Catalytic converter price drop? - United Bimmer Community

**Dudesky** · 06-13-2007, 07:41 PM

Just browsing through online vendors and noticed that e36 cats dropped in price from $12-1500 to a jaw dropping 500 bucks??

I wonder why??

witeshark · 06-13-2007, 07:53 PM

That's amazing

**mullethunter3** · 06-13-2007, 08:08 PM

Where they made by the same company?

**Dudesky** · 06-13-2007, 08:41 PM

Possibly. The most common replacement brand that you can buy is DEC. AutoHaus, Bavauto, and Pelican all dropped their prices, but only AutoHaus mentions the brand name

drz · 06-14-2007, 01:33 AM

Because the $500 ones are not 50-state legal.

**3050rpm** · 06-14-2007, 04:56 AM

This kinda begs the question, but seeing that on average the population of E36s has what, ~200,000 miles on the odometer, does that mean that the catalytic converter is somewhere on the replacement list, or with proper vehicle maintenance these things will last the (long) life of the car?

**Dudesky** · 06-14-2007, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drz

Because the $500 ones are not 50-state legal.

Were they legal when they were $1500 last month? It's the same product. Or are you saying that these retailers just recently found out that thier cats weren't 50 state legal, so they dropped the price?

I also notice a price drop in catback mufflers, I wonder why.

**B3M2W5i** · 06-20-2007, 11:34 PM

I'm just going to assume our cars aren't as young as they used to be so the focus is on newer models maybe? Or maybe they need to free up some space in their warehouses? All I know is when I replaced my cat with the one from bav auto it cost me around $800 for the cat no resonators and an instal kit

**Dudesky** · 06-21-2007, 04:53 AM

^^^Holy Crap!!! Dude, where the hell have you been??! Haven't seen you here in ages.

**c1apton** · 06-21-2007, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dudesky

Were they legal when they were $1500 last month? It's the same product. Or are you saying that these retailers just recently found out that thier cats weren't 50 state legal, so they dropped the price?

I also notice a price drop in catback mufflers, I wonder why.

I think"B3" is on it as far as the newer model therory & also many states don't have emissions checks. Minnesota doesn't and only certain counties in Florida do. To even complicate it more, alot of states that do test - don't test older vehicles (10 years or older) Remember, our cars are built for quality & longevity - not the disposable GM, Ford, etc...

**Dudesky** · 06-21-2007, 06:44 AM

What's B3?

**c1apton** · 06-21-2007, 09:54 AM

B3M2W5i- 2 posts earlier

**Dudesky** · 06-21-2007, 10:08 AM

Oh

Unfortunately, NJ tests for the 5 major gases and I think the only exception is a classic car, which needs to be at least 25yrs old . . I think it's their way of getting the old junky clunkers off the road

**3050rpm** · 06-21-2007, 10:19 AM

Maybe I'm being a bit academic here, but I thought all states had to have regular emissions testing programs, otherwise they would stand to lose federal transportation monies or fail to meet EPA standards, which could then compel compliance. Maybe I'm wrong (it's happened a handful of times in my life)...

**xsperf** · 06-21-2007, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3050rpm

Maybe I'm being a bit academic here, but I thought all states had to have regular emissions testing programs, otherwise they would stand to lose federal transportation monies or fail to meet EPA standards, which could then compel compliance. Maybe I'm wrong (it's happened a handful of times in my life)...

yea they claim they do, in new york they say they do emission testing for all OBDII cars(96 and up) but all it is is basically reading the ECU, and if its putting out any emission codes the car fails,t hey dont actually test the exhaust coming out of the vehicle