Secondhand vehicles with towing use

Mike2018

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I'm looking for a used W212 estate, E350 petrol.

I've seen one, 62 reg, 86K miles - it has a towing hook on the back.

Run a mile?
 

keefysher

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Only just run in.

What was the tow bar used for? Builders trailer with a few tonne of ballast every day? A small trailer to pop garden rubbish to the tip once a month? Towing a yacht? A dingy? Trailer tent? Caravan? or just a bike carrier?

Does the ball look knarled, have caravan stabiliser grip marks? covered in grease/oil, or rusty?

Ask the current owner if you have concerns. I know every journey my vehicles have had the tow bars used, for what, where and when. Partly so as when the caravan goes for service I know what to expect to be charged for, or not!!!

Has the car self levelling suspension? Has the MoT history shown suspension failures? Does the service history show suspension parts replaced?
 
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LostKiwi

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In general no but as above see if you can find out what it towed and how often/far.

Anything boat related or big and heavy be extra careful (boats could mean salt water).
 

John Laidlaw

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Mileage and tow ball in themselves not an issue. Quite a rare beast the 350 petrol
 

turbopete

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i wouldn't worry if it has a towbar. for one, it saves me having to fit one. plus, I found with the 203 that the rear springs seemed less prone to breaking if they were run 'well loaded' (a trailer and some weight that the car wouldn't normally carry) as it seemed to keep them from turning quite so brittle by flexing them more. I may be wrong, but that is what I feel was happening and whilst I had replaced the springs on the car previously (when dad had it) it never needed them replaced again despite the towing (I used the trailer a lot at the time for paving slabs and gravel)
 

Naraic

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The car, of course, has self leveling suspension (all E Class estates for more than 30 years have it).

We can't see the car, you can. So, no advice except careful inspection would be correct.
 
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Mike2018

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Thanks for all your replies. It's only got one socket, so I suspect not a big 'van (is that right??). I've not physically seen the car - apologies for giving that impression, just the photos on a dealer's website. (TBH I'm surprised he left the towbar on).

I've asked him if he knows what it was used for, but he doesn't - I have asked if he can check with the previous owner. It's in Chichester, so a sea-going boat is a possibility.
 

ajlsl600

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clk3202001,sl6002003 with everything regrettably sold ,A class 170cdi auto. NG/TF1800 ML250
I'm looking for a used W212 estate, E350 petrol.

I've seen one, 62 reg, 86K miles - it has a towing hook on the back.

Run a mile?


not really, just judge the car on its overall condition if in good nic its likely not been abused with the bar. most people with towing experience are generaly better drivers who take more care especially if car in good clean maintained condition.
 

John Laidlaw

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Yip, caravans need two sockets so it’s been a light trailer or boat trailer.
Only thing I worry about when buying a car with a tow attachment is if the clutch has been abused but that down’t apply in this case!
 

turbopete

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Only thing I worry about when buying a car with a tow attachment is if the clutch has been abused but that down’t apply in this case!

although ive seen a few kill auto gearboxes (seen 3 S class's for a start, plus others) or cook torque converters etc. so having auto transmission doesn't mean theres no chance of failure either.
 

EmilysDad

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Yip, caravans need two sockets .....

They've not had 2 sockets here in Blighty for a few years now, but European caravans have used a 13 pin plug for years before that. The car in question is likely to be fitted with a 13 pin socket .... though not necessarily with all pins wired ;)
 

turbopete

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unless the car has been used for a caravan (or similar) OR has the factory fitted/oem towbar and wiring kit fitted, very few people actually fit the 13 pin socket if its only to be used for basic lighting. a guy at work had a towbar fitted to his 62 plate Hyundai to tow a caravan (admittedly a relatively old caravan) and the towbar fitter fitted the old standard twin 7 pin sockets to his car.
 

turbopete

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2017 '17' Ford Mondeo 2.0TDCi ST Line X 180 (sorry)
unless the car has been used for a caravan (or similar) OR has the factory fitted/oem towbar and wiring kit fitted, very few people actually fit the 13 pin socket if its only to be used for basic lighting. a guy at work had a towbar fitted to his 62 plate Hyundai to tow a caravan (admittedly a relatively old caravan) and the towbar fitter fitted the old standard twin 7 pin sockets to his car.
 

mikestrivens

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what's with all the multiple posts these days?
 

John Laidlaw

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what's with all the multiple posts these days?
The forum is running so slow Mike that often we think it’s not posting so click on post again....then we get it twice and sometimes more! It has been reported by Cole to admin
 


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