Big Kahuna

I just returned from a trip across Europe and was shocked to see so many E-class taxi's.

This really sucks because in my opinion it cheapens the prestige of the car.

Can cabbies really afford the cars or does MB have a special "taxi" edition???

vraa

They are stripped down versions.

YNVDIZW124

I had a 230E here in california for 4 years until the spot where i did the smog check went out of biz then i sold it for junk after removing the interior and engine! Those cloth seats where really nice!

jrmd01

I think the older 80's early 90's MB were used in Europe as taxi because if their:

1. dependability - can't use a car that breaks down while you have passengers

2. reliability - can't continusouly spend money to repair your car

3. easily DIY - can't spend $$$$$ on mechanics to do all the work

4. economic - it's no secrect that MB put in the "gas saver" engines in the cars
that remained in Eruope. They did this because gas there is $$$$$

5. durable - the older mercedes were built like tanks...can't say the same for the newer MB from 1996 to present.

Whether or not it "cheapens the prestige of the car" is a matter of subjective opinion. Lots of limosines are made out of Mercedes & many diplomats still travel in Mercedes...I think it's still a classy car.

AMG_Fred

exactly, they use them because they are the overall best

Josh K

Well they also use them because they're much cheaper out there due to different option packages and less $$$ for tax/tarriff/duties. Here, to justify the price and keep the brand's prestige, Mercedes only sells pretty loaded models. In Europe, you can get them with roll down windows and a right side mirror as an option.

AMG_Fred

lol wow... a mercedes with windows that don't go down and only two mirrors.... i feel sorry for that poor soul

neanderthal

even with hubcaps.

i routinely worked on benzes that were four cylinder, had a carb, no AC, cloth interiors, manual windows and locks, no ABS, no sunroof, 4 speed manual etc etc etc when i was an apprentice motor mechanic in zimbabwe. some even had no tachometer but just a large clock

of course a good number of those were 123s, some were 124s and some were even 126s.

NorCal124

MBs are cheaper to get in Europe.

bamberger_1

I have read all the posts about the issue why Germany taxis are mostly using MB E-Class. It not that they are cheaper or less loaded. It is partly a tradition that taxis in the past were 100% MB cars, because using a taxi in Germany was to be compared to use a limo service in the US, and limos in the USA are also not and Jap. or Korean cars, but Lincolns or Cadilacs, right? In deed MB offers a special Taxi line which has especially designed features, like heavier seats, and upholstery and many more specific options. They of corse have electric windows, air bags, A/C, P/S and all the other features you all know from MB. However, they are almost 100% Diesel engines, because of the economic city driving, and in the past the longevity of the non turbo-charged Diesel engines. There is also a tax issue, because as a business owner you can save 16% VAT on the car. Other than that MB is offering the top price catagory of cars in Germany, with all the amenities modern cars offer.

ahm

Actually, MBs are much more expensive in Europe than in the US.

There are not that many E-class taxis in Spain, but in Holland, for example, they abound, and they are not stripped down versions but fully loaded, with GPS, telephone, DVD, leather, etc. I was told that the official Amsterdam airport's taxis must be E-class MBs or Volvo 80s, nothing inferior is acceptable.

mazzam

In fact, not only in Europe but in many parts of the world MBs are the most common car used by taxi drivers. I would say durability is reason #1. I don't think it takes away any of the pride of ownership (unless you drive a Benz just for image and not for love of the car).

CE750

I lived in Germany for 2 years ( two of my best years, I loved it )... and while the majority of taxi's were indeed MB, there were toyota's, BMW, Audi etc.. But UNLIKE in the US, they were clean, and well kept. The driver was very professional (usually owned the cab) etc..

Here in the US, Taxi is a very high milage (many times former Police cruiser) or stripped down Ford Crown Vic.. driven by a guy who can hardly speak english, and the condition of the interior is "third world" at best.

If you want to ride the equal of a German taxi, next time order a lincoln limo (that's what I do always, and it's only a little more expensive).

