W211 taxis in Europe
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
W211 taxis in Europe
I was recently in Central Europe (known as "Eastern Europe" in the days of the Evil Empire) and saw several W211 taxis. That's been discussed and illustrated here before and so I won't post the picture I took of one unless somebody really wants to see it. At the airport where we arrived in Europe I saw several W211 and W210 taxis in the taxi rank. What struck me as unusual about that was that the airport was Munich, and I got to wondering ... why aren't there any BMW taxis? I didn't see a single one anywhere in Munich, or Vienna, or Budapest, or Krakow, or Prague - just lots of E-Class taxis. It's not like BMW doesn't sell a 5-series diesel; they do, in Europe. Assuming my premise is correct, does anyone have a theory on why M-Bs are a preferred taxi in Europe and BMWs are not?
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Originally Posted by DWP
I was recently in Central Europe (known as "Eastern Europe" in the days of the Evil Empire) and saw several W211 taxis. That's been discussed and illustrated here before and so I won't post the picture I took of one unless somebody really wants to see it. At the airport where we arrived in Europe I saw several W211 and W210 taxis in the taxi rank. What struck me as unusual about that was that the airport was Munich, and I got to wondering ... why aren't there any BMW taxis? I didn't see a single one anywhere in Munich, or Vienna, or Budapest, or Krakow, or Prague - just lots of E-Class taxis. It's not like BMW doesn't sell a 5-series diesel; they do, in Europe. Assuming my premise is correct, does anyone have a theory on why M-Bs are a preferred taxi in Europe and BMWs are not?
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: New Jersey, USA
W211 & Q7
BMW does not build cars for taxi companies but mb does. I rode mb cabs in Demark and Singapore but their interiors are far from yours and mine -- these cars are "cheaply" built -- you don't see COMAND there and of course no leather; however, exteriors are exactly same as ours.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Hertfordshire, UK
ML 320 CDI
Originally Posted by Otto
BMW does not build cars for taxi companies but mb does. I rode mb cabs in Demark and Singapore but their interiors are far from yours and mine -- these cars are "cheaply" built -- you don't see COMAND there and of course no leather; however, exteriors are exactly same as ours.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
Originally Posted by Otto
BMW does not build cars for taxi companies but mb does. I rode mb cabs in Demark and Singapore but their interiors are far from yours and mine -- these cars are "cheaply" built -- you don't see COMAND there and of course no leather; however, exteriors are exactly same as ours.
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From: Las Vegas, NV USA / London, UK
GL320CDI / C63 Edition 507 Coupe (EDP) / E63 S (on order) / G500 / Smart Brabus
For whatever reason, the "Mercedes as taxi" image is probably more negative than positive. As MB owners, we try to put a positive spin on it. Just like the owners of US-made cars that are used as taxis or police cars...
I know several persons who were raised in Europe and now own BMWs in the US because their perception is "MB is just another taxi".
-s-
I know several persons who were raised in Europe and now own BMWs in the US because their perception is "MB is just another taxi".
-s-
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From: global traveller
some slow@$$diesels
Originally Posted by Otto
BMW does not build cars for taxi companies but mb does. I rode mb cabs in Demark and Singapore but their interiors are far from yours and mine -- these cars are "cheaply" built -- you don't see COMAND there and of course no leather; however, exteriors are exactly same as ours.
The ROW just doesn't get all the goodies that MBUSA offers as standard for their customers.
greetingz,
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Joined: May 2003
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From: Hong Kong
03' silver e320 advantgarde
Originally Posted by Otto
BMW does not build cars for taxi companies but mb does. I rode mb cabs in Demark and Singapore but their interiors are far from yours and mine -- these cars are "cheaply" built -- you don't see COMAND there and of course no leather; however, exteriors are exactly same as ours.
and it's a stick-shifted w211!!
gary
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From: FL410
'05 E320 CDI, '08 BMW X5 4.8i, '11 Duramax 2500HD
I would say that the reason that most cabs are Mercedes is the same reason that most cop cars, and cabs, and limo's here in the US are Ford/Merc/Lincoln... reliability. I have asked several cab and limo drivers why they have Ford vs GM products and they all say the same thing.. cost of operation.
