2008 Mercedes Vito London Black Taxi Cab Review by Stormcab
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 5 окт 2024
- Please note, this review was done in 2008, when the Vito was new. Since then there have been several upgrades.
I hired one of these to test on the busy streets of London. I was going to hire it for a month, but I knew within a few hours that I didn't think it was practical as a London Black Taxi. Besides, all of the little issues with the TX4 have been ironed out, hopefully, and KPM are offering £6000 off if you buy before New Year. That's effectively £7000 if you count interest on the finance.
![BabyChiefDoit - Too Slow (feat. STAR BANDZ) [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/zayaxws7RPg/mqdefault.jpg)
I started doing the knowledge in 1983 and I will never forget I was in Marble Arch with my bike and I was learning the runs when two cabbies approached me and said: " young man, this trade is dying, you better of doing something else, we make minimum wage". I finished the K in 1986 and drove a cab until 2012 till I retired. If you are a complainer, than you will never be satisfied with anything (I am not talking about you in particular).
Great review mate. Your totally right, this is luxury but its no london icon like the black cab. I get same problem people dont recognise the vito as a taxi. TX1 is the best 1 made bloody dont understand why they band it in london
Great video would be nice to see one on the tx4 detailed and what it is like to drive one all day long for someone thinking of doing the knowledge full drivers space shots etc
i'm very happy with my vito.........great service when i had a problem recently, not suffered from any fuel spillage and very happy with the windows....no more idiots shouting at pedestrians on a fri/sat night! Turning is restrcitive but with a smoother gearbox and lighter steering a 3 point turn is very easy! no probs with heating controls, all sorted and rear air-con works brilliantly.Took a week to get used to working it but 5 weeks on i love it!
Be Lucky.
One of the best reveiws i have seen on the merc.
I have posted it on "the anderson shelter! web blog, although I will remove if you wish.
Love your videos and this one in particular. I am not a cabble, but I do own a 1997 Fairway just for fun and personal use. I'd be interested to know your opinion of the FX4/Fairway Vs TX4 debate especially after you've had all this problems with your TX4.
Personally, I love the Fairway; it's slow, noisy, does about 23 to the gallon and everyone who travels in it, loves it. Keep making the videos!
Been out in the Vito on a 24 hour drive. My update is--It's a great drive, But it really is to big and not as practical as a TX. Doors are fiddly and take to long to open n shut. Loads of noise when doors open and when intercom used. To many buttons to press especially when working the doors. I have now decided to get a TX4 it's much more practical and it's a ' cab '. Your video stormcab was spot on.
I think Mercedes should get advice from cab drivers how to make the best design
I didn't buy one, this is rented, as I knew a short test drive around the block wasn't going to show what is was like on the road. The main grumble I have with it is that the back windows don't go down. It would take many things going wrong with my TX4 before I decide to change. Even on really cold days people asked if I could put the windows down! what's going to happen on boiling hot summer days? air conditioning? passengers in the past still put their windows down even with air con.
i drive daily round about 600kms in my Vito taxi. Smooth and powerful (150 hp) engine and manual gearbox. 2 Slide-doors rear air-con aux-heater ,Leather steering-wheel with remote for the radio and car computer. its runs great but a little bit rusty (typical Vito Problem) its a 04 with now 306000 km on it .
I wrote a response to Stormcabs review over a year ago and wanted to give an update. I initially drove the Vito 111cdi which was plagued with little problems including, poor intercom system, rear wheel steer problems and badly designed cabin. Since tha time i went back to a TX2-TX4 which i got rid of quite recently for the latest Mercedes Vito 113cdi which is a completely different animal. It is more powerful, more refined, more fuel efficient and Mercedes have ironed out past problems. Get one!
thanks a lot mate, sorry for me being a little out of order. Yeah PCO demise has affected all of us, but this trade is so valuable to the city and I can't imagine London with no cabbies :( Being a cabbie was the greatest thing, and if it was not for my health I would still be driving around London every day ;) Be safe
I hope your 'proper cab' is more reliable than the last one, to be honest I'm quite pleased that the German one doesn't com up to scratch :)
I haven't had any trouble with my new TX4 except air leaking from the break system (no issue and it will be sorted under warranty). The intercom is good, the back windows go down, the u-turn works backwards and forwards at any speed, and nothing like the nightmare that was my last one. I might rethink the Mercedes if they they attempt to redesign it and have passenger windows that go down. Also can I ask a favour, that is not to use swear words in your comments, as children in my family view.
