C-Class (W204) 2008 - 2014: C180K, C200K, C230, C280, C300, C350, C200CDI, C220CDI, C320CDI

Tow Bar for W204

Old Feb 22, 2010 | 10:30 AM
  #1  
LvdB's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: RSA
C 320 CDI
Question Tow Bar for W204

Hi. Has anyone fitted a tow bar/hitch on their W204?

MB dealer can fit either a "fold-out" tow bar but this is very expensive. Or for little less than halve the price a "Removable/Detachable" tow bar is available (local part # B20120048).

I am curious to know if the "Removable" tow bar harness is connected to the W204's stability system?, will the rear parktronic sensors switch off when a trailer is plugged in?, and more importantly, when removed, are any parts of the tow bar visible on the rear bumper?

This is an aftermarket tow bar from Star Trek Tow Bars in South Africa ( http://www.startrektowbars.co.za/Bef..._Mercedes.html )
Tow Bar for W204-removable-tow-bar.jpg
But the tow bar bracket is visible below the rear bumper. How would this compare to the OEM "Removable" tow bar?

Any advice and pics would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2010 | 03:33 AM
  #2  
neero's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Midrand, SOUTH AFRICA
W204 C180K Avantgarde AT BE
hey there,

startrek also does fitment for the merc dealers as well so looks as good buy but expensive R6000 incl fitment (dealers probably charge R10K for same thing)!
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2010 | 04:43 AM
  #3  
Carsy's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 56
From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
Originally Posted by LvdB
Hi. Has anyone fitted a tow bar/hitch on their W204?

MB dealer can fit either a "fold-out" tow bar but this is very expensive. Or for little less than halve the price a "Removable/Detachable" tow bar is available (local part # B20120048).

I am curious to know if the "Removable" tow bar harness is connected to the W204's stability system?, will the rear parktronic sensors switch off when a trailer is plugged in?, and more importantly, when removed, are any parts of the tow bar visible on the rear bumper?

This is an aftermarket tow bar from Star Trek Tow Bars in South Africa ( http://www.startrektowbars.co.za/Bef..._Mercedes.html )
Attachment 176756
But the tow bar bracket is visible below the rear bumper. How would this compare to the OEM "Removable" tow bar?

Any advice and pics would be appreciated.
Thanks.
LvdB,

That is a very neatly fitted towbar compared with the Australian MB on offer.I would go for it.

I have attached a photo of the German Swinging Arm model .

The Australian model has a plastic cover fitted over the mounting when not in use which is not nearly as neat as yours.

I had a leak in my boot caused by the fitting of the towbar. The water ran along the bar under the rear bumper & into the channelled subframe making its way to the boot. A simple plastic cover over the entry point solved the problem. Have the installer wash the car then inspect the boot before accepting it back

Edit:-The system will not let me upload the photo as it says i have already done so in a previous post!!
You can see the european towbar photo in https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...oad-lemon.html

Last edited by Carsy; Feb 23, 2010 at 04:50 AM.
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2010 | 11:55 AM
  #4  
LvdB's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: RSA
C 320 CDI
Originally Posted by neero
startrek also does fitment for the merc dealers as well so looks as good buy but expensive R6000 incl fitment (dealers probably charge R10K for same thing)!
Fancy meeting another South African on Intl forum - rare occurrence...lol
Do you have one from StarTrek fitted or is it a MB tow bar? What does yours look like at the bumper when the hook is removed?
MB foldout R16'000!!! cheapest quote , MB detachable R7'200 - R10'000 depending on the dealer who does fitment, StarTrek Tow Bar R5'900.

Do I opt for the cheaper tow bar from StarTrek and switch the PDC off manually when reversing with a trailer. Or do I go for the MB R7'200 option and (I'm not sure of this) the PDC switches automatically when in reverse??? Choices, choices


Originally Posted by Carsy
That is a very neatly fitted towbar compared with the Australian MB on offer.I would go for it.

I have attached a photo of the German Swinging Arm model...
Yea, I noticed the tow bar from the "Lemon" thread while searching. Quite a large contraption...lol. Then I do agree with you, even the StarTrek option is neat! Never thought of water problem in the boot after fitting a tow bar. Sure to inspect mine afterwards, thanks.


Thanks for the feedback all
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:37 AM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE