Tow hitch on Mercedes ML 350 Bluetech

I was quoted $3,500 to $4,000 by the Mercedes Benz dealer to install a factory tow hitch on to a ML 350 Bluetech 2011! I was wondering if anyone else had this happen and if so, where did you go to have the work done and were you happy with it? I live in Southern Cal.

On Thursday, April 2, 2015 at 9:03:04 PM UTC+13, wrote:
I was quoted $3,500 to $4,000 by the Mercedes Benz dealer to install a factory tow hitch on to a ML 350 Bluetech 2011! I was wondering if anyone else had this happen and if so, where did you go to have the work done and were you happy with it? I live in Southern Cal.

One, of course, should always ask about tow hitches *before* agreeing to buy the car itself, not after taking delivery.

On 2/04/2015 19:03, wrote:
I was quoted $3,500 to $4,000 by the Mercedes Benz dealer to install a factory tow hitch on to a ML 350 Bluetech 2011! I was wondering if anyone else had this happen and if so, where did you go to have the work done and were you happy with it? I live in Southern Cal.


Some years ago I bought a factory tow hitch for a W163 from a dealer in
Long Beach for about $500. It seemed easily possible to instal that
myself although I actually onsold it without fitting it.

Its successor (W164) came with a hitch - Bruce's advice is good.

The main difference, of course, is that the 163 had a chassis. Your 164
(or 166?) doesn't. Makes tow hitch fitting an order of magnitude more
difficult. You may not need a dealer but you will need a knowledgeable,
non-dealer, M-B specialist who will probably be cheaper.

In my experience (fairly extensive) M-B dealers are to be avoided if at
all possible. Make a friend of a good, independent Euro/M-B specialist
workshop. Your wallet and the reliability of your car will thank you
for it.

GC

On Thursday, April 2, 2015 at 11:56:41 PM UTC+13, wrote:
On 2/04/2015 19:03, wrote:
I was quoted $3,500 to $4,000 by the Mercedes Benz dealer to install a factory tow hitch on to a ML 350 Bluetech 2011! I was wondering if anyone else had this happen and if so, where did you go to have the work done and were you happy with it? I live in Southern Cal.


Some years ago I bought a factory tow hitch for a W163 from a dealer in
Long Beach for about $500. It seemed easily possible to instal that
myself although I actually onsold it without fitting it.

Its successor (W164) came with a hitch - Bruce's advice is good.

The main difference, of course, is that the 163 had a chassis. Your 164
(or 166?) doesn't.

Quite apart from any structural issues, fitting a towbar is one of the things that dealers will do "for free" to sweeten the deal, rather than dropping the official price of the car. Even on used cars.

On Thursday, April 2, 2015 at 4:03:04 AM UTC-4, wrote:
I was quoted $3,500 to $4,000 by the Mercedes Benz dealer to install a factory tow hitch on to a ML 350 Bluetech 2011! I was wondering if anyone else had this happen and if so, where did you go to have the work done and were you happy with it? I live in Southern Cal.

I've done 5 hitch installs (2 on Honda Odysseys and 3 on various flavors of VW). eTrailer is the go-to place to figure out what's involved. For the ML350 here are the parts required at minimum:

http://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hitc...eid=2011308187

http://www.etrailer.com/Vehicle-Wiri...eid=2011308187

In round figures, $300-$400 worth of parts if you include towbar and ball etc. However, the installation is more tricky than most:

- The hitch requires lowering the exhaust and trimming some plastic and possibly heat shields. When eTrailer says a 10/10 in difficulty and 1:40 to install, figure 2 hours of shop time minimum.

- The wiring requires a separate power supply routed to the front of the vehicle plus the usual tapping into circuits. Figure 2 hours here to be conservative.

So, I would guess that an aftermarket shop that bills out at $120/hr for labor would probably quote you somewhere either side of $1,000 including ordering the parts for you.

Erik Mann (P3)

You bought a Mercedes for goodness sakes.

If you had a Yugo the cost would be much much lower.
Especially if you find some duct tape on sale.

On Thursday, April 2, 2015 at 4:03:04 AM UTC-4, wrote:
I was quoted $3,500 to $4,000 by the Mercedes Benz dealer to install a factory tow hitch on to a ML 350 Bluetech 2011! I was wondering if anyone else had this happen and if so, where did you go to have the work done and were you happy with it? I live in Southern Cal.

I bought a Mercedes SUV a few months ago and I negotiated installation of a tow hook as a part of the deal. It still cost me a lot to put the tow hook in but not near the $3,000 quoted.

To put a hitch on a Mercedes SUV there is a lot of work involved, both mechanical and electrical while the option at the factory costs only $500.

I talked to a few people and I decided not to even try the aftermarket route as some reprogramming of a computer was also required.

On the plus side the vehicle is the best tow vehicle I ever had (other than the motor home). It is unbelievably stable, feels very solid even towing 18 m glider trailer.

I suggest find a deal who can do it cheaper. Call around. Find one that is less busy.

I put a hitch on my Mercedes E350. It's nearly invisible, and came complete with the electrical interface that keeps the computer happy. Highly recommended.

Here's the link for the ML hitch: http://execuhitch.com/tow-hitches/mercedes-gl/

-John, Q3


On Thursday, April 2, 2015 at 4:03:04 AM UTC-4, wrote:
I was quoted $3,500 to $4,000 by the Mercedes Benz dealer to install a factory tow hitch on to a ML 350 Bluetech 2011! I was wondering if anyone else had this happen and if so, where did you go to have the work done and were you happy with it? I live in Southern Cal.

On Thursday, April 2, 2015 at 3:03:04 AM UTC-5, wrote:
I was quoted $3,500 to $4,000 by the Mercedes Benz dealer to install a factory tow hitch on to a ML 350 Bluetech 2011! I was wondering if anyone else had this happen and if so, where did you go to have the work done and were you happy with it? I live in Southern Cal.

- Funny, after visiting my local MB dealer, I installed one by myself last week on the 2013 ML, for the very same reason. Bought the hitch on internet for about $350. Don't know where do you live but typical large city has some sort of mechanical shop specializing in European cars. Go there, installing a hitch really isn't a big deal.

I am driving my fourth Mercedes ML. Fantastic tow vehicle.
Only one had the hitch installed by the dealer as part of the purchase.
The hitch costs about $350 from the dealer.
There is a wiring harness that used to be part of the tow hitch kit but last time was a separate item.
Hitch just bolts in BUT...and this is a BIG BUTTT...you must cut out part of the rear bumper plastic to allow the hitch to protrude. That is where half the cost of installing the hitch system comes from. If you cut it wrong it is a big bill. The wiring harness is just plug and play but you have to thread it thru existing holes in the body and reseal.

With all the tinkering and the risk of screwing up the rear bumper facia... I would just pay the dealer next time.