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Trip Report - It was a beautiful start to a Friday, with a nice relaxing Newbie Drive with your buddies as well as the Absolute Newbies. Everyone reached on time which was much appreciated. We had 3 Absolute Newbies in our convoy, @tjsingh @Syed Ahmed and the other @Roshan Abraham. After the detailed brief, we headed to the deflation point where we assigned the convoy numbers. @Gaurav was my second lead. A big shout out to him for correcting the route wherever required to ensure that everyone had a smooth path. All 3 newbies closely followed his track and they all managed exceptionally well. @Frederic was positioned right behind the newbies to assist them when needed. @AKR and @Emil followed with @Rahimdad and @shadow79 managing the sweep duties. We started with tracks and some small dunes where we did some sideys. Though a couple of refusals, everyone did well which gave me the confidence to up the level as we were approaching the medium size dunes. The real fun started at the base of pink rocks where everyone made an attempt going up Pink Rock. Even the Newbies made an attempt with @Gaurav and @Rahimdad sitting alongside them. If it was not enough doing it in their own cars, we all took turns with other's cars. After close to an hour of playing we exited out to 2nd December where we all sat down for our breakfast. After saying goodbye to Newbies, Rahim Bhai suggested a quick spin till Big Fall. He found some amazing virgin rolling dunes and we were treated to an absolute smooth drive, Rahim Bhai style. During this session, I was driving behind @AKR, and for the first time I could feel that he was in sync with his car and was driving with lot of confidence. Overall a wonderful day and drive. Big thank you to everyone that supported the drive and especially to the senior members @Gaurav @Rahimdad @Frederic @shadow79 to back me up.

Guys, it was absolutely amazing how well-organized and safe the whole trip was, had a great time. @Gaurav thanks for all the tips and guidances through out the trip and the sandwiches. @Rahimdad you're a very positive personality and it was a pleasure to meet you–thanks for the parantas. @Syed Ahmed thanks for coming back to the rescue–you're a star. @Roshan Abraham you made it through like a champ. Thanks @Frederic @AKR @shadow79 @Emil for your support. @Srikumar We need to have an another session arranged soon I know a lot newbies who could join the next trip. Cheers everyone. Have great weekend.

Our newbies that joined today, and the potential newbies that will join the coming off-roading season, will get a taste of @Srikumar his great skills: From the detailed and complete briefing, to the overall smooth routing, everything was in its right place to give newbies the knowledge and confidence to get the first steps in the sand and allow them to further advance this great hobby in a professional and safe way. I am very proud to see Carnity as a whole growing year after year, not afraid of challenging itself or reinventing itself. It’s the way to success and all members will reap the benefits from that !

Congrats @Sri on your first official "Newbie Drive" which is a big feather for any Marshal cap to plan and lead absolute newbie drive, which is actually very difficult for many offroaders. You have nicely planned the route and chosen the perfect level at right time from beginning till the end, so that all newbies can learn and enjoy safely. You have lead an amazing newbie drive and tbh, I didn't corrected any route and after some time I become lazy and started thinking that I'm following Rahimdad lead. Well done buddy, we are very proud and fortunate to have you as a Marhsal who can think it through and see things differently from various perspective than just hitting the pedal to find his own way alone.

Chinese and Korean - Moderate noise, cheaper price - I used Kumho in my wife car briefly. Japanese tire - Bridgestone, Dunlop, Yokohama - less noise, moderate price. Michelin, Pirelli - No noise, most expensive and Michelin has longest usable life. So if you plan to keep car for 80k kms use Michelin - the best quality rubber for tires, money can buy. If you plan for 40K - Japanese are good option, except dunlop as they get noisy after half life (20k). Don't know the korean life, someone can add further on that. BMW road tire shops, not all of them sell original. So sticking to some known and old tire shop is a safe bet - Gulf coast, Ardh al emarat, formula tires, century tires.

Some of you will be aware of the Toyota Century, basically the Japanese Maybach and the only car Japan produce with a V12 engine. Now they have released a convertible version.

I agree, if you can get the engine compression test then it's a best way to check. If you need compression tester, I can give you mine, if you have access to this car in UAE, you can do it yourself in 30 min - 1hr, depending on how deep Nissan have hidden the spark plug. I can come along too as I have done compression test before and with two its better and faster.

