Aftermarket catalytic converter V.S Original equipment .
- Thread starter chila
- Start date
Buy a bicycle if you're only doing 5 miles a day. I doubt obd2 cats will burn up quite as easily as obd1 cats. What I'm saying is the newer cars don't have cats implode on them as often, due to the fact there is always, or should always be, a perfect burn going through the cat. So it should get up to temperature pretty quick no matter what. Could be wrong though.
Am I Being Cheated?
I know this is an old thread, but it seems to be the right topic.
The "check engine" light of my 1997 528i came on, so I took it to the dealer. They said the catalytic converter needed to be replaced at a total cost of $3500, with a couple hundred dollars of the total being for replacing something else, maybe it was the O2 sensors. After hearing "$3500" I wasn't hearing the rest very well.
On the Internet I've found that the catalytic converter can be purchased for around only $400. I couldn't find an on-line price for a BMW original equipment catalytic converter, but I've seen mention at this discussion board of a price in the $1700 range.
So I guess I have a couple questions:
Added by Edit: I just talked to a local repair shop, and he said that their experience with after-market catalytic converters for BMW's was that for some cars the "check engine" light would never go out. The different mixture of catalytic compounds evidently doesn't keep the O2 sensors happy. In such cases the only way to make the light go out was to install a BMW original equipment catalytic converter. What has this been the experience of people here for 528i's from 1997 or thereabouts?
--Percy
I know this is an old thread, but it seems to be the right topic.
The "check engine" light of my 1997 528i came on, so I took it to the dealer. They said the catalytic converter needed to be replaced at a total cost of $3500, with a couple hundred dollars of the total being for replacing something else, maybe it was the O2 sensors. After hearing "$3500" I wasn't hearing the rest very well.
On the Internet I've found that the catalytic converter can be purchased for around only $400. I couldn't find an on-line price for a BMW original equipment catalytic converter, but I've seen mention at this discussion board of a price in the $1700 range.
So I guess I have a couple questions:
- What explains the dealer quote? Does replacing a catalytic converter involve a lot of labor?
- I can get a DEC catalytic converter over the Internet for $394.95, plus some more for shipping and handling. Is this catalytic converter okay? How much will a garage charge to install it?
Added by Edit: I just talked to a local repair shop, and he said that their experience with after-market catalytic converters for BMW's was that for some cars the "check engine" light would never go out. The different mixture of catalytic compounds evidently doesn't keep the O2 sensors happy. In such cases the only way to make the light go out was to install a BMW original equipment catalytic converter. What has this been the experience of people here for 528i's from 1997 or thereabouts?
--Percy
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Well I guess after market cats are also reliable..I even got my nissan catalytic converter there and still surviving...But anyway, I'll look around if I could find a good one for you...A friend I think is looking for the same thing..good luck!![[:)]](/images/smilies/smile.png "Smile [:)]")