A well timed bargain purchase

[gramey]

A month after I bought my SL320 last July the nearside catalytic converters decided to self destruct and started making an horrendous knocking noise. I replaced these with a new genuine MB item for £685 rather than an ECP special on the basis the original had lasted for 16 years. I asked if I should change the right hand ones at the same time and I was advised if they were fine to leave them so I did.

When I saw a new old stock right hand catalytic converter advertised a couple of months ago for £295 or best offer I offered £240 inc. p&p and got it.

Yesterday on my way back to Suffolk from Hertfordshire you've guessed it there was a catastrophic failure of the right hand cat. This caused cylinders 1-3 to misfire like buggery and I limped home like an ageing Honda Jazz driver for the last 20 miles. I think it must have been silently breaking up for some time, a back pressure check on that side showed 15 psi when the maximum should be 2 psi. So bargain replacement fitted and my car is running better than ever.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Good catch!

 

[robparker]

On classic cars it's always best to buy parts when you don't need them if you see them for a good price. I bought 2x brand new old stock front hydraulic shocks for my 6.9 earlier this year. Will save a fortune if I ever need them, and if I never do and sell the car they will be easy to sell on again

 

[ajlsl600]

not just current classics, everytime i go home a buy a few well known fail items for my sl. as its statisically certain i will need them and as said anyone doing his research will know that and it will help the car move on should i wish that further down the road , abc pump , sbc , valve seal kits , gear shift lock, boot struts ect and about anything esle with three letter abveviation !!!!!!!

 

[robparker]

Yea, and its likely these parts will only get more expensive, or worse still, extinct

 

[gramey]

On classic cars it's always best to buy parts when you don't need them if you see them for a good price. I bought 2x brand new old stock front hydraulic shocks for my 6.9 earlier this year. Will save a fortune if I ever need them, and if I never do and sell the car they will be easy to sell on again

I do if I see them but only if it's an expensive item or something that's likely to be hard to get.