Towing / Bikes with an E43 AMG

[sagt550]

I've had a good search about and I'm struggling to find a conclusive answer on this, so hoping PH may be able to help. In summary I'm looking to trade in my 640d GC and maybe get an E43 AMG for the sole reason that the 640d has no way to mount a tow bar, roof rack or anything to for transporting bikes.

Does anybody know what the score is with the E43 AMG ? Is it type approved to accept a tow bar ? What other options have people used to transport 3 bikes - i.e. is the tow bar mandatory ?

I keep hearing that ALL AMGs aren't approved for a towbar, which then if that's the case means a roof rack which I'd rather avoid if possible.

Thanks

[Tall_Blk]

Currently doing research on fitting a tow bar to my E220 estate at present. I know it’s not the same but I’ve found out it needs coding. Have emailed the dealer for more information

[anonymous-user]

An easy way to find out if you can fit a tow bar to any car is to get a numberplate from a car that's for sale. Then put the reg into a website like towbar express (others available!) That'll give you a quick answer.

[Reffro]

E43 saloon is not approved for towing. The E43 estate is though. Check the specs in the back of the brochure.

https://www.mercedesonlease.co.uk/wp-content/uploa...

Edited by Reffro on Tuesday 21st July 20:09

[donkmeister]

Tall_Blk said:

Currently doing research on fitting a tow bar to my E220 estate at present. I know it’s not the same but I’ve found out it needs coding. Have emailed the dealer for more information

From experience with fitting a small number of towbars to Mercs and GM cars (never a 2020 E-class though) when they say towing electrics need coding, in my case it's been to activate additional towing features such as:
- stability control programme for towing
- disable rear parking sensors when reversing
- diagnosing faulty lamps in the trailer light clusters.

The basic functionality of the lights illuminating when they should worked without coding.

None of these are really an issue for a bike rack, indeed you may find that the parking sensors going nuts at you when you select reverse is a good reminder that you have bikes on the back! If I was towing a caravan I would want that stability control though, if nothing else because I'd feel a right prat if the caravan got away from me and I'd forever be wondering "what if I'd had towing stability control?".

NB those have all been towing electric installations with a CANBUS module, and both 13 pin and 7+7 pin (I doubt the latter makes any difference)

The fitting is pretty easy, you could always factor in the cost of coding, and if you don't need it then you've saved some money.

[Tall_Blk]

donkmeister said:

Tall_Blk said:

Currently doing research on fitting a tow bar to my E220 estate at present. I know it’s not the same but I’ve found out it needs coding. Have emailed the dealer for more information

From experience with fitting a small number of towbars to Mercs and GM cars (never a 2020 E-class though) when they say towing electrics need coding, in my case it's been to activate additional towing features such as:
- stability control programme for towing
- disable rear parking sensors when reversing
- diagnosing faulty lamps in the trailer light clusters.

The basic functionality of the lights illuminating when they should worked without coding.

None of these are really an issue for a bike rack, indeed you may find that the parking sensors going nuts at you when you select reverse is a good reminder that you have bikes on the back! If I was towing a caravan I would want that stability control though, if nothing else because I'd feel a right prat if the caravan got away from me and I'd forever be wondering "what if I'd had towing stability control?".

NB those have all been towing electric installations with a CANBUS module, and both 13 pin and 7+7 pin (I doubt the latter makes any difference)

The fitting is pretty easy, you could always factor in the cost of coding, and if you don't need it then you've saved some money.

Nice to hear this and thanks as this is really useful. Had a quote back from the stealers and they wanted over £2k quoting 2 days work. Ouch. There is no way I’m paying that!

[Dog Star]

I’ve a towbar on my E220d estate (S213?) 68 plate, newest shape.

All coded etc and Merc approved ok with warranty - Peter Bowman in Bury Lancs, £570 iirc. Detachable, 13 pin electrics.

[Tall_Blk]

Dog Star said:

I’ve a towbar on my E220d estate (S213?) 68 plate, newest shape.

All coded etc and Merc approved ok with warranty - Peter Bowman in Bury Lancs, £570 iirc. Detachable, 13 pin electrics.

Was it MB or the installer that coded it for you?

[Dog Star]

Tall_Blk said:

Dog Star said:

I’ve a towbar on my E220d estate (S213?) 68 plate, newest shape.

All coded etc and Merc approved ok with warranty - Peter Bowman in Bury Lancs, £570 iirc. Detachable, 13 pin electrics.

Was it MB or the installer that coded it for you?

Sorry for the late reply - I never saw this.

The installer. There was no extra charge or whatever - it was just part of the package.

ETA: if the car isn't specced from new with a factory towbar (I got mine new but never specced it) then even if you take it to Merc you'll get an aftermarket - the company I took mine to actually fit for MB. Mine is a detachable "towsure" swan neck jobbie with 13 pin electrics.

Whether your car is type approved I do not know.

Edited by Dog Star on Tuesday 11th August 14:57

[TonyG2003]

Hi. Late reply but I’m the owner of a E43 estate that I spec’d with an electric retractable towbar. At the time (sept ‘17) it was the only petrol Merc estate available that you could spec with a towbar. Only petrols estates available were either a E43 or E63!! I just use it for bike rack but it would make a quick caravan puller 😁