Hola! I drove to mexico in my 420sel 1989 MB. The Mexican highways are greatly improved and you can drive as fast as you want! I was thinking of having some work done on my car here. Does anyone know of any good places to go to in Mexico? Adios! Jane Thank God I speak spanish!

Hola,
I am just returning from a 5 year stint in Mexico, I lived in the D.F. but still have a house in Morelos. Yes, Spanish will be very helpful. There are actually some very good mechanics in Mexico, but be very careful as many of the small shops do not carry insurance and if your car is stolen while under their care there is nothing you or they can do.
Dealers are not bad either. I have not checked the MB hourly rate in Mexico, but I can imagine that it is less than in the US. Parts, however, will probably be much more as they are imported and will be subject to high duties (maybe 25%).
You are right that the roads are great - I have driven all over Mexico and found it to be pleasurable - especially when you get away from the boarder. Be careful of the federales, however, as they will give you a citation for speeding if it is gross and generally can't be bribed. Given that, I regularly drive 140-160 km/hour on the autopista without any issues.
If I can be of any help let me know - I have a lot of friends in Mexico and some that can be trusted in a pinch.

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John Gillespie
1988 560sec - 192k miles
2006 CLK500 - 40K miles
1995 E300 - 202k miles

You could probably get a cheap paint job and redo the interior in some nice vinyl, maybe some of those furry dinga-balls hanging off the headliner?

You are one brave soul, the only Mercedes I'd set off into old Mexico in would be a stick shift diesel 240 or something of the like.

Seriously, I am really just jealous, I'd love to make to Guanajato for Christmas this year, I'll probably just take a bus. I'd forget about getting any quality auto work done down there, especially on a Mercedes.

I had a buddy who went down there to get some extensive dental work done and in the last ten years it has all fallen out. I hear lipo and other procedures are real popular though but will see how a few of my friends fare before doing anything myself.

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Chas

Had a 380SL, 450SL, 380SEL, 420SEL, 500SEL

Got a Euro 500SEC right now.

With Mexico it all depends on where you live and who you know...
My wife and I have had excellent medical care, but this is in Mexico City, where the doctors are mostly trained in the US. In the small towns, you are on your own. I agree with the dental work - it is much better in the US.
I too will be returning in winter to Morelos for a couple of weeks. Perfect weather.
I also would be leary of driving an MB. In much of Mexico it is a huge status symbol, meaning you are wealthy and it can make you a target of all kinds of problems. And it doesn't really matter how old it is!
The service at car dealers is usually very good. I had a Jetta and a Chrysler and I would say that the service departments were excellent (in Mexico City and Cuernavaca), courteous, always solved my problems, and were not too expensive. Remember that wealthy Mexicans drive nice cars, want them and can afford to have them well maintained.
I have a friend who has an ML320 and while she has had many of the usual electrical problems with it she says the dealer is very good.
Buena suerte, amigo.

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John Gillespie
1988 560sec - 192k miles
2006 CLK500 - 40K miles
1995 E300 - 202k miles