W211 Exhaust Woes

[Bikerbob]

Hi all, just joined this forum, so please treat me gently.

The better half has a E220 CDI, Classic A, WDB211, around 120k miles on an 06 plate, which just started to lose power and not going over 3000 revs.
Occasionally will start and initially run OK but soon goes back into safe mode and the EML is on.
Had a local indie look at it and they have advised both cats are blocked and genuine MB ones are around £1000 each

Had a look at a couple of sites and europarts do them for around £200 each as do Autobits. Can anyone recommend either, or something better, or do I need to stick with OEM ones?

And, are they easy to change??

 

[GordonTarling]

Why not just get a local exhaust specialist to take the guts out of the cats? Done properly, no-one will ever know and it'll still pass MOTs.

 

[Bikerbob]

Does the engine need any adjustment or will it work straight away?

Is it easy to do as I have a reasonable ability, or is it best left to someone with a proper ramp etc, if so, can anyone recommend somewhere in Surrey to take it?

Thanks

 

[AMGeed]

Longlife in Carshalton should be able to remove the cats and re weld the boxes.

Stainless Steel Exhausts - Performance Exhausts from Longlife

 

[Auto-mobile]

Smash out the first one and replace the second, has your car got a dpf do you know? As that will need replacing if yes.

 

[Bikerbob]

Don't think it has a DPF, but chassis number is WDB2112062A958481 if anyone can help.
Does it affect the sensors then if you knock them both out?

Sorry for all the questions but not good with exhausts, sensors and back pressure!