Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

carnaught

ray80 said:

'I have to figure out the best way to do this'
quality and sharp drill bit putting a number of holes in it should do the trick

What kind of drill bit do you think?

28firefighter

Well, data recovery (and destruction) happens to be directly related to my line of work.

Typically when a client asks for us to destroy data after we've completed our work for them, we'll take a drill to it in several places. A forensics expert that trained me used to take them to his house in rural western PA and shoot them with his .357.

Both were equally effective.

Michaell

28firefighter said:

Well, data recovery (and destruction) happens to be directly related to my line of work.

Typically when a client asks for us to destroy data after we've completed our work for them, we'll take a drill to it in several places. A forensics expert that trained me used to take them to his house in rural western PA and shoot them with his .357.

Both were equally effective.

FYI - might be time to update your signature line, now that the A3 is gone.

28firefighter

Michaell said:

FYI - might be time to update your signature line, now that the A3 is gone.

Good call - done! I totally forgot I had one...

imidazol97

carnaught said:

Any idea of the kind of drill bit?

Any drill bit for metal. Figure out where the platter area is and drill several holes around that area.
Or you can take off the cover by removing screws and use a 3-pound hammer to damage the platters.
Sometimes the platters are removable by taking out screws.

28firefighter

Agreed. The drives are fragile, so it won't take much effort to drill through.

oldfarmer50

Gotta love aggressive car sales people. My wife started me thinking about cars again (a dangerous thing) and I was looking at that Mitsu. I thought I might cross shop a brand that didn't depreciate so fast like Honda. Looked at the Hr-V and asked for some email quotes. Even though I specifically asked for no phone calls a young woman called this morning wanting me to "come on down". Scratch that sale.

I have to wonder how dealers handle inquires. Do they just hand a name to a salesperson and ignore any details?

carnaught

imidazol97 said:

carnaught said:

Any idea of the kind of drill bit?

Any drill bit for metal. Figure out where the platter area is and drill several holes around that area.
Or you can take off the cover by removing screws and use a 3-pound hammer to damage the platters.
Sometimes the platters are removable by taking out screws.

Thanks guys. I just don't want to take the time (too lazy) to get a tiny screw driver that will fit the screws, plus suction cups, to get to the platter. On the 21"+ inch iMac, I believe the platter is slightly above the middle of the unit.

28firefighter

oldfarmer50 said:

I have to wonder how dealers handle inquires. Do they just hand a name to a salesperson and ignore any details?

I had this same experience with both an Acura dealer and a Lexus dealer this weekend while shopping for a friend. So very annoying.

suydam

I think you'll be scratching off every dealer. I never ask for email quotes unless I'm seriously considering a vehicle. I still got calls from the Lexus dealer here even though I've told them the CT 200h didn't have the equipment I wanted and that I have, in fact, bought another car. Finally the regional manager seemed to get the picture. I just chalk it up to how they all do business and let it go.

dino001

oldfarmer50 said:

I have to wonder how dealers handle inquires. Do they just hand a name to a salesperson and ignore any details?

I'm sure it's exactly what happens. Every time I send a detailed inquiry, the system responses were generic (usually done by a receptionist type of a person) and final sales guy often didn't even know the model/trim I was inquiring about, or at least acted like he didn't know. I would put a lot of thought into the email, what I wanted, what I needed from them and then in response they would make me to repeat my requests more than once. Truly annoying. Doesn't matter what brand, foreign, domestic, upscale, or regular. M.O. was always the same - get a name and ignore anything the customer asks and make them ask it again.

Now that I think again, it's probably made on purpose - to gain some kind of psychological advantage, or test how resolute you are. If you can't repeat your story, perhaps you can be sold anything, especially considering I always would ask about something not so handily available.

driver100

Trump is talking about putting a 35% tax on German cars imported from Mexico instead of being built in the USA.

Germany's vice chancellor, responding to an interview with President-elect Donald Trump, has rejected threats by Trump to put tariffs of up to 35 percent on German automakers if they set up plants in Mexico instead of the U.S. and try to export cars to the U.S. from there.

Germany's economy minister, was quoted Monday by the daily Bild as saying such tariffs would make "the American auto industry worse, weaker and more expensive."

Germany's economics minister responded that "the U.S. needs to build better cars."

