SoftTopWilko
New Member
Does anyone have experience of towing with an E Class coupe or cabriolet diesel? I am specifically trying to establish what, if any, mods are needed when towing a caravan.
I bought my 2013 model just under twelve months ago specifically to tow a caravan, checking firstly that it was type approved and had sufficient towing capacity for the caravan we wish to tow. I had a towbar and 13 pin vehicle specific wiring fitted by my regular towbar company who went to great lengths to find a bar which would suit my AMG body kit with no bumper cut, even coming to my house to take measurements from the car. They found a detachable towbar which suits and is type approved and fitted it for me.
I now have two problems. Our local independent MB garage says they do not have access to the computer to activate the towing relay, and our local MB dealer will not do it as they did not fit the towbar. In addition whilst reading the owners handbook I'm sure I read somewhere that modifications may be needed depending on the trailer being towed etc.
With these issues in mind I emailed MB Customer Services asking what if any mods were needed and where I can get the towing relay activated. There initial reply was that they do not recommend retro fitting towbars and therefore could not comment on either point. Having gone backwards and forwards with Customer Services up to and including the CEO's office their stance has changed to "we do not recommend towing a trailer with the E350 cabriolet and cannot offer advice on using it as a towcar". This is despite the VIN showing a gross train weight and the handbook listing towing capacities for the car, even nose weight limit and rear axle loads when towing a trailer, and the fact that our local MB main dealer quoted to fir a tow bar to the vehicle.
So I am now at an impasse.
Is it standard that independents don't have access to activate the towing preperation (I think it is called code 550), if I keep calling around might I find one who can, and what mods if any have people made to these cars when towing?
Any advice would be much appreciated. I really like the car but my wife is quickly reaching the opinion we should sell it and buy a BMW 435d x-Drive
Any help would be much appreciated.
I bought my 2013 model just under twelve months ago specifically to tow a caravan, checking firstly that it was type approved and had sufficient towing capacity for the caravan we wish to tow. I had a towbar and 13 pin vehicle specific wiring fitted by my regular towbar company who went to great lengths to find a bar which would suit my AMG body kit with no bumper cut, even coming to my house to take measurements from the car. They found a detachable towbar which suits and is type approved and fitted it for me.
I now have two problems. Our local independent MB garage says they do not have access to the computer to activate the towing relay, and our local MB dealer will not do it as they did not fit the towbar. In addition whilst reading the owners handbook I'm sure I read somewhere that modifications may be needed depending on the trailer being towed etc.
With these issues in mind I emailed MB Customer Services asking what if any mods were needed and where I can get the towing relay activated. There initial reply was that they do not recommend retro fitting towbars and therefore could not comment on either point. Having gone backwards and forwards with Customer Services up to and including the CEO's office their stance has changed to "we do not recommend towing a trailer with the E350 cabriolet and cannot offer advice on using it as a towcar". This is despite the VIN showing a gross train weight and the handbook listing towing capacities for the car, even nose weight limit and rear axle loads when towing a trailer, and the fact that our local MB main dealer quoted to fir a tow bar to the vehicle.
So I am now at an impasse.
Is it standard that independents don't have access to activate the towing preperation (I think it is called code 550), if I keep calling around might I find one who can, and what mods if any have people made to these cars when towing?
Any advice would be much appreciated. I really like the car but my wife is quickly reaching the opinion we should sell it and buy a BMW 435d x-Drive
Any help would be much appreciated.