The idiot and the cripple - a cautionary mechanical tale

MECHANICAL maladies, to trot out an old cliché, are like buses. You spend ages untroubled by them and then a stack of them all arrive at once.

The Life On Cars fleet normally consists of my cherished old MGB GT, the Mazda MX-5 for when I'm in the mood for a B-road blast and a Rover 214SEi for all the mundane, everyday tasks. However, while I can expect the MG, which was built at British Leyland factory in the 1970s, to be a bit temperamental, in the past week I've suffered a coolant leak on the MX-5 and starting problems on the normally faultlessly reliable Rover. 

All relatively minor problems for anyone with even the slightest bit of mechanical nous, but a talented engineer I am not. Normally I'd entrust such tasks to my long-suffering dad - who is a talented engineer - but because he's suffering from back problems I thought I'd do something dangerously unprecedented in my petrolhead life thus far.

With all the parts already ordered in, I thought I'd have a go at mending the problems myself.

It was a great plan. I'd set off at the crack of dawn this morning in the MX-5, pick up some spark plugs for the Rover, and appoint my dad as project manager while I changed the MGB's candle-in-a-jam-jar headlights for some halogen jobs. With this simple job out of the way, I'd then switch the cracked hose on the freshly cooled MX-5 for a new one, swap it for the Rover and treat that to a new distributor cap, leads and spark plugs. I had all the bits I needed, a full Saturday to do it in and a talented engineer - albeit one who couldn't, thanks to a spot of sciatica, do anything involving physical labour - to advise me.

Sadly that's not exactly how it worked out.

For starters, the MX-5 decided it wasn't going to play ball, and decided at the exact moment of me pulling into PartCo's car park that the my pre-mend bodging wasn't up to scratch. As the man behind the till passed me the Rover's leads and plugs, he looked past my shoulder and out of the window, at the increasingly sick-looking Mazda.

After giving me a slightly worried glance, he asked: "Would you, by any chance, be needing any K-Seal as well?". 

"Yeah, it might not be a bad idea," I responded, before he gave his diagnosis.

"Your car looks like it's about to explode."

Half an hour, a bottle of K-Seal's finest and three miles of automotive limping later and I was ready to crack on with the first of the three tasks - swapping the MG's lights over. It should've taken, at most, half an hour, but everything that could possibly have gone wrong did go wrong. We blew fuses. We rounded screws. We ended up getting endlessly frustrated by impossibly fiddly bits of wiring which could only really be solved by suddenly sprouting a second set of arms. Worst of all, we'd underestimated that dark force of the UK's classic car scene; British Leyland electrics. All the coffee, minor injuries and swearing in the world can't beat that one!

Several hours later and the idiot/cripple team had to throw in the towel, when the talented-but-injured member of our double act found it just too painful, literally and metaphorically, to carry on. Frustratingly, even after all that grafting I'm at the exact same point I was this morning, with an MG with a single working headlight, a Mazda that thinks it's a kettle and a Rover which refuses to start if the weather's being a bit British. 

Naturally, there's only one way to deal with this humiliating defeat on a trio of relatively simple mechanical tasks. Have another go tomorrow, of course...

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Qoros to launch new saloon at Geneva

ANYONE remember our exclusive piece on the talented designer from Merseyside who landed a job helping a Chinese firm to create its latest cars?

Well, this is that company's first European model - the Qoros 3 saloon, which is being officially launched at the Geneva Motor Show next month.  The company hasn't given much indication of how much involvement Alex O'Brien, from Thornton, has had in the design, but did say it's the first in a series of a models which will draw on young automotive talent from across the globe.

A spokesperson for the company said: "The new range of Qoros models is being designed and engineered by an international team of experienced specialists and new, young automotive talent, and has been developed with the support of internationally-renowned suppliers.

"Rapid expansion of the model range will be achieved thanks to an innovative modular vehicle architecture developed in-house at Qoros.  The clean, elegant styling direction – drawing heavily on contemporary European themes – has been developed to give all Qoros models an unmistakable brand identity."

Qoros, which is based in  Changshu, China but already has several facilities both over there and in Europe, says it is keen to launch a new model every six months.

For what it's worth I reckon it's not a bad looking car, and definitely better than its Chinese counterpart, the  Geely Emgrand EC7 which completely failed to win me over this time last year. What do you think?

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Is this Britain's sneakiest speed camera?

GENERALLY at Life On Cars we like to keep it local - covering all things motoring in and around Lancashire - but on this occasion we just had to make an exception.

