Frederic

Finding a reliable workshop that is also cheap is like finding a unicorn in the desert. So far i've been happy with the services of Specialised Auto Care in Al Quoz nearby the Al Quoz Mall. As for all workshops you will need to keep tabs on them and be transparent in your expectations of budget and quality. Ask for Rishi who runs the place and you can determine the work and your budget together to avoid surprises. https://g.page/sacdubai?share

Congrats @Nikhil Saju Paul !

You have shortlisted 3 very good vehicles for the desert. From what I’ve seen it’s getting more difficult to get a clean 3.5 pathfinder nowadays as they are popular within the off-road community. in any case it’s important to go for a vehicle that is stock, and haven’t spent too much time off-road. The Xterra is still often used as family vehicle or mall crawler and you should be able to find a clean one that hasn’t been off-road. For the Jeep Wrangler it’s quite certain that this car will have spent time in the desert so you’ll need to inspect the car throughout and even if possible take a mechanic with you. 3 different vehicles that all drive totally different. Try to to some test drives and see which car you feel more at home in. I am also in favor for the 3.5 Pathfinder. They seem to possess a classic image and spare parts are easy to find.

TRIP REPORT The Badayer region is generally known for extreme buggy offroading, lots of noise, and dunes which are beautiful but can mess you up pretty badly. For this drive i wanted to let the extreme stuff behind, and just focus on getting back in the sand and enjoy the afternoon with our Carnity family. @Shamil joined us with a friend in a voodoo-blue FJ Cruiser, which gave me back nice memories from having owned the same one in Saudi Arabia, but luckily Shamil his car was a 4WD and not a 2WD like mine With @Martin. as my second lead, we headed off to see what this afternoon would bring us. The first two hours i ventured into an area of Badayer which was slightly more challenging for Newbies due to the loose sand, and some cars needed to be woken up again after having spent time in the garages due to the lockdown. This meant we had some recovery work to do, but that always gives us something to learn, and both @Ale Vallecchi and @Shamil provided excellent support, but also most other members were very pro-active and offered to help, which is of course more difficult now because of Covid restrictions but nevertheless we kept it sane and followed the guidelines. After about 2 hours, i chose to go for a more gentle track which leaded to the back side of Pink Rock and we chose to drive around it as it was getting a bit dark and we wanted to take a break for Iftar prayers. All in all a very pleasant drives with a few challenges where we all had to think as a group to find the best recovery course of action, but as you see we always strive to find the safest option and that brings us all safely back on the tarmac. @Nizam Deen @E.C. TAN @Pancho @luwaimn @Shiju Manuel @Vanessa8580 @Denizzalbayrak @Ale Vallecchi @Shamil @Martin. Thanks to all for joining the drive and i hope to see you all soon again ! https://www.relive.cc/view/vPOpWMQ18Ev

One spot has become available on the Badayer drive. If interested in joining please RSVP. (NO ABSOLUTE NEWBIES)

One spot has become available on the Badayer drive. If interested in joining please RSVP. (NO ABSOLUTE NEWBIES)

Radio Channel No: 1 Radio Channel Frequency: 446.006'25 Attendees Level Car Pos # Frederic Marshal Mitsubishi Pajero SWB 1 Martin, Fewbie Mitsubishi Pajero LWB 2 Shjiu Manuel Newbie Mitsubishi Pajero LWB 3 luwaimn Fewbie Toyota Landcruiser Prado 4 Nizam Deen Newbie Toyota Landcruiser Prado 5 Ale Vallecchi Intermediate Toyota FJ Cruiser 6 Denizzalbayrak Fewbie Chevrolet Trailblazer 7 Pancho Fewbie Jeep Wrangler SWB 8 E.C Tan Newbie Jeep Wrangler SWB 9 Shamil Advance Nissan Xterra 10

Due to strong support in tomorrow's drive i have added you to the drive as a one time exception. See you tomorrow.

Hi Jamy, Sorry to hear that. I will keep an eye out in the drive bookings.

Unfortunately not. As soon as something comes available you can take the availabe slot.

@Mels Wolf @Shiju Manuel @luwaimn @Denizzalbayrak @Martin. @Pancho @Nizam Deen @Xaf @Ale Vallecchi Please take note that we will use the following Frequency / Channel tomorrow: CARNITY CHANNEL1: 446.006-25 Mhz Please set your radio to this frequency and switch on your radio when you arrive at the deflation point so we can commence the briefing over the radio.

