Tow bar for w204 c63

Tow bar for w204 c63

Author
Discussion

e46m3c

Original Poster:

875 posts

162 months

Saturday 27th January
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Has anyone fitted a tow bar to a w204 c63 estate?

If so can you message me a company that will do it? Preferably down south.

TarquinMX5

2,061 posts

87 months

Saturday 27th January
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I seem to recall that the C63s weren't homologated for towbars which, if correct, might complicate things a little. I might be wrong, though.

Dog Star

16,486 posts

175 months

Sunday 28th January
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Do you want the tow bar for a trailer or cycle rack?

e46m3c

Original Poster:

875 posts

162 months

Monday 29th January
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Dog Star said:
Do you want the tow bar for a trailer or cycle rack?
Cycle rack

Dog Star

16,486 posts

175 months

Monday 29th January
quotequote all
I’ve had this exact issue with my facelift R230 SL.

You will be able to get one from AHK Preisbrecher in Apen, Germany.

This will be sold as a “cycle rack adapter” - no issues with having this as it’s not a tow bar and it’s not sold able to tow (there’s a “nobble” on the ball.

Problem: you’ll have to take your car to Germany to have it fitted, however they give you reams of proper TüV paperwork etc so it’s all above board and legal. My SL bar cost around €1100.

Personally we made a mini break of it and took my SL over to Germany and got one fitted, they loaned us a car (a little Citigo) and we went to the German naval museum in Wilhelmshaven.

You aren’t in contravention of type approval as you aren’t towing and you get oodles of proper documentation (this is why they must fit the bar - they won’t supply).

PM me if you need more details.





It’s detachable, by the way.




kerryt5r

197 posts

180 months

Tuesday 30th January
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I have a genuine Merc blade style S204 roof rack with 2 x bike carriers on my C63 estate. Cost about £800 if you buy through Merc, I picked mine up second hand for around half that. Might be a suitable alternative for you, can dig out part numbers etc if you are interested

Dog Star

16,486 posts

175 months

Tuesday 30th January
quotequote all
kerryt5r said:
I have a genuine Merc blade style S204 roof rack with 2 x bike carriers on my C63 estate. Cost about £800 if you buy through Merc, I picked mine up second hand for around half that. Might be a suitable alternative for you, can dig out part numbers etc if you are interested
I’ve this solution as well - the thing is that roof racks with cycles are an absolute pain in the arse. Not to mention car parks.

e46m3c

Original Poster:

875 posts

162 months

Tuesday 30th January
quotequote all
Dog Star said:
I’ve had this exact issue with my facelift R230 SL.

You will be able to get one from AHK Preisbrecher in Apen, Germany.

This will be sold as a “cycle rack adapter” - no issues with having this as it’s not a tow bar and it’s not sold able to tow (there’s a “nobble” on the ball.

Problem: you’ll have to take your car to Germany to have it fitted, however they give you reams of proper TüV paperwork etc so it’s all above board and legal. My SL bar cost around €1100.

Personally we made a mini break of it and took my SL over to Germany and got one fitted, they loaned us a car (a little Citigo) and we went to the German naval museum in Wilhelmshaven.

You aren’t in contravention of type approval as you aren’t towing and you get oodles of proper documentation (this is why they must fit the bar - they won’t supply).

PM me if you need more details.





It’s detachable, by the way.



YES!

Im looking to carry potentially 3x25kg ebikes (enduro) so roof rack is out of the question. This looks ideal!

Dog Star

16,486 posts

175 months

Tuesday 30th January
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You’ll need to check the capacity etc.

My “bike rack adapter” has a 60kg limit, I use a Thule Velocompact 2 bike carrier which is 14kg and put a pair of Canyon eMTBs (without batteries) on it (so about 19kg each).

On a C class the capacity would be higher.

You could go down the roof rack route and use INNO INA389 carriers - these are rated to 25kg each and hold the bikes by the wheels. Rock solid and much more reassuring than the wobbly Thule jobs.


Dog Star

16,486 posts

175 months

Tuesday 30th January
quotequote all
Can’t see the W204 but they do all sorts - I’d give them a call

https://www.ahk-preisbrecher.de/Anhaengerkupplunge...

You want passenger cars PKW and estate is kombi.



e46m3c

Original Poster:

875 posts

162 months

Tuesday 30th January
quotequote all
Thanks guys. This has been very helpful!

Not sure I’m up for regularly putting a big rig on the roof and I’m always worried about it coming off and damaging the roof while I fit it.

A tow bar would be spot on. Just a shame the grey area for the legalities make it hard to find someone who will fit it.

I can’t imagine it’s much different than any other c class fitment wise so perhaps I just buy a regular c-class one and have a go at diy fitting it.

Dog Star

16,486 posts

175 months

Tuesday 30th January
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The car isn’t type approved for towing.

Nothing to stop you having a tow bar on it.

A cycle rack isn’t a trailer.


irfan1712

1,256 posts

160 months

Wednesday 31st January
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Why not try a Sea Sucker ( There are cheaper alternatives also that do the same thing such as mine)

Regardless of how scary it looks and how many people 'wouldnt do that' i can confirm its a solid method and there are no concerns.. and it takes literally minutes to secure the rack and bike onto the roof.

In my case, lifting a 30kg E Bike on the roof was fun, but if you have road or normal MTBs then its a doddle.

My E63s was running 740bhp so if any car would compromise this set up then mine defo would have - but it remained solid every time i used it and i rarely hung around (never did try a launch start with the bike on the roof though!)







EDIT: Just seen your post above that you want to carry 3 EMTBs, the above wont work for 3 due to the weight. but in the instance you want to carry one, possible two - its still a good option.

Edited by irfan1712 on Wednesday 31st January 13:01

e46m3c

Original Poster:

875 posts

162 months

Friday 9th February
quotequote all
irfan1712 said:
Why not try a Sea Sucker ( There are cheaper alternatives also that do the same thing such as mine)

Regardless of how scary it looks and how many people 'wouldnt do that' i can confirm its a solid method and there are no concerns.. and it takes literally minutes to secure the rack and bike onto the roof.

In my case, lifting a 30kg E Bike on the roof was fun, but if you have road or normal MTBs then its a doddle.

My E63s was running 740bhp so if any car would compromise this set up then mine defo would have - but it remained solid every time i used it and i rarely hung around (never did try a launch start with the bike on the roof though!)







EDIT: Just seen your post above that you want to carry 3 EMTBs, the above wont work for 3 due to the weight. but in the instance you want to carry one, possible two - its still a good option.

Edited by irfan1712 on Wednesday 31st January 13:01
Huge respect for this.

I would be too scared of the rear window coming in as I've smashed those in the past pretty easily (not with a bike carrier I hasten to add or an e63)

A roof bar will work, however, lifting muddy 26kg onto the roof a few times a week isnt appealing with a rotator cuff issue and potential for droppage/damage to my P&J.

A tow bar would be infinitely more practical and easy. Im not sure its worth 1k plus another 2k for the trip to germany mind although that does also appeal.

Yes for eMBT like Turbo Levo etc.