PICS : How flatbed tow trucks would run out of business without German cars!

GTO · 12th October 2010, 17:09

When was the last time you saw a non-German vehicle on a flatbed tow truck? Not saying other makes don't use them, but Germans would probably beat the Japanese / Koreans 9:1 in this competition. After all, German car marques are now the masters of breakdowns!

Brand new E250 - Link to thread

PICS : How flatbed tow trucks would run out of business without German cars!-e250-.jpg

PICS : How flatbed tow trucks would run out of business without German cars!-e250-b.jpg

Sahil's 525 - Link to thread

PICS : How flatbed tow trucks would run out of business without German cars!-sahil.jpg

Mercedes S320 - Link to thread

PICS : How flatbed tow trucks would run out of business without German cars!-s320.jpg

PICS : How flatbed tow trucks would run out of business without German cars!-s320-b.jpg

BMW 7 series, first one spotted by me.

PICS : How flatbed tow trucks would run out of business without German cars!-gto.jpg

PICS : How flatbed tow trucks would run out of business without German cars!-7-series.jpg

Akki's E280 CDI - Link to thread

PICS : How flatbed tow trucks would run out of business without German cars!-e280.jpg

PICS : How flatbed tow trucks would run out of business without German cars!-e280-b.jpg

Complicated Skoda Superb - Link to thread

PICS : How flatbed tow trucks would run out of business without German cars!-superb-2.jpg

PICS : How flatbed tow trucks would run out of business without German cars!-superb.jpg

And a Bentley!

PICS : How flatbed tow trucks would run out of business without German cars!-bentley.jpg

Request : If you have more pictures, please share on this thread.

The fundamental purpose of a car is to take its driver from point A -> point B, and this is an area where German cars fail miserably. What's the point of all that luxury, bells & whistles if your car breaks down on the highway? Or keeps visiting the garage several times a year for repair. This is completely inacceptable, inexplicable and an absolute shame for Mercedes, BMW and Audi! The worst part is, instead of focusing on making their cars more reliable, the Europeans are obsessed with cramming even more electronics into their cars. Thanks but no thanks, I'm washing my hands off modern Germans for a long time to come.

Related Threads:

German cab drivers no longer hail Mercedes
Your definition of build quality
Unreliable luxury cars
Lexus over Merc and BMW?
Long discussion on German reliability

SS-Traveller · 12th October 2010, 17:24

That's the maximum number of smileys allowed.

What are the economics involved in getting a car moved on flat-bed tow trucks vs. those that simply hook up one end? I would not expect a very huge difference in cost between either type of vehicle. Or is it that flat-bed tow trucks intentionally charge a whole lot more because they know they are catering to high-end car owners who can afford to shell out more, but don't want their car hooked up?

EARTHed · 12th October 2010, 17:25

How about this case reported by Dippy about the VW Vento.

Quote:

A friend in my building got delivery of his Vento day before yesterday. And yesterday a flatbed truck came and took it away. The reason? Smoke coming from the rear brakes. Apparently there is a crack somewhere

German reliability anyone?

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/2100784-post852.html

Dippy · 12th October 2010, 17:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by EARTHed

How about this case reported by Dippy about the VW Vento.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/2100784-post852.html

Yep that was me alright. Sorry I forgot to take a picture of the garlanded Vento on the flatbed.

sanjayatarizona · 12th October 2010, 17:32

When you buy a German , you experience extreme pleasure and extreme pain in equal proportions. I should know

Dose · 12th October 2010, 17:32

Did you mean the french word "inacceptable" or the english "unacceptable?"

And does this mean you are dumping your C-class? Do tell.
It's a pity there is no smilie for eating popcorn. I love your Merc repair stories. A true love-hate relationship.

Are there any pictures of W124's on flat-beds?

nitrous · 12th October 2010, 17:37

There's a critical point missed here.
Affordability.
Can the non-german owners afford a flat bed?

speedmiester · 12th October 2010, 17:43

Thats true, a good compilation of pictures to point out the obvious.
But lets not rush to conclusion and bash German cars. The reason majority of the German luxury cars breakdown is because of cramming unwanted gizmos in the car.
Do we really need all these gizmos?

