Change from 4x4 tower to saloon?

alexander1954 · Feb 9, 2017

Hi
We've been towing with Mercedes ML350 for five years and are thinking of a change. Perhaps an E350 saloon with towing capacity of 2100 kg braked.
Caravan is Swift Elegance 645 (21015 model) with MIRO of 1679 kg and MTPLM of 2100 kg.
Online matching says ok for experienced driver which I am having driven Land Rover towing trailer with tractor loaded as a young man.
Caravan is twin axle with fancy electronics to avoid snaking.
Should I go with E350 or new 4 x 4 ?
ML is seven years old and I'm thinking of getting a brand new vehicle for the first time using a Contract Plan.
Grateful for sound advice
Norman

WoodlandsCamper · Feb 9, 2017

alexander1954 said:
thinking of a change. Perhaps an E350 saloon with towing capacity of 2100 kg braked.
Caravan is Swift Elegance 645 (21015 model) with MIRO of 1679 kg and MTPLM of 2100 kg.
Online matching says ok for experienced driver which I am having driven Land Rover towing trailer with tractor loaded as a young man.

Forget the max tow capacity for the moment as that is for an 'ideal' trailer, eg a car on a car trailer (with a very low centre of gravity, or the example you gave of a tractor on a trailer which has very low side cross sectional area), and the ability to pull away on a given slope. A caravan is NOT an ideal trailer due to its high sides. What is the kerb weight of an E350 saloon and then do your towing ratios, as the MTPLM at 2,100 kg is relatively high?

KeefySher · Feb 9, 2017

There are some tremendous deals available on the Merc GLE at present. MB dealers will match and beat Carwow. The GLE 350 AMG Line is a good un

The factory fit towbar will match your caravan fancy electronics, video here of it's deployment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUvSKIyTtuA

I currently tow a heavier single axle Sterling Continental 570 with a larger saloon car, an S Klasse, S350 LWB, and wouldn't consider a smaller saloon tbh. There are only 2 saloons that will tow with such a large caravan, the other is an Audi A8. Just my two pennethworth

alexander1954 · Feb 9, 2017

Thanks to both for replies. Arranged a test drive tomorrow so see how I feel after that.
The GLE is a great machine and that tow bar is exceptional.

MichaelE · Feb 10, 2017

Ive just purchased a new GLE, having already owned 4 other ML's through the years.Didn't plan to change the X5 but the deal was amazing, not only did i get a good discount i also got an extra £6k off for buying on a pcp, which after 1 payment i paid off.
A much bigger car, smoother 9 speed gearbox and quieter too. VED is lower as its euro 6.Lots of toys, active cruise, blind spot 360 camera even side wind assist!. It also has the electric towbar. Tows superbly. Only complaint is some of the quality of the plastics isnt as good in some places and only 2 tie down points in the boot.
The e class is even nicer inside much better dash etc but then is a new car not a facelift. More than capable car and as long as the weights are good and you dont mind the lower driving position then either would be fine.Big downside is the boot, in an estate or 4x4 your load can be higher and easier to put longer items in the car if you need too.
Are you sure your MPTPLM is over 2000kgs as that seems really heavy? I though they were only around the 1900kgs mark?

alexander1954 · Feb 10, 2017

Thanks very much for your reply Michael. Very informative and helpful.
I'll double check those figures.
Yes - the interior of the E class has grabbed my attention. I'm having a test drive this afternoon so will report back.
Yes - the ML has been enormously helpful as a home vehicle with its large road space.
I'm wondering how much cheaper the E class will be ( or should I say less expensive )

KeefySher · Feb 10, 2017

The VED changes in April. Whilst some say if you are buying a car over £45k you can afford the increased VED, some say why pay more tax!!

If you can wait a bit, there is an E Class 'offload' estate due out in September that gives you the 4matic, higher stance and the E class interior.

Michael, what colour and trim did you get your GLE in?

Agreed the GLE is a mid life facelift, but it is a very capable tow car with the 350 having the superlative 3.0litre V6 mated to the new 9 speed box, the air suspension as standard. If you have no need for 7 seats.

