davidjpowell
MB Enthusiast
You can't even get a vehicle specific wiring kit. That's saved about £100 notes straight away!
Just had a quote from the local guy, - £85. Job jobbed for me.
Fixed or Removable
- Thread starter davidjpowell
- Start date
You can't even get a vehicle specific wiring kit. That's saved about £100 notes straight away!
Just had a quote from the local guy, - £85. Job jobbed for me.
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2005
- Messages
- 30,284
- Location
- Mittel England
- Car
- Smart ForFour AMG Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Powered by Brabus
I can recommend Scenic Group - top work and used by many MB dealers in the Midlands - if you order a towbar retrofit from a dealer, it's these guys who fit it.
Regarding electrics socket placement, on our W163 I opted to have twin 7-pin sockets mounted in a convenient location so they popped out from under the bumper on the opposite side to the exhaust. The factory position was OK for a single 13-pin socket, but not twin 7-pin sockets.
On our W164 I opted for a 13-pin socket in the standard location, which is completely concealed behind the rear bumper but it's easier enough to "feel" when plugging in the electrics - the flap on 13-pin sockets make it easier to locate.
Regarding electrics socket placement, on our W163 I opted to have twin 7-pin sockets mounted in a convenient location so they popped out from under the bumper on the opposite side to the exhaust. The factory position was OK for a single 13-pin socket, but not twin 7-pin sockets.
On our W164 I opted for a 13-pin socket in the standard location, which is completely concealed behind the rear bumper but it's easier enough to "feel" when plugging in the electrics - the flap on 13-pin sockets make it easier to locate.
davidjpowell
MB Enthusiast
I've ordered a 13 pin kit and adaptor cables with this in mind...
Dieselman
Banned
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2003
- Messages
- 34,198
- Car
- Peugeot 403 Convertible
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2005
- Messages
- 30,284
- Location
- Mittel England
- Car
- Smart ForFour AMG Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Powered by Brabus
What is it you'll be towing?
You may find that the cables hang low with the extra length of the adaptor, so before towing make sure that you can secure them such that they are able to move freely when turning, but do not drag on the ground - might be worth having a bungy chord or some cable ties handy the first time you tow with the adaptors.
Another thought, will you be using a Alko style stability device which uses friction pads to clamp on to the tow bar? These are common on modern caravans. If so, then you'll need to sand back the painted finish on the tow ball with glass paper, and clean off with some brake fluid and kitchen roll, because if you don't it'll clog up the friction pads.
davidjpowell
MB Enthusiast
Kit comes with relay
Plans are not quite advanced enough to say what I'll be towing. Suffice to say it's going to happen as I've bought the bar, and I may well need to sand back the painted finish in that case.
I'm aware of the cable issue.
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2005
- Messages
- 30,284
- Location
- Mittel England
- Car
- Smart ForFour AMG Black Series Night Edition Premium Plus 125 Powered by Brabus
Really important - Do NOT clean off the sanded towball with brake fluid!! I meant brake degreaser!!
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Of course it's a different model, but here's a photo of our W164 ML with the cutaway for the towbar just about visible - look beneath the bumper, between the three blocks which stand proud, and you can just about see there's not a straight edge - this cut allows access to the socket for the towball and electrics. It's actually very difficult to see without getting on your hands and knees!
And from a different angle, but with the towbar fitted - note you still can't see the socket for the electrics.
-----
Of course it's a different model, but here's a photo of our W164 ML with the cutaway for the towbar just about visible - look beneath the bumper, between the three blocks which stand proud, and you can just about see there's not a straight edge - this cut allows access to the socket for the towball and electrics. It's actually very difficult to see without getting on your hands and knees!
And from a different angle, but with the towbar fitted - note you still can't see the socket for the electrics.
davidjpowell
MB Enthusiast
Annoying Towbar is on back order.
Means this is being delivered instead...
Excited family abound....
Means this is being delivered instead...
Excited family abound....
Very nice!
davidjpowell
MB Enthusiast
Well this is hard work. Very let down by my supplier. I won't name and shame as they have found a bar (after applying considerable pressure) in the UK which is winging its way to me.
I think it's a Westphalia, but am not certain.
I think it's a Westphalia, but am not certain.
davidjpowell
MB Enthusiast
An update on the towbar.
The supplier was badly let down and we ended up with a Thule bar. It's not invisible which is annoying, but making the best of an annoying job...
The supplier was badly let down and we ended up with a Thule bar. It's not invisible which is annoying, but making the best of an annoying job...
Dieselman
Banned
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2003
- Messages
- 34,198
- Car
- Peugeot 403 Convertible
I wouldn't worry about that, I don't with my Brink detachable.
davidjpowell
MB Enthusiast
it's not a sports car so i'm not worried!
Billigmeister
Active Member
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2013
- Messages
- 90
- Car
- E220 CDI Estate SE
Just a heads up for anyone after a towbar for an S212 (E Class estate 2010).
Just had a detachable westfalia one fitted by Epic Accessories in Leicester. It only has simple electrics (for cycle rack and easycarrier etc) and was £380 fitted.
Very good service (dropped me to work and picked me up) and really nice chaps.
It is a nice neat thing and is all hidden away behind the bumper. Not a bit to be seen until you want to use it.
Really pleased
Just had a detachable westfalia one fitted by Epic Accessories in Leicester. It only has simple electrics (for cycle rack and easycarrier etc) and was £380 fitted.
Very good service (dropped me to work and picked me up) and really nice chaps.
It is a nice neat thing and is all hidden away behind the bumper. Not a bit to be seen until you want to use it.
Really pleased
NickGLE350DE
Member
There is an alternative option that Thule now make, (alas Westfalia don't offer one for the E Class as its the factory fit OEM job, so you can't get it aftermarket .. rough as it's a nice tidy solution)
Retractable tow bars, where you pull a handle and it all hides away or clicks into use (similar to the factory one, but external rather than internal pull handle)
Just been quoted £620 fitted with vehicle specific wiring and same people local dealer use so they are up to speed on the software config and can buss stuff. I forgot about this and hoping it's not too late for change to order for factory fit, but I have a feeling I am hence looking at this - the newer vertical detachable types look good too as bumper cuts are hidden or not needed.
There is also a great retractable towbar where the electrics are mounted on the drop in arm, but its really pricey 700+ before vat and fitting and they have no plans to offer it for E class, albeit they do some MB models ...
Retractable tow bars, where you pull a handle and it all hides away or clicks into use (similar to the factory one, but external rather than internal pull handle)
Just been quoted £620 fitted with vehicle specific wiring and same people local dealer use so they are up to speed on the software config and can buss stuff. I forgot about this and hoping it's not too late for change to order for factory fit, but I have a feeling I am hence looking at this - the newer vertical detachable types look good too as bumper cuts are hidden or not needed.
There is also a great retractable towbar where the electrics are mounted on the drop in arm, but its really pricey 700+ before vat and fitting and they have no plans to offer it for E class, albeit they do some MB models ...
blue gnome123
Active Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2010
- Messages
- 471
Hi
I have a detachable witter towbar with swing down electrics and a fully coded (on a STAR) in MB loom. The parking sensors all work fine and you get in blown blub messages.
I have a detachable witter towbar with swing down electrics and a fully coded (on a STAR) in MB loom. The parking sensors all work fine and you get in blown blub messages.
The Polisher
Active Member
Same here, but mine is a westphalia one.
Fitted by PF Jones in Manchester including the software on a 2013 E Class estate. Deletes the parking sensors when towing and gives full bulb info too.
Very pleased with the job, about £600 all in I think.
