2000 Beetle Catalytic Converter

[whatsontv]

Hi All

This may have been asked before, so I apologize in advance... I bought a used 2000 Beetle last year, and this week the check engine light came on and it started to make a rattle sound under the car. My mechanic says that the Catalytic Converter needs replacing, and to do that he has to basically replace the entire exhaust system. This has been a good car, so imagine my surprise at a $1,600.00 repair cost (with labor).

Help! Does this sound correct?

Thanks!

[boschmann]

The VW cat is very expensive, on the aftermarket they're less than #300. If it still had <80K miles it would have been under warranty.

[veedubmechanic]

I would say have the shop put the car in the air and have them actually show you the cat is rattling. You only need to replace the catalytic converter if its bad, not the whole exhaust. new vw exhaust dont go bad accept where the midpipe bracket mounts to the body right behind the catalytic converter which can also cause rattling. cats are a big purchase and they should show to you that the cat is rattling.