Also worth getting is the service plan, no need straight away, but prior to the first due service. It includes AdBlu.

alexander1954 · Feb 10, 2017

Thanks for that Keefy.
I must confess the lesser road tax of the E class is of interest along with the lesser purchase price albeit on a contract basis.
The estate does make sense though I've always preferred the saloon shape on an aesthetic basis.
Regarding service I will give that some thought but have been very pleased with the independent Mercedes garage at Warrington.
I am also considering how long the car sits on the drive and is used other than for towing the caravan.
Regarding general driving of the GLE the provision of air suspension is attractive as I have heard it does make a difference to the ride.
This is all most helpful in coming to a decision so many thanks again

alexander1954 · Feb 10, 2017

By the by.... I hear that smaller tyres lend to a smoother ride.
We're both in our sixties now and are keen on that.
Any advice in that regard?

KeefySher · Feb 10, 2017

alexander1954 said:
By the by.... I hear that smaller tyres lend to a smoother ride.
We're both in our sixties now and are keen on that.
Any advice in that regard?

By smaller do you mean taller sidewalls, and subsequent smaller wheel diameter?

There is a difference in tyre size in respect of ride quality. For example my current S Klasse has 19" wheels and air suspension. My mate has 18" wheels with taller sidewall tyres and feels a softer ride. That we can determine the difference speaks volumes.

On the GLE for example the standard wheels on the AMG Line 350 are 20" with option of 21". I took an extended test drive in GLE 's with both wheel sizes and found the 20" were comparable in harshness to my mates S Klasse; not a measured test, but close enough. Whereas the 21" was comparable to my S Klasse with the 19", I'd go for the 20".

The difference with the GLE air matic suspension over my S Klasse is you can set 'individual' in the control unit to tailor the suspension, gear changes to what you want. Giving infinitely more choice.

Depending on what spec you go for, on the Designo line, the seats are also controllable by air inflation to give you a cocoon type feeling.

On your test drive, play with the settings and note the wheels/tyres fitted. A good dealer will facilitate as long a test drive as you want. Go on different roads, A, B, Motorway etc to get a good feel.

Not that I'm steering you, but you might be getting the drift of my choice!!

MichaelE · Feb 10, 2017

We went for a Polar white AMG line 350d with the premium plus pack, this gave lots of extras for one price. I added the 21" wheels no difference in ride and they looked better and are easier to clean. Also added the night pack, proper leather, off road pack and the safety pack and of course the towbar. I have a set of 20" which im putting winter tyres on. I have always ordered cars as none have ever have the factory fitted towbar and didnt want to retrofit one.
Didnt go for the Designo as the leather is either porcelain, ( no good for the life we have) and brown which i didnt like.
Delivery time was 20 weeks.
They gave me 2 years free servicing, but i have never taken out the service pack as they have always given me 20% off and i supply my own oil.

alexander1954 · Feb 10, 2017

Thanks for that Michael.
I'm afraid I did not have a good experience on the test drive in that when Inturned up 15 minutes early for the 3.30 appointment this afternoon I was approached by the manager after a short wait who told me that there was no record of any appointment.
He went off and after a delay said that his colleague had omitted to enter the appointment in the diary.
I was so disappointed in the situation and the casualness of his manner that I decided to leave.
I have now arranged a test drive with another local dealer for Monday.
I did have time while he was checking what had happened to sit in an E 350 in the showroom and was suitably impressed.
Ah well.....

KeefySher · Feb 10, 2017

MichaelE said:
We went for a Polar white AMG line 350d with the premium plus pack, this gave lots of extras for one price. I added the 21" wheels no difference in ride and they looked better and are easier to clean. Also added the night pack, off road pack and the safety pack and of course the towbar. I have a set of 20" which im putting winter tyres on. I have always ordered cars as none have ever have the factory fitted towbar and didnt want to retrofit one.
Delivery time was 20 weeks.
They gave me 2 years free servicing, but i have never taken out the service pack as they have always given me 20% off and i supply my own oil.

What interior? Always been put off the artico man made leather (vinyl). A mate had it on a E270 and it split on the front seats inside a year, I went for full leather on my E270 at that time.

The night pack on the white is a good look.

Quite like the Brilliant Blue with the two tone black / porcelain nappa leather interior, myself

I have grey/dark grey interior in my S Klasse with Magnetite black paintwork, lighter interiors particularly with a pano roof give the impression of more space. Had a retro fitted OEM tow bar, that was gratis due to delay in supply from MB Germany

How do you connect the breakaway cable to the tow bar? Is a change of breakaway cable to the carabener one required?

