Hey everyone,

I'm new here, and would appreciate any help/advice you can offer. My '96 A4 (5sp, Quattro) is making a terrible rattling noise - my mechanic tells me one of the catalytic converters is broken. He has said that it's "ok" to drive it like this, i.e. won't cause further damage, but that it probably won't pass smog (I live in Los Angeles, CA). So here are my questions:

1.) Is it ok to continue driving w/it broken?
2.) Can I replace this with a non-Audi part and still pass smog? If yes, any suggestions as to what parts? My mechanic (not an Audi mechanic) is unsure of this. It is unlikely that I can afford to pay for Audi parts at the moment, because they're just too expensive for a graduate student.
3.) If I must use an Audi part, how much should I expect this to cost?

Any advice would mean a lot to me. I've browsed/searched the posts, but couldn't quite find an answer to this. Thanks everyone!

 

start saving...... and replace it as soon as you can. (use only OEM audi parts)

 

I put a set of magnaflow cats on mine when one of mine went. I have had NO issues what so ever. However - you have CA emissions, and while you can cheat you'd best be getting the CA approved cats, either universal or OEM.

The cats I had welded on were $50 a piece CA ones are a lot more