SL500 R230 Rattling Catalytic Convertor

kevh

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SL500 (R230) 2003 4966cc
My SL500 has recently developed a metallic rattle/tinkle which rises and falls with engine speed. I've taken it into my local exhaust specialist who has identified the problem as being the cat which is located midway along the system on the nearside pipe branch. Whilst the car is 15 years old, it has only done 45K miles and the general condition of the exhaust system is very good.
I want to avoid having to replace the entire system. My thought is to that the old cat could be cut out and a replacement one welded in. Has anyone got a suggestion to resolve my problem cost effectively? Thanks
 

grahamcol

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2001 SLK230, 2007 CLK220 CDI
Well if it's anything like one of my 202's it is entirely possible to change just the cat. My Indy did it a few years ago, just before an accident caused the car to be a write off. Circa £150 if I remember correctly.
 

flowrider

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What you could do is cut both CAT's off and empty them before welding them back onto the exhaust. This will release a little more of the lovely V8 sound and give a few extra bhp. As long as the primary CAT's are ok then emissions should not be affected.
 

John Laidlaw

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Entirely possible or do what Flowrider suggests
Just make sure it is the cat which is the issue - SLs went through a period of loose fuel tank baffles probably around the age of yours iirc
 

Mic

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MB SL500(2003), MB SLK320(2001), Volvo V70 XC AWD(2001)
In 2009 I had the same issue.......I had the secondary cats. and their housings removed and replaced with s/s pipes.

Almost nine years later all is still good and no regrets......the car sounds great and no detectable increased emissions.

Mic
 

LostKiwi

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'93 500SL-32, '01 W210 Estate E240 (RIP), 02 R230 SL500, 04 Smart Roadster Coupe, 11 R350CDi
Malcolm's 230 has also had secondary cats removed. No issues with MOTs.
 
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kevh

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SL500 (R230) 2003 4966cc
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Guys, thanks very much. I am going to get the secondary cats cut out and replaced with plain pipe.It seems like the best cost effective option. Now this is the $64,000,000 question - can anyone please advise where I might go to get this work done (I live in South Yorkshire, so the closer the better). Thanks once again.
 

John Laidlaw

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Not sure in your area to be honest, if you fancied a day on the Wirral I’d recommend Cybox here in Bromborough as they did my SL500 and I’d recommend them
Best all round I hear about is Torqueflow based in MSL’s unit in Birmingham, worth the travel
In Leeds I’ve heard these are good but expensive

https://www.longlife.co.uk/Longlife-Leedss
 

LostKiwi

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'93 500SL-32, '01 W210 Estate E240 (RIP), 02 R230 SL500, 04 Smart Roadster Coupe, 11 R350CDi
Any powerflo stockest should easily be able to do that for minimal cost.
 
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kevh

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SL500 (R230) 2003 4966cc
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Thanks guys. I've managed to find someone closer to home. Its an outfit called Stainless Exhaust Specialist, based near Mansfield in Notts. Its booked in to be done this Friday (22nd June). I will give feedback when its been done.
 

Gkinghorn

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E350 CDI Cabriolet - 2011
Malcolm's 230 has also had secondary cats removed. No issues with MOTs.

That was me who did that one to it ... and a certain ex member was convinced it would fail mot’s .... proved to be unfounded and it sounds better than the original .....

Cheap job @ £100 cash ...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

Gkinghorn

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E350 CDI Cabriolet - 2011
Thanks guys. I've managed to find someone closer to home. Its an outfit called Stainless Exhaust Specialist, based near Mansfield in Notts. Its booked in to be done this Friday (22nd June). I will give feedback when its been done.

How much are they charging? It’s an easy job ....


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

LostKiwi

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'93 500SL-32, '01 W210 Estate E240 (RIP), 02 R230 SL500, 04 Smart Roadster Coupe, 11 R350CDi
That was me who did that one to it ... and a certain ex member was convinced it would fail mot’s .... proved to be unfounded and it sounds better than the original .....

Cheap job @ £100 cash ...

It does definitely sound better. Just need to get the X-Pipe changed for a better design and hopefully improve it even more :)
 

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