Motoring Middle East Podcast

Podcast Cartalk Dubai Eye 21 Nov 2016Follow Motoring Middle East on Facebook.com/MotoringMiddleEastThe Gulf New Desert Fun Drive - or is it the Mad Max adventure into the Unknown Empty Quarter!Taking the MME Ram into the merciless Liwa Desert - how did it do?Chevrolet Spark review - James doesn't know what he's talking about.And let's say it - manual transmissions are dead in Dubai. You say you want it, but you don't.What do we think of the Volkswagen Beetle?What buy a convertible if you're not going to put the roof down?Cheap car for off-roading?I've got AED200,000 to spend on an awesome car - what should I get?What's wrong with the PT Cruiser convertible?Volvo XC90 or Honda MRV/Pilot? 

Podcast Cartalk Dubai Eye 1 Jan 2017Can we get coffee in our cars?Ford Edge reviewed - Titanium and Sport.Do blind spot sensors plot against us?!Ford Figo review.Challenger owners wants to know if he should touch the traction control button.Should you be messing with the systems?GMC Sierra to go off-road in?Petrolhead woman wants to know what car to get next.Is CRV a good choice for Dubai-Abu Dhabi commute?Kia Stinger - nice name. Will it be a serious performer?How about Toyota Fortuner.What about that new Lexus LS500.Why are there snow tyres on a Land Rover Defender in Dubai. 

Just Shahzad in with James tonight. Lots of questions and messages this week.Trying to cure James of Corvettitis!Don't use your phones on the go.Taking a different tack with the Pious Prius this week.More electric cars on the way.What to do about attending to paint issues with a Lexus?Can you get a Pontiac Firebird Trans Am here, asks a Knight Rider fan.Any alternative to a Honda Accord Coupe?How is a Single Cab truck off-road?Wrangler - should you buy? Yes!Ford Expedition - does it say America to you?Lincoln Navigator? What about it?Toyota Prado or Subaru WRX? Huh? Duh!You have to relate to the VW Scirocco to really get it.Should a listener trade in his Mazda to get a VW Golf GTI Clubsport? Yeah, but hurry, only three left!Mazda CX-9 or Ford Edge. We have an argument.Why buy a Prado when you could have a Fortuner?

This week's show turned out to be a massive discussion on the future of motoring from alternative fuel cars to those that drive themselves, with lots of listeners wanting to get involved and ask questions. Here's the future people - listen in now!

What is 'augmented traffic'?The latest generation Toyota Prius - just how good is this?V8s are so last week.Honda Civic Turbo discontinued?What should you get for a family, if you already have a VW Golf?Buying a Ford Edge.Mazda 6, Honda Accord or Chevy Malibu?How about Subaru Forester.Jaguar F-Pace - what do we think?Honda Odyssey, Kia Sedona... are MPVs coming back?Renault Koleos and Talisman.Hyundai Elantra - drive it into the ground.Should you buy from Al Awir instead of the main dealer?Charging stations do exist here.Hyundai Genesis - how is it?Audi Q3 or Honda CR-V or Pajero.Porsche Cayman S or Ford Mustang GT - used?Chevy Traverse. Check out the Acadia too.

Imthishan got a new car - A brand new Ram. The death of the Automatic transmission. Trying to find a stereo for a DeLorean. How can an Corvette look any different with electric motors? 2015 Lincoln something - even the owner doesn't know. Merc C63, Audi S4 or BMW M3? Best hot hatch - VW Golf GTI Clubsport? What's the new Honda CR-V like? Base on Civic with confusing engines. Active notice control developed by Lotus on an Esprit testbed called SID. 2017 Camaro SS - sounds awesome! Watch this space - special video series on Camaros soon. Chinese cars - we've tested the Changan. Ford Bronco - what will it really be?

Driving the GMC Acadia in the US - the new family SUV you need to look at, as it goes more stylish and urban.Chevrolet Malibu is a great looking new car diving into the Camry/Altima/Sonata segment. You want believe the price though.The key to sales is high content, low prices, but integrity of build - the Americans seem to get this.New Land Rover Discovery launched at Paris Motor Show - something not quite right about it?Infiniti QX70 - should you get one?Driving the new Q50 Red Sport on track.2013 Ford Taurus - should you get one? Not very popular here, but hey, why not.Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro & Dodge Challenger - which one? But they're all so great. Also they all have great clubs!Renault Safrane to Talisman - should you?And what's with the Paris Motor Show - bit disappointing wasn't it? Love the Micra and Suzuki Ignis though. 

