Tow bar on Panamera

[Freddy88FM]

Hi all,

Just a quick one... a friend of mine is looking to pick up a Panamera at some point soon and very nearly went through with a sale recently only to be stopped at the final hurdle by a tow bar issue. I have copied his email to me below:

"Nearly did a deal on a Pan in Bristol but they (Porsche Bristol) said they couldn't fit it with a tow bar so deal fell through. One that you may be interested in looking at - P B advised that "wiring has to be set up in the factory as orig spec", sounds like a load of b*ll*cks to me but for them to lose the sale as a result means they are pretty sure. I have checked online and plenty of towbar fitters offer fitting to Pans??. I am wondering if they got stuck on my original request for a retractable bar which is an option on new Pans and didn't really push through on a detachable (as per my Audi Q7) which I offered as an alternative?"

Can anyone shed any light on this? He's very excited about a new car but is a bit stumped!

Thanks in advance.

Freddy

[toohuge]

There are some cars, like a few in the mercedes range that the factory fit tow package is not just the tow bar, but additional wiring (a,different loom), additional transmission cooler and an additional esp program for towing.

It's likely the dealer is correct - retrofitting the porsche part is not possible and fitting an aftermarket part could invalidate the warranty.

[Freddy88FM]

Thanks, I assumed aftermarket was a no go given Porsche's penchant for warranty voiding. He will only be towing a small unbraked trailer however I suppose rules are rules!

I'll tell him to look for one with it already spec'd.

Thanks again.

[RGambo]

I have fitted a towbar to my c7 RS6 and I would have to agree with the above post. The RS6 comes with tow bar prep as standard. This is I am reliably informed, all the additional software and wiring. It still took the dealer 4 days to fully 'code' the various ecu's to accept the tow bar. The main stumbling block was the stability control, which threw it's toys right of the pram! I know Porsche isn't Audi, (well they are the same group) But think you would suffer similar issues if you tried to fit one with out the correct prep.

The dealer thought I was a bit mad when I said if the tow bar couldn't be fitted it was a deal braker!

Edited by RGambo on Thursday 19th March 11:44

[Captain James T]

I've been in this situation with a good friend and he had to track down a Panamera with 'Tow bar preparation' fitted. It's only a £75 odd factory option, but took him ages to find one and all for towing a jet ski!

[Freddy88FM]

Ok, thanks guys! Have dutifully informed him.