How to Prevent BMW Series 3 Catalytic Converter Theft
Here’s how you can protect your BMW Series 3 from all-too-common catalytic converter theft.
Written by Jacqulyn Graber
Reviewed by Christelle Agustin
Compared to other makes and models, BMW Series 3 catalytic converters are harder to steal—but that doesn’t mean you’re not at risk! Help further prevent theft by always parking in secure areas, etching your VIN into the part, and investing in a catalytic converter shield.
If you’ve never been a victim of catalytic converter theft, consider yourself lucky. Unfortunately, no matter what car you drive, it’s a real risk. Fortunately, we’ve got all the details you need to prevent your BMW Series 3’s cat from being stolen, as well as what to do if it’s already happened—including information about the type of
car insurance
you need to cover replacement parts. Is it easy to steal the catalytic converter from a BMW Series 3?
Fortunately, no! Compared to other makes and models, all BMW catalytic converters (including those in the Series 3 models) are considerably harder to steal. This is because catalytic converters in BMW cars are hidden, located right up against the engine, which makes accessing them much more difficult.
Still, BMW catalytic converter theft does happen—it’s just rare.
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversTop BMW Series 3 years that catalytic converter thieves target
The catalytic converters in all BMW cars are hidden out of sight for thieves and thus much harder to remove. Since it takes so much effort, there are no specific BMW Series 3 years that are targeted by thieves.
Why are BMW Series 3 catalytic converters stolen?
Regardless of the car you drive, your catalytic converter is valuable. Why? Well, the part works to filter harmful emissions out of your BMW’s exhaust by passing them through a fine honeycomb of precious metals, like rhodium, platinum, and palladium.
In the past several years, the market value of these metals has grown exponentially, making catalytic converters extremely attractive to thieves.
As of December 2022, here’s approximately what each of the metals in your BMW’s catalytic converter is worth:
- Platinum: $993 per ounce
- Palladium: $1,611 per ounce
- Rhodium: $12,250 per ounce
Of course, your cat contains less than an ounce of each of the above metals—but because it’s generally quite easy to steal the part, thieves think that stealing and reselling the part on the black market is fast money.
BMW catalytic converter replacement cost
Catalytic converters may be relatively easy to steal, but they certainly aren’t cheap to replace. BMW owners can expect to pay around $1100 to $2700 for a new catalytic converter installation (including labor charges).
You may be able to save a bit of money by opting for aftermarket parts, but because installation is rather complicated, labor charges won’t be any cheaper.
How to prevent catalytic converter theft from a BMW Series 3
Even though your BMW’s catalytic converter is already relatively difficult to steal, we still recommend taking at least some of the following steps—especially since a replacement part is so expensive.
Park in a secure area
At home, it’s best to park your Series 3 in your garage. If this isn’t possible, consider investing in motion sensor lights or other security measures that will alert you if an intruder is in your driveway.
When out and about, it’s best to park in a well-lit parking lot or street or a garage or ramp that’s monitored by employees and cameras. The harder it is for a thief to poke around your vehicle without being seen, the safer you are!
Buy a catalytic converter shield
Catalytic converter shields are anti-theft devices that are simple to use. Essentially, they’re aluminum plates or cages that cover your cats.
We recommend the
Cat Shield™ from MILLERCAT
, or looking through the devices offered by Cat Security™
. Even Amazon has lots of options—just be sure to check what’s in stock and compare it to your exact model to ensure proper fitment. Most cat shields can be self-installed with a few simple tools. Depending on the device you buy, it may already come with all the tools you need for installation.
A second benefit of installing a cat shield? Your insurance company might give you a discounted rate on your comprehensive insurance!
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Put your VIN on the catalytic converter
A catalytic converter that’s been etched and tagged with the vehicle’s VIN cannot be resold on the black market, so this helps protect against potential theft.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) holds regular catalytic converter etching events, and a quick Google search will help you find upcoming events in your area. Otherwise, take your BMW to your nearby muffler shop for tagging.
Invest in comprehensive insurance
Comprehensive insurance
certainly won’t stop thieves from taking your catalytic converter, but it will help you pay for the replacement parts and labor if yours is stolen. In fact, if you lack comprehensive insurance, you won’t be able to submit a claim for catalytic converter theft. In other words, the replacement cost will come out of your own pocket. In addition to taking the steps outlined above, it’s a good idea to prepare for the worst with a
full-coverage insurance
policy—especially if your BMW Series 3 is a newer model. What to do if your BMW Series 3’s catalytic converter is stolen
If worst comes to worst and you find that your catalytic converter has been stolen, stay calm and contact law enforcement. Depending on where your vehicle was parked, the police may be able to pull up security footage in an attempt to catch the thief.
Even if the cops can’t catch the thief, they’ll at least file a police report, which will help you when you file an insurance claim. Of course, to file a claim, your auto insurance policy must include comprehensive coverage (as we explained above).
Your insurance company will then help you schedule repairs with a mechanic and cover the cost of the replacement parts. If your plan includes a deductible, you’ll be responsible for satisfying said cost before your insurance will pay out the remaining balance. Fortunately, your deductible will most likely be much lower than the full cost of replacement.
If you lack comprehensive insurance, you’ll still need to replace the catalytic converter—you’ll just be forced to pay for it out of pocket. Try finding a mechanic that’s willing to use aftermarket parts if you need to save money on replacement costs.
Can you drive a BMW Series 3 without a catalytic converter?
Technically, it’s safe to drive your BMW without a catalytic converter—however, it’s not as simple as that.
You see, a BMW that’s missing its catalytic converter won’t successfully pass emissions testing (a.k.a. smog testing). If you live somewhere that requires vehicles to pass emissions testing, it’s imperative that you replace the cat as soon as possible, otherwise you won’t be able to legally drive.
A car that lacks a catalytic converter will also be noisier and have rougher acceleration. Plus, you’ll be emitting harmful gasses into the atmosphere.
In short, while it may be safe to drive your BMW without a catalytic converter, it’s not feasible for the long term.
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