what to buy for towing?

[sculptor]

I'm thinking of buying a 220 cdi estate for commuting to farm and occasional towing. Is there any difference in the suspension braking etc. of the different models and if so which would be the prefered model. There is not much choice in diesals over here in Ireland petrol being prefered so I'll probabily buy in England , any suggestions.
I dont want a jeep!
Jim

 

[MercAl]

Can't really comment on the technical stuff, but I towed a caravan with my C220 CDI saloon. Superb towcar. Loads of torque, and a fairly good ride. Consumption wasn't bad either, averaging around 30 to the gallon.

 

[jberks]

Any merc will tow just fine. Yes brakes and suspension get stronger the higher up the engine range you go, as you'd expect, but a basic model is already ahead of the competition. I wouldn't get less than a 220cdi (avoid the 200cdi) and obviously depending on what you're pulling you need toc heck the allowed weights but a 220 estate should be fine.

 

[sculptor]

Thanks for the replys.
I think my budget will only stretch to a '01 220cdi but they are like hens teeth over here, any suggestions, advice?
Jim

 

[BlackC55]

C or E class?

The E estate will have self leveling rear suspension as standard and a far better tow car.

 

[duncanh]

c220cdi estate for towing

I use a c220cdi for towing a fairly heavy caravan. With this in mind I specified self-levelling suspension on the order. My previous 3 cars were E-class estates, and I haven't been disappointed with the C. (I have no experience of towing without self-levelling suspension on a Merc, so don't know how much benefit it gives).

The c220cdi is an excellent towcar, plenty power, very stable. I have had the car over 5 years, and have towed a few thousand miles with it.

I was told by the dealer that the self-levelling option on the C class is fairly rare, so I guess there won't be many around.

I took it north during the summer, a mixture of motorway an A roads. At a fairly high average speed (I won't incriminate myself by saying how much) I achieved almost 30mpg over 1000 miles.

The handbook says the towing limit is 1500kg, so there are few caravans that are outside this range. I think mine is about 1200kg.

Come back in a few years and I will sell mine to you, but not now. Its depreciation has mostly happened, and I am looking forward to a few years of cheap motoring before I get rid of it.

Best of luck with your search.

 

[Schtum]

C or E class?

The E estate will have self leveling rear suspension as standard and a far better tow car.

; -) beat me too it.

 

[sculptor]

Roadtax

Forgot to mention the reason for keeping down to a 220, is the tax.
2000-2200cc about £500, 2200-2500 about £700, 2500- 3000 about £850 per year. add to that the extra insurance and fuel consumption.
If I'm that worried about costs maybe I shouldn't be looking for a merc.
Jim

 

[jberks]

That's as good areason as any. Get a 220 and chip it!

 

[sculptor]

I've found a '99 220cdi at a good price, only drawback is it's an espirit.
Does the lowered suspension affect towing, can the suspension be changed to ride higher and softer?
Jim

 

[sculptor]

250td

If I want to run a cdi on veg. oil (farmers dont pay vat on rapeseed oil because its cattle feed ) I have to use two tanks. Whats the point in having an estate if you have no extra space!
So it's back to the drawing board, maybe a C250td auto estate with about 100k mls in good, anyone out there?.
Jim