JohnT

At 22 PSI, tire will never come out off the wheels in sand. I am sure your tire pressure gauge was faulty, buy new one. Advisable tire tire pressure for safe and comfy driving in sand is 15 PSI, you can lower it down to 12 PSI if stuck in some extreme soft sand and then inflate back to 15 PSI.

Nick advise was great addon for newbie here.

Air filter: 400-500

Platinum plugs: 300

Free flow exhaust: 1000

MSD chip: 3500 AED

You can choose what u like mate, above is quite estimated pricing i can think from top of my head. Good luck and update what route you take.

Drive shaft moves when vehicle moves, and hence its not driveshaft noise as it usually comes at 50 kmph with slight vobling.

This could be some engine or gear foundation (as jamal said) weak or completely torn. In this case you will usually have vibration but not grinding noise, can you confirm if its grinding noise or slight vibration you meant to say?

Depending on which foundation is faulty its couple of hundred job not much. My advise if one engine mount is faulty change all, or else soon you will change another one. Engine has 3 mounts and gear has 2 mounts, each cost around 100 dhs plus labor could be 100 - 200 dhs for changing all.

Next to impossible to get your hands on Puma in UAE. Im serious.

With that model, i think you need to update the software as well so buying pirated disc isnt enough. Cheaper option is to change the DIN for 1000 dhs than breaking head to repair or update old fart. In deira opp shindaga have seen Sat Nav of route 66 getting as cheap as for 1000 dhs (in dash one) stand alone portable is even cheaper at 400-500 that you can stick it on dash board.

Call gulf star for replacement FOB, which will be lot cheaper and then get it programmed from 200 dhs under burjuman car parking shop selling duplicate keys and doing key programming. I cant recall its name i think its called minutes.

For mountain your your Range is pretty good as it is. Just make sure its not leaking any oils.

For off road venture there are so many clubs in Dubai, feel free to join any and start your off road venture. Majorly clubs do desert drive, so keep your eye open on wadi and mountain drive and im sure you will get one.

Dubai 4x4, Emarat 4x4, Dubai desert club, Me offroaders, google plenty more.

1. What is the usual hourly labour rate for independents vs. Al Tayer?

Hourly rate im not sure, but basic labor cost at Tayer and outside is exactly half. Tayer might charge 5k for head gasket and outside at good competent workshop you can get same job in 2.5-3k .

2. Does anyone know roughly how many hours the above jobs should take to complete?

Its about 2-3 full day job for head gasket replacement.

3. Similarly, would anyone know who much the parts are likely to cost for the above?

Original parts should cost around 1000-1500 from outside and at Tayer would be around 2500.

4. When replacing the head gasket, is it always recommended to skim the heads and also replace the bolts?

It is highly recommended to get head skimmed and bolt changed too.

5. Is there anything else i should maybe know about in relation to the exhaust manifold/ gasket (currently sounds a bit like a massey ferguson!)

While at head gasket check the timing belt and timing belt pulley, easier to change now than again opening half engine head may be six months later.

check the fuse if its burnt. if it is the change it and see if its working

head gasket is cheap may be around 300 -500 but installation will be big deal and please consult a qualified technician only for opening up the engine head. Its a very serious job.

Before jumping to any big job, check your three different blower relays and swap them for fun and see if blower works.

These intermittent issues only point to relay failure in my mind.

Check the AC fan and engine first if its working fine, then check radiator isnt blocked, then thermostat and last water pump.

Major service at 40k and 80k have basically all lubes and filter change like coolant, PSF, diff oil, gear oil, brake fluid, fuel filter, gear oil filter, air filter, AC filter etc.

And close examining of critical items like radiator, thermostats, axel boot, engine foundation, fuel pump, brake disc, exhaust sytem etc.

Get the wheel alignment and it shud go straight. If still steer right get your axel alignment done whether its bend or straight?

hand brake drum must have got something stuck or in lever. You acn lift he car and visually inspect the drum at rear close to center where wire is going. If its lever, better seek mechanic help.