The x-ray machines at customs have been in use at least since 2012, if I recall correctly.

Probably David Beach's nightmare had to do with the winter holidays (mid-July to early August)? EZE is very fluctuant depending on the school holidays. In late July and late January I have been stranded for at least 2 hours at customs, while in slower months it has taken me less than half an hour to fetch my bag and leave the airport.

The x-ray machines entering the country at customs at EZE were NOT there in August 2014, I went through then, and it was just a wave of the hand, adelante, no machine in sight, and no lineup anywhere, just an open door.

Haha, I like the term "David Beach's nightmare", but big delays can happen anytime. Holidays? Argentines are always on holidays. So are visitors. You have to be prepared for mega-delays anytime, if you do not you are just plain foolish, amigos. :)

All of my inbound luggage was X-rayed (USA passport arriving on a nonstop from the USA operated by a USA legacy carrier) around September 1, 2014 and around September 1, 2013.

ahh, okay, there may have been machines there, but I have always (dozens of times) been waved thru (Canadian passport) from 2007 to 2014. Now, tho, they have really set up a monster operation and are waving no one thru customs.

Same experience early July. Immigration was a breeze. Was very excited as I only had hand luggage so thought I'd be in a taxi and on my way in no time. So wrong was I. Huge line at Customs. When finally got to the front was sent to a second line for x-ray screening. Took at least an hour overall. Very annoying. Then stuck in traffic which took 1.5 hours to get to central Buenos Aires. 4 hours is not enough for an EZE-AEP connection.

Customs and X Ray machine use can be variable, but for the most part they will be used. Customs scrutiny is an issue with locals (Argentine Passport holders).... as visitors, just have your foreign passport handy right in front of you as you pass through and 99% of the time, unless you are super loaded with tons of bags and boxes you will be waived through. The boys at customs are looking for locals bringing down new electronics.... they don't care much about anything else.

Yes I remember the machines being there last century although back then if you made it clear you were a foreigner they let you go through without having to put them through the damn thing. Over the last six years or more despite me making it clear I have a UK passport they have always made me put the bags on the belt.
When we arrived off the 8pm arrival from MAD in June we cleared both immigration and customs very quickly. It's the best timed flight from Europe even the roads are quiet. We arrived home which is 100 miles away just after 11pm. It's usually nearer midnight.

Aye, but I've noticed that during the Argentine high season (January and late July/early August plus the random holiday in between like Carnival) EZE collapses and it can take you up to 2 hours to actually go through passport control and customs. Otherwise during the low season it's very straightforward.

Last time I went home (March this year) there was a special queue at customs for people traveling just with carry-on (Argentines and foreigners alike). That made the whole process last a bit more than zero minutes.

Gaucho, have you actually arrived on an international flight at EZE over the last 5 or 6 weeks?

Yes.

Has your recent experience been different from what Ive posted above...? Would be great to hear your thoughts on this.

Cheers,
Gaucho100K

Having made this connection a few months ago using a remis, I would be uncomfortable attempting a connection at less than four hours. Don't forget that traffic and waiting in lines at AEP have to be allowed for. This is with luggage to be claimed at EZE and checked again at AEP.

Thanks

You do not want the "scenic routes." Seriously. Some routes you really don't want to be on.

You might consider hiring a remis for a part-day tour, which would also provide a trunk in which to keep your luggage.

Tienda León is probably the best in your case. I am not sure but I think TL has baggage storage at the terminal in Retiro. Then you can walk around town a bit and then they drive you to AEP.

On a side note, I landed at EZE on the BA flight last Tuesday morning and the whole immigration-baggage reclaim-customs process took less than 30 minutes. I was carrying two overweight suitcases and at customs they X-rayed them but didn't stop me at all - and I travel on an Argentine passport. Added to that there was almost on traffic on 25 de Mayo, I made it home 90 minutes after landing. Best airport in the world :p