@Mels Wolf @Shiju Manuel @luwaimn @Denizzalbayrak @Martin. @Pancho @Nizam Deen Hi guys, Please confirm with "TOTALLY AGREE" emoji if you have read above instructions with regards to COVID-19 precautions. This drive will end nearby 2nd December cafeteria, and not nearby a fuel station. Please make sure you have a compressor with you so you can inflate nearby the road.

Correct, but the ECM needs to be re-programmed from what i've heard, which is apparently not that easy.

UPDATE: So after bringing the vehicle to another technician i got the confirmation that the ECM needs to be replaced. After the initial quote of 13kAED the current quote is 6kAED, which is 3400AED for the ECM and the rest for programming, labour and some consumables (air filters, some hoses). The CTS is a 2009 3.6 model which needs some TLC but can be brought back into decent condition. Owner is not planning on putting 6kAED into it, and the scrap value would be 800-1000AED max. I am seriously considering putting the car in my driveway as project fixxer-upper car and getting a VIN-programmed ECM from the USA which would cost me about 300USD shipping included. The rest would be a decent clean-up / polish job and put it back on the market in a couple of months. The secondhand market is not fabulous now but let's see.

In light of these extraordinary times and with utmost respect for the measures put in place by the government authorities, we are moving forward with future drives by implementing and using strict rules and regulations for everyone's health and safety. These rules are to be followed STRICTLY, and no exceptions will be allowed. We all have a responsibility in keeping each-other safe and only by abiding to these rules we can continue to exercise our passion. No Gathering | No Briefing | No BBQ | No Eating Together | No Touching | No Hugging MUST READ Attention: Not following these rules and precautions will result in a permanent ban from joining any future offroad drives with Carnity. We are only allowed to drive through the desert, as we would be driving on the road. So we stay in the car and maintain our distance inbetween the vehicles during inflating, briefing, and during the drive. Just like before we like to continue our desert drives through out the year, but this time we need your immense support to understand the strict control and to help everyone follow them all the time. For members who are fasting, they can break their fast discreetly and convoy will be stopped during that time and until they offer their prayer. SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES -Meeting point will be set slightly (100m - 200m) inside the desert track so that you individually deflate your tires on the tarmac before reaching the meeting point. - While deflating tires keep the distance between the cars at least 10 meters. - Drive signup on calendar will be closed on Thursday morning by 9 AM. - Convoy numbering and briefing will be posted here on this drive post before 6 PM on Thursday. - All participants need to read & acknowledge the briefing by clicking "Totally Agree" reaction - Switch on your radio when you reach the meeting point on the set frequency advised by the trip lead in the critical briefing here. - Once you reach the meeting point, only exit the car for deflation, not for socializing. - Trip lead will do the roll call, convoy numbering recap, critical briefing over the radio. - Any suggestions or issues will be discussed over the radio. - You can also speak to other members through the radio only. - Your radio will become even more important, so please make sure that it's charged and tested on the set frequency. - Once all set, trip lead will start the drive as before. REFUSALS AND RECOVERY MEASURES - Every drive will have 1 lead Marshal and 1 or 2 supporting senior members/crew. - Whenever there is a stuck or refusal, only Marshal / Senior Member / Crew is allowed to handle the situation. - Everyone else including the stuck car driver, stay inside the car - AT ALL TIMES. - Marshal / Senior Member / Crew is only allowed to step out to access the situation and do the recoveries: - They will wear mask and gloves at all times when they are outside their car. - They will try to help self recover through the radio guidance. - If not they will use required recovery gear and do the needful (shovel, tug or winch, as required). - If at any time a Marshal requires help, then only you are allowed to step out by wearing face mask and gloves at all times. DRIVE COMPLETION AND INFLATION - There will be no gathering or sitting down together for food-breaks anymore. - Once the drive is finished, after reaching the tarmac, everyone is requested to move away 50-100 meters before starting their inflation. - For offroaders without means to re-inflate (compressor), should head to the near by fuel station (no borrowing of compressors). - If a drive is ending at a place where there is no fuel station near by, then the trip lead will inform in advance so that drivers having their own compressor can join only. NO SHARING OF COMPRESSORS, TOOLS, RECOVERY GEARS, RADIOS AT ANY TIME MANDATORY PPE (PERSONAL PROTECTIVE ITEMS) TO BRING TO EVERY DRIVE - Face mask - at least TWO face mask is needed in case one get damaged or flies away. - Disposable rubber gloves - at least two sets are needed. - Wear face mask and gloves at all the times when you are out of your car. - Carry plenty of hand sanitizer and object sanitizer (spray). - Use your sanitizers generously, whenever you step out to help or recover. - Sanitize your hands before getting back into your car. - Sanitize your recovery gears, if you have used them. - Fully charged radio - without any excuse - No radio = No drive. - Shovel - Must for every car, to do little self recovery when required. - Safety flag - Must for every car, like before - Compressor - If joining the drives that is ending far from the fuel station. MANDATORY PRECAUTIONS TO BE FOLLOWED AT ALL TIMES - Do not step out of your car UNLESS/OTHERWISE advised by a Marshal / Senior Member / Crew. - No shaking hands, hugs or touching each other. - No sharing of food, drinks or recovery tools. - If you are not feeling well, please stay at home and take a lot of rest. - If you feel unwell during the drive, please let trip lead know so he can plan an early exit. - Not more than 3 pax in a car and if all 3 aren't living together, then they should wear the mask inside the car too. DRIVE DETAILS Level: Newbie and all above - NO ABSOLUTE NEWBIE ALLOWED. When: 15 May 2020, Friday. Meeting time: 4:00 PM (SHARP - Without any exceptions) Meeting Point: Badayer Roundabout - Dubai-Hatta Road https://goo.gl/maps/EXYX6dipRiTPtDDW6 Type of Car: Any proper 4x4 with front and back tow hooks and 8-10 inches of ground clearance. What to bring along: Loads of water, snacks (for yourself), smiles, face mask, rubber gloves, enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Approximate finish time: 8:00 PM End Point: roadside nearby 2nd December Cafeteria: https://goo.gl/maps/bzGn1DDviArbGyA29 P.S. JOIN ONLY IF YOU HAVE YOUR OWN COMPRESSOR LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE: Limited to 10 cars only. RSVP will close on Thursday - 9 AM. 1 Lead Marshal + 2 or 1 Senior Members + 7 or 8 Members. Latecomers will be returned back - without ANY EXCEPTIONS. Members without RSVP will be returned back - without ANY EXCEPTIONS. Please withdraw your RSVP, if you are not joining so your spot can be taken by others. Repeated no-show members after RSVP will have their account suspended for a month. PLEASE RSVP ON THE CALENDAR

