Posts made by adrianpalmer

I'm at my wit's end with the paint on my 2019 GLC. It's a beautiful Obsidian Black, and when it's clean it looks absolutely stunning, but the problem is that it never stays clean for more than about five minutes, and every time I wash it I seem to notice more swirl marks and light scratches that just catch the light in the worst way. I've tried hand washing with high-quality mitts and using the two-bucket method, but the marks are still there, so I think they were probably put on by the previous owner or by the automatic car washes I used before I knew any better. I'm seriously considering getting a professional paint correction and detail done, and I've been looking at a few places around Abu Dhabi that specialise in German cars. I came across exoticcarcare.ae/mercedes-detailing-abu-dhabi which seems to cover everything from paint correction to ceramic coatings, and they mention using proper techniques like paint thickness gauges to avoid burning through the clear coat, which gives me a bit of confidence. I'm just not sure whether to go for a basic polish to remove the swirls or to go all-in with a full correction and coating. Has anyone here had a black Mercedes detailed in Abu Dhabi and can recommend a place that did a thorough job without leaving holograms or buffer trails? Also, roughly how much should I expect to pay for a quality job? I'm willing to spend money if it's done right, but I don't want to overpay for something that's going to look worse than when I started. Any advice would be massively appreciated because my car deserves better than this. Cheers.

So I've had my GLE for about three years now and it's been mostly trouble-free, but I've just hit 75,000 kms and I'm starting to get those little niggles that make me nervous – a slight shudder when accelerating from a stop, and sometimes the gearbox feels a bit clunky in first and second. I know the dealership will charge me an arm and a leg just for a diagnostic, so I'm hoping to find a good Mercedes maintenance specialist in Khalifa City who actually knows these cars inside out and doesn't treat every customer like a walking wallet. I'm not looking for the cheapest option either – I'm willing to pay fair money for quality work and genuine parts, I just want someone who'll be upfront about what needs doing now versus what can wait. The thing that worries me is that I've taken my previous car to a few independent garages and they always seemed to find "urgent" issues that magically disappeared when I got a second opinion. Has anyone here found a workshop around Khalifa City that really understands the 9G-Tronic transmission and doesn't just throw parts at the problem? Also, do they usually let you bring your own parts if you find a good deal elsewhere, or do they insist on sourcing everything themselves? Really appreciate any honest feedback because I'm dreading the whole process to be honest.

I’m based near the DIFC and my Nissan Patrol’s battery is starting to show its age – slower crank in the mornings, and I know the UAE heat isn’t kind to them. I’ve been looking into an Amaron replacement since a friend recommended them for their heat resistance, but I want to make sure I get the right fit. It seems like the 55D23L is the correct size for my model, and I’ve been trying to find the leading Amaron 55D23L battery dealers near DIFC who can do a proper installation. Does anyone have recent experience with mobile fitters in this area? I’m hoping to find someone who stocks genuine units and can swing by the office parking lot without any hassle, preferably with a warranty that actually holds up if something goes wrong a year down the line. Also, do these Amaron batteries usually come with the terminals already set up for Japanese cars, or is that something I need to worry about? Cheers for any advice.

I've had my Lexus LS for a few years now, and while I try to keep it clean, the paint is starting to look a bit tired with all those swirl marks and light scratches that just seem to appear out of nowhere. I've been thinking about getting a proper paint correction and ceramic coating done, but I'm not sure if it's worth the investment or if I should just stick to regular washes and waxes. I've seen some amazing before-and-after photos online where cars look brand new, but I'm also aware that some places just use fillers to hide the scratches temporarily and the defects come back after a few months. I'd really like to find a place that does a genuine multi-stage correction and uses quality products that actually last, especially in this heat. I'm in Abu Dhabi and I've been looking for a place that offers premium car detailing in Abu Dhabi with a solid reputation. Has anyone here had their car detailed recently and can tell me if it made a noticeable difference and how long the results lasted? I'd really appreciate some honest advice before I commit to spending the money.

I've got a 2017 Range Rover Sport that's been giving me grief with the gearbox lately, and I'm trying to find a specialist in Sharjah who actually knows what they're doing. It's been hesitating when shifting between 2nd and 3rd, and sometimes it feels like it's slipping under hard acceleration. I took it to a general garage and they just said "could be the valve body, could be the whole transmission" – which wasn't exactly helpful. I've heard the ZF 8-speeds in these can have mechatronic issues that don't necessarily need a full rebuild, but I need someone who can properly diagnose it. A friend mentioned that for land rover transmission repair Sharjah, there are a few workshops in Industrial Area 4 and 5 that specialize in these . I'm hoping to find a place that won't just recommend a full replacement straight away and will actually take the time to scan it properly and check the valve body. I'm based near Industrial Area 5, so anywhere nearby would be ideal. If anyone's had a good experience with a transmission specialist for their Land Rover, I'd really appreciate the recommendation.

