Buying a car in UAE. What do I need to know?
Discussion
Hello All,
I'm discussing my package with work right now but assuming I relocate the Dubai I could do with a bit of an insight in to getting hold of a motor. So I'm sure there are a ton of nuances but heres what springs to mind right now:
I have a 335i in the UK. Will be sorely missed and have looked on Dubizzle and seen the GCC spec Vs the non-GCC spec. Whats the difference?
I've been told the humidity and proximity to the sea cause issues. True?
If I was to go for a 335i in the ME then is that a good move or is there a premium on a BMW (many colleagues deride the European motors in favour of Japanese metal).
Hows the driving roads? ANd where?
Anything I've missed and you'd ask in my position?
Apologies for the basic nature of the questions.
SloMo
I'm discussing my package with work right now but assuming I relocate the Dubai I could do with a bit of an insight in to getting hold of a motor. So I'm sure there are a ton of nuances but heres what springs to mind right now:
I have a 335i in the UK. Will be sorely missed and have looked on Dubizzle and seen the GCC spec Vs the non-GCC spec. Whats the difference?
I've been told the humidity and proximity to the sea cause issues. True?
If I was to go for a 335i in the ME then is that a good move or is there a premium on a BMW (many colleagues deride the European motors in favour of Japanese metal).
Hows the driving roads? ANd where?
Anything I've missed and you'd ask in my position?
Apologies for the basic nature of the questions.
SloMo
The whole GCC spec vs non-GCC spec thing is debatable. Some manufacturers fit additional cooling, others tweak the map to account for the crap quality (but decent octane) fuel here, others just add arabic writing to the side mirror. Be aware that some cars will have short service intervals (5000km) - this region is one of the harshest climates to drive a car in. Make sure whatever you buy hasn't missed services. GCC spec cars are likely to come with more kit as standard.
Dust and heat are the biggest issues out here - 50C is a reality in summer. Most modern metal stands up pretty well considering. A/C may be a concern - I've driven BMWs in the past and they struggle to remain super chilled inside. It's something that affects a lot of European metal, less so Yank tanks or Japanese cars.
I know of two people who have 335is here, one lightly modded with an exhaust and the other having big turbos fitted. BMWs have a certain level of 'premium' about them here amongst certain sectors of society, but don't forget that for a large proportion of people here any car is just a metal box on wheels. They will have no concerns with opening car doors right into the side of your car (even with you in it), scratching it during parking etc. Just go by the mantra that everyone else on the road is a prize pillock and you won't go far wrong.
Decent driving roads are out there - you just need to look away from the main cities to find them. The 'lesser' Emirates in the UAE are chock full of decent stretches of tarmac with some obvious highlights (Kalba run, Hatta squiggle, Jebel Hafeet, road to Tal Moreeb in Liwa). Best thing to do is jump in and go exploring for a few days.
Dust and heat are the biggest issues out here - 50C is a reality in summer. Most modern metal stands up pretty well considering. A/C may be a concern - I've driven BMWs in the past and they struggle to remain super chilled inside. It's something that affects a lot of European metal, less so Yank tanks or Japanese cars.
I know of two people who have 335is here, one lightly modded with an exhaust and the other having big turbos fitted. BMWs have a certain level of 'premium' about them here amongst certain sectors of society, but don't forget that for a large proportion of people here any car is just a metal box on wheels. They will have no concerns with opening car doors right into the side of your car (even with you in it), scratching it during parking etc. Just go by the mantra that everyone else on the road is a prize pillock and you won't go far wrong.
Decent driving roads are out there - you just need to look away from the main cities to find them. The 'lesser' Emirates in the UAE are chock full of decent stretches of tarmac with some obvious highlights (Kalba run, Hatta squiggle, Jebel Hafeet, road to Tal Moreeb in Liwa). Best thing to do is jump in and go exploring for a few days.
I made the move the opposite way this summer - went back to the UK. What I have since discovered is that the proportion of tools on the road and in supermarket car parks is the same in both countries. The main difference being for White Van Man substitute White Nissan Patrol Shabab.
I live in the southeast - unless I get out at dawn on a Sunday morning, there's nowhere with a clear stretch of interesting road, so the usual criticism that there's nowhere to drive in Dubai doesn't apply. You can't overtake in the UK without causing some kind of road rage incident so 'driving roads' are generally just 'roads'. In contrast, I find that when drivers make mistakes in the UAE (and they do - a lot), they are often polite enough to put up their hand to apologise. It's a great way to defuse the situation. Just wish more people would do it in the UK.
I used to have a blast on motorway on/off ramps, as there's so much space to play with and they're often not congested. Once you get out of the city, there's the options that Tom mentioned above.
As for cars, ditch the 335 idea. Great car, but if there's one regret I have after 11 years in Dubai, it's that I never bought an American muscle car, and now I never will. Ride that pony while you can...