Reviews of the Ford Ranger and Ford F-150. Mercedes E-Class - and all the tech. Ford Edge or Volvo XC60 Polestar? Is there a five-seat convertible on the new car market - no really is there? The answer could be rather a surprise. Shahzad's first ever Chinese car test - the Changan CS75. And what about the all-new Dodge Neon - going up against Corolla and Tiida. And what is it really? What is a Mercedes SLC? And why make up rules when you're going to break them with the AMG GT S Roadster?

Podcast Cartalk Dubai Eye 5 Sept 2016Star Trek - what?! Okay, not minding being caught in traffic - because you're in a Rolls-Royce Dawn. Does it get any better?Nissan Patrol V6. Small vs big engines? Is the end near for V8s?What about the Jaguar SUV - the F-Pace. We call a man who might know. What about the Maserati Levante or an Jag F-Type coupe? Huh?Fuel economy - it's not the car or the engine, it's how YOU drive!Crossover for AED75,000 - recommendations?Is listener getting a good deal on the Lincoln MKX.Avoid the Jeep Wrangler? Are you crazy?Listener bought the BMW M3 E46 - but with a retro auto-to-manual swap?Bringing a classic car into the UAE.Electric cars - er...And what about the Nissan 370Z? Or should we just get an older 350Z. 

And we start off with Adam West and Burt Ward for some reason - Turbines to Speed, Atomic Batteries to Power. Imthishan doesn't make it to the radio studio - why? We get him on the radio to find out. And it's the firth birthday of Motoring Middle East - born out of the ashes of Car Middle East magazine. In fact MME has outlived the magazine. MME is a multi-media digital automotive outlet, but it's also always been about community. All about getting together and just discussing cars. And now CarTalk is the only show that exclusively talks cars for one hour in the UAE on Dubai Eye - now going for four years. How weird is it to be voice-recognised? The Nissan Patrol - now getting a 4.0 V6 engine! It's here now. Fraser Martin talks about the Land Rover LR4. How about the Volvo XC90's engine? Well now that you ask... And we review the Audi S8 Plus and Audi RS7 Performance - supercar-slaying family luxury saloons! Mercedes E-Class - lot of tech. And we have a Ferrari 488 Spider on test - and it's blue! Great caller question about owning a special car for a month and not losing money on it. Caller asks about the Porsche Cayenne GTS.

First go in the new Mercedes E-Class with tech briefing with semi-autonomous modes and self-parking that's even self-doubting! Coolest rear lights on a Durango? Following cars around because you like it's back end! Mercedes S-Class stereo - the magnificent Burmeister. Aren't drivers aids just making us lazy drivers? Cars that will off-road by themselves (Land Rovers) and those will do the perfect lap by themselves (Nissan GTR). Do we like the Opel Astra OPC? Get the Golf GTI Clubsport. The Mini that really stands out is the one that hasn't been personalised? And why don't they make them a bit cheaper? When do we think we will have autonomous cars. How will this happen? Why would you own a car in the future? Should dealer servicing be different across invidual dealerships? Who's best to work on a used Porsche? Is a Patrol an Infiniti or is the the Armada or... what is going on? What's the point of ranting about driving cars when even the enthusiasts have thrown in the towel! What about the Chevrolet Malibu? New Ford Edge or a used Mercedes C200? What about that Kia Carnival? Good looking or what? Or Honda Odyssey? Let's have more MPVs! Best off-roader? We all come up with different answers - doh!

