I have a 1999 ML 320 (100K miles)

I went to shop and found out I had a crack in my left (driver side) catalytic converter. The shop said they couldn't get the part I would have to go to the dealer. The dealers labor cost is rediculous so we called another shop and they said after 98 it was illegal to buy a certain type of catalytic converter and they too could not get it.

Another well known shop said they could get the part and it was no problem.

I also notice online every where I look the part is pretty cheap but some say not for sale in CA or won't fit in Ca.

What is the deal?

It doesn't make sense that I only can get it done at the dealer when they are using the same part.

They wanted to charge me $1200.

What are my options?

Are there any muffler shops I may be able to go to and get a different system?

 

Hey AllBizniss,

I have some good news for you. The cost of this repair is covered by a recall. I had the same issue and took my ML320 to the dealer and they replaced the part at no cost to me. You can do a search on Benzworld.org to find the exact recall (someone posted a copy of the letter on the site). However, you shouldn't need a copy of the recall to have the service performed. I took my truck in and told them there was a recall for the problem. They checked, confirmed and did the repair. By the way, I have the 99 ML320 too.

Hope this puts a smile on your face.

 

Here's some info copied from benzworld.org:

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC and DaimlerChrysler AG Settlement Fact Sheet
Mercedes-Benz Fact Sheet (PDF) (2 p, 30K, About PDF)
[ul][*]Background[*]Violation[*]Civil Penalty[*]Remediation and Injunctive Relief[*]Affected Vehicles [/ul]
Background: Manufacturers of new motor vehicles must file an emission defect information report (EDIR) with EPA not more than 15 working days after an emission-related defect is found to affect 25 vehicles or engines of the same model year. These defect reporting requirements are a critical part of EPA's program to ensure that vehicles on the road comply with the Clean Air Act's emissions standards.
Violation: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC and DaimlerChrysler AG (Mercedes) failed to timely file EDIRs relating to eight emission-related defects in numerous 1998 to 2006 model vehicles.
Civil Penalty: $1.2 million
Top of page
Remediation and Injunctive Relief:
[ul][*]Mercedes is implementing the following voluntary recalls and extended warranties for emission-related defects at issue in this case:[*]Voluntary recall of about 79,000 Mercedes M-Class models to inspect and replace catalytic converters that are determined to be defective;[*]Voluntary recall of about 29,000 Mercedes AMG models to update software and replace secondary relay in air pumps;[*]Extended emissions warranty for catalytic converters in about 20,000 S and CL Class models from 8 years or 80,000 miles to 10 years, unlimited miles.[*]Estimated Cost of voluntary recalls and extended emissions warranty: $59 million.[*]Estimated environmental benefit of voluntary recalls:


[ul][*]55 tons NOx[*]64 tons NMHC[*]446 tons CO

[/ul][*]The Agreement also requires Mercedes to implement a Supplemental Emission-Related Monitoring, Investigation and Reporting Protocol, at an estimated cost of $1 million per year. [/ul]
Top of page
Affected Vehicles:
[ul][*]The following vehicles have been recalled to inspect and replace, if necessary, the catalytic converter:



1999-2001 Mercedes Benz ML 320 (VIN range A036519-A260405)


1999 -2001 Mercedes Benz ML 430 ( VIN Range A057639-A260575)

[*]The following vehicles have been recalled to update the software and replace the secondary relay in air pumps:



2002-2004 Mercedes Benz SLK 32 AMG ( VIN Range 227774-310327)


2002-2004 Mercedes Benz C32 AMG ( VIN Range 131482-535283)


2003-2006 Mercedes Benz E 55 AMG Sedan ( VIN Range 136286-917813)


2005-2006 Mercedes Benz E 55 AMG Wagon ( VIN Range 715663-913573)


2003-2006 Mercedes Benz CL 55 AMG ( VIN Range 030004-047689)


2003-2006 Mercedes Benz S 55 AMG ( VIN Range 306185-484676)


2003-2006 Mercedes Benz SL 55 AMG ( VIN Range 009541-116751)


2005 Mercedes Benz G55 AMG ( VIN Range 146910-164172)


2005-2006 Mercedes Benz SLR ( VIN Range 000018-001032)


2006 Mercedes Benz CLS 55 AMG ( VIN Range 007370-061871)

[*]The following vehicles will have warranties for their catalytic converters extended to 10 years, unlimited mileage:



2000 Mercedes Benz CL 500 (FIN Range WDB2153751A000174 - WDB2153751A001519)


2000 Mercedes Benz S 430 (FIN Range WDB2200701A001280 - WDB2200701A121670)


2000 Mercedes Benz S 430 (FIN Range WDB2201701A000335 - WDB2201701A115308)


2000 Mercedes Benz S 500 (FIN Range WDB2201751A000346 - WDB2201751A082651)
[/ul]