New MB Eclass no longer viable for towing.

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I cannot believe that, considering the popularity of the E-Class as a towcar, just one variant would be available with a factory fitted towbar. If that were the case it wouldn’t make economic sense for Mercedes Benz to develop a towbar for just one model. Perhaps their reply applied specifically only to the model that you ordered.

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In a similar, but much less costly, vein Audi still expect buyers in the UK to pay over £200 on top of the factory fitted tow bar price, of app £800, for a supplementary wiring kit as the standard fitted electrics will power road ligfhts only with no supply for fridge or battery charging.

I was lucky as a fellow member made me aware when I mentioned that I was thinking of buying a Q5.

He had made clear that he would be towing a van but, as most sales people will have zero knowledge about what is required, his car was not suitably equipped.

I have been towing with E Class Mercs for many moons now - and in 2015 when I bought a 220SE estate - had the same problem with the towbar "rules".  This vehicle was supplied from MB stock in the UK and came without a towbar.  MB York arranged for a specialist company around the corner to supply and fit a Westphalia one.

A little time later when reading the handbook, I saw that it specifically stated that you were not allowed to tow with the vehicle.  I took this up with MB York who said that MB UK had told them that the only reason why this was written in the handbook was that the vehicle had not been "accident tested" with a trailer or caravan attached and thus the restriction.  However they said that the towbar manufacturer's insurance would assume responsibility for any damage to the vehicle caused by the failure of the towbar should the car be involved in an accident.  I got them to confirm this to me in writing.  Is this maybe something you could do?

I had to make two warranty claims on this vehicle during the 35 months of ownership and all were met by Mercedes without question and one included a rear suspension fault which might have provoked a few questions.  Don't forget as well that the towbar was not an electrical one, and thus permanently showing ..... if a rejection was forthcoming due to the towbar it would have been hard to argue otherwise.

In my view what I was told made sense and the fact that this was confirmed in writing by The Dealership made perfect sense to me.  As you say the same vehicle but with a different spec has the approval - for what it is worth I now tow with a Mercedes E Class All Terrain which is probably the best towcar I have ever had - has a factory fitted towbar.  As solid as the Rock of Gibraltar.

Hope to have helped.

Thanks Oxfordeagle. It is as I suspected but need confirmation in writing. I have written to customer services requesting clarification.

What would happen if: a third party towbar is fitted and a problem with the engine occurred - If MB refused to accept responsibility, would the towbar manufacturer cover the costs?

PS I would love to be able to purchase an All Terrain but at £65 grand!

PS I would love to be able to purchase an All Terrain but at £65 grand!

There's always second hand 😉 .... that's what I did with my ML350 ... it was apparently £63k new! Brilliant tow car.

Strange, all this. The MB price list that I have accessed on the internet shows only minor restrictions regarding the availability of a factory fitted towbar. It only says that it`s not available if the estate car is specified with a folding third row of seats in the load compartment and the E300 in conjunction with a sunroof.

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MB tow bar weirdness is not confined to the E class.

I wanted to replace my GLC 250D Sport this year. The Sport is now only available with the 220 in diesel and basic spec. a factory tow bar is available. I don't like black on black on black (roof, seats, carpet) inside a car but the AMG Line is where the new 300D engine and premium packs are to be found. I was almost prepared to accept the Cranberry red seats in a GLC 300D BUT....I tried to configure one and No tow bar on the AMG Line cars.

I have enjoyed my GLC but sadly it is goodbye MB for me