Speed cameras have long proved a contentious issue among car lovers, particularly if they're difficult for drivers to spot, as all the fuss about one particularly prolific Gatso on Parbold Hill proved when I covered motorists' concerns in The Champion two years ago. Yesterday, however, one of our readers in Poole, Dorset got in touch to highlight what he reckons could be one of the most craftily-positioned speed cameras in the country.

Can you spot it?

For anyone who can't see it in the picture above, it's behind the school sign...

There is of course, the argument that if you aren't speeding in the first place then you won't get caught out by it, but seemingly hiding a Gatso behind a school sign does slightly defeat the point of painting it bright yellow in the first place.

What do you think? Can you think of camera that's even better hidden than the one in Poole? Life On Cars would love to know. Get in touch by leaving a comment below...

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Popular Reception Desk Shapes To Consider for Your Space

With a seemingly limitless selection of reception desks available, it's important to educate yourself on the available styles and shapes offered. This article highlights the 3 main desk styles and their features in order to help you make the best and most informed purchasing decision possible. Enjoy!

Curved Reception Desks

Perhaps no style of reception area desk is more popular these days than those with a curved design. Manufacturers are scrambling to release the hottest new curved reception desk solutions possible on an ongoing basis. For that reason, the first desk shape to highlight had to be curved.

The benefits of a curved station are simple. In terms of space, desks with this shape allow interior designers and consumers alike the ability to maximize square footage potential. Aesthetically speaking, curved desks promote a welcoming feel that is visually appealing to visitors. From the standpoint of privacy, they ensure a secure shape that doesn't leave employees exposed, or their belongings.

Manufacturers like OFM, Inc. provide a wide variety of curved desking configurations with modular attributes. Modern Marque series reception station solutions are available in single units starting at $993.99. These space saving units are available in three popular finishes that are typically in stock. Marque reception desk units can be added to form configurations large or small based on the needs of your space. OFM, Inc. understands the needs of your growing business and for that reason this collection has been a huge hit.

Rectangular Reception Desks

The most common form of desk for the reception area are those with a rectangular shape. These discount reception desks appeal to those on a tight budget and with space limitations. Additionally, rectangular models can be found in a variety of traditional and modern styles to meet the decor needs of any space. These easy to spec solutions are available from a variety of key furniture manufacturers and offer the simplicity and functionality desired by all businesses.

The most valuable benefit of a rectangular station come in terms of space. These small reception desks are typically desired by businesses with limited square footage. In addition, rectangular models are typically offered with the ability to add storage pedestals for added versatility and organization. In some cases, manufacturers will offer units standard with pedestals included for added value. Undoubtedly, this shape of desk is the most affordable. As they are typically the smallest, less materials are obviously involved in construction therefore bringing the price down. However, do not be fooled! Several of the industries best and most popular units feature this common shape and do not lack in terms of style and commercial appeal.

When it comes to modern style, Cherryman Industries Furniture from the new Verde casegoods collection is hard to beat. And for that reason, the VL-816 reception station definitely deserves the spotlight when it comes to reception area desks with rectangular design. Available in two rich finishes, the VL-816 station is typically in stock and ready for quick shipment anywhere in the continental US. This modern station is accented with a contemporary transaction counter and luxurious curves. Priced at only $674.99, this unit is an excellent buy. Matching products are also available including modern lateral file cabinets, and a variety of luxury executive desks to create a full an cohesive look throughout your business.

L Shaped Reception Desks

For larger reception areas, L-Shaped stations are the most common choice. This form of desk typically consists of a modular reception desk with a left or right return. The two products combine to form.... you guessed it, an L shape. Often L-Shaped units will be available in ADA compliant variations for the needs of handicapped visitors. L shaped desks add to the versatility and functionality typically considered when purchasing new reception furniture for any office.

The benefit of an L-Shaped reception unit can be summed up in one word. That word is versatility! These fully functional stations allow for added storage as well as increased usable desk space. L-Shaped models are typically used to accommodate a single receptionist but larger styles are available for multi user applications. The modular design of L-Shaped stations is also an excellent feature. Most manufacturers make stations with non-handed returns that allow you to reconfigure your station based on the needs of your current furniture layout.

Almost every top office furniture manufacturer offers L-Shaped reception desks. However, the one brand that stands apart is Mayline furniture. With 10 industry leading casegoods furniture collections available, it's hard to argue their selection quality. Mayline reception desks from lines like Aberdeen, Napoli, and Luminary are long time favorites. Take the NRSLBA wheelchair accessible reception desk for example. This station is perfect for areas requiring ADA compliance and still offers fantastic modern style. For those with more traditional tastes, the SRCSL Sorrento Reception Desk features a luxurious wood veneer construction and marble transaction counter. No matter your preference, Mayline has a solution for you!

