Folks,
Has anyone here made a recent trek into or thru Mexico in the past year or so? I am considering a road trip to Central America/Costa Rica/wherever....perhaps in the next 18 months. Have not yet written any Embassy. Might want to take my dog.

I will be driving my 300D, I assume that diesel will be plentiful, and that I will need to bring a bunch of fuel filters.

Any advice??

SB

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Diesels:
'85 300D, "Max, Blue Benz", 155K, 27.0 MPG
'84 190D 2.2, "Eva, Brown Benz", 142K, 40.2 MPG
'77 240D (parts car)
'67 Eicher ES 202 Tractor "Otto" (2cyl, Air Cooled, 30HP)
Gassers:
'94 Ford F-150, "Henry", 170K (300 Six) 17.5 MPG
'85 190E 2.3, 148K....Parts Car
'58 Dodge W300M Powerwagon (Flat Fenders) Less than 10 MPG

Yes--- don't go.

I spent the last week briefing people on 23 hot spots and what to avoid. Much of your route is in one of them.

Go to the state dept web site and go to www.osac.gov and look at Mexico.

You are seriously taking your life in your hands unless you speak Spanish, have several well-armed friends, lots of money for morditas (minor police bribes) and a pair of titanium balls.

I have always been an adventurous type but I wouldn't take my Benz to Afghanistan or Chechnya for a road trip either. Too many things stacked against you.

The press doesn't report things like that gangs kill people in neighborhoods for protesting extortion-- gang "taxes" for protection and rent for living in the neighborhood.



Seriously. reconsider your route. If not, make me your beneficiary.

__________________
Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

I concur

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1983 240D 3.0T 4-speed manual, now sold

1989 Subaru GL Wagon 5-speed Touring Edition

I was in Mexico in January and I don't concur. I traveled with 2 male friends a couple of hundred miles into Mexico from Columbus NM. My companions knew some Spanish. Did you read the thread about a forum member who drove from California to Tierra Del Fuego a year ago or so?

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Yep, I’m with the “don’t do it” crowd – I’d probably fear the local police and the federales more than I would the common criminals…well, actually, all these groups are a synonym.
I have been the victim of the infamous “mordida” (the bite) by the local and federales – they will do it with impunity.
Yes, some folks have traveled down south without any problems, but I feel it’s been out of sheer luck – the cops were probably too busy shaking other tourists.

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1995 E300 Diesel
2002 GMC Duramax CC LB 4X4

From what I hear is that U.S. biodiesel producers sell bio to Mexico.The U.S. oil companies don't want to blend.
So your Cetane should be better than German diesel fuel.

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran

Install a serious and large water separator on your Car.

This was back in the 1970s my Boss had a silent partner had some land in Cost Rica and would drive down there in is Diesel Pickup (a 3/4 ton with a GMC V6 Toroflow Diesel Engine and Alison Transmission he installed).

He said that contaminated Fuel was Normal.

It could be that things have improved now; but some of the Members here have reported getting bad fuel on a US road trips; or later found their filters plugging with fungus.

By the way my that guy died under mysterious circumstances down in Costa Rica.
When his Son went down there to claim the Body from the info he got his was Father had a Heart Attack during a Robbery attempt that his Costa Rican Girlfriend help setup.

When the Guy was alive he related a story where he was in bed with 2 of his Girl Friends and persons unknow ran a hose through an open window and gassed everyone until they were asleep and prceeded to cut the bars off of his windows. When he and the Girlfriends woke up his house was minus anything valuable and easily portable.

Barry Saddler; Ex-Green Barret and famous for the song The Green Barrets lived a long time in Central America and also died in un-clear circumstances.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

I go to Mexico for weeks on end every year to visit in-laws. I don't believe the hype. I would be worried about central America.

I would love to do the drive too but it would only be a one way trip... like my big plans to move to Argentina some day.

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08 R320 CDI current

Past
95 E420
87 300D Turbo 5spd
90 300TE
83 300SD
85 300TD
92 400E
85 190D

I've been stopped by men armed with AK47's and a .50 Cal in Colombia. Not a fun day. Scariest thing is not knowing if they are Military or Guerrilla's of one sort or another as they all dress in fatigues.

I'd def pay attention to what is happening politically in Mex and Guatemala and I guess Honduras too at this point. Educate yourself first on what to expect then avoid the logical areas and only travel during daylight hours. BTW, Hondurans have been some of the poorest yet most friendly folks I've met in the +25 countries I've traveled though.

