"Mike Hughes" wrote in message
...

The new Mercedes is not priced significantly lower than the TX4. It is a
new vehicle which has yet to have some serious mileages so there is not
yet any data of the longer term, higher mileage statistics for this
vehicle.

Is there no other data that they can compare it to? Do the Vitos have a
track record within Germany?

A friend of mine had a Merc Vito fitted as a taxi in Brighton about 6
years ago. It was not the present model and did not have the electrically
operated doors, steering, etc so it is not possible to make a direct
comparison.

Can the driver operate the doors for passengers, as in Japan?

The Mercedes can make U-turns better, one driver told me. IIRC, it is
because the rear wheels can also turn to a degree.

But you have to stop to engage the rear steering and be travelling at less
than 5 mph for it to work - not so useful when you want to get out of the
way quickly to avoid traffic coming towards you in some instances.

Fair play.