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My classic car insurance nightmare

ALL I got from the world of car insurance was the ambient noise of a call centre. That and a helping of Fleetwood Mac after being put on hold again.

I've written before about the mental mindfield that is insuring your motor. I moaned about how a company refused to accept two claim-free policies held consecutively over 24 months as being a legit two years' no claims. I've pondered why it is premiums only ever seem to go up, and I've reported that even the Government have probed the murky workings of this strange industry.

So I wasn't surprised when I discovered the renewal quote for the classic car policy covering my MGB GT had gone up. Again.

Even though I'd been tootling to and from car shows for the best part of two years without so much as a scratch the cost of a year's cover had gone up by £30 from last year, which was itself £30 more than the year before that. I know full well that classic policies don't accrue a No Claims Bonus in the same way as your run-of-the-mill policy would - that's part of the reason why it's so much cheaper - and £200 a year's hardly a deal breaker, but in the interests of getting even a slightly better deal I thought I'd do a bit of shopping around.

First call was to my insurer's chief rival, who said they were sure they'd be able to find me a better deal and immediately fired off the questionnaire you always get when phoning for cover. A quick blast of Fleetwood Mac after being put on hold later and they had the answer; it was £150 dearer. Not surprisingly, I politely declined.

But here's the interesting bit - rather than sound apologetic and let me get on with my Saturday afternoon, they put me through to another insurance company, who gave me the standard insurance questionnaire a second time, and when they couldn't find me a quote, they put me through to another insurance company. It was like a bizarre game of Pass The Parcel, where someone racking up a huge phone bill has to be passed around before the music - Fleetwood Mac, which seems to be the soft rock band of choice for people putting you on hold - stopped playing.

After 35 minutes on the phone, I was getting just a little bit annoyed. So you can imagine how I felt when insurance salesman number four offered me "a competitive quote" of just £520. I'll say that again - a "competitive" quote of just £320 more than I'd started with. I was furious, particularly when I pointed to him out my renewal quote was less than half the price of what he was offering.

"Is it really?," he replied sarcastically.

Don't get me wrong. I've nothing against the principle of car insurance - it's a legal requirement and you can, after all, never be too careful - but the way the industry operates makes little to no sense. These are the same people who refused to acknowledge my better half's six years of faultless driving because it wasn't British enough, and the same ones who upped the price of covering a mate's souped-up Mini from £600 to an eye-watering four grand because they'd changed their underwriter. They're the same people who once asked another pal for £8,500 to insure a Ford Capri worth less than £500 when he bought it, so it shouldn't really surprise me that, in their eyes at least, a £520 quote is "competitive" to someone who's been offered exactly the same thing for £200.

I couldn't help but conclude the UK's car insurance industry isn't a group of people or companies but just a single mysterious machine, bereft of common sense. It made no difference to them that I'm a member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, have four years of No Claims Bonus on my everyday motor and only ever use the MGB for smoking to shows and back. As far as they were concerned I was a journalist (one of the highest risk professions there is), a twentysomething (one of the most dangerous ages to be) and a male (which used to mean I was the most dangerous gender, until a European court ruling forced them to think otherwise).

It finally came to a head last night, when yet another insurance company rang me up, didn't even give me enough time to tell them I was in work and would they mind calling me later on, and immediately put me on hold for another helping of Fleetwood Mac's finest.

I hung up.

Incidentally I'm a huge fan of Fleetwood Mac - Rumours is one of my favourite albums. I just resent the car insurance world using Don't Stop and Dreams as their phone holding tunes of choice...

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Why the Dacia Sandero could be my sort of car

THIS WEEK I’ve mostly been waiting to find out which of my favourite foods is laced with horsemeat. Given some of the shocking stuff sat in the icy depths of my freezer, it’s almost inevitable.

I can’t be the only person in Britain who isn’t especially bothered, though –surely a bottom-of-the-range spaghetti bolog-neighs wouldn’t taste any better even if it didn’t have horsemeat in it? As long as it’s cheap, tastes vaguely nice and doesn’t instigate a trip to the doctor, I really couldn’t care less. All of which brings me to Dacia.

