catalytic converter '86 300E - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

merrim19 · #1 12-21-2008, 09:38 AM

Hi all, seems that all the snow in the roads finally knocked off my cat converter. I'll have to weld some contraption together to get another year out of my 86 300e, but in the meantime, i was wondering if my old cat is worth anything? I still have it in my back seat, not sure what to do with it. Any advice?

Johnhef · #2 12-21-2008, 12:03 PM

yes, although prices are down right now you you can take it to any scrap yard and probably come out with $100.

merrim19 · #3 12-21-2008, 01:36 PM

Just curious, is that because the older parts have more precious metals in them, than newer products?

jim16671836 · #4 12-21-2008, 01:52 PM

You need to call around to find a good price for your cat. I got 165 dollars for a cat from a 1988-300E but most locat scrap yards wanted to give me 10-20 dollars... Don't trust until you investigate... Jim

merrim19 · #5 12-29-2008, 07:04 PM

Thanks Jim, I've found someone offering $60, I might take it. Question about the replacement. All of the cats I've found online don't look like they'd fit very well. I know the part catalogs might have generic pics, but I'm still a little worried. If the website says 'direct fit', should I assume the piping will match up with the original placement. I'm not sure if I should buy just the cat or with the piping. If the piping won't line up perfect anyways, I might as well just use more flex-pipe. Your thoughts?

babymog · #6 12-29-2008, 09:12 PM

Are you sure that's the cat? Looks more like a muffler.

iwrock · #7 12-29-2008, 09:27 PM

Looks like the center muffler.

merrim19 · #8 12-29-2008, 09:53 PM

I'm laughing. I took those pics today and it was my first real chance to see what I was dealing with. I does look like a muffler, but what car other than a mercedes would ever have two mufflers. So it is a 'center muffler' then. Was that a standard mercedes feature, has it just been replaced with better technology? Just Curious. Thanks again

jim16671836 · #9 12-29-2008, 10:52 PM

Many of the Mercedes cars have center mufflers but I think they call them something else but that animal in your picture is not a cat... However some of the 1987-300D's have somekind of cat to the rear of the transmission that replaced the trap... Jim

jim16671836 · #10 12-29-2008, 11:05 PM

Can you go to a pull a part salvage yard??? a lot of them in CA especially around San Francisco and LA... I would think you can find a very nice replacement there and at a reasonable price... Jim

merrim19 · #11 12-30-2008, 08:33 AM

Actually the car has been running pretty well this year, I think I might just as well replace the two mufflers with factory replacements as a reward. The flex pipe will never be a great fix and I'd love to hear the car with a ligitimate exhaust in place.

iwrock · #12 12-30-2008, 01:09 PM

I wouldnt go factory if I had to replace it... They are crazy expensive.

I would go cheap and look at a magnaflow.

merrim19 · #13 12-30-2008, 04:46 PM

Alright, i didnt mean import from Germany. Just a factory fit replacement. I bought the center and rear for about 360. No shipping, and hopefully I can drive it again by the weekend. I sick of driving the family Saturn. Too new, just doesnt drive the same.

Johnhef · #14 01-01-2009, 12:20 PM

center muffler, aka resonator is the term I believe you are looking for.