WTF?? $2000 to replace cats? & update fr the shop

[onewhippedpuppy]

Interesting, but I'm always suspicious of advice from someone that's selling something. Curious that he states that the cat is the major restriction within a 540s exhaust system. I'm OBD1 and in a non-emissions state, maybe I should just cut the damn thing out?

[bfd]

Yes, Steve D'Gerolamo, the owner of ultimate garage, is very knowledgeable about BMW. His prices are fair, but definitely not the cheapest (go to BMA for *lowest prices). I like his approach of giving both sides.

That said, I wouldn't buy a cat from him or any other mail order place. I would find a local dealer/shop that sold DEC cats and get it from them. That way if there is warranty issues, its easier to take care of.

[E34 530]

Or, you can "donate" a few extra bucks for an inspection sticker at a local repair shop and not have to pay for new cats at all!

[Derek A.]

Shop I used to work at doesn't put aftermarket cats on. They usually break up and start to rattle in 8 months. So the shop ends up eating the labor on replacing the warranty cat. Its a ton of money.

Does anyone make Cat foolers for the BMWs ?

[Paul in NZ]

doesnt the heat sheild on the cat often rattle???

[genphreak]

doesnt the heat sheild on the cat often rattle???

I don't like the cheap replacements as they are physically different and running at the ridiculous temperature a cat does I like the idea of the factory insulation and covers. Yes they can rattle (when damaged or destroyed) but you can just get second hand- a good looking one is off a wrecked car (with warranty) is less likely to be a problem than the non-standard items- plus the sepc will be right.

The rattle under there can come from 3 things-

1. Cat is toast inside (engine will seem a little frustrated)
2. Cat casing is oxidised or physically destroyed such that it has broken its 4 weld points- some success may be had re-welding these spots if done carefully (as the casing material is somehting like .8mm thin).
3. The floor-pan insulation pads have drooped from their fasteners. Simply remove the exhaust, remove the insulation, clean and bend it back (carefully), a little each time till its snug under the body of the car. Have a roll of al-foil handy (stick it to the top side of shield if you want more insualtion (works well shiny side down).

The cheapest one, Number 2 and 3 are common issues Nick

[Loppy]

how much did you pay for this car?

Should I say? hehee.....

Not a brother deal... not fawked. $4k cash out the door.

[Loppy]

Thanks all, (tugging off my Newcastle as I type).

First, because my grin seems to split my ears in half... the car is out and what I "thought" was mean... was bound. With the power plant firmly back in it's snugged down form via the motherland... the fawker really likes to give the muscles on the frontal side of my neck a real workout. What a blast. Motor mounts really do make a difference. Immagine that? More on that later.

From the talk on the stree, this wonderful site and others... the factory cats I"ve found in my research can not be beat. That's a given. Like you above had already illuminated, they are spec. Built with the motor in mind. You wouldn't put little Suzy Smith in Mrs. Burns 4th grade all star string quartet in the first chair of the Phil' Harmonic would 'ja? I understand the enthusiast would feel the same gut wrench...

However...

Would a guy be stupid... if...say such an aftermarket device would blow the NOX, O2 and &^%@#$*&!... and satisfy the sniffer in order to appease the sucking demon gods of CARB (Cal Air Resources Board), pass the test... and say such a man would return to the propriatory to say... STRAIGHT PIPE the cheesy $100 system... for some malted beverages allowing optimal performance for the forgoing two years?

"hake pa...." :strokinglongbeard:


You guys rock. I'm having fun here.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Ummmm, straight pipes. I was thinking along the lines of an x-pipe. Gotta love KS, no emissions Nazis here.

[mikell]

you can just get second hand- a good looking one is off a wrecked car (with warranty) is less likely to be a problem than the non-standard items- plus the sepc will be right.

This is illegal in my country.