New Mercedes Vito London Black Taxi Cab Review by Stormcab

[OldVideoPro]

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!

[Anthony3974]

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!

[BillDFC]

@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.

[ARTCELLproductions]

I found this interesting and informative. I have been wondering which to buy, now Im thinking its NOT a mercedes !!!!

[Anthony3974]

Well documented Video Stormcab, very well balanced and informative....decisions decisions!

[Croydonia2]

The lack of windows isn't so much a design oversight but a safety feature. I've been reading some info on the Vito taxi and the PCO requested that with the doors being able to open automatically there should be no window incase a passenger has their head out the window and has a final destination moment. You'd think you could have those windows that are hinged on one side like on 3dr hatchbacks or other mpv's.

[arriviste2020]

Good review, with sensible notations. It's small niggly things which give the most aggro. I would agree with the 4 wheel steering. It's been around a long time and it's not a great reflection on Mercedes engineering.

[muhamedberisha1]

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.

[bigsarslondon]

good info... you say it true.."ITS NOT A BLACK CAB"...and in my view.. A "VAN" AS STILL A "VAN"..evean with a yellow taxi sign on it... LONG LIVE THE TX RANGE. thay have always had little problems but all get sorted.. but then whos going to pay that much and then say..ive wasted 40.k

[bigsarslondon]

good info... you say it true.."ITS NOT A BLACK CAB"...and in my view.. A "VAN" AS STILL A "VAN"..evean with a yellow taxi sign on it... LONG LIVE THE TX RANGE

[dullaz786]

I love my vito taxi Brilliant better than black cabs

[Anthony3974]

@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

[satchboogyfan]

Mercedes makes mistakes ?

Clearly there's not enough profit margin for them to care

Or they would have done the research

[BillDFC]

I have heard many stories about the TX4 engine blowing up at about 120 th. miles.

By then, the warranty has expired.

[staypress]

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.

[wickiezulu]

I was picked up by a Vito London Taxi the other day, admitingly I was initially caught off guard since I was expecting a Black Cab though by the end of the journey I loved the amount of space in the back.

Anyway, the cab driver was saying that the Vito is a lot cheaper to run than a Black Cab and I was wondering if that’s true or not?

[Stormcab]

@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)

[BillDFC]

@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.

[Anthony3974]

@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

[Crazybenjiwoo]

7k for a merc taxi, their well over 30k in ireland !

ffs !

[THEKLANSMANYA]

A few of the guys up here in Edinburgh are going back to the TX after suffering these vans. Now (Sept 2010) they still suffer from the same problems you mention in your video. M&O have recently opened up here, and seem to be doing a lot of sales. My next cab will be my third TX4. The only vehicle for the job, in my opinion!

[BillDFC]

@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!

[JBOGermany]

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 .

[alanheath]

Excellent review - you said the bad points and that is what is important to know!!

[richyrangers]

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

[Stormcab]

@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.

[theHatchett1]

the merc's a pile of shit! looks scabby lee and punters pass you still to this day to get in a real taxi london needs to have the taxi like red busses taxi's are iconic to london! nuff said Be lucky!!!!

[integgy95]

Wow life must be tough for this guy.. Talk about a chronic complainer.. Jesus Christ

[Stormcab]

@integgy95 yes, and speaking of a chronic complainer....here's integgy95....complaining. Youtube is full of hypocrits with no talent.

[alanheath]

@Stormcab This is a review it is supposed to be about complaints. A review that says how wonderful everything is can only be regarded with suspicion. On the other hand integgy95 - yes, what a hypocrite. I get plenty of the likes of him on my channel as well.

[BillDFC]

@integgy95 He is a bit of a moaner!

[transitcoffin]

it will never ever be as good as the london taxi 21st cen or not its shit the vito

[royalcollage]

when it is the kipper season you could do man with a van for £30 an hour just take the seats out,or just drive for addison lee

[BillDFC]

@royalcollage The TX4 is little more than a van...albeit a crap one!

[quirpco]

The Vito sounds like a better delivery van than a taxi.

[bigneil8888]

nice review

[joeman148q]

Mercedes Vito London Black Taxi Cab how much?

l live in hong kong

[scruttart]

It doesn't matter whether you run a Vito a TX or even a Reliant Robin TFL will string the licensed cab trade along until the 2012 Olympics because they will need as much transport a they can muster,after that the official trade will be swallowed up by the big mini cab companies,the government want it because it is an excellent way of hiding the truth about unemployment,it is also a good first entry job for asylum seekers Eastern Europeans & terrorists with hidden cameras,U R better off on DHS

[royalcollage]

van with seats in,all it needs is the add lee sticker on the bk and your away

[bdeithrick]

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.

[BillDFC]

Get the smog out of your eyes....