I waited outside Liv St specifically for a Vito cab, to see what it was like. (sad I know)
As a passenger, on the back bench, it feels like you're sat on a springboard or the padded floor of an old van, which I guess is exactly what it is.
Looking forward to seeing the new Nissan cab, maybe that will be better.
great video i will hang on to my fairway for now but the 3 grand scrapage is tempting stormcab rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Very very true (on the sound) how unprofessional of me. In my defense, I had a small window in which to film so had to do it down the road. For my latest video (one I was paid for) I did drive out into the country to a quiet road. My TX4 is running fantastically, it has a few niggles, but a dream compared to the last one - the choice of car is yours - my intention was just to give my own view.
Don't apologize mate, I didn't do this to have everyone agree with me. I did it because this is what I do - make videos for the cab trade - in this instance a new London taxi had been made by Mercedes so I gave my own opinion; good points and bad. What I have said here corresponds to my own experience driving one for two weeks, everyone is entitled to their opinion, and here is mine.
Good review mate, much helpful and appreciated. Thanks
Well documented Video Stormcab, very well balanced and informative....decisions decisions!
@richyrangers yep. I drove a rented Fairway for 2 years, and now I have been driving TX4s for nearly 4 years which are smother/faster/and have air con, but I have to admit, I didn't see any change in tips or earnings.
I tried replying to your message, but it's saying you've put some sort of contact block in place which prevents it.
Ive had one for a year now a 113 model 63 plate and ye i have had the door closing on punters a few times but no sickos yet. Ye they have changed some stuff since this video but overall I love the vehicle and I can safely say that I have gained more fares than lost because of the extra room and the comfort plus rear A/C and of course being a 6 seater. Ye I have had a few mechanical things go wrong but ATEOTD is a more reliable vehicle than the TX4 and is in the workshop much less and is better on the fuel and needs less servicing. My main dislikes are the sliding doors as punters sometimes try and open them themselves and I have to keep saying stop stop they r auto and I will open em . The size is OK although u have to be more careful gaps. . I rarely use the RWS and prefer to do 5 point turns instead.
I have heard many stories about the TX4 engine blowing up at about 120 th. miles.
By then, the warranty has expired.
I used to say that I would have bought a Fairway myself if the suspension wasn't so bad, but when the summer hits us - OH MAN - that air conditioning in my TX4 is B- U-T-FUL!
Glad to hear you still want a Black Cab. LTI will sort ot out hopefully. Don't let Mercedes in thats ridiculous. Want to see the funny walk again?
@wickiezulu Merc offer a better warranty, longer service intervals and reduced running costs. There is still an emotional attachment to the TX series, but it is outdated and a bit of a dinosaur.
@Stormcab Have to admit,as much as I like the Merc,sliding doors in a taxi is not a good idea! I bought a T reg TX1 in Edinburgh today...bargain and it's only done 420,000 miles!
I been drivin vito cab in manchester for 2 weeks now. And the problem is some ppl dont know its a black cab so stop the cab behind. There shud be more advertising telling ppl that its black cab
Oh, okay, have they ironed out windows that go down in the back? Have they ironed out the the u-turn that only works below 5mph and not backwards? Have they ironed out the position of the temperature controls? Have they ironed out the awkward fuel cap position? Have they ironed out the people who still think they are minicabs? I can't see how they have mate. TX4 and the new Merc are not whatt we need, but we have to choose, and for me the Merc has too much against it.
@wickiezulu I only drove it for 2 weeks, in those 2 weeks I didn't notice any difference in fuel, in fact, sometimes I think it used more; i'm a bit of a wild driver lol.. If I wanted an easy life I would buy a silver vito, because they need washing less. However, I love the black cab symbol, so that's exactly what I have bought. The Merc has longer service intervals, and gets a some free stuff (it's either inspections or services)
I suppose like many customers, I had never given taxi design much thought. That was until I read a story in today's 'Die Zeit' newspaper (6th January 2014) that a Chinese entrepreneur (Li Shufu) had taken over the London Taxi Company. Obviously, the London Taxi Co. must have a lot going for it to make it worth sinking £13 million into the firm (with another £150 promised in investment). Let us hope taxi-drivers and customers get the vehicle they need at an affordable price.
Here in Barcelona, I have only ever seen a couple of London taxis. I know they are very expensive to import. In a market in which there are far too many taxis for the 'trade', few taxi-drivers are willing shell out more for a purpose-built vehicle.