The car is a lesser problem in my mind. Make sure its maint is up to date. Take both kinds of filters, an injector or two, maybe an air filter, water jugs, tire plug kit, duct tape, a good spare, a little non refrigerated food or very hefty snacks, and hand tools sufficient to get yourself going again on you're own if needed.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

It's been a couple of years since I drove into Baja. Last time I went was for a gig, but that was before things got really bad. You need to be very diligent. I personally wouldn't take any of my current vehicles into Tijuana, Baja, etc. Had a Ford Exploder for those trips...

As far as your 155K 300D, there'll be plenty of mechanics along the way that can help you out if anything comes up. Also, your 155K 300D won't be as fresh after the trip.

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1982 240 D, 308,000 - 321,127 miles (sold)
1982 300 TD,166,500 - 226,000 miles
1998 E 320, 120,000 - 144,000 miles
2005 C 230 K, 26,000 - 77,000 miles (sold)

Argentina is politically stable, but there are economic issues, so I would sandbag some cash and gold coins for a quick getaway. Guns are plentiful, you can get one anywhere. Out on the pampas, people respect eveyone and they will help other lynch banditos-- another story that makes it up through DoS unofficial channels, but never in the blurbs for tourists.

__________________
Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

If you want to see mexico, just come to california. we have good water and good fuel. plus you won`t have bring so many provisions.

You may have bring a translator with you.

I have heard enough horrer stories about going to mexico, there is no way I would ever step foot over the border.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

In answer to your original question diesel is widely available.

As to the other advice, well, living on the border it is a bit of a tossup. Personally I wouldn't go. But I know plenty of people who do travel with no issues. A lot of the violence you hear about is gang vs. gang or gang vs. LE. Private individuals (unless they display high wealth) tend to be left alone. There are a lot of old MB sold down there and you probably won't stand out as long as you leave your car dusty.

I would not advice purchasing a handgun. Mexican authorities REALLY don't like that and bringing it back in can be problimatic. If you do purchase plan on just dumping it there. A long gun will probably get you fewer problems if you are caught.

Personally I've had more problems with US customs than with the Mexican LE. But it's been a number of years since I travelled there regularly. Remember you have to have a passport now. Also you'll need Mexican car insurance. Your USA policy will not apply. Short term policies are available for a reasonable price.

A lot of the horror stories deal with the border towns - on both sides. Once you get into the interior things tend to settle down. There are towns that are almost USA suburbia ca. 1950 with the 1.2 cars, the 2.4 kids and the .7 dogs . Pretty much just people doing their 8 to 5 and then coming home and BBQ'ing over the weekend.

Be friendly but careful. There are always con men wherever you travel but I've had plenty of pleasant experiences just sitting down and chatting with strangers.

Good luck!

Folks,
If I do this it will be a one way trip, drive the car down, ship household goods. I don't wish to get into a political debate, but as a retired seaman I have seen many things in my career and have begun to think that it may be time for me to go. I have been to the Honduras, and most South American countries with a seacoast...Argentina is nice, and their financial problems may not be as serious as the ones that are coming for us USA citizens. I would prefer to live in Chile, but Costa Rica is my second choice and much closer should I need to return. I have bycycled the PanAm Highway in Peru and Chile, and am familiar with bribery/greasing the palms of local officials. The Sindaro Luminoso were the big problem back then (20 years ago).

A former co-worker used to live in New Orleans and the Honduras, his native country, and would drive back and forth annually. He told me that he quit driving the trip about 15 years ago, because the Mexican Federales were even beginning to hassle him, a black, native Honduran, speaking Spanish.

I have time to consider this, I would naturally get all permits/documentation, visas, inoculations, insurance, etc. long before I load up the car. I like the input on firearms, something that I have to consider possibly shipping in household goods.

Bear in mind, as a merchant mariner, I always entered each country from the worst place in town, the dock areas of seaports. I may be a bit rusty, but I definitely know what to look out for in suspect areas. And also to use the Brit Embassy rather than the useless USA Embassy, if there are problems.

Thanx for the input, this is proving to be an interesting thread.

SB

__________________

Diesels:
'85 300D, "Max, Blue Benz", 155K, 27.0 MPG
'84 190D 2.2, "Eva, Brown Benz", 142K, 40.2 MPG
'77 240D (parts car)
'67 Eicher ES 202 Tractor "Otto" (2cyl, Air Cooled, 30HP)
Gassers:
'94 Ford F-150, "Henry", 170K (300 Six) 17.5 MPG
'85 190E 2.3, 148K....Parts Car
'58 Dodge W300M Powerwagon (Flat Fenders) Less than 10 MPG

It's not Central America but South America. Nonetheless it is an interesting current account of a couple from the US exploring:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10616

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13