C5 Cat'

[Guest gs fan]

As my 2001 C2 2.0 hdi is due for MOT soon I've been working through the list of things needing done.

I thought the exhaust system was ok but for some reason last night I decided to check it and to my horror I found the weld under the supporting brackets in front of the cat' was split and leaking . Of-course this means the whole pipe with its built in cat needs replaced which is really annoying as the reat of the pipe is A1. I rang round Kwik Fit ,ATS etc and the cheapest quote for this pipe alone was £ 750 fitted . When they got my horrified reaction ( won't quote what I said!!) they said "well cheaper than the dealer". So I rang the dealer ... £1200 for the cat pipe, and £240 for the rear box ,thats just parts , they didn't quote for fitting as I just said goodbye.

I took it to an old boy that's good with the welder in Dumfries and he took the cat' pipe off cut and trimmed it at the faulty weld area , slotted in a sleeve welded it back together and refitted the whole thing and charged a reasonable £50 for his work . I hope the day never come when lads like him are no longer around . He said this will hold for a good long time and will certainly get through the MOT , but that I should look for a new or good used replacement .

In the search I found some tales of woe re' the cat pipe with one that said " check out the Bosal site " so I did but they supply all parts except the cat' pipe . Mind you the back box that Citroen quoted £240 is availabe for £69 , good deal ,so the Bosal check was good for future ref'.

After alot of searching I've found one on " Cats 2 Go" quoted @ £ 92 and another on "Cats 4 less" for more ?? @ £130 . I've sent them my vehicle reg' and await Email verification that they are the correct parts . Will up-date as these sites may be usefull to other members.

It just seems crazy for a car company like Citroen who are all about "Value" cars to charge such a ridiculous price for an item that will require replacement ,probably more than once during the vehicle life . If I do pick up the cat' pipe for the 90-130 mark and get Mr Thompson to fit it the bill will be around £180 , compared to £1600 @ the dealer . Here's hopin!!

[kfk]

The only thing i will say is that there is a definite diference in the quality of genuine and pattern exhaust parts.

 

Overall there is a considerable difference in weight.....andas far as fitment goes its one of those components you want to have correct clearance around the exhaust and ground clearance.

 

Ok......i know the Citroen price is OTT and i wont say its value for money.....but the catalytic convertor will be the correct size to do the job its designed for and it will fit!

[Guest gs fan]

The only thing i will say is that there is a definite diference in the quality of genuine and pattern exhaust parts.

 

Overall there is a considerable difference in weight.....andas far as fitment goes its one of those components you want to have correct clearance around the exhaust and ground clearance.

 

Ok......i know the Citroen price is OTT and i wont say its value for money.....but the catalytic convertor will be the correct size to do the job its designed for and it will fit!

I can't argue with that , but I also can't afford the luxury of the original part due to Citroen's heafty price tag . I'll just have to try the cheaper option and see how I get on with it .

The one from Cats 4 Less says it comes with a 2 year warranty so that's the one I'll go for...If it's right I havn't had verification from them yet . Anyway if it fits and works fine ..Great!! If it doesn't ??

I'll keep the forum updated either way .

THanks for the reply ..

[techbod]

http://motors.shop.ebay.co.uk/items/_W0QQ_...ksid=m270.l1313

 

want to save money then try ebay

[Guest gs fan]

http://motors.shop.ebay.co.uk/items/_W0QQ_...ksid=m270.l1313

 

want to save money then try ebay

Thanks , did look but don't seem to have any cat pipes.

Got a quote from " cats 2 go " for £ 92 which I'm going for.....seems awfull cheap . they mailed me the drawing with dimensions and it is the right one .

Maybe KFK is right that you'll get what you pay for . I'll let you all know.

[techbod]

kfk is always right lol but considering the prices you quoted it would be cheaper to have a stainless system made and de-cat it and its garanteed for life ( dont ask how long is life ) ill let you know ;)

[myglaren]

There is some ambiguity regarding "de-cating".

I know of a lot of Xantia guys that have done it but I asked my local parts supplier who said that post 1997 cars have to have the cat to pass the MOT.

He had a 607 and binned it specifically because he didn't want to shell out for the DPF/Eolys & cat.

 

It would be wise to check with the MOT bods regarding the applicable regulations. Personally I would go for a de-cated s/s system when the time comes.

 

I paid £57 for a back box (that I didn't need, when I finally got round to actually looking under the car) and £16 for a repair piece to splice in.

[Guest gs fan]

There is some ambiguity regarding "de-cating".

I know of a lot of Xantia guys that have done it but I asked my local parts supplier who said that post 1997 cars have to have the cat to pass the MOT.

He had a 607 and binned it specifically because he didn't want to shell out for the DPF/Eolys & cat.

 

It would be wise to check with the MOT bods regarding the applicable regulations. Personally I would go for a de-cated s/s system when the time comes.

 

I paid £57 for a back box (that I didn't need, when I finally got round to actually looking under the car) and £16 for a repair piece to splice in.

I think that must be right , all in the trade seem to think so anyway.

I had no option but to replace the cat on my C5 as the pipe had failed on the engine side of the cat .

I got the replacement from the net ( cats4less) price £167 . I was quoted cheaper from (cats2go) but they couldn't come up with the goods . So I had it fitted by the local indy garage for £50 . Making the total £217 , compare that to Citroen's quote for £1200 for the cat pipe alone (not fitted) . It's now through it's MOT and we are getting along fine again ....'till the next crisis.

So to sum up I'd say if ya need a new pussy for the old C5 ,try either ( cats4less / cats2go )

I should have said that (cats2go) would have been able to supply but not quick enough , I was in a hurry as my MOT was due ..

[techbod]

the car has to meet the emissions and that doesn't mean it needs a cat it can be programmed to lower the emissions so its not a physical thing they look for

[myglaren]

Agreed Techbod.

It is my (probably wrong) understanding the the cat actually does nothing appreciable on a diesel. Nothing they test for anyway.

 

 

Ed: fix crap coding

[mike 38]

Agreed Techbod.

It is my (probably wrong) understanding the the cat actually does nothing appreciable on a diesel. Nothing they test for anyway.

Ed: fix crap coding

Try www.cesuk.com for all your cats