Aftermarket cats
Discussion
Does anybody have any good experiences with/recommendations for aftermarket catalytic converters, particularly where BMWs are concerned?
The time has come to sell my E92 M3 and, long story short, I was conned when I bought it in terms of thinking it was stock when in actual fact the two primary cats had been removed.
It's not caused me any issues with MOTs etc as the two secondary cats are still fitted so it flies through the emissions test, but I can't help thinking it's going to hurt my chances when selling it as it could well give the impression (wrongfully I should add) that the car has had a hard life, or that it's going to be problematic re: insurance, MOTs or just general maintenance. I'm also not even entertaining the idea of just not mentioning it and allowing the next person to buy it as it is if they don't ask, so I've therefore been trying to source some replacement cats.
Unfortunately finding 2nd hand genuine BMW ones is proving very difficult, and new ones are about £3k so that's not an option. My local BMW specialist said they'd had bad experiences with the aftermarket cats they'd encountered (even the warrantied ones). I trust them, but I'm just wondering/hoping that maybe there are some good quality aftermarket manufacturers that they haven't encountered.
Of course another option is just to get any old aftermarket cats, fit them and then let any future problems be the next buyer's responsibility, but I'm not willing to do that either. The car is superb and is otherwise unmodified so I want it to be just as spot-on for the next owner.
The time has come to sell my E92 M3 and, long story short, I was conned when I bought it in terms of thinking it was stock when in actual fact the two primary cats had been removed.
It's not caused me any issues with MOTs etc as the two secondary cats are still fitted so it flies through the emissions test, but I can't help thinking it's going to hurt my chances when selling it as it could well give the impression (wrongfully I should add) that the car has had a hard life, or that it's going to be problematic re: insurance, MOTs or just general maintenance. I'm also not even entertaining the idea of just not mentioning it and allowing the next person to buy it as it is if they don't ask, so I've therefore been trying to source some replacement cats.
Unfortunately finding 2nd hand genuine BMW ones is proving very difficult, and new ones are about £3k so that's not an option. My local BMW specialist said they'd had bad experiences with the aftermarket cats they'd encountered (even the warrantied ones). I trust them, but I'm just wondering/hoping that maybe there are some good quality aftermarket manufacturers that they haven't encountered.
Of course another option is just to get any old aftermarket cats, fit them and then let any future problems be the next buyer's responsibility, but I'm not willing to do that either. The car is superb and is otherwise unmodified so I want it to be just as spot-on for the next owner.
I would have thought that BMW forum members (I assume such things exist) would have loads of them stashed away. I have a set of Alfa 3.2 166 manifold cats on the shelf. The 166 still flies through the MOT, and there is a huge beneficial reduction in underbonnet temperatures. I’d look at a manifold cat delete on an Alfa 3.2 as a £1000 job I don’t need to do, far from a disadvantage. No idea on the equivalent thinking in BMW circles.
Have you checked the BMW forums for a pair of used cats? Shouldn't be too hard to find, loads of owners do primary deletes.
On another note, did the massively increased exhaust noise not give you an indication that it wasn't stock when buying? E92's with the primary cats removed are very loud.
The only aftermarket cat you should go for is HJS, which will most likely be more expensive than OEM.
On another note, did the massively increased exhaust noise not give you an indication that it wasn't stock when buying? E92's with the primary cats removed are very loud.
The only aftermarket cat you should go for is HJS, which will most likely be more expensive than OEM.
bad_panda said:
Unfortunately finding 2nd hand genuine BMW ones is proving very difficult, and new ones are about 3k so that's not an option. My local BMW specialist said they'd had bad experiences with the aftermarket cats they'd encountered (even the warrantied ones). I trust them, but I'm just wondering/hoping that maybe there are some good quality aftermarket manufacturers that they haven't encountered.
Not BMW but that's my experience too. Got through the first MOT straight after fitting but fail the following year. Refitting the car's genuine cat ( needed a bit of welding & a pattern cat was the quickest option at the time) saw the car sail through.
MOT tester said that's been his experience too with pattern cats. I've known him for years - we used to work at the same place years ago - & have no reason to disbelieve him.
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