Towbar and Contract

[Mikeydev]

Hi,

I'm thinking of having a towbar fitted to my C class CDi 200 - 09 plate. I bought this last year on Contract and have spoken to a few people about the towbar and whether I'll end up getting charged (at the end of the contract if I want to give the car back) either for

(a) A new bumper - should Mercedes not like the fact that it's been cut to fit the towbar

(B) or be told by Mercedes to remove the towbar (before handing it back).

Starting to feel backed into a corner. I want the towbar but not a massive bill at the end of three years. Anyone experienced with handing their cars back and what Mercedes expect?

many thanks

 

[SilverSaloon]

does the bumper need to be cut? why not try and get a bar where it doesnt, then, before handing it back, pay a backstreet garage a few pounds to remove it. wont take long and will be cheap. probably recoup this charge on selling the bar on ebay etc.

 

[A-AvantGarde]

I would imagine that at the very least they would charge your for:

removal of the towbar
rectification of damage (e.g. new bumper)

I suspect that fitting a towbar may technically also invalidate your warranty (as I assume that you're talking about a non-MB tow bar?).

I also assume that you would need the permission of the contract hire / leasing company to fit a tow bar.

 

[Merco]

Just out of interest Mikeydev - how are you finding the car? Just ordered one myself in the estate version (Blue Efficiency). You enjoying the journey? Getting what you wanted out of the car?

 

[davidjpowell]

When I went into this:

Towbar will not invalidate warranty. Lease company did want some sort of guarantee from the fitter with regard to the systems that they were breaking into.

Removal of Towbar at end of lease.

Never did find out the result as I left the firm before the end of the lease. They probably got billed. Oops. mind you the car was on a 4 yr lease with total mileage of 40k. When I left it had done 60k and was 2 years old. I think a towbar removal cost would be the cheapest bit.

Easiest, but most expensive option will be to order factory towbar. But with many manufacturers it's a dealer fit - outsourced to the place you will go.

 

[Mikeydev]

Thanks for those quick replies. I've been to reputable trailer company that says that for the detachable trailer, they need to cut the bumper but not so that it will show from the outside. Ideally, i'd like it to be detachable as this will allow me to remove it when not in use. The contract is with Mercedes (Lookers).
When I asked Mercedes to quote for it they said they couldn't beat the prices down the road and that i'd be better of going to the local company.

 

[davidjpowell]

Thanks for those quick replies. I've been to reputable trailer company that says that for the detachable trailer, they need to cut the bumper but not so that it will show from the outside. Ideally, i'd like it to be detachable as this will allow me to remove it when not in use. The contract is with Mercedes (Lookers).
When I asked Mercedes to quote for it they said they couldn't beat the prices down the road and that i'd be better of going to the local company.

Probably where they would take it

 

[Mikeydev]

Hi Merco, Car is great! But wish now I hadn't bought a saloon. Lifestyle change = not much room for all the sailing gear!

 

[Mikeydev]

Probably where they would take it

Yes, thats what they said!