[Boocho88]

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 :)

[liverpoolfrench]

its time we all stood up to bring the price of all these cabs down. Also the juberlee low floor merc does not have electric doors or any of the faults you menchoin.

[99004197]

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

[BillDFC]

I didn't realise theTX1 was banned in London.

[Darwinion]

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.

[BillDFC]

@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..

[transitcoffin]

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 ; )

[anthonylwyr]

just been to coventry to see the merc being made and was quite impressed the only thing i can't work out is if you were buying a new and different taxi why did you buy a silver one that looks like something lewis day mini scum drivers use ????? surely knowing how new this vehicle was to London you would have kept it black as in London Black Taxi

[JG52kroat]

Why don't you guys adress your local Mercedes dealership or the Mercedes importer in UK about those issues?

[hutch76]

Still love my old Fairway...best cab ever!

Hopefully the TX5 will go back to a Nissan?

[SILVERSHILLING]

Well, if this review is not proof positive to all you manfacturers and marketing people out there ...ask first the people who have to work and live with these products .....(very good review by the way)

[helltopay1]

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.

[Stormcab]

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.

[helltopay1]

Stormacab ,you did register on the forum and now you keep off ,just wondered thats all,no issues buddy.

[BillDFC]

@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!

[SuperKojak2009]

well I certainly do not want a Vito---LTI will come through this. Wait and see

[politirel]

Great video and great review, well done.

[SuperKojak2009]

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?

[BillDFC]

Dream on! They are bankrupt,not just financially,but also as far as ideas go!

Only London wants LTI suff-the rest of the world isn't interested.

[SuperKojak2009]

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.

[Stormcab]

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.

[shane491]

great video i will hang on to my fairway for now but the 3 grand scrapage is tempting stormcab rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Stormcab]

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!

[shane491]

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 !!

[SuperKojak2009]

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?

[SuperKojak2009]

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.

[Stormcab]

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.

[paneksshops]

yeah ! he can get it moe customers and money $ ,but this merc Vito is a shit car ! and visit to mechanic is always after 150,000 in clock :/ i have two of theese craps car

[staypress]

I dont think he was paid nowt just being truthfull.

I am keeping my TX1 though Good luck withe the MERCE

[acabbie]

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.

[JBOGermany]

@acabbie oh yes the rear air-con is to powerfull its at fridge 

[1964barts]

all of the little issues ironed out are you having a giggle ask kpm about the 2 blown engines at 80,000 miles italian rubbish which even italian army did not want

[Stormcab]

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.

[staypress]

sorry swear

[staypress]

Moneyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy of course from Merc

[staypress]

very good could you dot the same thing when you get youre TX4 please

[Stormcab]

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.

[staypress]

thanks by the way where did i SWARE??

[Stormcab]

You used the C word on my diary video, and S word on bilker video. Thanks for the comments.

[staypress]

oh dear it must be hanging around cab drivers for 24 years be lucky

[BillDFC]

SWARE??? What does that word mean?

[1964barts]

hope you got a good warranty you are gonna need it dont worry about mini cab argument people know what they are and guess what they prefer to get in to dial a cab are now informing corperate accounts that they have 25 vito on fleet i give L.T.I 2 years and then they will be in china they dont care about london drivers selling us crap for years and charing top dollar for it why do you think they dropped 5000 offprice 3 weeks after merc came out

[cookiecamp]

love your vids man

and its always great to hear you call up on big george's radio show

:)

[sweetcorn1968]

Hi Stormcab. Loved the review, watch out Clarkson.

Sweetcorn

[llanyboy]

What a lovely motor, the old black cabs are sad the ride is horrid, good to see a new motor on the block 10/10

[chazchazfbi]

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

[tora1999]

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?

[inkibert]

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.

[Stormcab]

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.

[1964barts]

it shows lti are worried when they knock money off cabs 25% of market in 6 months about time better than the txs by miles

[thelondondailynews]

Justin great work man!  Excellent camera work.

[fairwaynoob]

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 .

[TheAndersonShelter]

Jason can you please contact John "the cabby" kennedy through the London daily news or the new LTCPR web blog.

[steveallen808909]

i will never ever ever drive what those chavs drive but im sure it has a great engine but looking like addison lee is a step to far

[TheAndersonShelter]

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.

[mickie22]

quality vid pal..

[ezetobebad]

Very informative & well balanced review....thanks for sharing Mr Stormcab.

[baldandold]

its a merc....enjoy!

[BillDFC]

If only the TX4 had the Toyota engine that was in the TTT metrocab.

[BLACKCAB11]

It looks like a scab cab ill stick with me fairway ......

[wheretoguv]

Its not a black cab.

[bzee17]

Nice informative vid, too much electronics, more to go wrong. Tx4 are nice vehicles but would be better with a japenese engine.