Mercedes E220 Estate 2012 model £3200 for a towbar????

[Castrol]

Hello - I have just been qouted £3200 for a towbar to be fitted to my E220 est from my Mercedes dealer as they are telling me the transmision and engine cooling system need upgrading? is this correct as I cant find any mention of this on the forums I have looked on.
can I got to an independent to get one fitted as they have qouted me £550 - Just bought a 2011 Swift 570 Chalenger as my Merecedes is a good match for this van but the dealer is now telling me if I dont do the cooling upgrades my waranty will be void?
Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello Castrol,

I have to assume that from your comment, your car is still covered by the manufacturers guarantee. The terms of that guarantee will have been given to you in some printed form when you purchased the car. If you want to retain your manufacturers guarantee then you must comply with them.

Now the T&C's can become a bit of grey area as sometimes they are are open to some local interpretation.

Any statement that tells you the car needs further modifications beyond the fitting of a tow bar and sockets must be complied with if you wish to retain your guarantee, However I believe that whilst the manufacture can specify exactly what work needs to be done, I don't think they can legally tell you who has to do it. Consequently provided an independent fitter carries out all the necessary modifications following the manufactures specifications, then that should be ok. (You must confirm that with relevant professionals).

However, most cars made after 2005 now use quite complex computer controlled internal systems. Modifications such as the addition of trailer wiring, and tow bars may genuinely need the cars internal systems to be modified so the computers can correctly compensate for the trailer. An independent fitter may not have access to the necessary equipment or codes to adjust the systems.

If you do choose to use an independent fitter, make the terms of your contract to include in writing that you expect them to carry out all the required adjustments to the car manufactures specification, and guarantee the car will not suffer any loss of function or manufacturers guarantee cover as a result of the work they carry out.

 

[Lutz]

If your caravan is nowhere near the maximum permissible towload specified for the car it may be worth contacting Mercedes and asking them what reduced towload would be permissible without the engine cooling and transmission modifications. It is possible that such a reduced towload may cover your needs.

 

[otherclive]

Its not unique to MB as Ive read of similar problems with BMWs which include 3.0 diesels with auto boxes and some have decided not to have the additional work done and towed without any problems. It all depends on what you tow, where you tow, when you tow and how often you tow. I agree with Lutz that seeking MB advice on a reduced tow load would be a safe option.

 

[Surfer]

If your owner's handbook gives the maximum braked towing weight of the vehicle and this is also identified on the VIN plate and there is no mention of required modifications to tow, then I would think you are covered. I really think the delaer is trying it on especially if the car is a good match for the caravan. Phone a couple of MB dealers and see what the general consensus is.

 

[Lutz]

If your owner's handbook gives the maximum braked towing weight of the vehicle and this is also identified on the VIN plate and there is no mention of required modifications to tow, then I would think you are covered. I really think the delaer is trying it on especially if the car is a good match for the caravan. Phone a couple of MB dealers and see what the general consensus is.

The maximum braked towload is not identified on the VIN plate. If you don't make full use of the maximum permissible GVW, the towload may, under certain conditions, as and where specified by the car manufacturer, be greater than the difference between the max. gross train weight and the max. GVW.

 

[Castrol]

Thanks for all the advice folks ... I will be calling some more MB dealers over the next couple of days so will get back to you all with the outcome

 

[Surfer]

If your owner's handbook gives the maximum braked towing weight of the vehicle and this is also identified on the VIN plate and there is no mention of required modifications to tow, then I would think you are covered. I really think the delaer is trying it on especially if the car is a good match for the caravan. Phone a couple of MB dealers and see what the general consensus is.

The maximum braked towload is not identified on the VIN plate. If you don't make full use of the maximum permissible GVW, the towload may, under certain conditions, as and where specified by the car manufacturer, be greater than the difference between the max. gross train weight and the max. GVW.

I stated that the VIn identifies the maximum braked towing weight which is correct. I never said it was on the VIN plate. The VIN plated gives the maximum gross weight of the vehicle and the gross maximum train weight. Subtracting maximum gross weight from maxuimum gross train weight gives you the maximum braked towing weight. Simples!