The boys from Motoring Middle East are back live on air with James Piecowye on CarTalk on Dubai Eye Radio after the summer break. Much craziness ensues!Catch up on what they've been doing. But first James' summer rentals - the Kia Optima, Ford Fusion and Volkswagen Golf. Hear how he got on. Not the time to sell a used car, trading in might be a better option. Does the Ford Fusion grille make it look like an Aston Martin?Range-topping Prado or Lexus GX? Get the RX instead? Plus a too-good-to-be true E46 BMW M3 manual for sale?! Suspicious questions about Mazdas from... Mazda UAE? Mazda 2 - is it a Mini or a 3-Series? Or is the Ford Figo the new Mini - should we do a one-make race series?!Is there a new 5-Series? Does it look any different? Forget all those - just drool about BMW M2. Plus The Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport.Nissan Patrol Nismo, plus the Audi Q2. Who is it for? The secret to how to get a Mercedes A-Class for a bargain. Plus the all-new Infiniti Q30 driven in Beirut.What about the Volvo S90? And the Nissan Pathfinder? Family needs an SUV - which one? How about the Volkswagen Tiguan. Also the Jaguar XE, and the new Cadillac XT5. Plus the Range Rover limousine.Check out the MME New Car Buying guie - MotoringME.com. 

Podcast from our Radio Show - CarTalk - on Dubai Eye 103.8FM from 27 June 2016 with Dr James Piecowye.The Nissan Maxima - striking innit? Chevrolet's for sale on Souq.com? Ramadan Special Editions. Little-known Subaru? WRX, Focus ST or Toyota 86? But you won't believe what gives the most horsepower for the money? What car doesn't have electric windows anymore? Ram truck is big value. Classic Land Cruiser available in five-door version again - for AED140k. Lexus LX570 - any good? Should you import 'vintage' classic cars into the UAE to sell? New Corvette will be 'mid-engine'? Line-Lock - what it is? What does it do? Oh... and a little bit of Brexit. Shahzad reckons he is better at burnouts than Line-Lock. He even thinks he can accelerate better than a launch control. Long term Chrsyler 300C SRT - you won't believe the fuel economy we got out of it. What's the optimal speed? What is that on a Wrangler? Listener is buying a Subaru WRX! We suggest gold wheels. Plus where to get advice. What are rear spoilers really for? Somewhere to put the Karak and Oman Chips Sandwich. Ford GT special edition looks awesome. How LeMans helps manufacturers. What are postcards? And why are we talking about them? Listener thinks his Jeep has been modified all wrong? Fun car for a roadtrip in the mountains in Italy? Mini Cooper Diesel, Infiniti Q30 or VW Golf? Should we wait for the new Ford Raptor - or buy remaining stock if available? Why don't people modify the Toyota Prado?

Jeep Renegade review by James Piecowye. We review the Jaguar F-Type SVR. What car for a European road trip holiday - Ford Galaxy? We enjoy dates from Nissan - live on air. Off-road beginning wants to know about car and what club to join. Someone got an American import Nissan Maxima - will parts be an issue? Shahzad commits a radio sin - he didn't silence his phone! Don't off-road in Ramadan will fasting - especially if you're going to get stuck! Why tyres are so important here. Honda Oddysey or Kia Carnival? And what's with the Honda CrossTour? Get the old Pilot instead. Listener has problems with his Toyota. Massage seats retro-fitted. Nissan Sunny vs Toyota Corolla. Which Four-wheel drive mode should you be in to save fuel. Mercedes E500 lease is ending - what to do next?

We're driving Dr Igor's car! Chrysler 300C SRT - it's our long-termer, follow on #MMELongTermer #MME300CSRT . From Charger Hellcat to 300C SRT. What's it got to do with Who Framed Roger Rabbit? CarTalk Special Edition car - we should do it! Drooling over the Jeep Renegade. Imthishan attended Camp Jeep in Spain. Caller wants to know if he should buy a used Range Rover. Used Mercedes - ML or GL? Audi S6 owner wants an SUV with performance. Amazing deals on new cars in the market this summer. AC Cobra owner can get new car insurance as his fresh-built edition is classed as a 1967 model. Lexus IS350. Where to get the Skoda VRS fixed? Should you wait for the Grand Cherokee TrackHawk? BMW 525 M from 2010 for AED55k - good price? 

