty, either MB or emissions related because it's over 8 years old. Car was built Nov. '00, so that puts me about three and a half months over. Do I have any recourse by any means? If not, what are the thoughts of getting a used converter? If that's a bad idea I can buy my parts at cost and do the work myself assuming it's a unbolt/rebolt type of replacement. I haven't got under the car to see for my self yet. Appreciate the thoughts guys. :D Dennis

I think the warranty started on the delivery date, not the production date, I mights be wrong though. I would think you'd be even closer going by delivery date, not sure how fast the boats were in 2000.
Off by that much and might be worth it to twist an arm at MB at the corporate level, starting with the dizzik rep. Maybe can score 1/2 of it???
I wouldn't do a used cat, you're not the first one with a rattly cattly.
Gilly

I've never encountered a vehicle warranty that didn't start on the in-service (original delivery) date. If you are not the original owner, your dealer should be able to look up the in-service date. It might even be on the dealership's service invoice.

Guy, great thoughts! I just sent the service manager a very complementary letter stating how well they have treated me in the last 2 1/2 years, asked them to cover the converter under warranty. They really have gone over board with service and such. I gave the time line you described and added a little to it. I'll know tomorrow what they say. Thanks, Dennis

Good news...MB is picking up 75% of the cost at about $375. I didn't even go back to the service rep, sent the e-mail straight to the senior service manager. :D Dennis

Now, if they would only do that for my '97 :(

Rattle sound
 

My 1996 e320 with 155K miles was rattling around and thought i had to replace the cat. A muffler shop says the graphite gasket after the cat and before the muffler connection had to be replaced. Bought the part only needed one even though its 2 pipes, the drivers side has a metal gasket and the passenger side has the graphite. Now the car is rattle free and now i wont be embarrased when I drive in reverse. Only made sound in reverse but now started to do it at idle. Just sharing my experience.

Only comment is that hey 75% is great, but if the car has been "in service" less than 8 yrs, it should be 100%.
Gilly

Gilly,
I stretched the figures as much as I could to get it into the very close range. I'm sure if MB checked the data base they could find that the car was in service longer than what I said. Like you said, 75% is great. :D Dennis

Is this 8 year rule a new thing? Mine failed at 7 years (3 years ago) and I thought I was advised here that it was NOT under any warranty.

Look in your warranty book for the section called "Emission Warranty", it's a federal law.
Gilly

here is a link I found quick:
http://www.epa.gov/obd/warranties.htm

Go to www.epa.gov/obd/warranties.htm#1 look at the first "frequent question. It explains the whole matter. Dennis

that is a common failure on those cars.maybe that's why they agreed to pay most of the cost.