Catalytic converter - BMW Forum

jbenton · 02-08-2007, 10:40 AM

I received a code (E36) for failed catalytic converter. I took it to my dealer who replaced it at substantial cost. About three days later the code came back and I found out that I have two converters (one for cylinders 1-3 and one for 4-6) and the other one is failed.

My question: Should my dealer have known that the other one was failing or had already failed and would the labor portion now be duplicated to replace the this one? I paid $2200 for the first replacement.

Thanks for any insights.

I originally posted this on the E30 site mistakenly in case you already responded.

97alpineM3 · 02-08-2007, 10:43 AM

Your telling me you paid 2200 bucks to replace a catalytic converter?...

The parts them selves should be no more than a few hundred bucks... even if they replaced the one or two O2 sensors aft of the converter... (one or two depending on what model you drive).

Why in the heck did you spend that much... it would take me ten mins MAX to change that thing..

You over paid.

Les

jbenton · 02-08-2007, 11:01 AM

I guess they also replaced the exhaust system from manifold through tail pipe as well Does that seem more reasonable?

drz · 02-08-2007, 11:43 AM

^^ That;s what the dealer does. I don't know why they do it, but it is absoluetely unnecessary. They gave me the same quote about a year ago. I am still rockin' the check engine light to this day. I don't think the car has two catalytic conevrters, but I may be wrong

If there are two, I htink they should have known.

It all smells fishy to me.

Kaligiy83 · 12-03-2007, 02:20 PM

I just had my cat converter replaced on me e36 two days ago..I paid 450.00 to replace the entire unit..$2200 sounds crazy

but i guess around average for stealership..and btw, there are 2 cnverters on e36

BMWJNKY · 12-03-2007, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97alpineM3

Your telling me you paid 2200 bucks to replace a catalytic converter?...

The parts them selves should be no more than a few hundred bucks... even if they replaced the one or two O2 sensors aft of the converter... (one or two depending on what model you drive).

Why in the heck did you spend that much... it would take me ten mins MAX to change that thing..

You over paid.

Les

A factory E36 cat is about $1900 for just the part.

Also to the OP, your car does have 2 cats but they should be part of the same piece. An E46 has separate cats for cyl 1-3 and 4-6 but that wasn't untill the M54's.

The cats in your car should look like this for an E36 with any of the 6cyl engines, and the factory ones only come complete like that not separate pieces for the left and right sides.

saltshaker185 · 12-03-2007, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWJNKY

A factory E36 cat is about $1900 for just the part.

Also to the OP, your car does have 2 cats but they should be part of the same piece. An E46 has separate cats for cyl 1-3 and 4-6 but that wasn't untill the M54's.

The cats in your car should look like this for an E36 with any of the 6cyl engines, and the factory ones only come complete like that not separate pieces for the left and right sides.

i think this is the pic you were trying to post...

BMWJNKY · 12-04-2007, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saltshaker185

i think this is the pic you were trying to post...

Yes, thank you, I didn't know you couldn't post pics right from realoem.

94BMW325i · 12-06-2007, 12:49 AM

that is crazy. If your light is still on maybe it is your 02 sensors? I would take it back and see what they say. Sucks if you didn't need a cat converter.