We review the Hellcat live - from the Hellcat itself! Listen to the supercharger whine and the engine! The Bugatti Veyron of ordinary cars. Great deals on these and other cars right now. Remote starter rocks! This is a no compromise supercar. Testing the high spec cars, because that's what we're offered. Fixing door dings. Chrysler 300C SRT - also rocks! Porsche 911 4S - manual or auto? Ford Mustang Shelby GT350. Larry or Lairy? What?! Esther's here too. Where do you go from a Golf GTI? Toyota 86? Or Focus ST? And how about the Alfa Giulietta? And even the Volvo V40 T5. Dodge Durango V6 - should you buy one? What about Tyres? Which are best? Toyota Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol - which is best for dune-bashing and modifications. How is the V6 Pentastar? How about the Lexus GS350? Mercedes E250 - keep or trade up to the new version? How about the Nissan XTrail? And next week - classic cars.

Ramadan deals on cars! Shahzad's epic trip to Jordan retracing the steps of Lawrence of Arabia from Dead Sea through Wadi Rum and into Aqaba - hijacking a train on the way. Also driving the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrefoglio on track. Plus sampling the brilliant new BMW M2. Should you buy a used BMW 7 Series. The Cadillac CT6 has presence. Mercedes C200 the entry level Merc of the moment. Where to go from a Touareg? Missing a phone and conducting a band! Porsche Macan - or just buy a Cayenne? GMC Yukon or Chevrolet Tahoe? Goodbye GMC Sierra long-term tester. Ford F150 Roush - Oooo! Are these trucks reliable - well yeah. Helping to choose between the three main trucks including the Ram. Or no help at all. Air Cons and Morgans - who cares?! GMC Acadia, Ford Explorer or Jeep Grand Cherokee? BMW Z3 Coupe - prices going up, worth getting? Jaguar F-Pace - how is it? Ford Capri - an investment?

Shahzad's out retracing the Lawrence of Arabia route in Jordan and is staging a mock hijacking of a train even as Imthishan is live on the radio! Kicking off with love for the FJ Cruiser which is about to be killed. But why is it going out of production? Lots of special offers coming up for Ramadan. Offers on used cars too! Someone stole Shahzad's truck! Ah. Why no around view on these behemoths? Amazing fuel economy though. Nissan Maxima, Hyundai Genesis or 4 Series BMW (used)? What about the Kia Sportage or Hyundai Tucson? Suzuki Swift Sedans - Indian made? Hyundai Creta - what is that? Toyota Fortuner or Montero Sport? Toyota Supras & Nissan Skylines. Corolla owner who doesn't like it - what used Jap SUV should he buy? Range Rover - one car to rule them all? A dissertation on the Skoda Superb delivered to the office? A BMW owner that went Honda. How's the Suzuki Jimny and what about the Land Rover Discovery Sport. Which generation Corvette? Or Hellcat - made offers for Ramadan! Kia Rio hatchback?

How to test all the trucks at the same time - or not. Meanwhile Shahzad is still driving the Sierra, but also drove the all-new Cadillac CT6 flagship. Jaguar F-Pace looks similar to a Mitsubishi?! Nissan has bought Mitsubishi - so we created the Pajerol! Ian the Skoda Guy is back. Why the Escalade is inspired by the Burj Khalifa - or not. Nissan Xterra or Toyota FJ Cruiser? Or why not the Jeep Wrangler? What about the Great Wall - or the Chinese car that looks like the Porsche Macan. The on-road and off-road compromise. Which used car - Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Kia Optima or Infiniti G37? Dimissing the Honda Pilot, but not the Odyssey. Peugeot RCZ.

Automechanika 2016 in Dubai, fake and original parts. Tesla electric cars. Nissan Navara pick up spotted on Dubai roads. Toyota Fortuner - is it good value? Toyota Prius - surprisingly satisfying if you want a hybrid. Is it a good time to buy a car? Yeah and Ramadan offers on the way. Nissan Sunny - meh. A/C fan making a lot of noise - well it is getting hotter! The right steering wheel for a Wrangler? Toyota 86 - when to sell. Upgrading to Subaru STI. Ford Focus ST is here now, why wait for the RS? Customising a pickup. All hail the Wranglers. Looking for a used saloon - but what happened to manual saloons? Subaru WRX - that's a manual and er... that's it. Nissan S15 Silvia - legality of engine and transmission swaps. Reliable used SUV for AED50k?

