[Mit G]

I can't believe some people would use their nice BMW and make it into a taxi...argh

[Rbrown]

Maybe fallen on hard times and just using the asset to make a living?

[Mit G]

I was thinking that, but it seems to happen a lot where I live.

Seems they want a nice car, but use the taxi to pay it off. Just don't understand the logic behind.

Hey ho, just an observation.

[siross]

If you're sat in a car all day, a 5 series isn't a bad environment. Not sure on the economics though.

[Proftinkerpot]

Saving up to get the number plate fitted straight perhaps?

[Chris330]

A lot of the mid range Uber's that turn up are E220s or 520d. The drivers always say the 520d is a lot more reliable than the E220 and seem to get better fuel economy.

So using one does make sense. Plus I'm always happier when it's one that turns up!

[badgerbrock72]

I always wonder how diesel taxis fare with all the short urban trips and what state their DPF's must be in... Assuming they haven't had them removed of course

[jnismith]

I've seen quite a few Beemers as taxis. I think the drivers buy them from somewhere like Cargiant, probably ex-fleet. Much more comfortable than the Peugeot bread vans.

Years ago, when I worked in Zurich, there were about umpteen billion Merc taxis and one 7-series. I used to try and get the 7-series if I could for some reason. Just felt cooler.

[notused]

That's probably a very sensible car to use as a taxi. Reliable, holds it's value better, can do very high mileage, roomy, comfortable, easy to clock...

I've seen a Cayenne taxi in Munich and a Ferrari in taxi cream at Frankfurt airport although that wasn't really a taxi.

[mofomat]

BMW are a mass-market manufacturer. The days of them being "premium" are long gone. Doesn't stop some people thinking that because they drive a BMW they're "winning" at life.

[Mit G]

I just wouldn't spend 20k on a car, to then use it as a taxi.

Fair play to him if he wants to make a living out of it. I just don't understand it..

Get a Prius

[creepy coupe]

Local cab firm to me buys E Class Mercs, that are a couple of years old and have done 100k + miles. The cars look tidy enough and someone else has taken a big hit on the list price.

[mofomat]

I've regularly see a driving instructor near me who uses a 3 Series, and another one who uses a MB C-Class. Both brand new.

[CazuaLLUK]

Lots of 5 series as taxi's in Portsmouth!!

[MashinBenzin]

The F10 makes sense to me as a taxi, the couple of E90s I see around here make less sense - surely too small and impractical to be a taxi. BTW, one of them was being used as a taxi at 1-year old, so I'm not just seeing the E90 taxis because they are old and cheap.

Economically, they no doubt make good sense. We know the fuel economy is great on the 20d, and I just added up the total service bills for my E90 320d over 6.5 years and 105k miles - £1931 for all maintenance and MOTs; it has not been outside of the dealer network either. Also, none of that was under a service plan, all were at full cost.

I think that knocks on the head any idea that run of the mill BMWs are expensive to run.

NB. My number obviously does not include tyres, but I think I have 3 sets of summers and 1 set of winters.

[SkyJawa]

"nice" ?

[JD6]

Originally Posted by mofomat

BMW are a mass-market manufacturer. The days of them being "premium" are long gone. Doesn't stop some people thinking that because they drive a BMW they're "winning" at life.

But what else are you going to drive if you want a reasonably quick practical car? It really comes down to a choice between BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar and Audi. All of them are a step up from Ford/Honda/Mazda/Hyundai...

The fact that they have become cheaper over the last couple of decades is good news. My 335d is pretty comparable with a 540i I bought in 1998, but cost a little over half of the inflation-adjusted price. If that means that more people can buy BMWs, I couldn't care less. Long may it continue...

[mofomat]

Originally Posted by JD6

But what else are you going to drive if you want a reasonably quick practical car? It really comes down to a choice between BMW, Mercedes, Jaguar and Audi. All of them are a step up from Ford/Honda/Mazda/Hyundai...

The fact that they have become cheaper over the last couple of decades is good news. My 335d is pretty comparable with a 540i I bought in 1998, but cost a little over half of the inflation-adjusted price. If that means that more people can buy BMWs, I couldn't care less. Long may it continue...

I don't have any issues with BMW being mass-market. I have issues with people who have an air of superiority just because their car has a blue and white roundel.

[Drisser]

If you get upgraded to business class on Qatar Airways, when you land at Doha a 7 series comes to meet you at the plane :-)

happened once !

[nascot]

Originally Posted by Drisser

If you get upgraded to business class on Qatar Airways, when you land at Doha a 7 series comes to meet you at the plane :-)

happened once !

When I stay in an Oberoi hotel in India for work they send a 7 series to the airport

[Ti Rich]

Originally Posted by Drisser

If you get upgraded to business class on Qatar Airways, when you land at Doha a 7 series comes to meet you at the plane :-)

happened once !

Really?

Didn't happen for me a few weeks ago. Just the normal Bus

[snipnoob86]

if I was in a car 12 hrs a day I'd want it to be a bmw