Trying to Bulls@#$ me? - BMW Forum

CoMatos3 · 09-09-2008, 10:19 AM

Took my 97 318i to a mechanic today. they're telling me its gonna be like 220 for a new catalyitic converter. Cause mine is cracked almost all the way around on the back. But aren't they made out of platinum or something like that? thats worth alot as scraps if they keep it right? Also they're trying to tell me its going to be anywhere from 200 to 300 for a cold air intake on it with a heat shield and 375 for a chip. what do you guys think? think im being jerked around and paying alot more for labor then i should or does this sound about right to you guys and is any of this worth me doing myself if i don't know much about cars so i don't have to pay the extra and do it myself or should i just let them handle it if they aren't jerking me around?

Please help all opinions and criticism is welcome tell me what you think and what you would probably do.

dannyb · 09-09-2008, 10:32 AM

intakes and chips are that expensive but you can make your own intake for cheap or buy used

CoMatos3 · 09-09-2008, 10:52 AM

how exactly do you make one and where would you suggest i get a used one for my car cause i haven't been able to find one specifically made for my model and engine 1997 318i 1.9L

SpeedInfusion · 09-09-2008, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMatos3

how exactly do you make one and where would you suggest i get a used one for my car cause i haven't been able to find one specifically made for my model and engine 1997 318i 1.9L

just get a k&n drop in filter if ur lookin for cheap power

Teh Prof · 09-09-2008, 12:21 PM

220 for a catalytic converter sounds very cheap to me. For my cars they're thousands of dollars.

drz · 09-09-2008, 12:33 PM

The CAI and chip prices sound about right, although I would just buy online and install my own if I were you. The cheapest catalytic converter I ever found for my E36 was $550, and that wasn't even 50-state legal.

Labor on BMWs will run run you about $75 - $120/hr, depending on where you are.

94BMW325i · 09-09-2008, 01:51 PM

It is probably just a universal cat converter that the shop would install.

keple9801 · 09-09-2008, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94BMW325i

It is probably just a universal cat converter that the shop would install.

probably is just the universal cat,

i just changed mine and it cost me $600 to buy oem cat conv

good thing i didn't have to go to a shop to install it

CoMatos3 · 09-09-2008, 11:12 PM

my bad I was wrong my converter is fine it's the it's the metal pipe leading into my converter that's f'ed up. The mechanic said it's cracked almost half way down it and the end that goes Ito the converter is falling off. I guess I'm paying for the labor for them to make that part and put it on. Sound steep? And the actual converter for my little for cylinder is the like the cheapest one they make for bmw's. It's 3 to 450 for a new one. As for k&n what's the downside to them I know they're cheap but what's the catch. I'm also pretty sure they don't make one for my model that's the first place I looked. Still any good suggestions for a used one. I'll prob only have this car 4 about 1 1/2 years b4 I upgrade to something better in the bmw family. So if I can save a little dough that can't hurt. And for my chip they said that if I get one kind they can just hook it up to their computer to do what they need too and the other kinds require me. To ship some part off. Like I said don't know much about cars learning as I go along.

AlpineSixAndSeven · 09-09-2008, 11:13 PM

Magnaflow Cats are pretty good and you'll have a petter flowing exhaust.. only issue is There not cali legal(even though they did care about me running one

)

CoMatos3 · 09-09-2008, 11:24 PM

i doubt i'll ever make take this car to cali lol i'm very far from there.

AlpineSixAndSeven · 09-10-2008, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMatos3

i doubt i'll ever make take this car to cali lol i'm very far from there.

Then Magnaflows are good for you

You can make a Intake from elbows and straights from a place like Kragens Auto parts... But i recommend a drop in K$N panel filter. Great gain for $45 or so bucks and you never have to replace your filter again! just clean it

CoMatos3 · 09-10-2008, 07:32 AM

yeah i think i've seen that one on their site but is it the same as a cold air intake? the guy at the mechanics said that if they had to they could custom fit me one to my car. i think i'm just gonna go with a cold air cause i like the feel of it and its kinda the start to me getting into this whole car thing plus it just looks cool. lol you guys recommend any chips? like do you have a link so i can look at some and how hard is it to put it in yourself? whats this whole sending parts off business they were telling me to up my red line or something like that if i don't get a certain kind of chip?