Post your car related childhood memories using pictures. Here are some of mine, Twin Weber carburettors on everything, EFI is too new fangled and will break down Tiger stripes are cool, especially if it’s a Ford Rear window louvres OMG omg omg! Leopard print seat covers. I bet they smell like expired fish, family friendly forum so no explanation CB radios. After Smokey and the Bandit everyone seemed to have one. Good way to talk to and meet random people before the internet Slotmags. If you didn’t have slot mags on your car you’re not in the scene Insane body kits. Bigger wheel arches means you have a bigger .........

Oh yes been there done that 😂

Hi guys, Iam planning to change tyres for my pajero. Can anyone recommend a good shop. Also the tyre shops in BMW street, are they genuine? Is there a chance that they might sell fake tyres. Suggestion for good tyre brands are also welcome. Looking for onroad tyres with less noise.

Thank you for the feedback , will have a look

Not only Mercs but BMWs Caddilacs Jeeps VWs GMC Chevy can all be found LHD. My Dad bought a jap import Caddilac STS with only 30k on the clock. And it was like it just rolled off the factory floor. Had to change the cluster language from jap to English was simple enough. Also came with a Mini Floppy Disc drive in the audio headunit. Also you will find LHD made in USA accord coupes which were exported to Japan and now here

A lot of people in my country import them to strip the V12 and stick it into Supras. Japan is weird. I love some of the cars they make but the market is weird. The JDM Mercedes are left hand drive, I’ve seen some being shipped to here. The consensus there is that if you have a LHD car it means you are rich so Stuttgart send the LHD cars to japan who send them back to UAE when they are finished with them. Same car, same specs, but the radio doesn’t work. Most cars you can reprogram the radio to a new country but in japan it’s locked because they don’t want it being reprogrammed to listen to police frequencies. Yakuza, ya know?

Since you are looking for onroad tyres, you can look at the Korean tyres like Kumho and Nexen. Good value for your money and are reasonably quiet. If your budget is more than I guess Michelin tyres are the best when it comes less noise. The tyres sold there are genuine, just ensure that the you can get the manufacturing date as latest as possible.

Unfortunately they make it only in RHD and don't export it.

If it has been in both system then there shouldn't be much wear but if it's been only gas usage then you will find yourself doing engine overhaul later down the road.as problems associated with only gas usage engines are carbon build up, valve seat and guide wear,ring wear as these things don't get lubricated sufficiently. As desert warriors have to be in peak condition anything less will not last... If you can get history of the vehicle and or get a compression test done and see if the numbers you get compared with minimal and maximum from the manual of manufacturer...that way you can gauge where the engine is standing... Other than engine nothing gets affected the rest of the drivetrain will age as usual...

My question? If vehicle was used in CNG... is it worth to buy and push to its maximum as you know my purpose. I will be using as my weekend warrior in desert.

@Gaurav i am afraid i cant attend today unfortunately. Relatives came from abroad so have to spend Friday with them. Hope to see you all guys again soon! I have withdrawn from the event. Sorry for lat min notice.

it sure does make a difference and the mixture burning content is far less then real fuel which also acts as a cooling and lubricant when entering the engine...

Fuel line that goes from your tank to the brain carrying green tea

@Asif Hussain bhai which lines you want explained...i can elaborate for sure

those things only work if other things are in factory spec now who can guaranty after 5 or 10 years of forces affecting on frame has not made a difference on it...

Totally agree, I am also big fan of @shadow79 and @Jalil bhai desert services, recovery and jugad. Old school is always king but in such minute precision and decimal based alignment 3D aligner are far easy, faster and less headache than making 20 trips to explain left and right, then left too much, then right after 3 seconds, and still not sure if it gonna eat tire shoulders or not after a month of driving.

Hi sri this is waseem , shamils friend, have come for many drives with him before, i have a jeep wrangler and yes its equipped with recovery points, will see u guys tomorrow, very excited for the drive😀

I've got a tow bar on back of my car (Nissan Patrol 2007 - VTC), that should do the job. Not sure if it has any recovery points in the front.

@tjsingh @Syed Ahmed please ensure that you have recovery points both in the front and back of your car. In case of any doubts, please do let us know.

@Syed Ahmed welcome to Carnity and the Offroad Club. Look forward to seeing you on Friday. In meanwhile, could you please advise which 4x4 you are driving?