Anyone know G Wagons?

[adamred]

Hi all.
Been away from Porsche ownership for a couple of years, but this is the best darned auto forum on the interwebs, thought it was worth a shot. Just picked up this 2005 MBZ G500, and it sounds to me like the Catalytic Converter death rattle is starting. Does anyone know if the magnaflow aftermarket CC will work or am into this for $4k for a MBZ discontinued part?
2005 GWagon
93K miles
5.0 liter V8.

Pic below, because we all like pics. She is a beaut, just need to work a few things out before it becomes part of the regular driving rotation.

[nvr2mny]

I can’t answer your question but I’m assuming you’ve checked the Benz forums? I would think there is a much cheaper alternative to your problem if the CC needs replacing. Nice looking rig btw. I think MBZ has kept the G wagon unchanged (externally) since its inception. My biz partner just sold his ‘14 because he claimed it was too much like a truck, ride wise, and very uncomfortable for the rear seat passengers. Do you find this to be the case with yours? I looked at one last year but chose the GL63 with some RennTech upgrades. Brutally quick for a big beast. Hope you find a reasonable solution.

[adamred]

Thanks. I tried BenzWorld. sorta dead over there. My searches of other forums haven't been successful. I have to imagine there's an aftermarket solution, was sorta disappointed when an independent benz shop near me jumped straight to "that's going to potentially run $4k+"
It is definitely a TRUCK. We've had about 3 or 4 GLs over the years, and they are way more comfortable than this. Only have had it a few weeks, fun for sure, but not a luxury ride. I have two kids still at home, and one is about to be a driver so the back seat isn't much of an issue. The view from the front can't be beaten though

[Laneco]

I would take it to an independent shop - ask about aftermarket cats. There will be welding/fitment to get anything other than direct fit aftermarket to work but you will probably be quite a bit of money ahead.

Maybe someone sells a great aftermarket exhaust for that (that includes cats).

angela

[adamred]

Thanks. Called a different local independent shop this morning and they are running the VIN now as they think they have an aftermarket solution. The cost of a factory replacement would be 10% of the value of the truck...insane

[onewhippedpuppy]

Worst case find a good custom shop and have them fab up a replacement using a universal cat.

I had a 2002 that was a bit of a project when I was still selling cars. They have that old school MB build quality and are built like a tank. Just don't let anyone reverse jump it! I think that's what had happened to this one, the battery was fried along with three ECUs. Lost my ass on that project....

[matthewb0051]

Try these:

https://www.ecstuning.com/Mercedes_Benz-2005-G500-463.249-Base-Sport_Utility-V8_5.0L/Exhaust/Performance/Catalytic_Converter/

There are also some MB specific suppliers like the Florida based Porsche dealer that offers discounted OE parts, (Sun coa5t). Carriage House of New London being one. I bought some paddle shifters from one of these for about a 60% discount. These are genuine MB parts. Just spend some time on google.

[adamred]

Matthew:
Thanks! Two independent shops said I couldn't use anything but $5k worth of Benz parts. One even took 1/2 day of research time. Frustrating.

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

Check out our MB forum: PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum - Powered by vBulletin

[willtel]

Is it just rattling or throwing codes? For $4k I would drive a few self tapping screws into it unless the lights are on.

I've always been enamored with those things but I haven't heard good things about the cost to keep a modern one on the road. Good luck.

[enzo1]

https://www.discountconverter.com/direct_fit_catalytic_converters/direct_fit_links.cfm?YearSelected=2005&MakeofCar=MERCEDES%20BENZ&ModelOfCar=G500&CylSelected=4

[adamred]

Thanks Enzo!
The truck is not throwing codes. just rattling an early indicator of an impending failure.
An exhaust shop recommendation is just to hollow it out, patch it, put the heat shield back on, run some sort of bypass sensor so the computer doesn't throw a CEL and move along.

[adamred]

I have been driving a Tesla the past 3 years, so the idea of making it a worse polluter just rubs me the wrong way, despite the fact that I really don't like my Tesla and can't wait for the lease to end

[KNS]

^^ What about the Tesla do you dislike (not buying one but I’m curious)?

[adamred]

Honestly the only two things I do like:
1) The power. It is simply the fastest most powerful car you'll regularly encounter on the road. I can put it into any hole in traffic and no one ever beats me off a traffic light. And in NJ fitting into holes in traffic comes in very handy, especially trying to get on these crazy roads and highways here
2) I don't miss going to the gas station

However, the build quality is crap, panel gaps, interior plastic, carpets, seats, etc are all just junk if you ask me. It has needed a fair amount of fixes over the three years including a month to repair a leaking sunroof. Service is slow, 4 tires took 3 days. All wrapped up in a lease payment that makes some people's rent look small, at the end of the three years it simply hasn't been worth the money and I'm glad its going back.
Love the instant electric power, and will love it even more at 1/2 the price for a higher quality build. My $.02.

[greglepore]

Magnaflow will have a solution, or a good exhaust shop can fab something. V12 Benz guys have been doing this forever. Not rocket science. Given that you're not in Kalifornia no CARB number bs.

[matthewb0051]

OEmercedesbenzparts.com

Or

Benzpartshq.com

I bought from one of these but can't remember which one.

[RSBob]

A good friend of mine works on 4 customer G Wagons, but specializes in air cooled P cars. The word he has for repairs and parts is EXPENSIVE even compared on Porsche prices. Hope you bought one with low mileage, in excellent condition with full service history.

I have ridden in a couple of them and they are nothing short of fantastic and gotta love the boxy style.

[nota]

pick and pull junk yards

if it has a 500 motor I bet same year 500 motor cars will have the same cat
or close enough find a low mile crashed one or a higher mile car that has a replaced cat

I found my 300sd had lots of common parts with 300-500 se's

with the P&P yards you can see the car not just take the word of junkyard clerk

[adamred]

The third independent Benz shop I brought it to finally was the one that rolled their eyes at a $5k catalyst and said he can make aftermarket ones work, or a trade-in core to ********. Also, as a side note, he thinks it actually might just be a rattling heat shield. But we'll see. He's going to plug it into their diagnostic computer and pull any codes for review.
Thanks for the advice folks.