Tyres and 'stuff'

[dalbuie]

Hi,

A newbie to the forum and possible Bentley Turbo R owner.

I'm using a friends 1987 Turbo R to assist in fixing a few niggles and I think I have the bug and don't want to drive another car!

What are these like for long term regular use, DIY repair etc (forgetting the fuel costs). I have a few classics and a transit van so it would be used for regular family trips and not a daily driver - maybe 3K-4K miles per year.

Also does anyone use 275/55/15 tyres in HR spec? I know these are below the recommended VR spec but I never drive above 90mph (need to keep my licence) and the 255 Avons are just too expensive.

Thanks
D

[Markymark69]

Without being horrible if you are thinking about scrimping on the tyres you want to give this whole idea a good long think.

[Scotty2]

I have Goodyear Eagle F1s (225-55-17ZR) on my 96 RL. Half the price of Avons and just as good.

No point in throwing money away when there are alternatives. More left to spend on fuel!

[dalbuie]

Thanks Scotty,

There's no way I would spend £350+ either on Avon tyres when there are so many good alternatives.

[Markymark69]

Tell me just out of interest what you going to do when you get a 3 or 4k problem? You going to fix that with super glue and chewing gum?

Just interested

Its been 20 years since i had one of those, but i cant help thinking that as soon as penny pinching enters the mix best you buy a Jag, three quarters of the car 20% of the runining cost.

Edited by Markymark69 on Saturday 23 July 19:19

[dalbuie]

What happened to not being horrible? Didn't take you long.

[Markymark69]

dalbuie said:

What happened to not being horrible? Didn't take you long.

Im not being horrible in the least, iv just seen too many Turbo R's been offered to me that are held together with chewing gum and super glue.

Buy what you like i dont give a fk, but if the price of tyres is giving you heart burn this aint the car for you.

A turbo r now is the same as buying a mulsanne today, the fact you can buy one for 15k dosent make them cheap to run.Anyway you crack on and good luck, enjoy your new car.

Edited by Markymark69 on Saturday 23 July 19:35

[dalbuie]

I've restored and maintained many vehicles in the last 30 years of all types and values and was asking a genuine question and hoping for genuine advice from this forum. I have never restored any car, bike or truck with "chewing gum" and have had several best in show winners from my collection - I wouldn't travel with my family in anything that was not 100% reliable and safe.

In between the lines of your sarcastic postings was actually some useful advice, so I thank you. It would have been more useful and pleasant however if you had you said in the first post:

"A Bentley Turbo cannot be ran on a budget as they were expensive cars in their day and to maintain them correctly today they take a good budget so I would think very carefully before purchasing"

This would have been very constructive and helpful and would have added to the knowledge of the forum.

Your final post and language says more about yourself than the Bentley or me.

Thanks
D

[AndrewW-G]

OP, you may want to keep an eye on my thread on here . . . . . As I'm sure you're aware, whilst some things don't need to break the bank, these cars are getting to the age where the previous owners and "specialists" who have got their hands dirty, may not have been capable of working to the requisite high standard.

It's always worth having a slush fund with enough for a hydraulic overhaul or a rust repair panel or two

ETA, the parts bill alone for the hydraulic overhaul I'm doing on my car (90 Turbo R), is currently into 4 figures and thats before the cost of un-botching previous body repairs. . . . I can see Marks point, in that any unforseen problem has the potential to produce a sizeable bill, but as you've already said, you've had similar cars so you'll know that already.

As for tyres, mines been fitted with 235/70/R15 tyres . . . which will soon be gracing the local landfill as I've got a set of wheels from a Continental

Edited by AndrewW-G on Saturday 23 July 21:15

[Markymark69]

Sorry my bad let me say it all again.

The last time i had a Turbo R was 20 years ago and i didnt care about the cost then, it was 3 years old and cost me a fortune.

If i had a Turbo R now and was in any way concerned about costs i would not buy one. If the cost of tyres IN ANY WAY crossed my mind i would not buy one.

But please, you march on and buy one, then when you get hit with a 6k service be sure to pop back on here and see if there is a way to save a few quid.

If you want a perfect car perfect in every way http://hanwells.net/showrooms2006/thumbnails.php?a... that is the perfect car, i know the last owner and i know the people selling, that car has wanted for nothing all its life.

