R320 Tow Bar costs?

[joeysnowey]

I am STILL looking for a half decent second hand R320. I need a tow bar and all the half decent ones don't have tow bars (which stands to reason of course), but I heard it's extremely expensive to fit a tow bar on an R Class. Is this true?
Anyone know if you can get a tow bar from non Mercedes supplier such as Westfalia? What about the electrics? Trying to find out how much I have to budget for to fit a tow bar and elecs (only very simple basic towing lights, no charging etc needed)
thanks

 

[Piff]

Have a look here
No doubt they can advise on & supply the electrics too.
They seem to have a fitting service also

 

[MD5]

How about this one? Unusual in blue (I'm not connected with the seller, btw) I bought one a month or so ago, and I'm enjoying it. Sorry, can't help with the questions.

Edited to add correct link!)

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

The R-class is based upon the W164 ML platform, as is the the GL of the same generation. I can't believe the tow bar costs more on the R. Contact Westfalia, they provide excellent advice, and if you buy a towbar from the Mercedes parts counter then it's a Westfalia part.

Read more on my experience:
Retrofit towbar to W164 ML63 AMG
Retrofit towbar to W166 ML63 AMG

Westfalia contact details:

Tamzin Halpin
Westfalia UK Ltd
[email protected]

westfalia-loadcarrier.co.uk
www.westfalia-automotive.co.uk

 

[joeysnowey]

Hi all, thanks for the replies. I didn't get notifications so glad I checked back on the thread.
that blue one is 6 seater so no good for me, i need LWB 7 seater which is hard work finding a good one!
I have just paid a deposit on a nice one though, and this one has a tow bar already fitted which is a huge bonus. Its in beautiful condition and has the NTG2.5 stereo which I wanted for the bluetooth and aux in, however it doesn't have the "media interface" to play music from bluetooth or more importantly, to plug in an iPod and control it from the head unit. sorry to change the tack of the thread, but does anyone know how to cheaply enable these two features? (bluetooth audio playing, and iPod connection/control from HU) ?

Many thanks again for the replies

 

[Mark F6233]

Have a look here
No doubt they can advise on & supply the electrics too.
They seem to have a fitting service also

Many thanks for posting the link, I need a tow bar for my R class and these prices are exceptionally good.
Not worried about the fitting as will get my indi to do that.

 

[Piff]

You may find the answers to your COMAND questions at comandonline.co.uk

 

[joeysnowey]

Much appreciated, will get in touch with those guys

 

[MD5]

Again, sorry I can't help with your query, but congrats on finding one, and good luck with it. Please post up some pics when you get it! Mine was a very quick purchase - I only thought about buying one on a Tuesday, and I picked it up on the following Sunday. The previous owner told me that two common issues on these are the air springs, and the gearbox conductor plate, both of which had been done.

Mine is the 6 seater with a storage armrest where the 7th would be, but I needed a bigger estate car for a few months rather than the extra seat, which my E500 has. The R class dwarfs it!

 

[joeysnowey]

Hiya, lovely pic thanks! Crikey it really does dwarf it doesn't it!

I got a call from dealer. They were moving car from showroom to storage warehouse ready for me to collect, and the gearbox wouldn't select a gear and car went into limp mode. They were very apologetic and said they haven't had it diagnosed yet. Normally it would make me nervous but I know these days cars just have crap like that happen all the damn time (I miss the old days!) and it could be anything from a sensor or a drop of damp, to a defunct gearbox! Waiting to hear on it, hope it isn't dead!

 

[MD5]

Well, it couldn't have happened at a better time! If it's the conductor plate, my previous owner was told it's a main dealer job only, as they won't supply and program for self or independent fitting. Mine's a 57 plate, and the work was carried out 3k miles ago at 66k miles.

 

[Codger49]

Guess that might depend on the dealer, my electroplate was changed in 2015 and was supplied by MB, fitted by my indy and SCN coded by the local MB dealer.

Said indy now has online MB access, so can code electroplates and download software updates without dealer action.

 

[joeysnowey]

That's useful to know. I will email them and suggest it might be that plate whatever it is.
Any ideas what the cost is to fix? Just a rough idea?

 

[MD5]

I think the plate itself, which will give intermittent problems, is about £450. I know the previous owner spent £1600 on a gearbox service, full oil flush and the replacement plate. I'm away from home and can't check receipts, so don't know if anything else was done.

I suspect Codger is right about the dealer only comment, but this was as stated by MB Worcester.

 

[joeysnowey]

Thanks very much. They said they will call me back today to let me know what's going on. Fingers crossed. I don't see any reason this should put me off the car, anyone disagree?!

 

[joeysnowey]

oh my luck with cars just goes from bad to worse!
Just heard from dealer. They have had gearbox out and mechanic said "Valve body and clutches are completely *****" - it needs a whole new gearbox.
Dealer is going to ship car to a trader who will repair and sell on, it's a dead loss to them now. However I am considering buying it and having the gearbox done myself. Does anyone know roughly what sort of cost will be likely? Assume best to have a new gearbox from Merc but would there be any decent second hand ones around maybe?
Gutted, perfect car, perfect spec and colour even the stereo is the one I wanted, and it has a tow bar already fitted. Hoping to still go for it if I can find a gearbox and a fitter who doesn't charge a million pounds an hour! Any help or comments very much appreciated at this point!

 

[Mark F6233]

oh my luck with cars just goes from bad to worse!
Just heard from dealer. They have had gearbox out and mechanic said "Valve body and clutches are completely *****" - it needs a whole new gearbox.
Dealer is going to ship car to a trader who will repair and sell on, it's a dead loss to them now. However I am considering buying it and having the gearbox done myself. Does anyone know roughly what sort of cost will be likely? Assume best to have a new gearbox from Merc but would there be any decent second hand ones around maybe?
Gutted, perfect car, perfect spec and colour even the stereo is the one I wanted, and it has a tow bar already fitted. Hoping to still go for it if I can find a gearbox and a fitter who doesn't charge a million pounds an hour! Any help or comments very much appreciated at this point!

Where are you located, a call to a good indi will give you the info you need. Very unlucky for the gearbox to go like this as they a normally very good.
Had the conductor plate replaced on my R class by my indi, £754.00. I wonder with it having already got a tow bar if it's been abused towing hence the gearbox issue.

 

[joeysnowey]

Good thinking, although I would hope a car like this with only 105k miles could handle even some hard towing!
called an indie this evening and reckons 4-5k for gearbox new from merc incl fitting. struth! will see what i can get car for

 

[joeysnowey]

actually considering a GL320 now. Only because the indie told me its the same car, just bigger upwards! Any comments? i have no knowledge of them at all, would think fuel is a bit worse. i really need as much MPG as i can get , but its tempting, they are monsters!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Yes the GL, R, and ML are all the same platform and drivetrain.

Where abouts are you, as a transmission specialist could help you out.