tow bar problem

[philipg]

I have ordered new style c class saloon sport which comes with amg body kit as standard. Not sure if this is same amg body kit that amg fit but nobody can guarantee any tow bar will fit with the larger rear bumper. Some say cut is needed in bumper but cant say how big or how it will look!
Halfords used to sell a tow bar extention piece that extends detachable towbars to clear bumper but no longer available. Anybody got one??
Alternatively any contacts for body shop that could remove and re-style bumper for neat mould around towbar? Or can standard c class bumper (tow bar IS available) be fitted to replace amg bumper?

 

[BTB 500]

With the European type approval regs., extension pieces etc. are no longer legal.

Can't believe you're thinking of hacking a brand new car around like this, when there's (presumably) a factory towbar that's guaranteed to fit?!

 

[Dieselman]

Can't believe you're thinking of hacking a brand new car around like this, when there's (presumably) a factory towbar that's guaranteed to fit?!

I think that's the problem, there isn't one to fit the Sport bumper as it doesn't have type approval for one.

You will need to fit a standard bumper I think, or hack away, but you need to find whether your car can have a towbar fitted at all due to type approval regs.
If it's not approved then it's illegal to fit one.

 

[BTB 500]

I think that's the problem, there isn't one to fit the Sport bumper as it doesn't have type approval for one.

Looking at a few websites there is a factory option removable towbar for the new C Class Sport. If you want to make life difficult and not tick that box on the order, you will have to find a company that can supply a type-approved one to fit. Anything else would be illegal.

M-B may well do an accessory (retro-fit) towbar. I'd have thought getting non-MB parts fitted could potentially affect the warranty on a new vehicle.

 

[philipg]

Yes there is a factory option detachable tow bar according to merc literature but when the showroom ticked the box to order it it still came back as not available on sport model! I have e mail from daimler chrysler stating they will not make a towbar for amg bumper. It IS available on new standard c class as either factory OR retro (dealer) fit, as it has a normal bumper, hence I think my only option is to take delivery of sport model and swop bumper for normal one,fit tow bar then somehow blend this bumper in with the rest of the amg bodykit. Any suggestions pls?

 

[BTB 500]

Yes there is a factory option detachable tow bar according to merc literature but when the showroom ticked the box to order it it still came back as not available on sport model! I have e mail from daimler chrysler stating they will not make a towbar for amg bumper. It IS available on new standard c class as either factory OR retro (dealer) fit, as it has a normal bumper, hence I think my only option is to take delivery of sport model and swop bumper for normal one,fit tow bar then somehow blend this bumper in with the rest of the amg bodykit. Any suggestions pls?

You need to get a definitive statement from M-B ... does the specific model you are buying (Mercedes-Benz Cxxx Sport Saloon) have EU type-approval for towing. It sounds to me like the answer may be no, in which case it will be illegal to fit a towbar. Even if this is physically possible by using a different rear bumper.

 

[grober]

Have a look at the the Westfalia website. http://www.westfalia-automotive.de/e_frameset.htm They are OEM for Merc Audi etc.
they list 4 for the W204 but their chief restriction is --NOT FOR VEHICLES WITH HEIGHT CONTROL?? They do say that their towbars for the previous model W203 are not suitable for AMG models so BTB 500 may well be correct. Best to Email them directly with your enquiry. They will know for sure.