BMW X5 Catalytic Converter
 

I have been having this problem with my V8 2001 x5. from SES lights going on to oxygen sensors being replaced. Now I finally have taken it to the dealer and their telling me now that I have to replace the left cat. at an estimated $2000 cost. I went to a muffler shop who quoted me way far less for a universal cat. my question is has anyone replaced their oem cat with a universal cat and have they had any problem? let me know please I want to fix the problem so I can enjoy my truck without all of the noise coming from the cat.

slightly off topic, have you been running the x with old spark plugs? because a mechanic told one time running the car with bad plugs could cause cat problems. can anyone confirm?

BMW X5 catalytic converter
 

well the spark plugs have been replaced, so I', not really sure if that was the reason why. Have you replaced the cat?

I don't know if this helps, but on my 97 M3, I was told I needed a new CAT in the near future. Half of the people said universal would be fine, and the other half either said some places won't even bother installing them or they fail in 2 to 3 years. I don't know if this applies to newer BMW's, but they have tricky exhaust systems.
I know one way to tell if you have bad CATs is to either jack the car up or get under there and hit the CAT with a rubber mallet and see if you hear any rattle or noise.

I've personally not used a "universal", (nor had to replace a cat),
but friends have: on everything from Vettes to beaters to M3s...
they all went with a "universal" from someone. They all came with
a 'cert' and a guarantee to pass emissions.

Unless you have a bro-n-law in the BMW parts dept., I do a search
on the web and check out non-oem prices or, your local joint that
you contacted. I wouldn't give it a 2nd thought, other than being
sure it is the cat.
GL,mD

BMW X5 catalytic converter
 

yeah I get the same reaction from people I ask. I just dont want to give $2000 to the dealership to replace one Cat not both but one. I have taken the car in to the dealership and they tell me that I need a new cat. everytime I revv the engine I hear rettling noises coming from underneath the car. so I know one cat is bad. but my ultimate question is will a universal work and will there be any problems after I change them out.

[quote=joeblackx5]yeah I get the same reaction from people I ask. I just dont want to give $2000 to the dealership to replace one Cat not both... ...but my ultimate question is will a universal work and will there be any problems after I change them out.[/quote]

I can't promise you a thing...but, if it were my car, I'd get a non-oem
cat in a heartbeat.

By the bye, Joe...
our '01 cats are "covered" for 8 yrs or 80,000 miles,
whichever comes first.

For future reference,
do you have to have a check engine light or something wrong like that to get your cats replaced for free under the 8 / 80,000 warranty. Or can you just take it in and tell them you hear rattling?

Sorry to thread jack, but it is part of the topic

No clue...but, as I was responding to Joe's wonderment over oem
cats vs. aftermkt, it was nagging me that it might be covered;
so, I ran down to my X and looked it up. It may be moot as I don't
know his mileage. But, it's ammo...I suspect there is a fairly easy
sniffer test to determine if the cat is shot or it's something else.

For fut ref, there is that seperate booklet that came with the Manual
and audio book; it's the "maintenance book" and in the back section
it details the stuff covered under Fed law, time and distance.
GL,mD