Every once in a blue moon i go on Dubizzle to have a look at the Japanese import BMW's. While their asking price is a bit on the high side, the mileage is generally low and they seem well maintained (something to do with the Japanese i guess). I've been hunting a nice E39 5 Series (528i and above) in the past as i have fond memories of a good friend of mine that had a 528i full spec with the M5 rims. For me these generation of German cars are amongst the best-built cars i have ever seen. Just closing the door was like closing the door of a bank vault. Driving it was such a pleasure too. I hope one day to have the money to own one again and the space to put it (and the time to maintain it)

And that's a damn fine beemer in the background !

If you’re out for a cheap ride, buy a 180cc like the delivery guys are driving. Plenty around, and good for a leisure drive. I had a 200cc Cagiva in Belgium and had the most fun with it simply because it was underpowered and i could drive TOW. (Throttle Wide Open).

Well it’s not my car. So I can only act as an intermediate and try to help her out. Agree there are far better workshops around but I haven’t met good electronics guys so far yet. Not even in my favorite shop 😜

It’s also itching to get a bike. My friend has a Ducati Monster that I hope he will sell one day so i can grab it 😅 Ducati has a great following here. I know the president of the UAE Ducati club and they do lots of trips and are like one big family helping each other out. Have a look at Ducati owners club Dubai on FB. There are hundreds of bikes covered throughout the year with hardly any miles on them and owners leaving the country. Have a look out and buy from an expatriate that looked after it.

Update: So i spoke to their service manager this morning and got the following info: Car battery was drained when it arrived in the workshop. Then they've put in a test battery and started diagnostics. Apparently the ECM is not sending power to the injectors, which makes them think there is something wrong with the wiring harness and ECM. I am pretty sure that the car can be back up and running with a bit of time and some parts (and probably lots of energy drinks). But as it sits now the workshop does not proceed without further ok-go on the quote.

Happy birthday buddy !

A friend of my boss is having the following problem with her Cadillac CTS. The car was fine before, but has been standing still for a while. At one point the car did not want to start anymore. Her husband left the country already so she was baffled to receive below quote from a well known Dubai Workshop: Looking at the quote they basically want to throw 13kAED at that car, knowing well that this almost exceeds residual value of the car. Either this, or the car is throwing all possible fault codes (which might be related to a harness, power supply, or grounding issue. Unfortunately i have little details about the car's symptoms. I will pass by the workshop tomorrow and try to get some more details about it. @Barry as you are our mad scientist around this place, if you're available freelance to help troubleshooting let me know (056 504 2632).