Which Bentley?

Author
Discussion

Gramrugby

Original Poster:

547 posts

215 months

Sunday 9th June 2013
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I am considering purchasing a Bentley with a budget of 20k. For that price I'll be limited to Arnage, Turbo R, Broolands etc. Which model would members advise /recommend ?.

Thanks in advance.

Bluebottle911

811 posts

202 months

Monday 10th June 2013
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Easy: buy yourself the best Turbo R you can find - there should be plenty available within your budget (maybe a Turbo S or RT). You would be pushed to find a decent Arnage for that money and the Brooklands' performance, while adequate, is not startling: TR much more fun!

hdiam1950

89 posts

197 months

Monday 10th June 2013
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Having owned all of the above i totally agree. best turbo r is 94/5 series 3.good luck Harry.

bergxu

382 posts

164 months

Monday 10th June 2013
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Agreed; Turbo R all the way.


2woody

919 posts

217 months

Monday 10th June 2013
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Same. Turbo R every time

Gramrugby

Original Poster:

547 posts

215 months

Tuesday 11th June 2013
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Looks like it's a Turbo R then!
Many thanks to you all for taking the trouble to reply.

Bluebottle911

811 posts

202 months

Tuesday 11th June 2013
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That was easy, wasn't it?!

I would emphasise that you will be well advised to use your budget to the full: buy the best one you can find for the money you have available and you will really enjoy owning what is one hell of a lot of car for the money, and a very special experience. Don't be tempted to grab a "bargain" (they can be bought very cheaply: there's one going to auction next month with a guide price of £4,25-5,250), as it will probably not be (unless, perhaps, you have the knowhow to do all the work it will need yourself). Because of depreciation, these cars are very cheap to buy (£20K is less than 15% of what even the last ones cost new - that's a bargain anyway!), but parts are not. Not only will you save in the long run, but you will have a car that you enjoy 100% in the meantime: there's nothing worse than a car that keeps going wrong, usually at the most awkward times. When you have bought it, be prepared to pay for regular servicing at a good independent and don't expect even the best of cars to be fault free - you will have a few big bills from time to time, as things do wear out and some of the scheduled services can be fairly comprehensive.
driving

Gramrugby

Original Poster:

547 posts

215 months

Tuesday 11th June 2013
quotequote all
Thanks Bluebottle. I'm an Engineer and VERY fastidious when it comes to my cars. Looking forward to finding the right car, but no rush. Thanks again for taking the trouble.

2woody

919 posts

217 months

Wednesday 12th June 2013
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or......

these cars are very fixable for people with he right skills and aptitude. Both of my Bentley turbos combined cost me much less than that £5K.

but "eyes open" is definitely the way forward. We can keep you straight here !

MULLINER

90 posts

200 months

Thursday 13th June 2013
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Have you considered a Continental R there are a few lurking about in the early 20k bracket and long term possibly a better investment than a saloon and a much rarer, better built than an early Arnage too.

dazzalse

565 posts

186 months

Thursday 13th June 2013
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How about a Brooklands R Mulliner

Gramrugby

Original Poster:

547 posts

215 months

Tuesday 25th June 2013
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It's looking like I'll be going for a 2002 Arnage T. It's on ultra low mileage with a full annual Bentley service history.
It's the best I've seen by a country mile, although a lot more expensive than originally intended.

Thanks to you all for taking the time to reply and I'll let you know the outcome.

WightGT

171 posts

153 months

Tuesday 25th June 2013
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Arnage T's had the habit of chewing up their tappets, which was very expensive to repair. You should make sure that you purchase a car that is (a) unlikely to visit this upon you and (b) that has already been put right by some wealthy previous owner. The later the model the better - ideally a facelift model just prior to the introduction of the Brooklands.
Good Luck
David.

Perdurabo

28 posts

141 months

Tuesday 25th June 2013
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WightGT said:
Arnage T's had the habit of chewing up their tappets, which was very expensive to repair. You should make sure that you purchase a car that is (a) unlikely to visit this upon you and (b) that has already been put right by some wealthy previous owner. The later the model the better - ideally a facelift model just prior to the introduction of the Brooklands.
Good Luck
David.
Hi David, I'm considering an Arnage and this is the first I've heard of the tappet issue. By "facelift" I take it you mean the 2005 model year onwards are OK in this regard? I must admit to preferring the look of the front on the 05 on anyway.

Good luck Gram, I look forward to updates.

WightGT

171 posts

153 months

Wednesday 26th June 2013
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Hi Paul - not sure where I heard this about the tappets. I think it was through chatting at Phantom Motors a few years back. It seems to be acknowledged within BDC circles as a major consideration when seeking an Arnage T. BDC wisdom is that the problem had been resolved by the 2005 facelift version, and buying an earlier 'T' could land you with a most unwelcome bill. I don't know whether Bentley ever did a recall on this, or whether there was any other preventative measure put in place. In view of the effort required to get to and change the tappets, I doubt that Bentley did it for nix, if at all.
Best wishes,
David.

Perdurabo

28 posts

141 months

Wednesday 26th June 2013
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Thanks David.

graemel

7,106 posts

224 months

Thursday 27th June 2013
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hdiam1950 said:
Having owned all of the above i totally agree. best turbo r is 94/5 series 3.good luck Harry.
I still keep looking at these. Out of interest why in particular a 94/95 car against say the 96 car. There looks to be quite a nice one in the classifieds. 96 SWB for very reasonable money.

Prestige motors

3 posts

137 months

Thursday 27th June 2013
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Has anyone bought or sold a bentley brooklands what are they like also whats the difference between the 93 my and the 96 my. Thanks

Bluebottle911

811 posts

202 months

Friday 28th June 2013
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Gramrugby said:
It's looking like I'll be going for a 2002 Arnage T. It's on ultra low mileage with a full annual Bentley service history.
It's the best I've seen by a country mile, although a lot more expensive than originally intended.

Thanks to you all for taking the time to reply and I'll let you know the outcome.
Good choice given the increased budget: when it comes to an Arnage, buy an R with your head and a T with your heart.

bergxu

382 posts

164 months

Wednesday 3rd July 2013
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Brooklands is basically what took over being the "poverty spec" car with the demise of the Eight and Mulsanne models. At the risk of offending any Brooklands owners, I see no reason to buy one since they cost the same to maintain as a Turbo R...may as well go whole hog mate.