The company is Renault’s recession-busting riposte to all those credit-crunched UK motorists who want a cheap new car and nothing else – and, given all the non-petrolheads I know who simply want to get to work for as little as possible, that’s quite a few of us cash-strapped Brits. It’s not the first time you’ve able to buy a Dacia in this country – off-road enthusiasts with particularly long memories might just about recall the original Duster 4x4 of the 1980s variety – but the brand’s reintroduction here, having proven a hit on the continent, couldn’t be more perfectly timed. Think of it as Renault’s “Everyday Value” range.

It’s the sort of car my mate Tom, who’s just bought a Kia solely because it’s cheap and generously equipped on the warranty front, would get in an instant. None of this Taste The Difference motoring malarkey I go for – in the same way I’m not going to spend over the odds on a Marco Pierre White burger, he’s not going to stump up a car with GTI on its rump. In fact, a Dacia Sandero GTI would be a bit of an automotive oxymoron.

I’ve yet to drive the Sandero but of all of 2013’s new arrivals it’s one I’m particularly keen to try, partly because a) with no sign of an economic revival any time soon, Britain’s cheapest new car couldn’t be more relevant, and more importantly b) it looks like the kind of car I’d enjoy. Not only is it utterly unpretentious in just about every way, but because it’s small, light and unspoilt by unnecessary gadgets it could be just as much fun as the Citroen C1, the Toyota IQ and the Suzuki Swift Sport. Small cars are fun, so I’m looking forward to the Sandero.

But what particularly brightened my day when checking out Dacia’s website was discovering just what you get for your £5,995. In particular, the section on the Sandero’s spec sheet entitled “Comfort and Convenience”, which reveals exactly what the entry-level model’s buyers will get for their – wait for it – comfort and convenience. They will get winding rear windows. They will get a heated rear windscreen. And that’s it.

Still doesn’t stop me from wanting to test drive it, though.

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Versatile Mobile Office Table Collections at Value Pricing

The importance of office functionality cannot be under estimated. Utilizing modern products like the mobile office tables highlighted in the article are an excellent way to provide your office will effective, user friendly furniture for the needs of a growing workplace. These stylish tables will have your office looking great while improving your day to day versatility and efficiency.

When it comes to professional office furniture solutions, perhaps no brand is better known that Global Total Office. This worldwide brand offers a huge selection of modern furnishings for the needs of any office area. For the sake of today's article we will be focusing on the Bungee table collection. This super cool line of mobile tables provides businesses and educational facilities with the modularity needed for multi purpose areas. Bungee table set solutions like the BXK132S offer consumers the ability to purchase an all in one package of tables that configures to a variety of shapes. For more specific applications, individual and customizable bungee table options are available. Units like the BX2442RES allow users to choose from 11 surface finishes and 2 frame finishes to meet their individual decor needs. Optional modesty panels are also available for added privacy. Overall Bungee tables are extremely useful in the workplace. This affordable furniture line is easy to install, reconfigure, and add on to making it an absolute value in every sense.

Another brand that's paved the way for the mobile office table movement is Lesro Industries. This modern reception furniture manufacturer has recently branched into the furniture needs for a variety of other office areas in a big way. With lines like the new Mystic office furniture collection, Lesro has created contemporary conference room furniture solutions and seating perfect for meeting areas of any size. The S1948J4 is a perfect example of Lesro's latest furniture achievement. This small mobile meeting table is standard in 6 laminate options as well as 2 frame finish options. The metal legs add durability and a modern look that really impresses. Additional sizes are available to meet the space requirements of any boardroom. Look for the Mystic office table collection to be a huge winner in 2013.

When it comes to Mayline office tables with mobile capabilities it's really too hard to choose one collection. Lines like Sync and Flip-N-Go are both excellent for modern training room furniture applications. That being said, we will provide you with a quick run down of these top two!

Let's start with Mayline Sync table solutions! These versatile tables feature a single handed center control mechanism for a convenient flip of the top. This awesome feature allows for quick and easy nesting. For those unfamiliar with nesting, this awesome attribute makes for simple and easy room cleaning as well as reconfiguring based on the needs of a particular meeting or class size. Sync office table models are available in a wide variety of sizes and finish options.

A long time favorite of industry professionals and interior designers, Flip-N-Go training room table solutions offer affordability as well as a huge selection of user friendly attributes. For starters, these modern office tables flip easily and quickly. All models require minimal assembly and are available in two stocked finishes. Tables can be quickly connected together to form modular office furniture configurations with the optional ganging brackets. Additional features include an integrated cable trough and modesty panel along with four locking casters for safety. Flip-N-Go modern training room tables are hard to beat in terms of versatility and value. For that reason, they will continue to be a top seller in 2013.

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