I'm looking for an aftermarket direct-fit catalytic converter for my '91 Mercedes 190e 2.3. I was wondering, which brand is better: DEC or Miller?

Also, it is a California car, but right now, it's registered and driven only in Arizona. It currently has a cut and weld universal cat on it. Would it be ok to use the 49 state diect-fit version in order to save money?

Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks.

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2000 c280 Sport (looks like an upgrade, feels like a downgrade)
1991 190e 2.3 (sold)

Any ideas? I need to get one soon.. They're both about the same price, but the manufacturer is completely different.

The most important thing to me is that everything lines up and bolts on smoothly. A close second would be longevity.

I'd really like to hear from someone who has any experience with Miller or DEC direct-fit catalytic converters.

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2000 c280 Sport (looks like an upgrade, feels like a downgrade)
1991 190e 2.3 (sold)

http://mbwholesaleparts.com/StarTuned/pdfs/CatConvMar05.pdf

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

Thanks for the link Kent. It was very informative, however, it didn't answer my question.

I have found and corrected the problem that cause the current cat to go bad (a leaky fuel distributer) and I don't want to cut and weld another $50 universal cat on it.

At the same time, I want something of decent quality, that will install easily and last more than a couple of years.

With that being said, I don't have the funds, nor do I believe the car is worth the $1000+ cost of a genuine Mercedes cat. The car itself only has a trade-in value of ~$1000 as it sits.

Anyway, as I'm pressed for time, I'm gonna go ahead and get the DEC branded direct-fit and I'll post my results here about the install and test result impressions.

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2000 c280 Sport (looks like an upgrade, feels like a downgrade)
1991 190e 2.3 (sold)

FWIW, here's the follow-up. What I received appeared to be some sort of generic assy with a cheap Catco converter. No mention of "DEC" anywhere..

Since my tags were to expire in a couple of days, I decided to just use it, rather than argue about it with the supplier. Install went pretty much without a hitch (except for a high mounted welded hanger) and it passed with flying colors, but I was not impressed with the build or sound quality.

Again, I don't believe this was a "DEC" branded direct-fit cat, so I can't bad mouth them.

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2000 c280 Sport (looks like an upgrade, feels like a downgrade)
1991 190e 2.3 (sold)

Where did you get it and did you have any reason to think it would be a DEC?

Mike

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1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

While doing some quick power shopping, I did the online chat thing at thepartsbin.com and the guy gave me an unbeatable quote, through a promo code. I entered it in at their site and the description came up as being made by DEC.

Their normal stock is listed as being Miller.. In hind site, I think I would've been better off with that, but it would have cost me about $40 more and from what I've seen online, (at least with the BMW crowd) the DEC units are much better (mandrel bent pipes, better quality cat, fit, etc.).

Anyway, I ended up with some generic crap, but I decided to use it, since: A, my tags were about to expire and B, it fit and passed the test.

Lesson learned: Don't wait until the last moment to shop for a cat.

Needless to say, I will no longer be doing business with that organization..

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2000 c280 Sport (looks like an upgrade, feels like a downgrade)
1991 190e 2.3 (sold)