What is the purpose of auto headlamps?
If a driver cannot judge whether he needs to switch on the headlamps or not depending on the prevailing lighting conditions then he is unfit to drive a car.
The same goes with rain sensing wipers.
Are drivers so dumb that they cannot notice reduced visibility due to rain and switch on the wipers.

Daewood · 12th October 2010, 17:45

Ford India had advertised their "Free" flatbed tow truck service, a few years back in Chennai.
Guess it's been stopped now.

gaurav_chopra04 · 12th October 2010, 17:46

German Engineering, Assembled in India....

I too saw an M3 on a flatbed, a couple of days back on Delhi Gurgaon Expressway.

The Japs certainly make the most reliable cars in the world. The Germans on the other hand do make most fun to drive and safe cars (on THE DAY, you have more chances to survive in a german car than you have in a Japanese car) but somehow, todays complex and completely electrical cars (I dont mean EVs or Hybrids

) have put questions on the reliability of the cars Germans make.

I'd be more than happy to buy even a 10 year old japanese car but I'd think twice before buying even a 3 year old German car.

sandeepmdas · 12th October 2010, 18:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaurav_chopra04

German Engineering, Assembled in India....

I too saw an M3 on a flatbed, a couple of days back on Delhi Gurgaon Expressway.

I assume you are joking with that

, because:
- the M3 is a CBU
- the Japanese high-end cars like the Prado etc are not showing this "flatbed fever"
- compared to the Civic the Laura is more problematic and both are locally assembled.

Pankaj401 · 12th October 2010, 18:15

My friends Honda City was towed last year for around 2500 rupees IIRC. Someone had intentionally cut the rear left brake line.

gaurav_chopra04 · 12th October 2010, 18:22

Please find my replies in bold

Quote:

Originally Posted by sandeepmdas

I assume you are joking with that

, because:
- the M3 is a CBU

Ofcourse, but many other German cars are assembled in India. I didnt write it with M3 in mind. I wrote it just to sound funny!

- the Japanese high-end cars like the Prado etc are not showing this "flatbed fever"

- compared to the Civic the Laura is more problematic and both are locally assembled.

Thats exactly what I said, the Japanese are more reliable!

rjstyles69 · 12th October 2010, 18:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitrous

There's a critical point missed here.
Affordability.
Can the non-german owners afford a flat bed?

Exactly my thoughts. If I were driving a Maruti/Hyundai I would definitely look at towing it than hiring a flat-bed truck. Not many who own desi cars could afford this luxury.

vipul_singh · 12th October 2010, 18:44

No, I do not think cost is a factor behind more German cars being seen on flatbed trucks than Japanese/Asian marques. I have checked the cost of towing a car from NOIDA to Patparganj in Delhi (just in case). The cost of Towing with a "crane truck" was Rs. 1600, while that of a flatbad truck was Rs. 3000 - a difference of just Rs. 1400. Surely, the owners of Asian cars can afford this difference.

More importantly, I have not seen many Asian cars being Towed at all, whether by a crane or a flatbed truck, except by the Traffic police

12th October 2010, 17:09	#1
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 60,180 Thanked: 193,240 Times View My Garage	PICS : How flatbed tow trucks would run out of business without German cars! When was the last time you saw a non-German vehicle on a flatbed tow truck? Not saying other makes don't use them, but Germans would probably beat the Japanese / Koreans 9:1 in this competition. After all, German car marques are now the masters of breakdowns! Brand new E250 - Link to thread Sahil's 525 - Link to thread Mercedes S320 - Link to thread BMW 7 series, first one spotted by me. Akki's E280 CDI - Link to thread Complicated Skoda Superb - Link to thread And a Bentley! Request : If you have more pictures, please share on this thread. The fundamental purpose of a car is to take its driver from point A -> point B, and this is an area where German cars fail miserably. What's the point of all that luxury, bells & whistles if your car breaks down on the highway? Or keeps visiting the garage several times a year for repair. This is completely inacceptable, inexplicable and an absolute shame for Mercedes, BMW and Audi! The worst part is, instead of focusing on making their cars more reliable, the Europeans are obsessed with cramming even more electronics into their cars. Thanks but no thanks, I'm washing my hands off modern Germans for a long time to come. Related Threads: German cab drivers no longer hail Mercedes Your definition of build quality Unreliable luxury cars Lexus over Merc and BMW? Long discussion on German reliability Last edited by GTO : 12th October 2010 at 18:55.
	(7) Thanks

