Mercedes C Class Estate 2016 C250 - Tow bar

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
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Thu 17 Dec 2020 19:12
Mercedes C Class Estate 2016 C250 - Tow bar - RonBR

I'm wanting to fit a new tow bar to the above car. The bar will only be used occasionally so I'm interested in a retractable or detachable bar.

1. When not the bar is not in use, and detached or retracted, given that the C class is a luxury vehicle, which arrangement will look better?

2. In these cars, is the electric cabling pre-installed by the manufacturer for owners who want to after fit a tow bar? Or must that work all be done by the bar installer?

Ronald Racher

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Thu 17 Dec 2020 20:33
Mercedes C Class Estate 2016 C250 - Tow bar - elekie&a/c doctor
If you can afford it , I would go with the retractable factory approved installation. This way coupling up to the electrical system via the tow socket does more than operate the lights and power the van equipment, it changes the characteristics of the esp stability system to make towing safer . MB also recommends changing the engine cooling fan . I’m sure an aftermarket tow bar will do the job , but won’t give you the added features .
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Thu 17 Dec 2020 22:10
Mercedes C Class Estate 2016 C250 - Tow bar - RT
If you can afford it , I would go with the retractable factory approved installation. This way coupling up to the electrical system via the tow socket does more than operate the lights and power the van equipment, it changes the characteristics of the esp stability system to make towing safer . MB also recommends changing the engine cooling fan . I’m sure an aftermarket tow bar will do the job , but won’t give you the added features .

Can't fault that advice - but retro-fitting it to a 2016 car will cost a fortune.

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Fri 18 Dec 2020 16:59
Mercedes C Class Estate 2016 C250 - Tow bar - Heidfirst

may I point out that having a towbar is the best deterrent that I have yet to find for bumper damage caused by other people who seem to park by touch ... If you live or work somewhere with busy streets then you may be better off with a fixed bar or not retracting a retractable one ...

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Fri 18 Dec 2020 17:13
Mercedes C Class Estate 2016 C250 - Tow bar - skidpan

may I point out that having a towbar is the best deterrent that I have yet to find for bumper damage caused by other people who seem to park by touch

Not just parking. A nice lady in a rush to gets the brats to nursery decided to use me as a brake about 4 years ago. Not a mark on mine, the ball cover was a bit askew and needed putting strait. The front bumper on her Zafira was totally trashed.

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Fri 18 Dec 2020 19:11
Mercedes C Class Estate 2016 C250 - Tow bar - bathtub tom

About fifty-odd years ago, I came out of a shop to find someone had completely boxed me in. I used my horn and went into the local shops to try and find out who owned the car behind me, to no avail. It was only after I started using my tow ball (with some malevolence) on the obstructing vehicle that the driver appeared out of a shop I'd previously asked in.

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