Car magazine fix?

[Reffio]

So how does everyone get their fix of gratuitous car mag action over here?

I've always been an Evo man and was disappointed with the middle-east version but it was happy days when the iPad version was released!! Saves waiting for the next visitor from the UK to bring out the latest episodes.

Anyone recommend any others worth a swatch?

[thb]

I know the guys on Evo ME very well - it's tricky to produce an international-quality mag out here given the market, they do the absolute best in very tough conditions. I know this from bitter experience, as I ran the Middle East edition of UK Car magazine for 3+ years.

Away from Evo, don't even bother with any of the other local mags - they are utter tripe. TopGear ME is a complete bdisation of the brand, though thankfully you can still find TopGear proper in Kinos or Borders.

Now that Car isn't published here you can pick up the UK edition in most shops for 45Dhs or so.

Other than that get your fix from crankandpiston.com, jalopnik.com and speedhunters.com

Having been on both sides of the automotive publishing scene as an editor and a PR, it's really a messed up market than suffers from a tonne of absolute chuff and chancers behind the scenes.

[Reffio]

Can imagine it's not the easiest market to cater for out here with such a diverse mix of expats and the locals whoose tastes in cars seem to be (generally) the bigger the better. There appear to be quite a few American based mags on sale here too which (each to their own) seem to be written in a whole different language (i guess a bit like the difference between football/soccer commentators).

Youtube's always good for a car fix, especially the new drive channel and things like m5board, etc.

And of course pistonheads!

[joncastle]

Might I modestly suggest you have a look for wheels magazine's app in iTunes

[After_Shock]

Having just put my order in for Evo this morning with my dad who travels out on Monday I know what you mean!

I think the days of an apple free life are coming to an end, looks as though an I-pad may have to be moved up the purchasing list, sob sob.

[shirt]

octane is the only one i buy, but usually purchased outside the country as it's 10 bloody quid from kinos [kinos is awsome btw, one of the few reasons i go to the dubai mall].

tbh i miss the sunday times with proper supplements more than any car mag.

[VanquishDubai]

The international subscription to Octane is about 50 quid I think. I get mine delivred to the office via subscription (Saves paying 10 quid an issue).

I also buy Classic Car & Driver magazine from spinneys, although it is about 10 quid a shot, like most. Spinneys have all the good classic car mags, BMW, Porker specific etc.

As I am sure you know, CAR Middle East closed but the Motoring Middle East website replaced it and they have a page on Facebook which has good updates.

I also look at crankandpiston.com quite a bit.

[IanUAE]

F1 Racing used to do a Middle East version for 10/dhs. Seems to have vanished as I can only see the UK version about now.

[DannyT]

I was giving Evo ME the benefit of the doubt until the line in an M3 vs C63 road test which went something along the lines of "you can barely feel the twin turbos on the M3's V8 kick-in"...

I did perhaps over-react as I used this as an excuse finally to get an iPad so I could get access to real EVO. There is also a UK Top Gear mag on iTunes too.

[Reffio]

OK going to investigate the Wheels app in iTunes. Is the Topgear mag on iTunes any good?

That's a tidy list of websites to keep me going as well. The Mrs is going to be delighted with the amount of time spent on the iPad now...! She already thinks the only sound that comes out of the iPad are car noises!!

[IanUAE]

Reffio said:

OK going to investigate the Wheels app in iTunes. Is the Topgear mag on iTunes any good?

That's a tidy list of websites to keep me going as well. The Mrs is going to be delighted with the amount of time spent on the iPad now...! She already thinks the only sound that comes out of the iPad are car noises!!

Motor Sport News podcasts are quite good.

[thb]

DannyT said:

I was giving Evo ME the benefit of the doubt until the line in an M3 vs C63 road test which went something along the lines of "you can barely feel the twin turbos on the M3's V8 kick-in"...

I think PhillT died a little inside when he realised this monumental booboo

[tamago]

joncastle said:

Might I modestly suggest you have a look for wheels magazine's app in iTunes

+ 1

Downloaded it last night and was pleasantly surprised!

[Stratman1]

iPad: Car mag has finally got its act together, so that plus Evo plus the occasional Top Gear all on your iPad is very useful.

[After_Shock]

Ive picked up the last couple of 'wheels' as a hard copy, for 5dhs it aint bad at all. Fortunately had a few people visit so also managed to get my EVO fix.

Ipad in the next month or so once ive stopped having to buy furniture!!