WoodlandsCamper · Feb 10, 2017

KeefySher said:
How do you connect the breakaway cable to the tow bar? Is a change of breakaway cable to the carabener one required?

See photo in this thread. I got one from W4 to replace the existing one.

KeefySher · Feb 10, 2017

WoodlandsCamper said:
KeefySher said:

How do you connect the breakaway cable to the tow bar? Is a change of breakaway cable to the carabener one required?

Click to expand...

See photo in this thread. I got one from W4 to replace the existing one.

Thank you muchly, I'll look at finding it.

This one? http://www.w4limited.com The galvanised one. Much cheaper than the pukka AlKo one :evil:

MichaelE · Feb 10, 2017

KeefySher said:
MichaelE said:

We went for a Polar white AMG line 350d with the premium plus pack, this gave lots of extras for one price. I added the 21" wheels no difference in ride and they looked better and are easier to clean. Also added the night pack, off road pack and the safety pack and of course the towbar. I have a set of 20" which im putting winter tyres on. I have always ordered cars as none have ever have the factory fitted towbar and didnt want to retrofit one.
Delivery time was 20 weeks.
They gave me 2 years free servicing, but i have never taken out the service pack as they have always given me 20% off and i supply my own oil.

Click to expand...

What interior? Always been put off the artico man made leather (vinyl). A mate had it on a E270 and it split on the front seats inside a year, I went for full leather on my E270 at that time.

The night pack on the white is a good look.

Quite like the Brilliant Blue with the two tone black / porcelain nappa leather interior, myself I have grey/dark grey interior in my S Klasse with Magnetite black paintwork, lighter interiors particularly with a pano roof give the impression of more space. Had a retro fitted OEM tow bar, that was gratis due to delay in supply from MB Germany

How do you connect the breakaway cable to the tow bar? Is a change of breakaway cable to the carabener one required?

Went for the black nappa, didnt want porcelain as had oyster in my BM and not matter how much i cleaned it it showed every mark .Colour wise didnt want grey or silver and definitely not black , the Diamond white looked very yellow. At present i still loop around the towball like i have done on all my other cars, although it does have have a hole to clip it to the towball now. I have a BPW chassis so still have the normal breakaway cable which i may change to the carabener type.

WoodlandsCamper · Feb 10, 2017

KeefySher said:
WoodlandsCamper said:

KeefySher said:

How do you connect the breakaway cable to the tow bar? Is a change of breakaway cable to the carabener one required?

Click to expand...

See photo in this thread. I got one from W4 to replace the existing one.

Click to expand...

Thank you muchly, I'll look at finding it.

This one? http://www.w4limited.com The galvanised one. Much cheaper than the pukka AlKo one :evil:

Click here for an example.

KeefySher · Feb 10, 2017

WoodlandsCamper said:
KeefySher said:

WoodlandsCamper said:

KeefySher said:

How do you connect the breakaway cable to the tow bar? Is a change of breakaway cable to the carabener one required?

Click to expand...

See photo in this thread. I got one from W4 to replace the existing one.

Click to expand...

Thank you muchly, I'll look at finding it.

This one? http://www.w4limited.com The galvanised one. Much cheaper than the pukka AlKo one :evil:

Click to expand...

Click here for an example.

But, but .. that's a whole 2 bob more

That's what I enjoy about this forum, experienced, helpful people who understand context.

MichaelE · Feb 11, 2017

A picture from the day of collection, not so white now

The led headlights are amazing and the active cruise in fog is superb.

KeefySher · Mar 27, 2017

I collected the new tow car on Saturday, changing from a large saloon (Mercedes S350L) to a 4x4 (Mercedes GLE350 AMG Line Premium Plus pack with Driver Assistance pack). Went for a stand out colour, Brilliant Blue with nappa leather interior in Porcelain and black. Factory fitted electrically operated tow bar that operates at the push of a button, either in the tailgate or in the drivers door.

Very happy. Just need to get some miles on it before towing at Easter. Just had confirmation of the booking at lovely CL near Bristol we have used before

CluelessNewbies · Apr 1, 2017

I had to change cars recently to cope with the weight of my new van. Seriously considered merc as that was my old car but the dealers by me are poor. I ended up with a Jaguar XF R sport black edition. 3.0 v6 diesel.

Your new toy looks very nice though!

20170602yuanyuan · Jun 2, 2017

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