A4 (B5 Platform) Discussion Discussion forum for the B5 Audi A4 produced from 1995-2001 B5 FAQ

$800+ to replace cat and $280 to replace engine mount? Help! Am I being ripped off?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 19, 2006 | 12:45 PM
  #1  
trailertravis13's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 781
Likes: 0
Default $800+ to replace cat and $280 to replace engine mount? Help! Am I being ripped off?

On my way to work today my car (K04'd 98 1.8t tip) began sounding alot louder than my borla usually sounds. I pulled off the highway and had it towed to my local audi/vw mechanic.

He just called me and told me that my cat needs to be replaced (apparently it had sheared off at the flange. He says there is a chance it can be repaired at a meineke or place like that). He wanted somewhere around 800 to replace my cat. The way it was broken he was led to believe that one of my engine mounts is bad and needs replacing and that the broken cat came as a result of more than usual vibration and movement. He priced me at 280 on top of the 800 for the motor mount. Are these fair prices?

Are either of these easy enough to handle myself or should I let him handle it? I installed my turbo on my own so I am kind of confident I can handle replacing the cat unless there is something I can't get to that I'm not aware of but I am unsure of the motor mounts. Would it be my best bet to let him handle the motor mount and buy a hi flow cat and replace it myself?

Any help is greatly appreciated. I need to make a decision as soon as I can so I can try to get a cat overnighted.
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2006 | 12:47 PM
  #2  
a-4cefed's Avatar
AudiWorld Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 920
Likes: 0
Default

those are things you can do on your own, not too hard.
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2006 | 12:50 PM
  #3  
trailertravis13's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 781
Likes: 0
Default The motor mount is something I can handle in my driveway on jackstands?

I wasn't sure. I looked around to see what replacing them actually consisted of. How many hours do you think it would take to do both?

I am asking because as of right now I don't really have a plan for a car to use until I get mine back.

From what it sounds like I can have my car back tomorrow for 1100 which sucks but I will have it back.
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2006 | 12:51 PM
  #4  
Solaris's Avatar
AudiWorld Uber User
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 39,999
Likes: 1
From: NC
Default don't replace with an OEM cat. Get a HFC, but it might be a big pain in the butt to install it

of that $800 he quoted for the cat, how much of it was parts? I imagine a Meineke must be able to install a HFC for you for less than $200. Save a few hundred and gain some power right there.
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2006 | 12:53 PM
  #5  
Solaris's Avatar
AudiWorld Uber User
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 39,999
Likes: 1
From: NC
Default it's an easy job, especially if you have a HFC. Easier access to the passenger side

up on jack stands with the jack supporting the engine is enough to do the job.
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2006 | 12:54 PM
  #6  
bassed-ndzmorezone5's Avatar
AudiWorld Super User
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 12,980
Likes: 0
Default See if you can handle based on this read...

<ul><li><a href="https://www.audiworld.com/tech/eng57.shtml">Cleek</a></li></ul>
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2006 | 12:55 PM
  #7  
trailertravis13's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 781
Likes: 0
Default Ok I will look into Meineke. I tried looking around for some HFCs...what others are there besides

for Millitek? I know there are some others around but I think I was looking in the wrong spots.

Will a HFC throw any CELs or is that usually just associated with straight/test pipes?
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2006 | 12:58 PM
  #8  
illbill's Avatar
AudiWorld Super User
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,493
Likes: 1
From: Cambridge, MA
Default Labree

<ul><li><a href="http://www.tantrumwerks.com/html/18exhaust.html">http://www.tantrumwerks.com/html/18exhaust.html</a</li></ul>
Reply
AudiWorld Stories

Bringing Audi to Life for Audi Fans

story-0

New Audi A6 Allroad Is The Market's Coolest Wagon: 9 Things to Know

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

10 Strangest Audi Designs That Actually Made Production

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2027 Audi Q7 and SQ7: Audi Upgraded EVERYTHING!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Audi Unveils Absurdly Cool New Supercar: 10 Things You Need to Know!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

The Highs & Lows of Every Audi C-Class Generation

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Top 10 Most Expensive Audis Ever Sold on Bring-A-Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-6

10 Audi Features & Options We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Audi Recreates Crazy-Looking Speed Record Breaker From 1935

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Coachbuilder Recreates the 1995 Audi TTS Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Every Audi V10 Car Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jun 19, 2006 | 12:58 PM
  #9  
Solaris's Avatar
AudiWorld Uber User
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 39,999
Likes: 1
From: NC
Default LaBree from Tantrumwerks. It's a Magnaflow cat. I've had one for 10k miles, no codes

I paid $285 shipped, but it took 2 weeks to arrive (they make it after you order it). What I had originally done was have a shop weld the cat back together until I had time to replace the cat. Lasted for a few months, but it leaked.
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2006 | 01:06 PM
  #10  
j31izzle's Avatar
AudiWorld Super User
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,650
Likes: 0
Default take it to meineke and get a reweld.

a lot of people have done it that way.

engine mount is not a high priority if it has gone bad (i don't see how it could go bad with what happened) and you can DIY. you'll definitely save a lot of money.
Reply



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 06:07 PM.

story-0
New Audi A6 Allroad Is The Market's Coolest Wagon: 9 Things to Know

Slideshow: Audi's latest A6 Allroad gets RS-style fenders, real off-road hardware, and enough personality to stand out in a market obsessed with crossovers.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-16 17:31:52


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Strangest Audi Designs That Actually Made Production

Slideshow: 10 strangest Audi designs that actually made production

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-10 16:32:29


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Audi Q7 and SQ7: Audi Upgraded EVERYTHING!

Slideshow: Everything you need to know about the 2027 Audi Q7 and SQ7

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-09 06:02:56


VIEW MORE
story-3
Audi Unveils Absurdly Cool New Supercar: 10 Things You Need to Know!

Slideshow: Limited to just 499 units, the 987-horsepower halo car signals a new chapter for Audi performance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-04 17:37:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
The Highs & Lows of Every Audi C-Class Generation

Slideshow: The highs and lows of every Audi C-Class generation.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:05:50


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Most Expensive Audis Ever Sold on Bring-A-Trailer

People were more than happy to shell out big bucks for these cars.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 15:32:23


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Audi Features & Options We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: 10 Audi features and options we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 19:33:47


VIEW MORE
story-7
Audi Recreates Crazy-Looking Speed Record Breaker From 1935

Slideshow: Audi has recreated one of the wildest machines of the pre-war speed-record era, reviving a streamlined V16 racer that originally exceeded 200 mph in 1935.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:49:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
Coachbuilder Recreates the 1995 Audi TTS Concept

Slideshow: A Dutch coachbuilder has reimagined the original Audi TT by finishing what the 1995 concept only hinted at.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-05 15:17:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Every Audi V10 Car Ranked!

Slideshow: Ranking every Audi V10 road car

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:11:56


VIEW MORE