MY10 Towbar Costs

[Swallowtail]

there is no OEM (or "factory") towbar option in Australia as the VW one doesn't meet ADRs, apparently.

Anything a dealer organises for you will be from a towbar place. You're better off getting it done yourself after you pick up the car.

You are kinda right Rocket... towbars dealer fitted here in Oz are not factory ones, but they are a standard fitment deal that has been approved by VW Aus. I have one on mine. It looks to all intents and purposes like OEM, even down to the badge on the ball cap. But it is a locally made item. As to getting it done afterwards - be careful, as there are extensive wiring changes that have to be made to integrate the towbar into the car electronics on a modern VW.

[GTI147]

Thanks boys, I contacted my dealer today and they quoted approximately $1700, which $800 was the cost for the electrics. Very expensive in my opinion!

So has anyone in Melbourne taken there car to get an external tow bar fitted for a more reasonable price?

[hosko11]

I've got a towbar fitted to an MY10 R36 which was done by the dealer in Vic. I think the towbar brand is Best Bars. The quoted prices for parts were towbar at $425 and wiring loom $550. Total fitted price ended up at $1650 inc gst.

Yes, they cut the bumper - a nice big chunk that's maybe (haven;t actually measured it) up to 300mm wide. It would be nice if there was an insert available to cover the whole with the hitch removed.

See the towbar sticky for more details, but it seems no one has been able to source a non-dealer fitted alternative.

[waringb]

As the OP I recently took delivery of my MY10 125. I can confirm that as above, the towbar price is still $1500. Although the car is pre-wired, they still needed to purchase the wiring loom. Add in the cost of the towbar itself + labour, total cost was $1500. Slightly cheaper than most dealers in Melbourne quoting at $1700

No idea what is actually pre-wired, but it appears to have little impact on the installation cost.

[Caddyman]

My towbar for both passats (MY08 R36 sedan then MY10.5 V6 Highline Wagon) were both done by the dealer for $1400 - different dealers for each.

Matthew

[Umai Naa!!]

As the OP I recently took delivery of my MY10 125. I can confirm that as above, the towbar price is still $1500. Although the car is pre-wired, they still needed to purchase the wiring loom. Add in the cost of the towbar itself + labour, total cost was $1500. Slightly cheaper than most dealers in Melbourne quoting at $1700

No idea what is actually pre-wired, but it appears to have little impact on the installation cost.

Pre-wired or not, the wiring kit still needs to be purchased, as it includes the sub harness from the module to the 13-pin plug next to the hitch.

The service department hasn't informed the sales department of what's required to wire the cars up these days, and are probably still quoting half a day or so to do it. We went through the same thing with the Tiguans.