Catalytic Converter Replacement

hardlymick · 10-01-2018, 01:01 PM

Just got the news today from my mechanic that the front catalytic converter (may) need to be swapped out.

Car is experiencing intermittent and very brief losses in power, and it sure feels like back pressure, but the mechanic has not been able to replicate the problem, nor get any diagnosis from the computer beyond the "Check Engine" light being on.

Mechanic recommends replacing both front and rear converters, which makes sense to do while the engine is out of the car. The problem is each California legal catalytic converter would cost me around $1250, meaning the whole repair is probably over $3500.

The car is probably only work $6k.

Asking the experts here is there are any other solutions to this problem that don't cost so much.

Thanks

Brandon818 · 10-01-2018, 05:24 PM

buy used cats, or go catless

hardlymick · 10-01-2018, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brandon818

buy used cats, or go catless

Catless meaning you'll never pass another smog inspection?

Brandon818 · 10-01-2018, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardlymick

Catless meaning you'll never pass another smog inspection?

catless as in paying 150-200 for a "special" smog

e92_bryan · 10-01-2018, 11:01 PM

Lmaooo what rip off mechanic are you going to? Neither the n51/2 or n54/5 need to have the motors pulled to replace the cats, unless you’re doing other repairs hes 100% ripping you off
And you could buy the cats for cheaper from the dealership...
Even used is a good option
And CES light doesn’t mean anything until he tells you what specific code it is

Rogue-OP · 10-02-2018, 03:17 AM

What model?

Twin_Snails · 10-03-2018, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e92_bryan

Lmaooo what rip off mechanic are you going to? Neither the n51/2 or n54/5 need to have the motors pulled to replace the cats, unless you’re doing other repairs hes 100% ripping you off
And you could buy the cats for cheaper from the dealership...
Even used is a good option
And CES light doesn’t mean anything until he tells you what specific code it is

This ^. Whats funny is how the mechanic recommended replacing the catalytic converters yet can't replicate nor diagnosis the problem.

Illoosive · 10-27-2018, 10:43 AM

Same thing with my e92. Turned out that there was oil on my spark plugs and coils from a leak. Also the OEM sensors 02 Bosch...were reading correctly but throwing a code. Got the oil leak fixed and used OE coil packs and OE o2 senors and Fixed leaking cover assembly and ecc cam sensor and check engine light went away after a drive cycle. Initially since everything was reading correctly everyone 3 seperate places mentioned it could be the cats. Maybe it isn't the cats.

johnniewalker · 05-16-2019, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Illoosive

Same thing with my e92. Turned out that there was oil on my spark plugs and coils from a leak. Also the OEM sensors 02 Bosch...were reading correctly but throwing a code. Got the oil leak fixed and used OE coil packs and OE o2 senors and Fixed leaking cover assembly and ecc cam sensor and check engine light went away after a drive cycle. Initially since everything was reading correctly everyone 3 seperate places mentioned it could be the cats. Maybe it isn't the cats.

Hi there, Can you explain what you are referring to by "cover assembly"?
I am having the same problem

thanks in advance

10-01-2018, 01:01 PM	#1
hardlymick Registered 6 Rep 2 Posts Drives: '09 e91 328i Join Date: May 2009 Location: California, USA iTrader: (0)	Catalytic Converter Replacement Just got the news today from my mechanic that the front catalytic converter (may) need to be swapped out. Car is experiencing intermittent and very brief losses in power, and it sure feels like back pressure, but the mechanic has not been able to replicate the problem, nor get any diagnosis from the computer beyond the "Check Engine" light being on. Mechanic recommends replacing both front and rear converters, which makes sense to do while the engine is out of the car. The problem is each California legal catalytic converter would cost me around $1250, meaning the whole repair is probably over $3500. The car is probably only work $6k. Asking the experts here is there are any other solutions to this problem that don't cost so much. Thanks
	Appreciate 1 Deluvio25279.00 Tweet Quote

10-01-2018, 05:24 PM	#2
Brandon818 Second Lieutenant 57 Rep 234 Posts Drives: 2012 335is, 2018 M5, 2003 M3, Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: In the Hills iTrader: (4) Garage List 2022 Mexico Blau M ... [0.00] 2003 Bmw M3 [0.00] 2018 Bmw M5 [0.00] 2012 BMW 335is [0.00]	buy used cats, or go catless __________________ FBO 335is + Carbon Goodies
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-01-2018, 11:01 PM	#5
e92_bryan First Lieutenant 127 Rep 345 Posts Drives: ‘11 e92 328 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: So cal iTrader: (0)	Lmaooo what rip off mechanic are you going to? Neither the n51/2 or n54/5 need to have the motors pulled to replace the cats, unless you’re doing other repairs hes 100% ripping you off And you could buy the cats for cheaper from the dealership... Even used is a good option And CES light doesn’t mean anything until he tells you what specific code it is
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-02-2018, 03:17 AM	#6
Rogue-OP Private First Class 58 Rep 192 Posts Drives: to Drum & Bass Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: West Coast iTrader: (0)	What model?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-27-2018, 10:43 AM	#8
Illoosive Private First Class 7 Rep 144 Posts Drives: E92 328i 6MT Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: SF iTrader: (0)	Same thing with my e92. Turned out that there was oil on my spark plugs and coils from a leak. Also the OEM sensors 02 Bosch...were reading correctly but throwing a code. Got the oil leak fixed and used OE coil packs and OE o2 senors and Fixed leaking cover assembly and ecc cam sensor and check engine light went away after a drive cycle. Initially since everything was reading correctly everyone 3 seperate places mentioned it could be the cats. Maybe it isn't the cats.
	Appreciate 0 Quote