# 328i BMW and catalytic converter?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/328i-bmw-and-catalytic-converter/56867>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** catalytic-converters, bmw, 325\
**Created:** [October 26, 2010, 10:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/328i-bmw-and-catalytic-converter/56867 "2010-10-26T22:39:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Aggie1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Aggie1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Aggie1)\
**Post date:** [November 3, 2010, 9:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/328i-bmw-and-catalytic-converter/56867/21 "2010-11-03T21:05:44Z")

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325i, 165,000 miles. BMW computer said cat converter gone. Indep mechanie says cat converter [he comes rec. by friend who has had him work on his foreign cars]. Mechanic at indep.garage also said it would be $2500 but could be a lot more because when he turns car on he can’t keep it running, it shuts down at about 5 minutes. When he turns it on he says he is seeing blue smoke which could be a much more serious problem. He says he cannot guarantee that fixing the cc will end our problems. The car was also 4 qts down and do not have any oil spots on driveway [not too happy with BMW for not catching this on our initial check-up.] He recommends better investment another car for daughter. Question is what do we do with this one. CARMAX will only give us a maybe 100-300. Is there a better solution? thanks!!!

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**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\
**Post date:** [November 4, 2010, 12:35am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/328i-bmw-and-catalytic-converter/56867/22 "2010-11-04T00:35:03Z")

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Mechanics do not like to hear the generic phrases “blown up” “gone”,“bad” “needs replacement”. Perhaps I am asking too much as I know the publics knowledge about their cars is limited but ,what the heck is wrong with the cat?

Any way you can post a picture of this car? It sure is sounding like a 1991 not a 2001.

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**Author:** ![Aggie1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Aggie1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Aggie1)\
**Post date:** [November 5, 2010, 2:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/328i-bmw-and-catalytic-converter/56867/23 "2010-11-05T02:13:44Z")

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Thanks to all who responded. You were all very helpful. Wonderful site. Will use this site with questions again. Bought another car so the 325i is no longer.

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**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\
**Post date:** [November 5, 2010, 2:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/328i-bmw-and-catalytic-converter/56867/24 "2010-11-05T02:24:56Z")

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We try hard to be "human"even if we are just bits and bytes.

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**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\
**Post date:** [November 5, 2010, 6:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/328i-bmw-and-catalytic-converter/56867/25 "2010-11-05T18:01:20Z")

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Thanks for the followup post. We so rarely hear the end result, and we do appreciate it.

I think you made the right move with the 325i. Sincere best with your new ride.

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