Remember, MB sells close to 1 million cars world wide... how many of those do you think are "luxury" cars? maybe 1/3 at best.. the rest of for working people and companies. This is an amazing company that survived thru two devastating world wars, up until only the last decade was known as the undisputed best car maker in the world. Today, competition from Japan has put that title in dispute, but again, if they can survive TWO world wars, the Japanese only made it thru one they can regain this title.

Sp!ke

Nothing, I repeat NOTHING is cheaper in Europe.

The Germans generally drive Mercedes as Taxi's because they are the best tool for the job - simple.

CE750

can I get an Amen!

wallietax

hello

i live in Holland and the w124 is a verry reliable taxi around here, and still
driving plenty around in our country
it says enough about the w124 series
about the leather they used fake leather wich they called here taxileather



grtz.from Holland
Wallietax

Makahveli

Here in america we aren't about trying to keep cars around for a long time anyways. With businesses here we are all about constantly updating cars. A car doesn't even have to have alot of mileage just that it being so many years old we feel that it should be replaced and updated. I can't say if its an image thing or not but obviously Europe doesn't focus on those same issues. An e-class car there is possibly lasting as long as 3 generations of taxicabs here.

ybgoss

Don't sweat the small stuff. Americans automotive prestige is a joke. There are many European cars that we never see that are superior to US made junk. Lancia, Rover, Renault, Peugeot, Citroen, Alfa Romeo and Fiat all produce fast, comfortable, safe, reliable vehicles in all shapes and sizes.

Mercedes is still one of the best and in the long run may cost the cabbies less than another brand. By the way, American law enforcement is starting to get a little smart. California Highway Patrol is replacing inferior Japanese and American motorcycles with BMW's.

Remember, the gas pedal is the one on the right.

End US speed limits.

neanderthal

if you think lancias and rovers and alfas are reliable you need to share your recreational drugs with the rest of us.

ybgoss

I don't need recreational drugs to know that most non-US imported European cars are reliable. I put nearly 200,000 miles on my 87 Alfa here in California and it was more reliable than my Mitsubishi. It is the people who continue to support the American made auto industry that need to lay off the crack.

What's more, if you own a BMW 2002, you know about unreliable cars.

MTI

According to an article last week in Germany, Mercedes-Benz is losing market share in the taxi market there, even with low prices and special taxi configurations.

Mercedes is traditionally the brand of choice for German taxi drivers, and Mercedes controlled around 80% of the market during the 1990s. In the last year Mercedes’ share has fallen to less then 50%, reports Automobilwoche, thanks to a series of lacklustre and bad models (the Vaneo, Vito, V-Class and W210 E-Class ), and rust and electrical problems.

Instead German taxi drivers are chosing Volkwagen, and to a lesser extent Opel cars. Between July 2004 and July 2005 4,500 new Mercedes cars are estimated to have been registered as taxis, 4,000 Volkswagens and 1,000 Opels. A further 500 were ‘other’ makes, including Audi, Volvo, Ford and BMW.

Although Mercedes is offering good finance incentives and special taxi models with a 20% price reduction, there is apparently still a six month waiting time for delivery on many models, and this is putting potential drivers off.

CE750

Reliable doth no equal great car... otherwise Ferrari, Bentley, and Mercedes would all be junk.

I am sick of this Rice mentality that says a car is only good if it's reliable... reliable is SO SUBJECTIVE.. a Honda is more reliable, but then a Honda doesn't do what my E320CDI does...

CE750

this is a contradictory line.. there is 6 month back order... yet their some how suffering? I would KILL for a 6 month back order on my production line.

lkchris

So, you take a taxi and put some wood on the dash, add push-button heater controls, electric windows and mag wheels, and it's a prestige car?

Sorry, only the S-class is a prestige car. The toy cars, i.e. SLs, etc., too.

AMG_Fred

so your saying that in like 1990, and you got a brand new 1990 300e , and you say its not a prestige car?