Lawrence_Chehimi

The altima was my first car in UAE as well, honestly didn't face any issue with car and didn't spend any money on it other than the transmissions that were replaced under warranty. I always serviced it in the agency, but I guess My foot is heavy on the accelerator and CVTS don't like to rev....

@Thomas Varghese, welcome back, glad you changed your mind. Looking forward to see you on sands and see more Odometer records broken by your cars especially the altima..

Thank you all for the wonderful trip, I'm enjoying the drives one after the other. @Rahimdad you made it super fun and exciting thank you again, btw @Gaurav calls it my white horse as well😂. Just to let you know, We will soon have another very excited driver joining carnity Family, that is my wife!! I Still need to digest the idea of being on the passenger side rather than behind the wheels 😢.

Hi @Rawad Bahsas, just installed it last week so still didn't fight with Nissan yet. As for the service it doesn't affect it at all as the plate is just on the front and far from the engine oil pan and filter.usually this area is were the city bumper sits.

As for the radar, no didn't have to anything to it, As we didn't  touch it at all, we only made an opening facing the radar with a slightly bigger size than the one in the original bumper.

Another photo of the plate from inside.

@Rawad Bahsas here are some photos of my car.he also made me a cover to protect the radar during offroad drives.

Just keep in mind that the inner fender covers or linning has to be cut as it usually comes all the way down in the city bumper.

Hi @Rawad Bahsas, I have the same vehicle, I installed a bash plate and trimmed the bumper. you will find all details on the below link, my Vehicle has a radar as well so he made me an opening in the bash plate so the radar functions normally.

The bash plate is 8mm thick, you also use an original desert bumper, so it fits perfectly (you get it from scrap yard for 150 AED).

this guy also adds a steel wing bracket which gets attached to the factory crash bar, also adds a galvanized steel cover to minimize any sand intrusion to the engine bay.

the most important part is that no additional holes were drilled, only used existing openings.

i didn't install a light bar, rather i preferred to keep this area clear for proper ventilation, I bought a set of Baja squadron sports LED lights and planning to install them next week on the lower side of the bumper. will share photos once done.

Thomas, mine was a 2012 Altima, bought it 0 from the agency and never touched the transmission oil, the car was under service contract so they didn't either. Whining noise starts at 30k and just gets worst the more you drive it, it is basically the noise of failing bearings inside it. Had it changed twice each time costed about 28k aed (more than the price of the car) but it was fine since changed under warranty.. Speaking to the service guys at Nissan they said that is a very known issue with the CVT and it is even worse on the v6 engines. Cvt is very good on small engines basically smaller than 2.0L.

hi @new guy, as Frederick mentioned the ford edge is a nice car and drives well on the road, it has some power and decent handling. But from experience once it hits 5 years old issues will start to show up. I have a close friend who used to own one where it always gets serviced at the agency started having issues with it after just 5 years, it only had 120,000km on it. In the last 2 years he changed the brake booster twice, all hydraulic hoses and steering pump, all arm bushings and ball joints, he also faced some transmission slipping  recently until he decided to sell it.

I personally owned an american car and multiple japenese cars and a german car.. I can tell you the german cars drive the best, it takes you from point A to point B with as smile on your face but be ready for the heavy maintenance as I only service my cars at thr agency and as per the manufactures recommendation.. American cars costs less but they aren't much reliable... My advise is to buy a japanese car, it doesn't drive the best but they are the most reliable. But make sure you never purchase one with a CVT transmission, had to change mine at 40000 km and the second was changed around 100k, ( under warranty) the third had to be changed on 160k but managed to drive it till 180k before I sold it..

At the end it all depends on your budget and how much you are willing to spend yearly on your repair bills. Just Don't expect to drive a 7 years old car without having surprises every now and then...

1 hour ago, Frederic said:

Hi @Lawrence_Chehimi, if any space becomes available do you want me to add you, or will you stay in the other drive you have signed up for ? Just need to know if i need to keep you in the waitlist or not.

Hi @Frederic, no problem I will stay with the other drive as I already signed up for it.

thank you.

Hi @Gaurav,

I’ve made my first absolute newbie drive last Friday with Frederic and I will be joining you on this drive on Friday.

Oh @Frederic didn't notice that i have to press on the "going" button to reserve a place, thought I just need to reply on the post.

Anyway, I added my name on the Sharjah afternoon Drive.

Have a nice Evening.

Hi Frederic,

I'm in, I'll get the wife and Kids as well...

Guys, it was pleasure driving with you all, it was a very exciting  experience.

Looking forward for the newbie drive next week.

Did anybody take photos that can be shared?

7 minutes ago, Frederic said:

Welcome @Lawrence_Chehimi ! Looking forward meeting you on Friday !

Thanks Frederic, Looking forward to meet you guys.

Any specific tools I need to bring? below is what i currently have:

1) 9Ft AOR Flag with suction mount,

2) AOR Kinetic Rope, with Soft Shackle and AOR D Shackel,

3) 300 L/m, 150Psi Tire Inflator

4) Tire deflator

5) Baofen UV-5R Walkie Talkie, and BF-888S which i can preprogram at home if you give me the frequencies... 

Hello Eveybody,

I'm new here and would like to join the ride,

I have 2019 Patrol PLT V8. I don't have much experience, but driven the car few times in Al Qudra.