mizzat
Active Member
Urgent help needed guys.
On the way to today's GTG I noticed some rattling from underneath the car. I diverted to the nearest garage (HL Gorner in Wigan) to investigate. The very helpful service chap now tells my the catalytic converter on my exhaust is failing ("on the inside and on both sides" his words). He suggested I drive home immediately and do not drive the car again untill it is replaced as it may damage the engine. He also quoted mr a price for the replacement. Wait for it: £1200 plus VAT plus labour (2 hours). I took his advice and drove back home immediately. After a good cry and several stiff drinks I phones Bowkers (BMW dealers in Preston where I purchased the car in April). The car is supposed to have 12 months approved BMW warranty. It now appears the their warranty does not include the cat. A quick review of the BMW web site and in their description of the warranty they claim: "The BMW Approved Used Car Warranty even guarantees the battery and exhaust system for 12 months". They now claim that the cat. is not part of the exhaust.
The car is a 1999 W220 (S320 petrol) with 50K miles and full MB sevice history.
Serveral questions now spring to mind:
1. Is this a standard price for the part.
2. Can I still drive the car or will it knacker the engine?
3. Would you expect the cat. to be included in a full warranty.
4. Is the Cat part of the exhaust system?
Any further ideas, comments or large shoulders to cry on would be most welcomed.
On the way to today's GTG I noticed some rattling from underneath the car. I diverted to the nearest garage (HL Gorner in Wigan) to investigate. The very helpful service chap now tells my the catalytic converter on my exhaust is failing ("on the inside and on both sides" his words). He suggested I drive home immediately and do not drive the car again untill it is replaced as it may damage the engine. He also quoted mr a price for the replacement. Wait for it: £1200 plus VAT plus labour (2 hours). I took his advice and drove back home immediately. After a good cry and several stiff drinks I phones Bowkers (BMW dealers in Preston where I purchased the car in April). The car is supposed to have 12 months approved BMW warranty. It now appears the their warranty does not include the cat. A quick review of the BMW web site and in their description of the warranty they claim: "The BMW Approved Used Car Warranty even guarantees the battery and exhaust system for 12 months". They now claim that the cat. is not part of the exhaust.
The car is a 1999 W220 (S320 petrol) with 50K miles and full MB sevice history.
Serveral questions now spring to mind:
1. Is this a standard price for the part.
2. Can I still drive the car or will it knacker the engine?
3. Would you expect the cat. to be included in a full warranty.
4. Is the Cat part of the exhaust system?
Any further ideas, comments or large shoulders to cry on would be most welcomed.