Taking the GMC Sierra to Filli - no, not Philly! Caller wants to buy a Toyota Celica - good idea? We find an even better one online - buy that! Caller wants a car for a young family - Hyundai Sante Fe, or alternatives like the Tiguan. What's as durable as Hummer H3? Finding out your mileage has been clocked. Which Mercedes should I buy if I don't have much money? Caller wants a Toyota Sienna, but that's not available officially in the region, so what are the alternatives - Honda Odyssey, Ford Flex, VW Multivan. Plus a car called Bruce - a Dodge Charger. So what next for a lady who looks cool cars? Should you buy the new Camaro, or strike a deal on the remaining stock of the old car? Plus of course - relationship advice. Huh?! 

High rolling in the Bentley Mulsanne. How to get the stench of a pack of onions in the boot of a car - or not! Should a listener buy a Mercedes buy a Jap-import E55 AMG, or CL55? Shaken by the Japanese Shaken. Why aren't there more Audi TT models on the road - and should one buy a manual RS? No Tesla yet. New 2016 Honda Civic review - buy this instead of... Buying old European performance cars - good or bad? Mustang GT350, Maserati GranTurismo or BMW M6 GranCoupe - from someone who owns a BMW 850CSi. Mosts reliable SUV? Should you buy an old Charger SRT8. Fading stickers. Nissan Maxima. Should we worry about VAT?

No Shahzad this week, but Imthishan is in with James Piecowye on Dubai Eye 103.8FM. Shahzad is driving a German car in Berlin - the Volkswagen Tiguan. Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck review - on-road and off-road. Listener wants advice about buying a used Porsche. Durango or Grand Cherokee? Mitsubishi Pajero, Toyota Prado. Tundra or Titan? Lexus ES350 - are they just luxury taxis? What's a used Bentley Continental GT worth? Ford Fusion or Chrysler 200? Lincoln MKX. How is the market? Mercedes GLE 63 S coupe vs BMW X6 M. BMW 750 - time to sell? When to sell your car - at 100,000km? Why you should buy a Dodge Charger. Listener wants a V8 Mustang. Mitsubishi Montero Sport vs Honda Pilot. Fortuner Vs Pathfinder. Toyota Rav4 Vs Suzuki Vitara. Mazda CX9 should you wait? 300,000km Honda Accord run by a listener. Range Rover Evoque - a dream? What car should your wife have? Ask her!

Car Talk Radio Show on Dubai Eye 11 Apr 2016: We discover Facebook Live, Bruce Wayne's Jeep Renegade in Batman V Superman, Imthishan drove the Jeep Wrangler TrailCat (Hellcat Wranger) prototype, plus other Moab Jeep Concepts, Pathfinder Vs Pilot, the Corolla LE 'Laser Energy' Vs Jeep Cherokee (?!), we review the Chrysler 200C, A3 vs C-Class - huh(?), avoid current gen Civic, Mazda 3, why has Honda gone so wrong (?), classic car insurance, why you shouldn't have a Mustang V8 as your first car, buy a Figo instead, why traction control will keep you alive, listener desperately wants to stop his new driver friend from getting a Mitsubishi, Chevrolet Impala, Suzuki Swift or Nissan Tiida (?), and the new Fortuner.

False starts on live radio, how do you pronouce 'Camaro' plus a full review of the all-new Chevrolet Camaro - and which one is the best: Mustang or Camaro? There's disagreement and controversy! The new ZL1 - and the next Corvette, is it the Zora? James is still blind when it comes to car design. What about the Hyundai Genesis? Back to the pocket-sized cars and econo-boxes - Figo and Spark, which was better? The all-new Maserati Levante - how Maserati is it? Should you get a Prado just because of depreciation? Plus the Nissan Armada, and a new movie from Motoring Middle East, as well as quick vids on the Volvo V40 T5 - we did the pedestrian safety autobraking for real!

