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London taxi - vito - problems ?
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Author:  acabbie [ Wed Oct 01, 2008 12:29 pm ]
Post subject:  London taxi - vito - problems ?
Speaking to a mate last night, he told me that one of the new vito taxis in London had a problem recently with the rear steering axle. Apparently the rear wheels both turned inwards causing the cab to become unusable Now, we know how the trade is a hotbed for gossip and Chinese whispers so i'd like to know if anyone can confirm this has happened.

I've spoken to a few drivers who have bought the new cab and so far their experience of driving it around London has been a positive one, very comfortable, good economy; one driver reckoned on 28-30mpg whilst another suggested 30-32mpg so an average of 30mpg is certainly an improvement over many of the current fleet. One of the drivers i spoke to admitted that he may be losing a bit of work at the moment because of people failing to identify it as a London taxi but that should resolve itself relatively quickly, another driver told me he had no problems going into Euston station (anyone who uses the rank, knows how low the ceiling is in there) though did say it was tight!

There is currently an article running in the TAXI trade paper where a new owner is writing a journal for the next year on the new cab so i'll be interested to read the 2nd installment and see how he is getting on.

for anyone not in London who wants to have a read then check out the LTDA webiste where you can view the trade paper in PDF format

http://www.ltda.co.uk

The article in question is headed "the mole in the merc" and is on page 11 of this months issue.

I plan to buy one eventually but not for a good 18-24 months as i only recently bought my TX4, that will give it enough time for any problems to be rectified and also perhaps a newer design be released with the wheelchair ramp incorporated into the floor, a spare wheel and a few other additions...........well one can hope anyhow :wink:
Author:  skippy41 [ Wed Oct 01, 2008 1:12 pm ]
Post subject: 
Code:
I plan to buy one eventually but not for a good 18-24 months as i only recently bought my TX4, that will give it enough time for any problems to be rectified and also perhaps a newer design be released with the wheelchair ramp incorporated into the floor, a spare wheel and a few other additions...........well one can hope anyhow


They do have a spare wheel its underneath the rear. :shock:
You could refuse to have the fire mods done, on the TX and get a full refund :D
Author:  acabbie [ Wed Oct 01, 2008 1:42 pm ]
Post subject: 
skippy41 wrote:
Code:
I plan to buy one eventually but not for a good 18-24 months as i only recently bought my TX4, that will give it enough time for any problems to be rectified and also perhaps a newer design be released with the wheelchair ramp incorporated into the floor, a spare wheel and a few other additions...........well one can hope anyhow


They do have a spare wheel its underneath the rear. :shock:
You could refuse to have the fire mods done, on the TX and get a full refund :D


The london vito doesn't have a spare wheel, as i undertand it, it would have to have been a space saver type which the PCO didn't feel fit to pass! Instead you get a can of tyre-weld and have to use that.

Now getting a full refund would be very nice but i can't see it being that easy...............still, a nice idea :D
Author:  gusmac [ Wed Oct 01, 2008 2:23 pm ]
Post subject: 
skippy41 wrote:
They do have a spare wheel its underneath the rear. :shock:


They may have had to remove the spare, to incorporate the rear steering gear. It would need more space than a standard rear axle.
Author:  Sussex [ Wed Oct 01, 2008 5:58 pm ]
Post subject: 
I think the only thing spoiling those PCO approved Vito's is the rear wheel system.

Get rid of that and you will have a proper taxi. :D
Author:  captain cab [ Wed Oct 01, 2008 6:08 pm ]
Post subject: 
Sussex wrote:

Get rid of that and you will have a proper taxi. :D


A van? :lol:

CC
Author:  Sussex [ Wed Oct 01, 2008 6:14 pm ]
Post subject: 
captain cab wrote:
Sussex wrote:
Get rid of that and you will have a proper taxi. :D


A van? :lol:

That doesn't need an emergency fire system. :roll:
Author:  captain cab [ Wed Oct 01, 2008 6:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
Sussex wrote:
captain cab wrote:
Sussex wrote:
Get rid of that and you will have a proper taxi. :D


A van? :lol:

That doesn't need an emergency fire system. :roll:


Neither does my superb, perhaps we should all drive superbs.

CC
Author:  skippy41 [ Wed Oct 01, 2008 6:38 pm ]
Post subject: 
Feck I forgot about the rear steer :oops:
But you get one with the proper version :D
Author:  captain cab [ Wed Oct 01, 2008 9:11 pm ]
Post subject: 
skippy41 wrote:
Feck I forgot about the rear steer :oops:


Its quite selective your memory aint it :lol:

CC
Author:  wannabeeahack [ Thu Oct 02, 2008 8:53 am ]
Post subject: 
the rear steer sytems fitted to jap cars about 20 years ago (which went 1 way at low speed, then the other over 15mph or so) used to cease working past a certain age, as road crud/salt/tar took hold of components


so, if you see a vito taxicab on full lock doing a 40ft turn you know what the problem is...
Author:  acabbie [ Thu Oct 02, 2008 10:20 am ]
Post subject: 
I read on another thread that the manufacturers won't extend the warranty to the rear axle, i assume because it's been retro-fitted to the vehicle and not by mercedes. I would also assume that there is a warranty on the rear axle provided by KPM or the company that fits it but would be interested to know how long the warranty is for.

interesting times ahead. :?
Author:  wannabeeahack [ Thu Oct 02, 2008 11:06 am ]
Post subject: 
acabbie wrote:
I read on another thread that the manufacturers won't extend the warranty to the rear axle, i assume because it's been retro-fitted to the vehicle and not by mercedes. I would also assume that there is a warranty on the rear axle provided by KPM or the company that fits it but would be interested to know how long the warranty is for.

interesting times ahead. :?


then the conversion company gives a 10 year warranty on non-OEM parts/fittings (lets hope they dont invalidate the merc warranty) but then go into liquidation every 5 years or so....
Author:  Brummie Cabbie [ Mon Oct 06, 2008 7:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
captain cab wrote:
Sussex wrote:
Get rid of that and you will have a proper taxi. :D

A van?

And this van can!!!
Author:  thomasthetaxi [ Mon Oct 06, 2008 11:50 pm ]
Post subject: 
I have spoken to a driver in the royal Oak who has one and I also have a neighbour who is a PHV driver with one. Both seem very happy with the Vitto.
I think the biggest set back of the Vitto Taxi is the price difference of £10,000 from the PHV version . Surely the rear wheel steering doesn't cost this much.
After seeing the new Metro, I think they should drop the electric engine, aint going to happen anyway, and concentrate on a good hybrid diesel engine with a more modern interior. In the states, virtually every state is insisting on a hybrid engine.
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