I agree with you. with over 22000 cab drivers there is bound to me many opinions. I'm still not sure which way to go although I am more for the Vito. Have you got your new TX4? if so how is it and r u happy with it?
very good review,, thanks, better that stupid top gear, i learned something here from a proper worker ,, and the doors will break and back axl will leak cus it turns.
great review
Sorry I can't agree. I think the Vito is a good vehicle. It's very comfy. apparently there is a new engine for it around end sept time. The few probs there are-- are not really worth it when you compare the rubbish LTI have given us. Rust--Radiator probs---bad fittings---crap engines--I could go on. The vito is better quality and I tested one and had 100% positive feedback from the punters.
@acabbie oh yes the rear air-con is to powerfull its at fridge
thanks mate for video,i woz thinkin about a vito,coz im 6'4" and uncortforatable in a tx,but like u i hate these in town,ok if doing airport only,but then i go stir crazy.I have drove one,for a morning enough already,so back to tx4,,tar matey
I’d just stay with my tx4 57 plate never given me problems
U older drivers need a few more creature comforts and driving round in a stormtrooper suit in a combustable tx4 must get warm lol ps MY fairway clubclass has aircon front and back i just want a summer 2 use it !!
I didn't realise theTX1 was banned in London.
nice review
@THEKLANSMANYA Interested in your comments from down there in Edinburgh ( I am in Dundee).
I was offered 5 grand trade in from M&O Broxburn for my T reg. TX1 against a new TX4, whereas Patons offered me 2 grand against a new Vito.
The new TX4 seems to be the business,but I love Mercs!
All cabbies tell you it's dead, they don't want competition lol
When is the TX5 arriving? I have heard of this but as usual everyone is keeping quiet. You would of thought LTI would of been pushing the TX to get it's sales up. As for the Vito, It will never look like a cab. I'm sticking with the TX Models. Just need to know when the TX5 is out. Anyone Help?
quality review. i wanted to like it but i cannot believe they got it so wrong. one day someone will force LTI Vehicles to up it's game.
Stormacab ,you did register on the forum and now you keep off ,just wondered thats all,no issues buddy.
If only the TX4 had the Toyota engine that was in the TTT metrocab.
I have the vito taxi and it beats my old tx4 hands down
Why don't you guys adress your local Mercedes dealership or the Mercedes importer in UK about those issues?
Jason can you please contact John "the cabby" kennedy through the London daily news or the new LTCPR web blog.
Hello Mate,
Sorry to bother you, but I wonder why this trade is dying? And also what do you think about the sat-nav versus the Knowledge, since you are a cabbie (imo Knowledge CAN'T be beaten). Thanks in advance
You used the C word on my diary video, and S word on bilker video. Thanks for the comments.
great review. ive had 8 new cabs in 21 years they all had faults. the vito has faults and i agree its not a cab really. however compared to a tx 4 its a rolls royce and the tx 4 is a bucket in my opinion. the faults on the 4 are 10 times as many as on the vito. the build quality on the 4 is laughable. at the end of the day its down to each driver as for me next time i trade in my 4 year old tx11 which has been freehold for a year its going to be a VITO goodbye lti .
very good could you dot the same thing when you get youre TX4 please
u should see the tx1 a drive this is luxury to me lol but i see ur points end of the day they all make the same cash as they dont make the meter run faster lol enjoy big yin
u shood get a Fiat Doblo :) low tax u get alot MPG inof room for 4-5 smal from out side so easy to drive in busi streets big from inside inof leg room head room they dont break down u can open the back windows :) btw in england cap drivers get stabed or somting so they need that plastic window betwen driver pasanger ? sorry for bad english :)
Hi Stormcab. Loved the review, watch out Clarkson.
Sweetcorn
Would you reccomed a TX4 as just a fun car or a TX2
How come you left the LTDF stormcab?we are working our whatsits off trying to sort this trade out and no I am not an RNT member.
I dont think he was paid nowt just being truthfull.
I am keeping my TX1 though Good luck withe the MERCE
thanks by the way where did i SWARE??
Been driving the111 CDI Vito for 3 weeks now rented from a Garage and have to admit not very impressed!! As Storm says, it is very roomy, comfortable, better on fuel aprrox 26-29 MPG in town, BUT!!!!.....Intercom system is absolute garbage, sounds like a badly tuned radio from the 1960s, my overall verdict is that its to big for Cab driving in the tight streets of London, rear wheel turn is a disaster waiting to happen and the people at KPM are bloody useless, slidiing doors tempremental!
