c350 estate

[jolsepr]

Thinking of buying a 60plate c350 caravan dragger to replace my old ml350 what should i look out for and common problems on what i think is a w204 please correct me if i'm wrong.

Thanks guys.

joe.

 

[ajlsl600]

Despite wot u might think. Check that it can actually tow without a load of extras , like coding. Coolers, fans ect. Even if it has an existing bar on it.

Benz have a habit of Makin everything after 4 wheels an extra and have as posted on here sold cars to customers with vans that can't legally tow anything!! Or cars that need 3k of upgrades to do so. And a trip to the dealers at 100+ to have the facility to tow coded in
Yr prob OK but check with Benz first.

 

[JBell]

Only thing on that engine is the Oil cooler seals, check to see if they have been done, if not have the under trays inspected at the rear of the engine.

Check the service history for Gearbox oil change, should have had 2 at least, Engine air filters are supposed to be every 4 years but I change mine every 2. Should have had 5 brake fluid changes

 

[Flyinspanner]

Check that it can tow anything, iirc some of the AMG variants are not allowed to.

 

[Blobcat]

Check that it can tow anything, iirc some of the AMG variants are not allowed to.

Agreed and that can be “AMG Line” not just real AMG’s that haven’t been homologated to tow

 

[ajlsl600]

Simple get in writing that it can via yr vin.

 

[grayb]

We had a friend who towed a largish caravan with a W204 estate - probably a 5.4m internal Bucanneer or the like. He found it very unstable at cruising speeds. The one time we went to a campsite together I thought that the back of the car was quite low and the caravan hitch was nose down. He swore blind that he had checked the nose weights and overall towing weights and that it was all OK. His car did have the 'Sport' spec, so lowered suspension.

My feeling was that the combination he had just didn't work. No self-levelling on a C-class estate normally. Did they do any with optional Airmatic?

Our friend changed to an XC60 Volvo and has been very happy ever since.

 

[V6Matty]

We had a friend who towed a largish caravan with a W204 estate - probably a 5.4m internal Bucanneer or the like. He found it very unstable at cruising speeds. The one time we went to a campsite together I thought that the back of the car was quite low and the caravan hitch was nose down. He swore blind that he had checked the nose weights and overall towing weights and that it was all OK. His car did have the 'Sport' spec, so lowered suspension.

My feeling was that the combination he had just didn't work. No self-levelling on a C-class estate normally. Did they do any with optional Airmatic?

Our friend changed to an XC60 Volvo and has been very happy ever since.

Rear SLS or airmatic wasn’t an option on the 204

 

[jolsepr]

Thanks a lot for your info taken it onboard my van is very light so i may get towing instability even with the stabiliser may have to look at a diesel ml to be confident still a merc though, once you had one you've you don't want anything else in my opinion.

 

[V6Matty]

Go for an e class, you won’t have any issues with towing and stability

 

[John Laidlaw]

^ This, just go for the SE versions and there should be no issues with the Towing capacities and fitment....

 

[grayb]

^ This, just go for the SE versions and there should be no issues with the Towing capacities and fitment....

Our W212 is an Avantgarde - better spec than the SE but the suspension is still more comfort-orientated than the Sport. It doesn't complain about being cornered though.
Tows very well (especially with the torque we have...). I take any comments that people make about 'you wouldn't know the caravan was on the back' with a pinch of salt - I do feel a little pitching, but it's been better since we put a little more weight in the van (the awning).

 

[ajlsl600]

Thanks a lot for your info taken it onboard my van is very light so i may get towing instability even with the stabiliser may have to look at a diesel ml to be confident still a merc though, once you had one you've you don't want anything else in my opinion.

If u go ml. Make sure it already has bar an it was originally specced to have one.
Dont ask how I know!!!!!

 

[V6Matty]

Our W212 is an Avantgarde - better spec than the SE but the suspension is still more comfort-orientated than the Sport. It doesn't complain about being cornered though.
Tows very well (especially with the torque we have...). I take any comments that people make about 'you wouldn't know the caravan was on the back' with a pinch of salt - I do feel a little pitching, but it's been better since we put a little more weight in the van (the awning).

Not had to tow with my S212 yet but I’m with you on the Avantguard spec, much more precise handling than the SE but much more forgiving than the Sport.
I’m lucky that I’ve got the factory fit folding tow bar but don’t think it’s ever been used by the looks of it