so the e-class in a taxicab in germany...
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From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
There was a taxicab on the showroom floor at the factory Mercedes dealership attached to the new museum in Stuttgart when I visited last July.
When we visited the test track at Unterturkheim, there was a taxi E-class racing around the track. The "taxi" sign on the roof is an OE Mercedes part.
Saw S-class taxis, as well. (Very few.)
Forgotten in the mists of history is the fact there was near revolution and riot among taxi drivers when the W124 replaced the W123.
When we visited the test track at Unterturkheim, there was a taxi E-class racing around the track. The "taxi" sign on the roof is an OE Mercedes part.
Saw S-class taxis, as well. (Very few.)
Forgotten in the mists of history is the fact there was near revolution and riot among taxi drivers when the W124 replaced the W123.
Last edited by lkchris; Nov 11, 2006 at 12:54 PM.
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From: Albuquerque, NM
09' E350, 01' Maxima SE, 93 Nissan Maxima SE, 1987 Nissan Maxima SE
not surprise to see a Mercedes as a taxi cab, it's widely perfer car in most of Europe. In the middle east I seen a Nissan Maxima as police cars in Israel, know as the Infiniti I35 in the U.S.
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From: Albuquerque
'10 CL550, '12 GL550
Mercedes are expensive because of their engineering and their country of origin and because their engines don't date back to 1955.
"Luxury" is a REALLY silly concept and it's a real money maker because the dummies that need it really pay a lot.
Finally, go to Germany some time and see how you like paying $5-$8 for a McDonald's hamburger. USA is a 3rd-world country in comparison.
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From: Oakbrook, IL
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For most people in Germany its all about the fuel economy. At $5 to $8 a gallon can you blame them? Gotta love those desiels...
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Europeans don't attach brand names such as MB and BMW to luxury/sporting images, nor do they consider size; they consider the model and engine type. Even though it's relatively large in most European cities, a 2.0 liter diesel C-class with no options would be the equivalent of a taxi and not considered a luxury car, whereas a C55 AMG with the same body would be considered a luxury car due to the gas-guzzling V8.
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Mercedes all the way!
well, here's a pic of a Merc taxi in Singapore:
[from http://www.melchers.com.sg/cng/index.html]
They are quite common but this pic is of the compressed natural gas bi-fuel version, of which there are just 30. The others run on diesel.
You can see the steel rims etc which differentiate them from normal E-classes. Also the interior plastics are of different quality (they are hard and hard-wearing - no touchy feely stuff there) and the seats are a much cheaper "leather".
Very comfy, though, and rides as well as any other E.
[from http://www.melchers.com.sg/cng/index.html]
They are quite common but this pic is of the compressed natural gas bi-fuel version, of which there are just 30. The others run on diesel.
You can see the steel rims etc which differentiate them from normal E-classes. Also the interior plastics are of different quality (they are hard and hard-wearing - no touchy feely stuff there) and the seats are a much cheaper "leather".
Very comfy, though, and rides as well as any other E.
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00 MB ML55, 91 Toyota Supra Turbo(sold), 06 E500(gone), 03 BMW M3
First of all, they have cloth upholstery, manual wind windows, steel wheels, etc.
Mercedes are expensive because of their engineering and their country of origin and because their engines don't date back to 1955.
"Luxury" is a REALLY silly concept and it's a real money maker because the dummies that need it really pay a lot.
Finally, go to Germany some time and see how you like paying $5-$8 for a McDonald's hamburger. USA is a 3rd-world country in comparison.
Mercedes are expensive because of their engineering and their country of origin and because their engines don't date back to 1955.
"Luxury" is a REALLY silly concept and it's a real money maker because the dummies that need it really pay a lot.
Finally, go to Germany some time and see how you like paying $5-$8 for a McDonald's hamburger. USA is a 3rd-world country in comparison.
I hope I am missing your point, because if you go to GREECE, a country on the brink of actually being a 3rd world country, almost all taxis are E classes, so that kills that point, and have you ever been to a proffessional sporting event in the US? Try coming to Boston where we pay $8 a beer, $100 a ticket, and $15 for a value meal at the McDonalds in the Stadium... I hope I misunderstood what you were trying to say
And the reason we dont use them here in the states? Because all the taxis here are left over police cars, lol...
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is a German Tank
your saying that the US is a 3rd world country in comparison to Germany because they pay $5-8 for a hamburger and Benzes are used as taxis?
I hope I am missing your point, because if you go to GREECE, a country on the brink of actually being a 3rd world country, almost all taxis are E classes, so that kills that point, and have you ever been to a proffessional sporting event in the US? Try coming to Boston where we pay $8 a beer, $100 a ticket, and $15 for a value meal at the McDonalds in the Stadium... I hope I misunderstood what you were trying to say
And the reason we dont use them here in the states? Because all the taxis here are left over police cars, lol...
I hope I am missing your point, because if you go to GREECE, a country on the brink of actually being a 3rd world country, almost all taxis are E classes, so that kills that point, and have you ever been to a proffessional sporting event in the US? Try coming to Boston where we pay $8 a beer, $100 a ticket, and $15 for a value meal at the McDonalds in the Stadium... I hope I misunderstood what you were trying to say
And the reason we dont use them here in the states? Because all the taxis here are left over police cars, lol...
I went to Imax at the Aquarium and for two adults, 4 kids it was close to $100 dollars to get in! that does not include junk food, plus a 30 dollar parking stub for 2 hours...
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From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
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Why No E Class Taxis in The USA?
... because we Americans are bigger & fatter. I couldn't imagine trying to get into, or heaven help me get out of the back seat of an E Class Taxi in mid town Manhattan. There isn't enough time to accomplish this!. The fact is Ford even makes a special longer wheelbase (6 inches longer rear door/rear leg room) version of the Ford Crown Victoria which is used by all NYC taxi fleets.
The local "call for a ride" suburban taxi companies, mostly use recycled Cop cars with the short wheelbase/smaller rear doors, because cop cars are auctioned off when they still have some life left to them, at about 80,000 miles, whereas the longer wheelbase NYC cabs are used, then cannibalized untill there's absolutely nothing reuseable... then its off to the crusher.
The local "call for a ride" suburban taxi companies, mostly use recycled Cop cars with the short wheelbase/smaller rear doors, because cop cars are auctioned off when they still have some life left to them, at about 80,000 miles, whereas the longer wheelbase NYC cabs are used, then cannibalized untill there's absolutely nothing reuseable... then its off to the crusher.
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ah yes, i wish boston would use the longer wheelbase NYC taxis. One time in NYC a short wheelbase taxi stopped to pick me up and the people i was with were furious because i sent it on its way... I need the leg room!
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