Barry

I am aware that I have publicly denounced American cars on this forum many times but there's something in me that really likes Challengers. There's something really badass and mean looking about them. 

After a bit of research, I've figured out I can realistically afford a V6. I'd like a V8 but they're out of my league at the minute. I'm determined to pass my driving test and not end up in a Tiida. 

So, has anyone owned one? What are they like to live with, especially in the gulf climate? What are things to look out for when buying?

Yes, I agree. We are killing the planet. But when you have a look around and see how unnecessary most of the vehicles here are, huge unnecessary 4x4s that never leave the Tarmac, big v8 passenger cars that never see a race track or get the chance to go over 120, you soon realise that it will take a lot to make people change their ways. I'd guess most people here could survive with a little 1.0 city car like a Polo or a Fiesta but hey, where's the fun in that?

I hope they name them properly this time. I found it very confusing at the start when I came here that a lot of the stations are named after companies rather than the area they are in. 

Adrenaline I guess. I put my hand through a plate glass window a few years ago. Sliced my wrist and forearm open, cut a tendon, blood everywhere. Managed to wrap it up and drive myself to hospital. Never felt a thing until the next day. Then it really hurt lol. 

Fitting bigger rims on a passenger car means you can fit low profile tyres without changing the size of the rolling circumference of the wheel. Low profile tyres means you have less flex in the sidewall which has the effect of making the steering more direct thus improving handling. However, because there is less flex, you can lose grip  and spin out more easily when cornering. Not always a problem if you're into drifting. 

I like things with big wheels. The wheels on this monster truck originally came from the LeTorneau electric land train. Something interesting to read about if you have half an hour to kill.

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2009/11/19/54-wheel-drive-the-letourneau-electric-arctic-land-trains-that-put-australian-road-trains-to-shame/

Most oil can be used in both petrol and diesel engines as long as it's the correct grade, it's just marketing. Take Mobil1 and Mobil1 turbodiesel for example. It's the same stuff in different jars, the spec sheets are exactly the same.

What happens when you stick your finger into a running turbocharger?

Technically, it's not really a Mini, its an A3 1.8T with fibreglass panels but still, I like the idea.

Also donk style from America. The biggest wheels you can afford with low profile tyres. 

Check out these Bosozuko style cars from Japan. Fibreglass and plywood everywhere. I love the crazy exhausts the most. 

When something uses up some of the power that the engine is producing. Things like a supercharger, air conditioning, electrical things such as heater, lights, ICE etc causing the alternator to work harder

Yes I saw that. I'd rather have recommendations from people about companies they have used though. There are so many Cowboys in this town I feel like I'm in a John Wayne movie sometimes. 

It's a key to wind up the toy car

I present to you the leaf blower turbo. It has been tried and tested many times and actually works. 

Hi

does anyone have any good reliable contacts for media blasting/chrome plating and upholstery in Dubai or Sharjah?

thanks in advance

I'm sorry! 

What are your favourite engines and why?

Mine are, in no particular order,

Ford Kent - Simple pushrod design, easy to work on, first engine I learned about tuning on

Ford Pinto - Heavy but uncomplicated, the basis for the famous Cosworth YB Turbo

Cosworth YB Turbo - Can produce 500 BHP on standard internals, show me another 2.0 engine that can do that without exploding

Suzuki GSX 1300 R - Lightweight, revs to 11K, can rev to 14K with some programming, the basis for all the best bike engined cars

Subaru EJ - Boxer design gives great stability with low centre of gravity, can produce silly horsepower and makes that noise only Subarus make

Peugeot XUD - Probably the most reliable diesel ever built, lots of torque, so good that PSA used it for almost 20 years in different forms

Diesels are usually known for their low down torque and pulling ability but these badass machines have some serious horsepower and acceleration.

I have to say I've really been enjoying Ramadan in Dubai. It's been so peaceful. The usual tourist crowd who come here and get drunk and stand in the street and shout all night outside my apartment have disappeared. For Eid we're planning to head to Ras Al Khaimah. I'd be quite happy to stay at home and play Xbox but hey ho, she's the boss!

There are entire forums dedicated to this one subject. If you google 'hypermiling' you'll find lots of information. Some people make it their entire lifes work to save 5 fils on every journey. 

Service your car regularly, always use high quality oil, keep your air filter clean

Keep your tyres correctly inflated to the correct pressure

Use the correct type of tyres. Don't drive around on all terrain tyres if you never leave the tarmac

Think ahead. See whats happening in front of you on the road. Anticipate braking and acceleration so you can maintain a cruise

Turn your engine off if you're parked or going to be stuck in traffic for a long time

Drive a smaller car. You don't need a big V8 if you never go over 80 or leave the city

Close the windows and sunroof. Creates less drag, therefore uses less fuel

Plan your journey so that you aren't going to be stuck in a known traffic hotspot

There was a known fault with the timing chain tensioners in 2.0 engines built before 2012. VAG have since released an updated and improved part, not that it helps you much now. Because you have full dealer service history, Audi may offer a goodwill gesture and offer to pay some of the repair cost. Speak to the dealer and see what they say. If they're not interested, escalate your complaint to Audi HQ. After all, they sold cars with faulty parts.

Nearly all cars over read the speed on the dash by up to 10%, it's just one of those facts of life and not something I would worry about. It's inbuilt by the manufacturers to stop people unknowingly exceeding the speed limit then suing the manufacturer because they got fined for speeding. Depending on the car, there are sometimes kits that can be bought to modify the speed sensor if you're doing something like fitting a different size of wheel and tyre and the reading is going to be way out, usually just consists of changing the worm gear, if it's a mechanical sensor in the gearbox. However, a lot of new cars read the speed through the ABS sensors so I'm not sure how you would go about changing that. I guess if you were good with a computer and had the right software that would be the way forward.

Electric cars are certainly the way forward. I watched a few Formula E races over the past 6 months and found it way better than Formula 1, the quality of the racing is just so much better. Although on the other hand, if it really came down to it in the next 10-15 years and all new cars being produced were electric, I think I would reconsider my career choices. I think I would find it hard to get excited about working on electric cars.

I was lucky(?) enough to have a drive in a modified 997 turbo a few months ago. In a straight line it was an absolute animal but in corners I can only describe it as dangerous. I found it far too twitchy and unpredictable. Why Porsche are still hanging the engine out behind the rear wheels after all this time I will never understand, especially when they have built so many good mid engined cars such as the Boxter/Cayman and the fantastic Carrera GT.

Quick and cheap fix - Pour a bottle of Lucas Stop Leak into the reservoir, turn the steering wheel fully left to right and back again a couple of time and the leak will be cured. It really is miracle stuff. I've used it a few times on leaky steering pumps and leaking steering rack seals when the customer didn't want to spend the money to replace the parts.