Diesel Mercedes in Mexico: Any Advice? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

treydub · #1 02-22-2007, 09:35 AM

I am looking for a diesel Mercedes in Texas for one of my friends in Mexico. I thought I would bounce some ideas of my fellow diesel drivers. I drive a 240 D on my commute everyday. I love the car and am confident in its reliability. However, my friends in Mexico determined that they need something a bit peppier because traffic in the big city is fast moving. I suggested that they look into (or I find them) a 1995 E300D. I have heard good things about them and my understanding is that they do not have anywhere near as much electonic gadgetry as the later model diesels ('96-"99). So to make a long story short, I love my old 240 and would recommend a W123. The 123 will not fit their needs so I recommended a W124 diesel. They prefer the newer E300. Which car will best serve their needs of speed, reliability, and serviceability?

Thanks for helping out.

winmutt · #2 02-22-2007, 09:48 AM

He would be better off with a VW or Audi TDI. Parts for those cars will be more readily available as well as dealerships for maintenance.

Rashakor · #3 02-22-2007, 10:05 AM

I have driven a 1972 220D in Mexico city a few years back. You really don't need any peppier. Traffic in Mexico is not about the speed of the car it is about the speed of the driver. I would actually tend to favor an older or W123 contemporary car because they look nicer and you won't look like a potential mugging target. A W124 in the DF qualifies you as a robbery, juicy target.

The advice on the VW and Audi Tdi is actually totally off because there is no more tdi in Mexico than MB's. MB Dealerships are plentifuls (remember that 70% of the mexican population rides a mercedes bus everyday), repairs are cheaper. Your only problem will be parts... and those can be ordered from the USA.

Seriously their best bet would actually be a W115 300D followed by a W116 300SD.

Now you may ask why a W115? well because those were the last diesels MB officially sold in Mexico. Therefore they are the only ones you will find in Junk yards. Another factor is the importation into Mexico... the car must be 30 years old to qualify for collectible plates and import as such. If you want to import it "chocolate" it has to be 15 years or younger and not classify as luxury (you are out of luck, MB cars are luxury vehicles). The last thing... they could be driving the car with american plates, but if they live in a city and they are mexicans residing in Mexico they will eventually get caught...

barry123400 · #4 02-22-2007, 10:29 AM

This is a tough one. Generally speaking it is not good to sell a friend your car unless he is very knowledgeable or the car is perfect. Even then if something happens with the car he may still tend to blame you although you might be totally innocent.
If you find a car for him he should complete the deal himself if possible at the end. That leaves the matter of final judgement etc in his hands. You were just the locator of possibilities for him. . Already I see you are reccomending models. Nothing wrong with that either but it carries some responsibility.
The above issues just fall into the human nature and behaviour catagory. A friendship should never be disturbed by a car purchase.
For example one of my co workers offered me a 1953 pontiac with 20 some odd thousand miles on it years ago for 75.00. A friend of my wifes husband was looking for a cheap good car. I contacted him and he took it.
About three or four years later I heard that he thought I had sold him a bad car. He was starting to have some troubles. Kind of made me question where reality starts and stops a little. My experience might have been the exception of course.
Even today I would only sell a car to a friend if a lot of conditions were met. I would never sell a car to a friend or aquaintence for example if he did not have good repair abilities and judgement.
Again there are exceptions. If a friend mentioned he was going to buy a new ford focus. I might mention that a lot of people I know have been more satisfied with an equivelent toyota or honda product. Plus the resale value has tended to remain much higher. Yet the decision is still his in the final anyalisis.
This is not exactly the information you were seeking I know. Is your friend aware that he may have issues more frequently and costly than he is used to perhaps with this brand? The cost of maintenance he might encounter if he cannot do things himself? Even some downside in general reliability is possible. The majority of us on site take this in stride. For an average person just purchasing cars sometimes they do not or just cannot.

cgryphon · #5 02-23-2007, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rashakor

Another factor is the importation into Mexico... the car must be 30 years old to qualify for collectible plates and import as such. If you want to import it "chocolate" it has to be 15 years or younger and not classify as luxury (you are out of luck, MB cars are luxury vehicles). The last thing... they could be driving the car with american plates, but if they live in a city and they are mexicans residing in Mexico they will eventually get caught...

This is very true! I drive my '82 240D when I am working in Mexico, but have a temporary importation sticker and US plates. I have to return to the border at least every 6 months to renew the sticker. Customs and the "Banjercito" take illegal importation of cars very seriously. Big fine and they can take your car....or worse...some nights in a Mexican jail

Of course your friends are citizens of Mexico, so maybe "where there is a will there is a way."

In Monterrey I keep up fine, but you have to plan ahead and pay attention. Not really different than any big city in the US I suppose.

Buena suerte! Good luck!