 

[Lutz]

I stated that the VIn identifies the maximum braked towing weight which is correct. I never said it was on the VIN plate. The VIN plated gives the maximum gross weight of the vehicle and the gross maximum train weight. Subtracting maximum gross weight from maxuimum gross train weight gives you the maximum braked towing weight. Simples!

As I stated in my previous post, the maximum braked towing weight need not be equivalent to the maximum permissible gross train weight minus the maximum permissible gross vehicle weight. In can be more than this difference. It just means that either the maximum towload or the maximum gross vehicle weight can be used to the full if the maximum gross train weight is not to be exceeded.
Renault practised this option until quite recently for many of their models, but to my knowledge they have stopped doing so, probably because of complaints from owners who found it too confusing. However, other manufacturer still do it, at least for some, if not all of their models.

 

[colin-yorkshire1]

I stated that the VIn identifies the maximum braked towing weight which is correct. I never said it was on the VIN plate. The VIN plated gives the maximum gross weight of the vehicle and the gross maximum train weight. Subtracting maximum gross weight from maxuimum gross train weight gives you the maximum braked towing weight. Simples!

As I stated in my previous post, the maximum braked towing weight need not be equivalent to the maximum permissible gross train weight minus the maximum permissible gross vehicle weight. In can be more than this difference. It just means that either the maximum towload or the maximum gross vehicle weight can be used to the full if the maximum gross train weight is not to be exceeded.
Renault practised this option until quite recently for many of their models, but to my knowledge they have stopped doing so, probably because of complaints from owners who found it too confusing. However, other manufacturer still do it, at least for some, if not all of their models.

quite right Lutz on several models this is the case and indeed could be concievably be less than this, Rover being such a case, one should allways consult the vehicle documentation for weights, not just the vin plate.

 

[curlyboy]

Hi and hello(new member) I am having a towbar fitted to my ML350 on monday by Mercedes,£2400,yes there is a lot more to it than just the towbar,the SAM unit that controls the body electronics including back up warnings will need upgrading and a new cooling fan will have to be fitted,as they explained to me,if you sell the car and the new owner has problem towing his 3 ton horse box!! it will come back on the dealer for failing to fit complete system.It is evidently a six/seven hour job @ £112/hour,so you can draw your own conclusion,as I did,as to the suitability of other tow bar installers,incidently I was quoted £546.
curlyboy

ancient chinese proverb....good not cheap...cheap not good.

 

[RogerL]

ancient chinese proverb....good not cheap...cheap not good.

It's more recent than that - German car manufacturers are used to domestic German customers who order towing equipment for factory build rather than afterfit, because of their TUV requirements - they only pay the extra cost of upgraded components, unlike Brits who have to pay for the complete new components and throw away the parts replaced.
I'm not aware of any non-German brand that needs an upgrade to tow it's Type-Approved towing weight - there is another moral there !

 

[seth1]

I would think Mercedes would be right in what their saying,their R and D run into millions each year.Just because joe bloggs got away with it in his Ford 4.2 ctdi or what ever doesnt mean this vehicle will.Unless one of the forum members has some sort of connection with Mercedes R an D a serious opinon cannot be made.Stick with what Mercedes tell you,as you wont get a donation for a new drive train of this forum.

 

[MichaelE]

Hi and hello(new member) I am having a towbar fitted to my ML350 on monday by Mercedes,£2400,yes there is a lot more to it than just the towbar,the SAM unit that controls the body electronics including back up warnings will need upgrading and a new cooling fan will have to be fitted,as they explained to me,if you sell the car and the new owner has problem towing his 3 ton horse box!! it will come back on the dealer for failing to fit complete system.It is evidently a six/seven hour job @ £112/hour,so you can draw your own conclusion,as I did,as to the suitability of other tow bar installers,incidently I was quoted £546.
curlyboy

ancient chinese proverb....good not cheap...cheap not good.

