Are O2 sensors made of gold?

We have an '01 wagon 300 series, and we were just charged about $170. to
replace the oxygen sensor. I had another car a few years ago that needed
one, and I recall it was well under $50. Is $170 the going rate now?
Thanks,
Joe
PS Car runs great after 70,000 miles.

 

Price usually scales with the type of sensor - older ones were just the
sensor (so you had one or two wires going to them) and were typically pretty
cheap - I think the Bosch sensors could be had for $30-40 or so - the newer
ones generally have a heater (so they have three wires) which helps the
oxygen sensor get to operating temperature more quickly, and enables the car
to run more cleanly at startup - they are more expensive.

 

If it's the UEGO type, yes. IIRC, theres only *one* company that makes
them.

 

Thanks folks. I'm going to go into the O2 business!
Joe

 

Sometimes you can give them a good cleaning and they work fine.
MR