Shahzad get's sacked from the radio show for making tons of unprofessional mistakes! But not before he reviews the Chevrolet Spark. The world's smallest violin plays for absentee Imthishan who is at Twin Pines Mall. German, Japanese or Americans - which make the best used cars? Plus Hybrids - the only answer? But driving electric cars like the BMW i3 is weird. Car sharing schemes. The extraordinary 911 Targa's amazing roof. Owner of a Renault Logan calls up with a happy story. James still tell can't good looking car from an ugly one. Plus a bit of Shakespeare!

Get off the phone in your car! Sound system in a Volvo V40. Are air intakes legal? Where to service your high mileage Volkswagen Golf GTI. Affordable cars like the Ford Figo. Fiat 500C - love it, it loves you back - plus the two-cylinder version. Can anyone understand Audi's engine trim numbers? Which cheap-to-run classic should a listener buy - Beetle or Fox body Mustang? Which cheap to buy new entry-level hatchback - get the Mazda 2, but what about the Honda City? Is the Prado the forgotten Land Cruiser? What about aftermarket warranties? How to win unique handmade trophies from MME! Why don't we have more estates and wagons in the Middle East? And who has the best hair!

Reviews of the Ford Figo, Porsche Cayenne Turbo S and the Ford Ranger. Imthishan arrives late in the DeLorean - how is that even possible? Plus the Dawn of Justice Renegade, should a listener get a Ford Expedition or something else, Ian the Skoda guy is back, thoughts on the Nissan Sunny, how fickle are car buyers, bring back the Cressida, female listerner wants to know if she should have a Mazda MX-5, James' festish for the backside, what about MGs, Kia Optima or Hyundai Sonata. Plus Challenger Vs Camaro, and Shahzad wants a 71 Challenger. Oh no, he changed his mind, he wants a 68 Mustang.

We're talking first cars - ours and yours! Reviewing the Nissan Maxima. We have a live audience who join us on air. How often should you change oil? What do we think of the Maserati Levante SUV and should you buy a used Maserati? Which engine is right for the Land Cruiser. The listener that's struggling to sell his Tiguan and now wants a Lexus. Plus Chevy Cruise. And when MME was a special guest of the US Consulate in Dubai.

Car Talk Radio outside broadcast from the Dubai Tennis Championships, for no particular reason. We review the facelifted 2016 Volkswagen Passat - and its magic boot! Listener wants to buy a Cayman S - should he wait? What's the best value hot hatch in the UAE? Which van to go touring in? Why are tyres not round? A question about Camcordima. A Honda Legend history lesson. Merc, BMW or Caddy? Expedition or Land Cruiser? How to buy a used Aston Martin Vantage. Is the Ecoboost Mustang worth getting?

A new car show on TV, Car of the Year Awards, what to get for AED200k ($55k), the brave design of the Maxima, understeer & oversteer, the Lotus Elan, small car racing, bargains from BMW and the Hyundai Azera and what's better - arranged marriages or love marriages. Hang on. Was that the wrong show?

We review the Morgan Plus 4 and Kia Sportage live on the radio with James Piecowye on Car Talk on Nightline - Dubai Eye - 103.8 FM UAE. Plus we take reader calls and hand out car-buying advice.

We review the Caterham 7 360R live on the radio with James Piecowye on Car Talk on Nightline - Dubai Eye - 103.8 FM UAE. Plus lots more Motoring discussion and Q&A

MotoringME.com is in the studio and we are talking cars. The BMW 7 series or any Suzuki the choice is not so easy.

Our second episode of the Motoring Middle East Podcast, Shahzad and Imthishan are joined by Arafaat Ali Khan of ExtraCake PR and Events, talking about his eclectic collection of cool Hondas over the years including the super-rare (for Dubai, anyway) Honda NSX! We also talk about what it's like to organise regional motoring events (Hint: it's really difficult), something Arafaat knows all about since he puts together the amazing Middle East Film and Comic Con. What's the future of car meets of the region? We might have an answer....Apologies for the iffy sound: we're still figuring this stuff out!

This week for our inaugural episode of the Motoring Middle East Podcast, Shahzad, Imthishan and Fraser talk about the new 700bhp Challenger Hellcat, what it's like to drive the McLaren 650S on track and the magnificent Alfa 4C and ruminate on Fraser's extensive and extraordinary collection of model cars!