Labour will be £1k !!!
You must be mad giving all the work to Mercedes!!!
You should get the towbar fitted by a local fitter, cost £600 ( tow bar and electrics are £500 this will be the same westfalia towbar and electrics that are factory fitted) Then take to Mercedes to have the rear SAM unit recoded ( this is for the trailer control, fog light cut out, parking sensors etc), this unit is in the right rear of the of the boot, max 1 hr to do , no parts all software, then have the upgraded fan fitted cost £350 parts and 1 hr labour make sure you get the original fan back.
The car is then as per the recommended spec.They will charge you for a new bumper insert which has the cut out already, but as this is underneath you cant see the cut if you use the original part.
You are paying Mercedes £120 an hour to have someone take a rear bumper off and fit a towbar and replace the bumper, when thats all the fitter will charge to do the whole lot.
You could easily do if for £1200 half of the price from Mercedes for the same job, you will also find that most dealers sub the work out to towbar fitters as they do more and are better at it.
You should ring them up again and ask them for a price to recode and fit fan?

At least the car will come back nice and clean!

 

[Castrol]

So 2 other MB dealers have qouted me £1250 fitted both have not mentioned the fan up grade - so is the upgrade a rip off? I think it is?

 

[curlyboy]

...just spotted this on another forum, think I'll stick with the Mercedes option....
http://www.caravantalk.co.uk/community/topic/86800-help-mot-fail-on-brand-new-dedicated-electrics-13-pin-towbar/

with a £25000 caravan and a £25000 tow car the only thing that keeps them joined is the tow bar....

curlyboy

 

[MichaelE]

The link you quote has nothing to do with the fitting of the towbar, its the electrics that were the issue.So why still pay £100 plus to have a towbar fitted?
As the the electrics are plug in ie no cripming they can go only go one way and position etc thats why i would always recommend using the purpose made for the car type, you will then get Mercedes to reprogramme.
I can quote from experience as i have owned 4 ML's had a towbar fitted to my 07 ML320, mercedes quoted me Nearly £1800 , i had it done for £550, same towbar and electrics as factory fitted , never had the upgraded fan and the fitter programmed it using his STAR system.Only problem i ever had was the 13 pin convertor to the caravan.
I also had a 02 plate ML270 from new which didnt arrive with the towbar so the dealership fitted it, it was an awful job so they paid for an external mobile fitter to sort out, their response was we dont fit many of these !!!!!
Its up to you how you spend your money , only trying to help save you an awful lot of money for exactly the same job.
All that glitters is not gold !!!

 

[seth1]

My biggest worry would be the cooling especially on a brand new car.Theres not much point comparing an ML with an E class.Chalk and cheese.I would do some serious home work on this.One **** up and you can kiss good bye to your warranty.

 

[MichaelE]

I would agree that fitting the fan according to their recommendations would be a good idea , but my point was why pay the huge labour cost to fit a towbar.
To be honest a £25k ML is over 3 years old so no warranty anyway unless secondhand from a mercedes dealer then 12 months.

 

[seth1]

I know exactly what your saying and lets face it there is even cheaper ways to fit the electrics than dedicated wiring harness,s.The fan would be a wise choice like you say.

 

[Lutz]

I would still ask what the maximum towload would be without the cooling modifications. The tests that we did to determine the maximum towloads were conducted in part in the Spanish Sierra Nevada mountain region in the height of summer with temperatures in the region of 40°C, which is obviously a worst case scenario. If towing is never going to be done under such conditions, the manufacturer might be able to quote a reduced towload which would still be acceptable to cover your needs.

 

[MichaelE]

Thats a very vaild point, if you tow a single axle in the uk you will never need extra cooling, this would only be required if towing heavy trailors in extreme conditions?

 

[ProfJohnL]

Thats a very vaild point, if you tow a single axle in the uk you will never need extra cooling, this would only be required if towing heavy trailors in extreme conditions?

Hello Michael,
The number of axles is entirely irrelevant, its the mas (weight) that matters. Whilst it is often true that TA tend to be heavier, it is far from guaranteed measure of weight.