Catalytic Converter Scrap Value?

[nate2k5]

I parted out my 2001 E39 530i this weekend (pm if you need anything) and made sure to cut the cats out before I sent it to the junkyard.

I'm assuming the ones attached to the exhaust manifolds are pre-cats and the one in the middle of the car is the main cat?

Has anyone sold these to cat buyers or junkyards and if so what did you get for them?

[Redshift]

I got my '03 540iT main cats quoted and they were only about $60 ea. They told me to wait until platinum pricing goes back up above $1300/oz and then requote.

[MtekJosh]

I have a collection of cats here that I am holding til prices go back up. Scrap metal is worth next to nothing too, I get about $50 max for a bare e36 shell

[nate2k5]

I got my '03 540iT main cats quoted and they were only about $60 ea. They told me to wait until platinum pricing goes back up above $1300/oz and then requote.

from a metal recycler or a dedicated cat recycler?

platinum is at $832 an ounce now, it may be a cold day in hell before we see it above 1300 again considering it was only there from 2008-early 2015.

are the precats worth much or is worth it to sell them as just exhaust manifolds?

[fullthrottle540]

If you find a buyer who needs them to pass smog, they could be worth 300-400.

If your state doesn't have smog checks, i'd throw them in the trash.

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I got my '03 540iT main cats quoted and they were only about $60 ea. They told me to wait until platinum pricing goes back up above $1300/oz and then requote.

I just bought a platinum football field.

[crazy4trains]

I parted out my 2001 E39 530i this weekend (pm if you need anything) and made sure to cut the cats out before I sent it to the junkyard.

I'm assuming the ones attached to the exhaust manifolds are pre-cats and the one in the middle of the car is the main cat?

Has anyone sold these to cat buyers or junkyards and if so what did you get for them?

The cats are located at the exhaust manifold. The item you mention at the middle of the car is the muffler.

[philly98540]

About 2 months ago I got $180 for a pair of pre-Tu cats from a dedicated cat recycler
http://www.panhandleconverters.com/

The pre-Tu cats are bigger than the Tu cats as there is only one per bank, so they go for more $$. Those same type of pre-Tu cats went for $260 last year from the same recycler that another forum member sold.

[nate2k5]

so the only cats are on the exhaust manifolds? what do you mean pre-tu compared to tu?

i thought the middle piece looked like a resonator inside but thought there would be more than just the exhaust mani cats

[dannyzabolotny]

I sold the cats off my 2001 540i for about $80. They're not really a hot seller here in Arizona, where the emissions test solely involves checking for an emissions code via the ODBII. A lot of people here just code the cats out and run with a straight pipe.

[BMW540san]

so the only cats are on the exhaust manifolds? what do you mean pre-tu compared to tu?

i thought the middle piece looked like a resonator inside but thought there would be more than just the exhaust mani cats

He means that 97-98 540 has bigger cats than 99+. 97-98 has only 2 big ones while 99+ has 2 front small ones and 2 rear bigger ones but not as big as 97-98.
I'm the one that got $260 for 2 cats of my 98 540 but I got lucky on precious metals pricing at that time and dealt with good local company which had an honest manager.
Panhandlecc in Chattanooga

[nate2k5]

so the big thing in the middle of an 01 is a cat?

[BMW540san]

so the big thing in the middle of an 01 is a cat?

If you mean 01 530 according to your signature, things are different than 540:
These are you cats:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=11_2183
The big thing in the middle is front muffler:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=18_0439

[nate2k5]

If you mean 01 530 according to your signature, things are different than 540:
These are you cats:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=11_2183
The big thing in the middle is front muffler:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=18_0439

ok so it is a resonator, good to know.

anyone know what to expect for the 530 cats?

[douglee25]

Considering you can buy universal cats starting from $35 each, they're really not worth your time to find a buyer. The additional space in your garage, the time to write an ad, the time to take phone calls and emails from Africa or people looking to help you sell your "540 cat with my special shipper let me deposit my $20,000 check and you send me the difference for your $50 cat" and in the end, my time is just more valuable. Throw it out if you don't find a buyer in 30 days.

[Redshift]

Don't throw it out though. At least recycle it. There are recoverable precious metals in there.

[BMW540san]

Don't throw it out though. At least recycle it. There are recoverable precious metals in there.

+1. Cheap universal cats can get mighty expensive in a hurry.