Wow I’m doing Uber in my new car but I also have a old 2008 Mercedes Benz Vito black taxi cab and I might quit Uber and be a black taxi cab driver
why would a well trained london taxi driver would want to look like a mini cab .... please look iconic like what you deserve . I think fairways & TX,s are unique
@wickiezulu what you mean you loved seating in all that space by yourself??? when i had one customers looked completely lost in the back of them, infact i needed a telescope to see there faces they were so far back LOL
Mercedes Vito London Black Taxi Cab how much?
l live in hong kong
i agree with you mate a fantastic engine new breed for this cab is shite i loved the 2.7 nissan when i had my own taxi in my fairway ; )
sorry to hear that so we might be of similar age and I wonder If I know u where did u stop??
I have never been a member of the LTDF, I am a member of the LTDA. I think it's fare to say I am doing my bit with the many taxi related videos out there and working to get rid of the touts at hotspots.
@Darwinion A previous commentor said that( 99004197 about 2 months ago)
I thought that was wrong. I have just bought a T reg. TX1 today..
SWARE??? What does that word mean?
sorry for the delay :) I am 61(1952.08.24). Sorry but what do you mean by stop :) ?
25 December 2022
I have 20 units of diesel TX4 2009 Though outside of UK, diesel expenditures runs about 15ltr per 60Miles is this normal, and has anyone ever tried to fit into TX4 a Mercedes 250engine for fuel consumption issues, this would be of great help if anyone could help on this matter.
Stormcab, Can you make a good wage becoming a London Cabbie. I keep reading the trade is dying and you need to work longer and harder than ever before. I hope that is not the case as I am doing the knowledge.
Did you ever get out in the end ?
I love my vito taxi Brilliant better than black cabs
Because of the new 15 year limits on London cabs I will be forced to buy a new one but which????. I think the merc has probs as demonstrated here and the TX4'S are built like shit but r an iconic trad cab .At the end of the day I think the more convenient simplistic TX4 is better than the Merc . I mean no windows and that turning circle thing gosh and those horrid sliding doors.
oh dear it must be hanging around cab drivers for 24 years be lucky
7k for a merc taxi, their well over 30k in ireland !
ffs !
For an taxi its the best to have an 4x4. Had one without....jesus
i owned and worked a 2010 Tx4 in bristol for 3 years here is my honest thoughts..
overpriced,overheat i went through 4 water res bottles they kept on spliting, i went though 3 clutch slave cylinders..shit intercom, horrid to drive.. do a 10hr shift in these things and you no it..back door never use to close properly,, shit on fuel.. no leg room... hot air used to blow through the heater in the summer.. they handle like crap... no power in the 2,5l engine.. my 1.6hdi has more power...engine noise so loud when driving down motorway,,the best thing about the TX is the plastic screen,, but thats what you get for 36k... never again would i buy ones of these.. you london drivers deserve better... i sold mine at 100k miles as i thought the engine was going to go bang it used to get that hot....are no brakes on these things aswell... and they rust... i look forward to the next tx electric lol that will be interesting
It's not. Where did you hear this load of old pony? TX1 had the best engine ever fitted to a London Cab... same as the older Fairway Driver... the Nissan 2.7.
Mercedes makes mistakes ?
Clearly there's not enough profit margin for them to care
Or they would have done the research
Have you got the knowledge?
well I certainly do not want a Vito---LTI will come through this. Wait and see
@Anthony3974 Have to admit,sliding doors on a taxi is not a good idea. Are the newer TX4's much better than the early ones? I don't seem to hear as people complaining about problems these days. I am considering buying one of the last of the Euro 1V's.
why not just get an old fairway lying about
Moneyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy of course from Merc
@dullaz786 people only buy them because of the Mercedez badge at the front of the vehicle, on the whole the Vito an overpriced Van with seats in the back and far too impracticle to be a london taxi
@royalcollage The TX4 is little more than a van...albeit a crap one!
its a merc....enjoy!
Get sick bags like on a plane..?
k fair enough but u see where I am coming from . It is not the same and changed for the worse and I am just a bit miffed about it u know with the demise of the PCO etc etc the list is endless . Good luck on you're retirement I wish I could retire
1:10 What's that music?
Strauss, from the movie 2001
thx!
it will never ever be as good as the london taxi 21st cen or not its shit the vito
London cab trade is dying
Don't criticize something you don't understand!
oh really well as a cab driver for 28 years I think I am qualified to make a valid comment about a trade I do no a little about so get off yer high horse
Anyone selling a cheap vito taxi let me no plz