Former Taxi

3cups

Hi,

I am looking seriously at picking up a different car in the days ahead and have found one I actually like and the deal is pretty good. It's a late-90's Merc E240 with all the usual trim/features/goodies etc. At about 130k miles it has seen some service in its life as a taxi. When I heard this I wasn't initially put off but am concious that many taxis have been clocked and put back on the road as private cars etc. In general I would imagine a taxi as having been well cared for in service terms, and certainly with a livelihood at stake an owner wouldn't be skimping on oil changes and preventative maintenance, especially with a Merc over a tatty Jap mobile run into the ground.

So what am I watching out for here? What caveats would you have for me, and on the flip side what bonus would you expect to see as a former taxi? Certainly on this one the interior trim is immaculate and the driving is tight (steering & suspension) and there are no rattles or squeaks anywhere. Water pump just done recently and there is a timing chain rather than belt. It's an auto and the shifting is very smooth. How long do the Merc Auto boxes go for before they need attention?

If I was to make inquiries anywhere about the history of said vehicle where would I start off best? I have the reg and the VIN - was thinking about ringing Mercedes Ireland and asking, is this common enough information to hand out? Basically looking to verify mileage as well as get a basic feel for the level of history over the years, but mainly to establish mileage and accident damage (if any) etc - worth paying for a cartell or MotorCheck report etc?

Ta,
Paul.

crosstownk

You could go for an AA inspection - it might cost a few quid but it would be comprehensive.

BlackWizard

I've only a bit of experience with a C180, but I can list what I would look out for if I was looking for a 96-99 Merc

Radiator ( tend to go @ 100k )
MAF ( tend to go @ 100k but some cars it apparently doesn't. Could be luck)
Catalytic Converter if the MAF isn't caught early
Water Pump ( but it's not too serious, noisy if not done )
ABS ( some little 30 euro piece of c**p breaks usually after 100k )
Bushings ( depends on the car+luck I guess )
Wheel allignment ( depends on the car+luck I guess )
Wheel Balancing ( depends on the car+luck I guess )
Sunroof+Windows ( Acts funny sometimes, but it's not serious. Can be fixed by resetting it or turning off the car for a few min )
Lights ( Dash, Boot, Glovebox. Mostly fuses or bulbs )
Battery ( just needs replacement, same as other cars. But it's the big 80 euro one )
Windscreen wiper motor ( Make sure the wiper gets greased or is greased. They break after a while if not lubed up )
Rear tyres wear a bit. So maybe check if they are in good nic. Wet weather+RWD with bad tyres can be troublesome.

Other than that, I've never came across any other serious issues either on my car or from researching on the internet. I know nothing about auto gear boxes. I know in 1998 there might of been an improved Manual gear box. But I know nadda about auto. Sorry!

MOTIVATED

As a rule Taxi's are not a good buy , most of the time the repair work carried out on them is rubbish, Taxi drivers always want the cheapest job possible done as quick as possible,they don't care about cutting
corners.:mad: . As a result our company refuses to do any work on Taxi's.

There are plenty of bargains out there in big cars,try looking on the carzone web site, or autotrader.ie , find the car you want don't be put off by the price most of them are open to an offer.

Happy hunting

ps the only Merc to buy is an automatic one, the manual gearboxes are awful

Volvoboy

3cups wrote: »

Hi,

I am looking seriously at picking up a different car in the days ahead and have found one I actually like and the deal is pretty good. It's a late-90's Merc E240 with all the usual trim/features/goodies etc. At about 130k miles it has seen some service in its life as a taxi. When I heard this I wasn't initially put off but am concious that many taxis have been clocked and put back on the road as private cars etc. In general I would imagine a taxi as having been well cared for in service terms, and certainly with a livelihood at stake an owner wouldn't be skimping on oil changes and preventative maintenance, especially with a Merc over a tatty Jap mobile run into the ground.

So what am I watching out for here? What caveats would you have for me, and on the flip side what bonus would you expect to see as a former taxi? Certainly on this one the interior trim is immaculate and the driving is tight (steering & suspension) and there are no rattles or squeaks anywhere. Water pump just done recently and there is a timing chain rather than belt. It's an auto and the shifting is very smooth. How long do the Merc Auto boxes go for before they need attention?

If I was to make inquiries anywhere about the history of said vehicle where would I start off best? I have the reg and the VIN - was thinking about ringing Mercedes Ireland and asking, is this common enough information to hand out? Basically looking to verify mileage as well as get a basic feel for the level of history over the years, but mainly to establish mileage and accident damage (if any) etc - worth paying for a cartell or MotorCheck report etc?

Ta,
Paul.

As a taxi driver myself i take great pride on my car, oil changes every 6K, polished about once a fortnight, washed twice weekly.

Then again thats just me, i've seen newer mercs in worse condition as a taxi.

130K is abit low for a taxi to be put into retirement, get the usuall checks done AA.

Late 90's Mercs have a tendency to rust also, my dad has a 99 new model S-Class and it has more rust than my 96 jap-box.

unkel

3cups wrote: »

If I was to make inquiries anywhere about the history of said vehicle

From that comment I take it that there is not much (if any) documented service history? If so, there's not much point to inquire about it imho.

Either have an indy specialist check it out and if he gives the green light, go for it and you've got yourself a bargain (although with probably many more miles on it than the odometer shows)

Or spend a bit more and get the piece of mind that a service history will bring. Still have it checked out though.

FWIW, I feel that slightly older executive saloons (especially with bigger engines) represent excellent value for money in this country

Volvoboy

unkel wrote: »

From that comment I take it that there is not much (if any) documented service history? If so, there's not much point to inquire about it imho.

Either have an indy specialist check it out and if he gives the green light, go for it and you've got yourself a bargain (although with probably many more miles on it than the odometer shows)

Or spend a bit more and get the piece of mind that a service history will bring. Still have it checked out though.

FWIW, I feel that slightly older executive saloons (especially with bigger engines) represent excellent value for money in this country

:rolleyes::D

crosstownk

unkel wrote: »

FWIW, I feel that slightly older executive saloons (especially with bigger engines) represent excellent value for money in this country

I'd agree. I'd sooner drop back a few years and get a more comfortable yoke with a lost less 'history' - and I don't mean service history

There a taxi drivers who take great car and pride in their car and then there are those that don't........

Terrontress

The Merc to get is a 4matic. It's not as common here but the 4 wheel drive really helps. On 2 wheel drive models there is no weight over the driving wheels (rear). When there is limited traction it makes a great difference. My uncle was advised, during snow, to put sandbags in the boot to put some weight on the driving axle.

Max_Damage

^ Weren't the early 4Matic E-class' only available in the American market?