Not being political...just reporting the facts.

Maybe our C250 will go up in value!

isellhondas

oldfarmer50 said:

Gotta love aggressive car sales people. My wife started me thinking about cars again (a dangerous thing) and I was looking at that Mitsu. I thought I might cross shop a brand that didn't depreciate so fast like Honda. Looked at the Hr-V and asked for some email quotes. Even though I specifically asked for no phone calls a young woman called this morning wanting me to "come on down". Scratch that sale.

I have to wonder how dealers handle inquires. Do they just hand a name to a salesperson and ignore any details?

Farmer, the quickest way to "not" sell a car is to foolishly give out a written quote. The potential buyer
will simply take that quote, smile and go on their way shopping it all over. Every written quote is beatable and
any smart store knows that. I used to tell people to show me what numbers they have and give me a chance
to save them some money. I've seen cheap customers drive 100 miles to "save" 100.00!

imidazol97

Germany's economics minister responded that "the U.S. needs to build better cars."

Judging by the repairs I saw being needed on BMWs at my shadetree neighbor's garage,
I suspect the Minister needs to look at his own house rather than using the meme.

fintail

The current variety of your C is now built in Alabama, so it won't become a scapegoat In fact, no MBs are built in Mexico for US or Canadian consumption.

Trumpy sure likes to talk without knowing details, and the German babbler might be similar, seeing that many US-made German-brand cars are actually sold in Germany. It appears Americans can actually build cars just fine. Of course, American build quality has nothing to do with it in reality.

It's going to be a long and dopey 4 years.

driver100 said:

Trump is talking about putting a 35% tax on German cars imported from Mexico instead of being built in the USA.

Not being political...just reporting the facts.

Maybe our C250 will go up in value!

Mr_Shiftright

oldfarmer50 said:

Out of the blue my wife hands me an ad for the local Mitsu dealer who is offering big discounts on 2016s. She liked this one:

http://tmmitsubishi.com/details/2016-Mitsubishi-OutlanderSport-CliftonPark-NY/14110665?cid=2

If the claim of a $24110 MSRP is true that's about a 25% discount. Assuming that these aren't demos with miles what do you think? If it matters I think this guy is one of the top sellers nationwide. He seems to buy up a lot of left overs and discount heavily.

I think Mitsu makes a good product--if you can buy it right (to compensate for awful resale value). The 2.4 engine option is a plus, the CVT....well, it's a CVT...either you like 'em or you don't. I don't expect the Outlander's is particularly sophisticated (never drove this model), but the platform is pretty old.

I guess if I were you I'd price it against an equivalent, like the Honda HR-V, with comparable equipment, and see if it really is a bargain compared to the Honda.

jmonroe

snakeweasel said:

ab348 said:

I've used Windows Restore with good success by going back to a point a week or so earlier.

Well I did some more diagnostics on the laptop and got a "short DST failure" which usually means a failing hard drive. So that means getting it up and running in the shape it's in and doing a final backup of my files and running away from it. That also means accessing these forums via my phone for now. 

I know how you feel.

At the end of March of 2013, as I'm about to do my taxes with H & R Block, my Dell computer from 2001 starts to act weird and locked up a few times. Off I went to Office Depot to get another one. Got my taxes done on time but it POed me no end. It didn't surprise me too much; I knew it wouldn't quit in July because I wasn't doing my taxes then. :@

If you are going to use your phone, don't speak too loudly, some of us take a snooze break every now and then.

jmonroe

snakeweasel

carnaught said:

f only I erased the sensitive data before the computer went down, as now it will not even boot up, and I have to figure out the best way to do this.

A strong magnetic field should do the trick.

henryn

isellhondas said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Gotta love aggressive car sales people. My wife started me thinking about cars again (a dangerous thing) and I was looking at that Mitsu. I thought I might cross shop a brand that didn't depreciate so fast like Honda. Looked at the Hr-V and asked for some email quotes. Even though I specifically asked for no phone calls a young woman called this morning wanting me to "come on down". Scratch that sale.

I have to wonder how dealers handle inquires. Do they just hand a name to a salesperson and ignore any details?