12th October 2010, 17:24	#2
SS-Traveller Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 7,409 Thanked: 18,136 Times View My Garage	That's the maximum number of smileys allowed. What are the economics involved in getting a car moved on flat-bed tow trucks vs. those that simply hook up one end? I would not expect a very huge difference in cost between either type of vehicle. Or is it that flat-bed tow trucks intentionally charge a whole lot more because they know they are catering to high-end car owners who can afford to shell out more, but don't want their car hooked up?
	() Thanks

12th October 2010, 17:32	#5
sanjayatarizona BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: "God's own Shaap" Posts: 352 Thanked: 8 Times	When you buy a German , you experience extreme pleasure and extreme pain in equal proportions. I should know
	(2) Thanks

12th October 2010, 17:32	#6
Dose BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Karnataka, India Posts: 221 Thanked: Once	Did you mean the french word "inacceptable" or the english "unacceptable?" And does this mean you are dumping your C-class? Do tell. It's a pity there is no smilie for eating popcorn. I love your Merc repair stories. A true love-hate relationship. Are there any pictures of W124's on flat-beds?
	() Thanks

12th October 2010, 17:37	#7
nitrous Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: UAE/Lon/Madras Posts: 6,965 Thanked: 304 Times View My Garage	There's a critical point missed here. Affordability. Can the non-german owners afford a flat bed?
	(1) Thanks

12th October 2010, 17:43	#8
speedmiester Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: bangalore Posts: 1,845 Thanked: 2,901 Times	Thats true, a good compilation of pictures to point out the obvious. But lets not rush to conclusion and bash German cars. The reason majority of the German luxury cars breakdown is because of cramming unwanted gizmos in the car. Do we really need all these gizmos? What is the purpose of auto headlamps? If a driver cannot judge whether he needs to switch on the headlamps or not depending on the prevailing lighting conditions then he is unfit to drive a car. The same goes with rain sensing wipers. Are drivers so dumb that they cannot notice reduced visibility due to rain and switch on the wipers.
	(5) Thanks

12th October 2010, 17:45	#9
Daewood BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 943 Thanked: 226 Times	Ford India had advertised their "Free" flatbed tow truck service, a few years back in Chennai. Guess it's been stopped now. Last edited by Daewood : 12th October 2010 at 17:47.
	() Thanks

12th October 2010, 17:46	#10
gaurav_chopra04 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,260 Thanked: 554 Times View My Garage	German Engineering, Assembled in India.... I too saw an M3 on a flatbed, a couple of days back on Delhi Gurgaon Expressway. The Japs certainly make the most reliable cars in the world. The Germans on the other hand do make most fun to drive and safe cars (on THE DAY, you have more chances to survive in a german car than you have in a Japanese car) but somehow, todays complex and completely electrical cars (I dont mean EVs or Hybrids) have put questions on the reliability of the cars Germans make. I'd be more than happy to buy even a 10 year old japanese car but I'd think twice before buying even a 3 year old German car. Last edited by gaurav_chopra04 : 12th October 2010 at 17:48.
	() Thanks

12th October 2010, 18:15	#12
Pankaj401 BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangalore, India Posts: 215 Thanked: 4 Times	My friends Honda City was towed last year for around 2500 rupees IIRC. Someone had intentionally cut the rear left brake line. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

12th October 2010, 18:44	#15
vipul_singh BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: BLR / Lucknow Posts: 554 Thanked: 648 Times View My Garage	No, I do not think cost is a factor behind more German cars being seen on flatbed trucks than Japanese/Asian marques. I have checked the cost of towing a car from NOIDA to Patparganj in Delhi (just in case). The cost of Towing with a "crane truck" was Rs. 1600, while that of a flatbad truck was Rs. 3000 - a difference of just Rs. 1400. Surely, the owners of Asian cars can afford this difference. More importantly, I have not seen many Asian cars being Towed at all, whether by a crane or a flatbed truck, except by the Traffic police Last edited by vipul_singh : 12th October 2010 at 18:47.
	() Thanks

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