How many catalytic converters do BMW cars have?

A catalytic converter is a crucial device installed in the exhaust system of a car to convert pollutant gasses into less harmful ones.

Besides turning 90% of harmful emissions into less harmful gasses, a well-maintained catalytic converter can improve the efficiency of your car thus improving its health and performance.

car catalyst

So, how many catalytic converters does a BMW have? Continue reading to find out.

How many catalytic converters does a BMW have?

Several factors determine how many catalytic converters a BMW has. Some of these factors include engine size, car model, and year of manufacture.

For instance, most recent BMW models have 2 catalytic converters. But generally, most BMW cars have between two and four catalytic converters.

BMW has a good reputation for manufacturing cars that are fuel-efficient and reliable. Additionally, their advanced catalytic converter technology had made their cars to be among the most environmentally-friendly options available.

So if you are looking for an environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient car, then a BMW may be your perfect choice. Most modern BMW cars have two catalytic converters, one for each exhaust pipe. Typically, the Catalytic converter on the back is usually larger than the one on the front.

For instance, the BMW 3 Series (E90 and E92) have two catalytic converters, one on the midway of the exhaust and one on the header.

The BMW E60 model with an N54 turbocharged engine has two catalytic converters mounted to the outlets of each turbocharger. Other models like X5, E60, 750, and X6 also have two catalytic converters.

Where are the catalytic converters located on a BMW?

BMW catalytic converters are located on the underside of the car at the point where the exhaust system meets the engine. Newer BMW models have secondary catalytic converters located in the mid and end of the exhaust system.

Their location not only helps them deliver the best results but also makes it harder for them to be spotted. This means that stealing a BMW catalytic convert is not easy

How much are BMW catalytic converters worth?

The price of a BMW catalytic converter is estimated at around $800- $2500. Their price varies depending on the number of expensive metals that they have.

Catalytic converters have a honeycomb coated with precious metals such as rhodium, palladium, and platinum which helps to reduce harmful gasses from the car exhaust.

rhodium platinum palladium in catalytitc converter

The more precious metals the catalytic converter has, the more it is worth. The main reason why catalytic converters are sold as the most expensive scrap and are highly sought after is that they contain precious metals.

Do BMW cats fail often?

BMW catalytic converts have been built to last. That is why they are pricier compared to other catalytic converters of other car brands.

A brand new BMW catalytic converter can last for a lifetime with most of them having an average lifetime of about 100,000 miles (160,934KM).

So, if you are considering replacing your BMW catalytic converter but wondering whether it will fail, worry not because it will deliver excellent results and last for a long time.

Can a BMW run without a catalytic converter?

YES, your BMW can run without a catalytic converter. In fact, any car can run without a catalytic converter. However, driving a car without a catalytic converter is not sustainable in the long run.

Without a catalytic converter, your car will emit very loud noises, especially when you press the gas pedal. Your car will also drive more roughly, emit harmful car emissions and fail annual vehicle inspections.

Are BMW catalytic converters easy to steal?

No, BMW catalytic converters are not easy to steal. In fact, they are harder to steal than those of other car brands because of where they are located. They are hidden out of sight and very difficult to spot where they are located.

What is the scrap value of the BMW catalytic converter?

BMW catalytic converters are valuable and have a scrap value of between $150 and $700 depending on the precious metals that they contain.

Closing thoughts

If you have been wondering how many catalytic converters your BMW car has, we hope that this article has been informative. The number of catalytic converters that BMW cars have varies depending on various factors such as model, year of manufacture, and engine size. However, most BMW vehicles have between 2 and 4 catalytic converters.

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