Farmer, the quickest way to "not" sell a car is to foolishly give out a written quote. The potential buyer
will simply take that quote, smile and go on their way shopping it all over. Every written quote is beatable and
any smart store knows that. I used to tell people to show me what numbers they have and give me a chance
to save them some money. I've seen cheap customers drive 100 miles to "save" 100.00!

Referring to the screen capture (just above), I found this on autotrader, and printed a copy. Three 2016 Chrysler Town and Country minivans. All 3 at new car dealers, within about 3 miles of each other, right along the same stretch of freeway.

Every one a 2016, every one the same trim level, every one within 1200 miles on the odometer. Every one an ex-rental. So I did the screen capture, printed it out, and carried that with me. I looked at and drove each one, got an out the door price, and wrote that down next to the picture on my piece of paper. I eliminated the black one – Black is my least favorite color, and the dealer had not even washed or vacuumed the car. I can understand not detailing, as that adds close to $300 to their investment, but not even washing or vacuuming?

The two remaining vans had mediocre tires, one had 3 different brands of tires. When I pointed that out, the “approver” (as opposed to the sales person) offered to knock off $500. All communications, at each dealership, is with the sales person. You don’t get to talk to the approver directly. And it always seems to take 20 or 30 minutes for each round of negotitions.

I asked for $800 off (I like Michelins). They were playing the waiting game, trying to wear down my resistance. While they were trying to out wait me, I slipped out and drove back to the other dealership. I told him that I would “write a check right now” if he would match the $500 off. So this sales person goes off to get approval for my offer. And while he is making me wait, I get a phone call from the “approver” at the first dealership. He can’t do the $800 off, but he can do the $500 off AND give me 4 new tires.

I point out that his math doesn’t add up at all, and he responds that he can hide the new tires in a different budget. So I’m heading out the door, to go back to dealer number 1, and the salesman at dealer number 2 is paying closer attention and catches me on the way out. I tell him what’s going on, and he says “let me ask my manager, maybe he will match it”.

So I’m waiting, and I’m waiting, and after about 20 minutes I’m ready to head for the door again. But I’m also thinking that I prefer the one where the tires at least match. I mean, what happened with the other van that they had to replace one tire at a time, twice? How many curbs or potholes did they hit? So I march in to the office where the “approver” sits up high, and say, “$19,800 right now, take it or leave it, I’m leaving and won’t be back”. Done deal.

The other deal ($500 off and 4 new tires) was a little better financially, but I would have been worrying about what happened to it, and I’m suspicious that I would have wound up with the world’s cheapest tires. This deal (at $19,800) was about $671 off.

All in all, I’m happy. I spend the best part of a full day, but I wound up with the best of the three, and saved myself $671 by not taking the first advertised deal. I make pretty good money these days, but I do not clear $671 a day.

driver100

So I march in to the office where the “approver” sits up high, and say, “$19,800 right now, take it or leave it, I’m leaving and won’t be back”. Done deal.

Good story Henryn: I must have missed something.....how is $19800 better than the price on the 3 advertised vans, all under $19000?

driver100

fintail said:

The current variety of your C is now built in Alabama, so it won't become a scapegoat In fact, no MBs are built in Mexico for US or Canadian consumption.

Trumpy sure likes to talk without knowing details, and the German babbler might be similar, seeing that many US-made German-brand cars are actually sold in Germany. It appears Americans can actually build cars just fine. Of course, American build quality has nothing to do with it in reality.

It's going to be a long and dopey 4 years.

driver100 said:

Trump is talking about putting a 35% tax on German cars imported from Mexico instead of being built in the USA.

Not being political...just reporting the facts.

Maybe our C250 will go up in value!

Good reply fintail. I wish these matters would be studied, before making off the cuff policies.

oldfarmer50

suydam said:

I think you'll be scratching off every dealer. I never ask for email quotes unless I'm seriously considering a vehicle. I still got calls from the Lexus dealer here even though I've told them the CT 200h didn't have the equipment I wanted and that I have, in fact, bought another car. Finally the regional manager seemed to get the picture. I just chalk it up to how they all do business and let it go.

And yet when you are serious they ignore you. I have talked to more than one salesperson and told them "when you get a car in with x, y, z please call me" only to discover that they had a car for months with no calls.

oldfarmer50

isellhondas said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Gotta love aggressive car sales people. My wife started me thinking about cars again (a dangerous thing) and I was looking at that Mitsu. I thought I might cross shop a brand that didn't depreciate so fast like Honda. Looked at the Hr-V and asked for some email quotes. Even though I specifically asked for no phone calls a young woman called this morning wanting me to "come on down". Scratch that sale.