I live in the southeast - unless I get out at dawn on a Sunday morning, there's nowhere with a clear stretch of interesting road, so the usual criticism that there's nowhere to drive in Dubai doesn't apply. You can't overtake in the UK without causing some kind of road rage incident so 'driving roads' are generally just 'roads'. In contrast, I find that when drivers make mistakes in the UAE (and they do - a lot), they are often polite enough to put up their hand to apologise. It's a great way to defuse the situation. Just wish more people would do it in the UK.
I used to have a blast on motorway on/off ramps, as there's so much space to play with and they're often not congested. Once you get out of the city, there's the options that Tom mentioned above.
As for cars, ditch the 335 idea. Great car, but if there's one regret I have after 11 years in Dubai, it's that I never bought an American muscle car, and now I never will. Ride that pony while you can...
BMW are more expensive here than in the U.K, any hope of them being 20% cheaper due to the VAT is not a reality, the dealer here must be making a killing on them, same with Mini's stupid prices.
If you dont want to lose a fortune in depreciation buy a Toyota/lexus.
But as the post above sums it up in one, buy something you cant or wouldnt buy back in the U.K, get a bit of muscle in your life! I know thats going to be my first port of call.
If you dont want to lose a fortune in depreciation buy a Toyota/lexus.
But as the post above sums it up in one, buy something you cant or wouldnt buy back in the U.K, get a bit of muscle in your life! I know thats going to be my first port of call.
Get.a.big.V8.
Fuel is very, very, very cheap. And I heard they were just about to reduce the price by 30%.
I have 2 cars with over 10 litres of engine capacity between them
And a supercharger 
Seriously, don't think about it too much at this stage, get out here and test drive some machines, a small, nippy car might be required if you live and work in town, something more imposing if you need to use the SZ road.
The usual question is '4x4 or car'. The usual answer is 'both'. Really depends what you will be spending time doing.
Fuel is very, very, very cheap. And I heard they were just about to reduce the price by 30%.
I have 2 cars with over 10 litres of engine capacity between them
And a supercharger Seriously, don't think about it too much at this stage, get out here and test drive some machines, a small, nippy car might be required if you live and work in town, something more imposing if you need to use the SZ road.
The usual question is '4x4 or car'. The usual answer is 'both'. Really depends what you will be spending time doing.
Thanks All. Really helpful.
I'll be doing some miles round the peninsular and also a good deal of airport runs, so sounds like the mantra really is big is best. Though possibly not an M5 due to the prices being crazy. Pretty sure I'll keep the 335 in the UK as a motor when I'm back visiting so I'll get my fix then.
Time to start reading about yank tanks I guess. Always quite liked the Camero.
Thanks again and any additional info gratefully received.
SloMo
I'll be doing some miles round the peninsular and also a good deal of airport runs, so sounds like the mantra really is big is best. Though possibly not an M5 due to the prices being crazy. Pretty sure I'll keep the 335 in the UK as a motor when I'm back visiting so I'll get my fix then.
Time to start reading about yank tanks I guess. Always quite liked the Camero.
Thanks again and any additional info gratefully received.
SloMo
oilydan said:
Get.a.big.V8.
Fuel is very, very, very cheap. And I heard they were just about to reduce the price by 30%.
I have 2 cars with over 10 litres of engine capacity between them And a supercharger
Seriously, don't think about it too much at this stage, get out here and test drive some machines, a small, nippy car might be required if you live and work in town, something more imposing if you need to use the SZ road.
The usual question is '4x4 or car'. The usual answer is 'both'. Really depends what you will be spending time doing.
This. Fuel is very, very, very cheap. And I heard they were just about to reduce the price by 30%.
I have 2 cars with over 10 litres of engine capacity between them
And a supercharger Seriously, don't think about it too much at this stage, get out here and test drive some machines, a small, nippy car might be required if you live and work in town, something more imposing if you need to use the SZ road.
The usual question is '4x4 or car'. The usual answer is 'both'. Really depends what you will be spending time doing.
An earlier post suggested that European cars tend to have weaker aircon. I completely agree with this, except in my experience with Porsche. Good A/C is by far the most important thing for me for my week-day car. I spend lots of time running about - even in winter thiis means getting into a car that has been sat in the sun for a few hours and is very hot. For this reason I also drive a small car (Mazda 3) for work - I find it cools down very quickly - the A/C is very, very good indeed.
I spend most of my time on the road looking out for speed cameras during week days - they are everywhere. So power and speed are completely unimportant to me from Sun to Thurs - but I do have my eye on a V8 for weekends.
Also, be careful with colour choice. There is a reason why white cars are so popular here.
Used Boxsters are tremendous value here. A new V8 Mustang is yours for appx AED 140,000.