Edited by Markymark69 on Saturday 23 July 21:09

Edited by Markymark69 on Saturday 23 July 21:10

Edited by Markymark69 on Saturday 23 July 21:21

[2woody]

I have a Mulsanne Turbo - and find it entirely supportable by myself. Since I bought it, I've done some bodywork, changed the windscreen, rebuilt every single suspension joint and rubber on the car and done a hydraulic rebuild, complete with all of the pipework, accumulators, braking valves and converting to turbo R hydraulics to go along with the springs/dampers, anti-roll bars and steering rack that I've put on it. Currently doing an engine uprating exercise and conversion to 4-speed transmission. And plotting how to get ABS on it, too

The car is actually easier to maintain than some of my others, it's no more complex than a sixties big saloon really.

The only downside is the cost of the spares themselves. The front suspesion joints cleared me out for three months for example. I've probably spent over £4K on parts now, which is more than the car cost me in the first place.

The problem with tyres is that they're a really tall tyre/wheel package, and by that I mean the "hub height", so if you choose to stay with a small wheel and high sidewall for handling reasons, then there's not many tyres available to choose from, certainly not in a high speed rating. You can go for a lower speed rating, but there is a risk - namely that you're fitting something lower-rated than the car is capable of ( illegal for instance in Germany ). I doubt your insurance company would be chuffed.

You could always go for a larger wheel ( if you can afford the purchase price of the wheel ). This gives a few more choices of tyres for you. You should be aware that grip will be better, but handling will be worse. Noise and harshness will also increase.

The advice given is kind of right - this is the type of car where you sometimes have to bite the bullet and be prepared to spend money. That doesn't mean that you must blindly "shell out" though.

Edited by 2woody on Saturday 23 July 21:59

Edited by 2woody on Saturday 23 July 22:01

Edited by 2woody on Saturday 23 July 22:04

[Markymark69]

I surrender iv had too much to drink and now im going out this place Helsingborg in Sweden is just superb

You lot are all better than me and i mean that if you can repair these cars DIY i take my hat off and i fking mean that.

[AndrewW-G]

Markymark69 said:

You lot are all poorer than me

Sadly Mark, the above edit is more accurate and I mean that in a nice way

[Markymark69]

AndrewW-G said:

Sadly Mark, the above edit is more accurate and I mean that in a nice way

No its me im a fking arse when im drunk i seriously dont want to see this bloke drop a bk then get a nasty bill

[AndrewW-G]

Markymark69 said:

AndrewW-G said:

Sadly Mark, the above edit is more accurate and I mean that in a nice way

No its me im a fking arse when im drunk i seriously dont want to see this bloke drop a bk then get a nasty bill

I think we are all essentially saying the same thing, Bentleys are great fun when working, but have the potential for huuuuge bills and even those of us who can repair them, still get the shock of expensive parts bills

[Markymark69]

Andrew i tried them all, these are the best cars rolling if i had the time id have a Turbo R, that oily PLOP when i opened a air vent, that velvet movement when i put it in gear, i aint forgotten that feeling.

The feeling of my shoes in those rugs, i got a mate on another forum he knows what im talking about, i remember that saturday night going out "feel good feeling" these modern Bentley they cant match that, im old now it breaks my fking heart id give millions to rewind 20 years you know what i mean dont you

That single sided key in the ignition, start up, turn that chrome knob to put the lights on, the steering stupidly light but who cares, then bang its faster than anything and it looks like a breeze block

Then the smell that leather wood and carpet smell its all coming back to me now these new Bentley they cant smell like the old ones no no no not at all.

Edited by Markymark69 on Saturday 23 July 22:29

[2woody]

you forgot the smell - and the view out across the bonnet.

and what about the imperious driving position.

[Markymark69]

2woody said:

you forgot the smell - and the view out across the bonnet.

and what about the imperious driving position.

Jack barclay they gave me a brooklands for a week it was without a doubt an imperious car it had the smell it had the driving position it had everything............... except it was st to drive compared to mine.

iM 45 now and the next car im gonna buy is a new Mullsanne iv tried a drop head Phantom, it was a boat, a boat with a nice seat, i got my money back, good luck the next man, im going to wait for a 175k Mulsanne in the colour i want then its over and out from me, till then i got the duck egg blue car as my daughter calls it and good memories of 20 years ago and turbo r's

[Markymark69]

Anyway i really gotta go out now, OP seriously im passionate about these cars just dont drop a bk and regret buying one of these cars.

[Scotty2]

I wouldn't skimp on some things. I spent over £1200 on wheel arches (proper repairs not a bodge) and fixing the headlining after purchase. She now looks bang on. But rather than pay through the nose for some overpriced items I'd perhaps get some machined or reverse engineered or rebuilt by a suitable engineering firm. I suppose I am lucky to have some suitable contacts for some things. On the other hand we do need to support the specialists to keep the network going.

Best weekend car ever!