I have to wonder how dealers handle inquires. Do they just hand a name to a salesperson and ignore any details?

Farmer, the quickest way to "not" sell a car is to foolishly give out a written quote. The potential buyer
will simply take that quote, smile and go on their way shopping it all over. Every written quote is beatable and
any smart store knows that. I used to tell people to show me what numbers they have and give me a chance
to save them some money. I've seen cheap customers drive 100 miles to "save" 100.00!

Oh I understand that, some people are just slimy and their word means nothing. But why then put a button in your ad that says "get internet quote"? Why not just post your discounted price? Moreover, why ignore a request for no phone calls?

If you know how the system works why PO the potential legit buyer?

For the record, the second Honda dealer did actually send me a quote and it was a pretty good discount off MSRP.

In your career how did you seperate serious buyers from casual lookers?

suydam

Yes, I think you have to keep checking their inventory. Which may or may not be up to date.

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

Trump is talking about putting a 35% tax on German cars imported from Mexico instead of being built in the USA.

Germany's vice chancellor, responding to an interview with President-elect Donald Trump, has rejected threats by Trump to put tariffs of up to 35 percent on German automakers if they set up plants in Mexico instead of the U.S. and try to export cars to the U.S. from there.

Germany's economy minister, was quoted Monday by the daily Bild as saying such tariffs would make "the American auto industry worse, weaker and more expensive."

Germany's economics minister responded that "the U.S. needs to build better cars."

Not being political...just reporting the facts.

Maybe our C250 will go up in value!

Negotiating ploy, nothing more.

stickguy

19,800 must have been the OTD price.

oldfarmer50

Mr_Shiftright said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Out of the blue my wife hands me an ad for the local Mitsu dealer who is offering big discounts on 2016s. She liked this one:

http://tmmitsubishi.com/details/2016-Mitsubishi-OutlanderSport-CliftonPark-NY/14110665?cid=2

If the claim of a $24110 MSRP is true that's about a 25% discount. Assuming that these aren't demos with miles what do you think? If it matters I think this guy is one of the top sellers nationwide. He seems to buy up a lot of left overs and discount heavily.

I think Mitsu makes a good product--if you can buy it right (to compensate for awful resale value). The 2.4 engine option is a plus, the CVT....well, it's a CVT...either you like 'em or you don't. I don't expect the Outlander's is particularly sophisticated (never drove this model), but the platform is pretty old.

I guess if I were you I'd price it against an equivalent, like the Honda HR-V, with comparable equipment, and see if it really is a bargain compared to the Honda.

$18,499 vs. $21,7xx for a HR-V EX (base trim) with similar equipment.

houdini1

ab348 said:

Everything and more than you ever wanted to know about @graphicguy 's latest Cadillac issue:

http://gm.oemdtc.com/6969/33530-service-update-engine-ground-cable-in-contact-with-half-shaft-2016-cadillac-ats-cts#more-6969

Excellent info AB !

stickguy said:

19,800 must have been the OTD price.

ditto

suydam

oldfarmer50 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Out of the blue my wife hands me an ad for the local Mitsu dealer who is offering big discounts on 2016s. She liked this one:

http://tmmitsubishi.com/details/2016-Mitsubishi-OutlanderSport-CliftonPark-NY/14110665?cid=2

If the claim of a $24110 MSRP is true that's about a 25% discount. Assuming that these aren't demos with miles what do you think? If it matters I think this guy is one of the top sellers nationwide. He seems to buy up a lot of left overs and discount heavily.

I think Mitsu makes a good product--if you can buy it right (to compensate for awful resale value). The 2.4 engine option is a plus, the CVT....well, it's a CVT...either you like 'em or you don't. I don't expect the Outlander's is particularly sophisticated (never drove this model), but the platform is pretty old.

I guess if I were you I'd price it against an equivalent, like the Honda HR-V, with comparable equipment, and see if it really is a bargain compared to the Honda.

$18,499 vs. $21,7xx for a HR-V EX (base trim) with similar equipment.