I spend most of my time on the road looking out for speed cameras during week days - they are everywhere. So power and speed are completely unimportant to me from Sun to Thurs - but I do have my eye on a V8 for weekends.
Also, be careful with colour choice. There is a reason why white cars are so popular here.
Used Boxsters are tremendous value here. A new V8 Mustang is yours for appx AED 140,000.
Be careful not to get something you feel too attached to. Prepare for bumps...
Smaller cities like Al Ain or Fujeirah are much better to drive in but if you're working 9-5 in Dubai then commuting from an outside city will take a long time and isn't really an option. In addition to your main car, you can get a decent 4x4 for not too much money and that let's you go dune-bashing which is not only fun but also a great way to meet other ex-pats.
Smaller cities like Al Ain or Fujeirah are much better to drive in but if you're working 9-5 in Dubai then commuting from an outside city will take a long time and isn't really an option. In addition to your main car, you can get a decent 4x4 for not too much money and that let's you go dune-bashing which is not only fun but also a great way to meet other ex-pats.
ModernAndy is right. I have seen more accidents here than I would care to remember - nearly always rear enders. Driving standards are mental so you have to accept that accidents are a more common occurence than you might be used to. If I was in something precious to me I'd have heart failure some days.
And in retrospect I would pick cars that have the longest service intervals. Having to take 2 cars in once every 5k kilometers is just a pain in the arse.
And in retrospect I would pick cars that have the longest service intervals. Having to take 2 cars in once every 5k kilometers is just a pain in the arse.
Edited by peterbredde on Wednesday 2nd January 09:33
We were talking about this the other night.
It's now 2nd nature when coming up to a halt to watch the rear view mirror like a hawk to make sure the bloke behind has clocked that everything is slowing/stopping and to give yourself enough room to either move forward or get completely out of the way if necessary.
It's now 2nd nature when coming up to a halt to watch the rear view mirror like a hawk to make sure the bloke behind has clocked that everything is slowing/stopping and to give yourself enough room to either move forward or get completely out of the way if necessary.
Asterix said:
It's now 2nd nature when coming up to a halt to watch the rear view mirror like a hawk
Funny you said that as in the last month I seem to find myself looking behind constantly on the approach to lights or coming up behind slower moving traffic.After seeing some total muppet in a Tiida going straight into the back of a long line of stationary traffic at lights im now always looking behind. The Tiida's lack of ABS didnt help as the last second of locked wheels proved, neeedless to say the impact wasnt enough to knock his tash off and just continued the head wobble.
What all of the above said....and....
- Dont buy in Al Awir as a general rule
- Buy on Dubizzle off an Expat. After almost 10 years here I can say that they tend to look after their cars better and keep receipts and get regular services.
- Cane someone. Many people are in debt so make the recession work for you and get a deal. On a 100k car 10-15k at least.
- Ideally buy cash if you want the best deal as many people are financed up to the eyeballs and in order to sell the car they really need a chap who is paying cash do they can pay off their finance (Which will mean you will have to go to the bank with them to get a letter from the bank stating that the load has been paid off and it can be transferred into your name...dont let the owner out of your site..or you cash...till you have that letter in your hands. And then go with him to the vehicle registration to get it in your name)
Best of luck. What you wanna get?
- Dont buy in Al Awir as a general rule
- Buy on Dubizzle off an Expat. After almost 10 years here I can say that they tend to look after their cars better and keep receipts and get regular services.
- Cane someone. Many people are in debt so make the recession work for you and get a deal. On a 100k car 10-15k at least.
- Ideally buy cash if you want the best deal as many people are financed up to the eyeballs and in order to sell the car they really need a chap who is paying cash do they can pay off their finance (Which will mean you will have to go to the bank with them to get a letter from the bank stating that the load has been paid off and it can be transferred into your name...dont let the owner out of your site..or you cash...till you have that letter in your hands. And then go with him to the vehicle registration to get it in your name)
Best of luck. What you wanna get?
Thanks to you stalwart chaps for the warnings about rear enders - may a fender never meet your tail pipe. I've been traveling over to the ME for quite a few years but nothing beats the on the ground info you lot have provided. I'll shout you a beer if I ever meet you.
Cheers VanquishDubai, some great advise. As far as a motor, its going to depend on a couple of things. Most importantly what package my employer comes up with! All the stories of GT3 metal are great but I'm realistic that thats not going to be my first port of call. Quite like the idea of one though!
SloMo
Cheers VanquishDubai, some great advise. As far as a motor, its going to depend on a couple of things. Most importantly what package my employer comes up with! All the stories of GT3 metal are great but I'm realistic that thats not going to be my first port of call. Quite like the idea of one though!
SloMo
Gassing Station | Middle East | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff