Hi

So finally I'm going in a road trip whit my Dad and a friend from Portland Oregon to Hermosillo Sonora, Mexico, to visit some friends there, and I'm taking the 240d.

I wonder is there is any advice for driving long distance in that particular car?, I went already for some 100miles trips around the area to check the car and is running very good, any additives for the diesel?, or any other thing to look for?.

Thanks

take lots of pictures... it's a beautiful city.
make sure you get Mexican insurance.

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1985 300SD
1998 Jetta TDI
Previous: lots of diesel VW's, MB's, KW's, Pete, Freightliner


Walking isn't a lost art: one must, by some means, get to the garage.

Got your passport? You need it now to get back. Lots of diesel in Mexico. I've not heard of anyone having problems with fuel quality. Fuel up in Nogales on the AZ side first.

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You're a daisy if you do.
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84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

I hope you've considered the dangers of such a trip, no matter what car you're taking. I'm not saying don't do it, but be prepared. Mexico is a dangerous place. My friend and his family went to just a tourist city, and they got their bags stolen.

As for the car, should be good. How many miles? I'd say inspect the suspension, make sure all the grease boots are in good condition and make sure you address all noises before you leave.

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

1989 Subaru GL Wagon 5-speed Touring Edition

I'll offer this. When you get to Tucson AZ from Oregon if you you like to go over your car or need repairs I'll offer garage. I don't have a lift but I have been known to work on cars so at least you would be able to go over it one last time on the US side. On the otherhand, if it's running well at this point you most likely won't have any issues. Sounds like a great trip. Have fun. Thanks

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83 300D 227,xxx miles, sold
86 300 SDL 130,000 miles, sold

Rent a car in Mexico.Police are in on con games to steal your car.
You are quilty in Mexico,until proven innocent.

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

Rental cars get targeted for pull-overs. Stay in jail until you pay to get out.

I had always told myself that if that happened to me (on a business trip) I would tell them that it's fine with me. It's not my car and I don't care if I can't get to the plant to do my job. Here's the phone number for the company I work for. Talk to them.

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Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

Fuel Quality
Members right here in the US having gone on a trips and been stopped dead on the Road due to contaminated Fuel.
I would opt for adding a Water Separator (this decreases your chances of having an expected stop in a place where you might not want to stop and change Fuel Filters) and also bringing along extra filters.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Probably an older and rattier car is the way to travel. Is your 240 ratty? I know it is old.

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1993 W124 300D 2.5L Turbo, OM602.962
2000 Chevrolet Cavalier, 2.4L DOHC
2002 Ford Explorer, 4.0L SOHC
2005 Toyota Prius, 1.5L

http://www.fuelly.com/sig-us/40601.png

check Mexico out on this site: http://www.osac.gov

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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

yeah, you should stay here in the US where there is no crime, no cars stolen, no one killed, good fuel everywhere, honest government officials, and the sky is not cloudy all day...

take the trip, you'll enjoy the wonderful people, food, and sites. try out a little spanish, it is appreciated if you try.

report back on the trip..

__________________
1985 300SD
1998 Jetta TDI
Previous: lots of diesel VW's, MB's, KW's, Pete, Freightliner


Walking isn't a lost art: one must, by some means, get to the garage.

Hi

Thats very good to ear, my guess is if the car make it up to Roseburg and Yreka California all the rest would be ok.

I make almost all that trip by bike some years ago, I lived in Hermosillo several years and I know may be dangerous but no more than any place, I don't think thieves are interested in a old diesel mercedes. So far the car is 310.000 miles is a bit ratier but still runs great I toke my wife and mother in law for a ride and it will go 75Mph with no much problem.

Diesel quality is something to consider, I have a gallon jug, I guess I can run the car int that if I find awful diesel and the engine stall, in any case seems like once is running It may burn anything.

So far I have to get a fire extinguisher, fuel filter, water trap, I change the belts the other day, and a bunch of memory cards for the camera.

I will check the suspension and put some grease on the wheels on Saturday, also I have to change the rear brake hoses.

I went to the pick and pull today and find two 300Td, one was very run down, wagon one , the other was really good a 2 doors 300sd?, crash from the back, but with the engine clearly serviced on the MB dealer, if somebody is interested in something I will go on Saturday maybe.

Here we are in mexico now, the car was very good, fast enough, and very reliable, we toke I5 and take a detour in Yosemite national park, that was a really nice drive for a manual car, a lot off going up and down, down shifting.

The only problem with the car is the CV boots are busted, the differential side ones, so I put some grease and gear oil and drove to here, now I find the boots and figuring out how to change then, I have the axle out and I found two diferent tipes of boots a universal in Tucson and one that is OEM but is the same size and style, for $7 a piece.

So I was able to strech the universal one and put it in place, now I'm wondering if there is any way or trick to strech the more thick original style one?, and also the boot come with some kind off grease and I was arguing with the guys that this one takes some oil?,I know there is a MB special oil?, can I use gear oil?, should I use grease?, the joints are in a very good shape with very minimal wear.

Thanks

Sorry nobody has responded yet . . . I have not had my MB's axles apart yet . . . Was nice and warm yesterday for a change!

So are you in Mexico, or Tucson?

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82 240D Manual 277K and still rolling!
02 Volvo S60 AWD For Sale

I believe almost all CV joints today use grease. Mercedes used to use oil. Try the sticky repair threads on this forum. There are more than a few DIY CV repair threads including temporary fixes. Espero que el resto de su viaje es genial!

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too many w123's
84 280 SL 5 speed