YMYV.

henryn

Yes, $19,800 was OTD. I always negotiate about the number that I have to write on the check. Nothing else matters. I could give a hoot how much of that is for doc fees, or nitrogen filled tires, or whatever. If I'm doing a trade in, it gets a little more complex, but it still comes down to, "How much do I have to pay? What number is on the check, or the total amount financed."

cdnpinhead

fintail said:

It's going to be a long and dopey 4 years.

True that.

Some would say it's been a long and dopey 8 years, but I wouldn't, since that would be a political comment.

abacomike

driver100 said:

Trump is talking about putting a 35% tax on German cars imported from Mexico instead of being built in the USA. Germany's vice chancellor, responding to an interview with President-elect Donald Trump, has rejected threats by Trump to put tariffs of up to 35 percent on German automakers if they set up plants in Mexico instead of the U.S. and try to export cars to the U.S. from there. Germany's economy minister, was quoted Monday by the daily Bild as saying such tariffs would make "the American auto industry worse, weaker and more expensive." Germany's economics minister responded that "the U.S. needs to build better cars." Not being political...just reporting the facts. Maybe our C250 will go up in value!

The response from Germany has been pretty negative.  I don't think Mercedes or BMW build cars in Mexico.  They build all their SUV's sold in this country here in the USA.  Mercedes builds the C Class here as well.  VW has several plants in Mexico - they also have/had a plant in Brazil.  

Mr_Shiftright

Trade wars can get awfully ugly awfully fast. Let's hope we don't see that.

abacomike

Mr_Shiftright said:

Trade wars can get awfully ugly awfully fast. Let's hope we don't see that.

I doubt German auto manufacturers will respond like Carrier or Ford or Fiat/Chrysler as regards Mexican plants or building more plants more quickly here in the USA.  Should be an interesting 4 years if import duties are imposed on German car imports, Toyota imports, etc., from Mexico.

I wonder if this is a strategy to get Mexico to build a wall? 

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

suydam said:

I think you'll be scratching off every dealer. I never ask for email quotes unless I'm seriously considering a vehicle. I still got calls from the Lexus dealer here even though I've told them the CT 200h didn't have the equipment I wanted and that I have, in fact, bought another car. Finally the regional manager seemed to get the picture. I just chalk it up to how they all do business and let it go.

And yet when you are serious they ignore you. I have talked to more than one salesperson and told them "when you get a car in with x, y, z please call me" only to discover that they had a car for months with no calls.

In theory, it should be easy to file requests, and call when the car you want comes in. I think it is harder to set up than it would seem. Also, most people are lazy and in my experience sales people are even lazier (I was one so I have reason for what I say), so they don't always make the extra effort.

OTOH, when we first looked at the C250 we visited the BMW dealer across the road. We have received several emails from them offering to look for a car for us. I emailed I appreciated their service, but, we did buy a car. They wrote and asked what we bought, and said they hope we enjoy the new car and don't hesitate to call them if we need anything. All nice and professional, I said we would keep them in mind and not hesitate to recommend them.

btw, they take you around their used cars in a golf cart.....only in Florida.......

oldfarmer50

suydam said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Out of the blue my wife hands me an ad for the local Mitsu dealer who is offering big discounts on 2016s. She liked this one:

http://tmmitsubishi.com/details/2016-Mitsubishi-OutlanderSport-CliftonPark-NY/14110665?cid=2

If the claim of a $24110 MSRP is true that's about a 25% discount. Assuming that these aren't demos with miles what do you think? If it matters I think this guy is one of the top sellers nationwide. He seems to buy up a lot of left overs and discount heavily.

I think Mitsu makes a good product--if you can buy it right (to compensate for awful resale value). The 2.4 engine option is a plus, the CVT....well, it's a CVT...either you like 'em or you don't. I don't expect the Outlander's is particularly sophisticated (never drove this model), but the platform is pretty old.

I guess if I were you I'd price it against an equivalent, like the Honda HR-V, with comparable equipment, and see if it really is a bargain compared to the Honda.

$18,499 vs. $21,7xx for a HR-V EX (base trim) with similar equipment.

YMYV.

I 'm blanking, what does YMYV mean? I'm sure I'll slap myself when you tell me.

suydam

Your Money Your Value.