I've got a 2017 Levante that I absolutely love, but the brake pedal has started feeling a bit spongy and I can hear a faint grinding noise at low speeds, which I'm pretty sure means the pads are due for replacement. I've been quoted some eye-watering prices by the dealer, and I'd rather find a good independent specialist who knows these cars. A mate who drives a Ghibli told me about a workshop that offers an Elite Maserati Brake Installation service, and he said they use proper diagnostic tools and quality parts at a much more reasonable price than the dealer. I'm near Al Quoz, so anywhere in that area or close by would be ideal. Would appreciate any suggestions from fellow Maserati drivers.

My 2013 BMW 520i just hit 100,000 km and the dealer quoted me over 6,000 dirhams for what they call a "major service" including spark plugs, all fluids, filters, belts, and a bunch of inspections. I'm trying to figure out what's actually necessary at this mileage versus what's just them padding the bill. The spark plugs definitely need doing because they're original, and I know the brake fluid is due every two years regardless of mileage, but things like coolant and differential fluid? The owner's manual says "lifetime fill" for some of these which I don't really believe. I've been looking for a reliable BMW service package that lets me pick and choose what actually gets done based on real manufacturer recommendations, not just a standard menu. For those of you who've done the 100k mark on an F10 5 series, what did you actually replace and what did you skip? And did you notice any difference in how the car drove afterwards? Trying to separate essential maintenance from upselling. Any advice appreciated.

So with the heat already creeping up here in Abu Dhabi, I finally decided to get my car’s AC looked at after noticing it wasn’t blowing as cold as last year. I was a bit worried about finding someone reliable because last time I went to a random garage they just topped up the gas and called it a day, but the issue came back within two weeks. Someone at work mentioned they had a good experience with an AC repair service Mussafah place that actually diagnosed a small leak instead of just refilling, and I’m thinking of giving them a shot. Just wondering if anyone here has had their car’s AC properly serviced recently around that area and what the cost ballpark was? I drive an older Japanese sedan so nothing too fancy, but I really don’t want to be stuck sweating in traffic again come July.

Been dealing with musty smells and weird staining on the bottom layer of our cartons for months now, and I think I finally figured out it's because our regular wooden pallets are absorbing moisture from the concrete floor during the humid season here in Dubai. My neighbor at the storage facility mentioned he switched to something called plastic pallet flooring that sits directly on the ground, and apparently it creates a barrier so your stock doesn't get ruined from below. I found a bunch of options on Crateco's page but I'm a little nervous about how much weight these things can actually handle since we store heavy automotive parts. Has anyone here made the switch from wood to plastic for ground-level storage? I'm less worried about the upfront cost and more about whether they'll crack under pressure or get brittle from the heat over time. Would love to hear if you noticed less moisture damage or if I'm just overthinking this whole thing.

I'm trying to buy a 2018 Ford F150 from a seller in JBR. He's a busy guy and doesn't want to take time off work to drive the truck to a garage for an inspection. He offered to let me bring a mobile inspector to his location instead. I found a company that does Elite Vehicle Inspection JBR and they come with a portable lift and scan tools. My concern is whether a mobile inspection can be as thorough as putting the car on a proper two post lift in a garage. I want them to check the frame for rust, look at the exhaust system, inspect the suspension bushings, and check for fluid leaks from the transfer case. Can a mobile setup really do all that? The seller seems honest but I don't wanna cut corners. Has anyone here used a mobile inspection service and felt confident in the results? Or should I push harder to take the truck to a real shop? The seller might walk away if I insist, but maybe that's a sign. Any experiences with mobile vs garage inspections would be super helpful. Thanks.

I'll be in Morocco for about a week and I'm currently sketching out a rough plan, but I keep going back and forth on how many days to actually spend in Marrakech itself. The medina is amazing but also absolutely exhausting with all the hustle and constant touts, and I know I'll need some downtime to just sit at a cafe and decompress. I found this sample marrakech itinerary 5 days online that includes day trips to the Atlas Mountains and Essaouira which seems like a nice way to break up the city time with some coastal and mountain vibes. My worry is that five days in one area might be too much and I should head elsewhere, but then I think about all the packing and moving hotels and whether that's worth it for just a short trip. The itinerary I saw leaves two full days just for exploring Marrakech which feels about right, plus a cooking class one afternoon which sounds like a fun way to do something low-key. For anyone who's spent about five days based in Marrakech, did you feel like you ran out of things to do or was it nice to have a home base and just take it slow? Also curious if day trips feel rushed or if they're long enough to actually get a feel for the other places.

So I’ve had my Lincoln Navigator for a few years now and absolutely love it for cruising around Dubai, especially with the family. Lately though, I’ve been hearing this annoying clunking sound whenever I go over speed bumps or uneven patches near places like Dubai Marina. At first I thought it was just something loose in the trunk, but after checking around, I’m pretty sure it’s coming from the suspension. I took it to a local garage and they quoted me a crazy price without even properly diagnosing it, so now I’m trying to find someone who actually knows these cars. A friend mentioned a place that does Lincoln vehicle suspension repair Dubai and apparently they specialize in shock absorbers and air suspension, which sounds exactly like what I need. Has anyone here dealt with something similar? I just want to get it sorted before it turns into a bigger issue. Would love to hear your experiences or any workshop recommendations before I take the plunge. Thanks in advance!