Mercedes E class 220cdi sport convertible/coupe

JudenSteve
JudenSteve Forum Participant Posts: 169
edited January 2019 in Towcars & Towing #1

Does anybody have one or has had one or the coupe version for that matter ? I know they are not your normal everyday tow car but we have always liked them especially the soft top version and i'm wondering your thoughts please, I've matched it with our van and there's no problems there, we are looking at a 2013 model not a new one.

Comments

  • Milothedog
    Milothedog Forum Participant Posts: 1,433
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2019 #2

    Before you jump in at the deep end, don't forget you may need the space of a more practical car to accommodate what you take with you, your caravan will have a load margin and any excess should go in the car to keep you -  legal, stable and safe. 

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • flatcoat
    flatcoat Forum Participant Posts: 1,571
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2019 #3

    I too was once tempted with an Audi A4 cabrio tdi Quattro as a tug. It was precisely for the reasons Milo suggested i ditched the idea, lack of room fir awning, chairs, various accessories, dog.....

  • Milothedog
    Milothedog Forum Participant Posts: 1,433
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2019 #4

    See link.

    Some do do it though cool

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited January 2019 #5

    We were warned not to tow with a convertable as  although they have some extra support built in the chassis to compensate for lack of roof towing could be too stressful on the body

  • Vulcan
    Vulcan Forum Participant Posts: 670
    edited January 2019 #6

    I towed all over Europe in the 70's and 80's with MG Midgets and Triumph TR7 convertibles and never had any structural problems, then again they weren't German.

  • Randomcamper
    Randomcamper Club Member Posts: 1,062 ✭✭
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    edited January 2019 #7

    I'd say go for it..........smile

     

    Far too many boring Landrover Freelander & clones on club sites......

     

    innocent

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited January 2019 #8
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • JudenSteve
    JudenSteve Forum Participant Posts: 169
    edited January 2019 #9

    I like your attitude there, yes room is an issue but it’s only the 2 of us but maybe I’ll settle for a compromise and get the coupe version instead as it obviously has no roof in the boot taking up valuable space. 

    I’m not a big fan of sensible motors and having my Passat now for 3 years I’m itching for something a little different especially after enjoying 18 glorious days in France in September the wife said when we were driving with just the car “a convertible would be just the ticket”.

     

  • JudenSteve
    JudenSteve Forum Participant Posts: 169
    edited January 2019 #10

    I’ve heard that before but our caravan is only 1,230 MTPLM so on the lighter side but it’s something to consider as it’s not overly often you see a caravan being pulled by a softop.

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2019 #11

    why not get the convertible and book statics wherever you go. sell caravan and get a newer merc. wink

  • MiDor
    MiDor Forum Participant Posts: 18
    edited January 2019 #12

    I used to tow with a BMW 320D Coupe, no problems at all, so would expect the Merc to be absolutely fine.

  • JudenSteve
    JudenSteve Forum Participant Posts: 169
    edited January 2019 #13

    I don't think she'll be up for that smile

  • Footos
    Footos Forum Participant Posts: 11
    edited January 2019 #14

    Generally with convertibles be them hard or soft tops, roof up = small boot, roof down = tiny boot. If you pack uber light that is no problem. But remember the safety advice of making the car as heavy as possible and the van as light as possible by loading heavy stuff in the car as much as possible and you might start to struggle. Try https://towcar.info/GB/ and see if anybody has towed with your particular outfit. For fun I put my wifes car in as the tug and my van lightly loaded as the trailer. The result was yes, it is legal. BUT for the love of God - don't!! A lot of people tow with boring boxy cars, both 4wd and 2wd, and that's for a boring reason - they are practical and do the job. For the same reason a 4x4 suv is a poor choice for a track day, a car with a tiny boot may well be a poor choice for a practical tow car. But if it suits you, put up with the compromises and go for it!!

  • NutsyH
    NutsyH Forum Participant Posts: 534
    edited January 2019 #15

    Careful!

    Some convertibles are not type approved for towing, or have a very low towbar/towing limit.

    Check before you buy.

  • paul56
    paul56 Forum Participant Posts: 937
    500 Comments
    edited January 2019 #16

    Somewhat off piste but have you considered two cars?

    We tow the van all over the UK and Europe with a Ford Kuga but as a second car, which has been as far south as Rome and as far west as La Rochelle using cottages, gites and hotels as a base in a Mercedes SLK. We bought it used with 31 k on the clock for very little money. My only gripe is the road tax at £300 grrr! It is brilliant to get off the ferry/Eurotunnel, press a button and down comes the roof and away we go. 

    I still get a buzz out of driving it! 

  • JudenSteve
    JudenSteve Forum Participant Posts: 169
    edited January 2019 #17

    Checked on our own CC site here and it's given it a good match so I can only assume it's ok.

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