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

suydam said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Out of the blue my wife hands me an ad for the local Mitsu dealer who is offering big discounts on 2016s. She liked this one:

http://tmmitsubishi.com/details/2016-Mitsubishi-OutlanderSport-CliftonPark-NY/14110665?cid=2

If the claim of a $24110 MSRP is true that's about a 25% discount. Assuming that these aren't demos with miles what do you think? If it matters I think this guy is one of the top sellers nationwide. He seems to buy up a lot of left overs and discount heavily.

I think Mitsu makes a good product--if you can buy it right (to compensate for awful resale value). The 2.4 engine option is a plus, the CVT....well, it's a CVT...either you like 'em or you don't. I don't expect the Outlander's is particularly sophisticated (never drove this model), but the platform is pretty old.

I guess if I were you I'd price it against an equivalent, like the Honda HR-V, with comparable equipment, and see if it really is a bargain compared to the Honda.

$18,499 vs. $21,7xx for a HR-V EX (base trim) with similar equipment.

YMYV.

I 'm blanking, what does YMYV mean? I'm sure I'll slap myself when you tell me.

Yeh, I have trouble with text talk type letters too.

Edmunds on Honda: pros

Roomy interior and seating
Versatile cargo loading thanks to unique rear seat
High fuel economy
Excellent outward visibility.
cons

Underwhelming acceleration
Touchscreen interface can be frustrating to use and lacks full Android integration.

They give a price in my ZIP for under $21K and a nicely loaded model under $23k. Both cars are pretty even Might depend on whether lowest price or depreciation matter.

driver100

suydam said:

Your Money Your Value.

WDIKT?

(Why Didn't I Know That?)

explorerx4

14.4 hours to remove/reinstall drivetrain. Ouch!

Mr_Shiftright

which car you talking about?

explorerx4

@Mr_Shiftright,
I'm referring to the info AB348 posted about the Cadillac wiring harness recall.

Mr_Shiftright

Shoot that's not so bad for an entire drivetrain. That's about the labor to just put a clutch in a Mini Cooper.

abacomike

houdini1 said:

Everything and more than you ever wanted to know about @graphicguy 's latest Cadillac issue: http://gm.oemdtc.com/6969/33530-service-update-engine-ground-cable-in-contact-with-half-shaft-2016-cadillac-ats-cts#more-6969

Excellent info AB !

19,800 must have been the OTD price.

ditto

Thanks, Houdini, for posting that site.  Found a recall for 2016 BMW 740i's built in Nov-Dec, 2015 for a problem with airbags. Let my brother know but he told me his car was built in May, 2016.

stickguy

somehow I don't think I want a car back that he that done to it. Push the zone lady for the possible swap before they finally find the part!

graphicguy

@ab348 ......good detective work. Thanks!

Much more involved than I thought. In addition to the repair, including pulling and reinstalling the engine, I wonder what damage was done by the fire?

Not feeling good about this!

abacomike

graphicguy said:

@ab348 ......good detective work. Thanks! Much more involved than I thought. In addition to the repair, including pulling and reinstalling the engine, I wonder what damage was done by the fire? Not feeling good about this!

This is starting to not only sound bad, but it is also developing a "stench" as well!!! 

iluvmysephia1

WDIKAOT?

Why Didn't I Know All Of This?

fintail

Maybe, but my local economy and personal investments have quite enjoyed the past 8 or so years. That's an economic comment, so it's OK

cdnpinhead said:

Some would say it's been a long and dopey 8 years, but I wouldn't, since that would be a political comment.

fintail

I think the only brand it would impact is VW, who is still something of a niche player in the states, and who already has operations in the US. Many VW faithful are so into it, they'd probably absorb any supposed tariff that Tweeter thinks he can implement via personal mandate. The other German brands don't build in Mexico for American consumption - in fact, much of BMW and MB SUV production is in AL and SC. I think Audi was going to open a facility in Mexico for Q5, not sure if it has happened or if they would be sold here. More distraction from actual issues, a chapter that repeats itself through history.

abacomike said:

The response from Germany has been pretty negative.  I don't think Mercedes or BMW build cars in Mexico.  They build all their SUV's sold in this country here in the USA.  Mercedes builds the C Class here as well.  VW has several plants in Mexico - they also have/had a plant in Brazil.