I am going to intall a OEM hitch on our 2011 ML350 4matic. I found the factory hitch from ECS tuning online for $300 less than my dealer, but have a few questions about wiring.
I am going to get the wiring harness and hitch socket, but will I need a new SAM? Can I just plug the harness into my current factory SAM and have the dealer re-configure it?
Or will I need to buy a completely new one? I would love to save the extra $350 by using my current one.

Thanks everyone.

SAM:
http://www.ecstuning.com/Mercedes_Be...SAM/ES2188537/

Hitch:
http://www.ecstuning.com/Mercedes_Be...tch/ES2222409/

Harness:
http://www.ecstuning.com/Mercedes_Be...tch/ES1697533/

 

I made a somewhat similar enquiry on this forum a while ago and never received any response. I suppose there's not much concrete information about this out there. When you manage to get your system functioning as it should, you should please post your findings.

 

Word on the GL side is that early vehicles required a new SAM and later were ready to go or needed coding.
Early seems to be pre-2008 and later is post 2008 with 2008 questionable.


This is of course secondhand rumors.

 

I was simply assuming the ML would have the same set up as the GL and I probably shouldn't do that. I also assumed I could install a tow hitch like have done many times in years before - I certainly shouldn't assume that anymore it seems!


If a new SAM and/or re-coding is required for a first time tow hitch installation one should be careful where you get your equipment from in that you may end up paying more in the end going with an aftermarket system. Thanks for posting that about the SAM even if it isn't any more than just a rumour.

 

MLs and GLs are the same platform, but seem to be optioned a lot differently.