1997 Bentley Brooklands as a daily driver (fuel no issue)

1997 Bentley Brooklands as a daily driver (fuel no issue)

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jinkster

Original Poster:

2,277 posts

163 months

Wednesday 3rd December 2014
quotequote all
I have recently moved to Qatar in the Middle East and have been looking online for an old Rolls Royce/ Bentley. I have been searching the car ads online and come across a 1997 Bentley Brooklands. Would you recommend one as a daily driver? Fuel consumption is no issue as the fuel is....(don't read this if your in the UK)....16 pence per litre!

I look forward to your comments.


Bebee

4,697 posts

232 months

Wednesday 3rd December 2014
quotequote all
jinkster said:
I have recently moved to Qatar in the Middle East and have been looking online for an old Rolls Royce/ Bentley. I have been searching the car ads online and come across a 1997 Bentley Brooklands. Would you recommend one as a daily driver? Fuel consumption is no issue as the fuel is....(don't read this if your in the UK)....16 pence per litre!

I look forward to your comments.
(don't read this if your in the UK)

What now?

Small Car

877 posts

206 months

Wednesday 3rd December 2014
quotequote all
Ac would be the main issue? I have done 5k miles in a 96 Conti R in six months and all is fine!

jinkster

Original Poster:

2,277 posts

163 months

Wednesday 3rd December 2014
quotequote all
What is the air conditioning like?

Small Car

877 posts

206 months

Wednesday 3rd December 2014
quotequote all
Well I am sure others will speak for themselves but my experience, when the temperatures were up in the summer, we're not great. But the system is old so maybe needs work. It clears a misted window when started so there is some grunt in it, but otherwise mine doesn't get very cold...

buyer&seller

802 posts

185 months

Thursday 4th December 2014
quotequote all
Small Car said:
Well I am sure others will speak for themselves but my experience, when the temperatures were up in the summer, we're not great. But the system is old so maybe needs work. It clears a misted window when started so there is some grunt in it, but otherwise mine doesn't get very cold...
You may be best to get your system checked out, when the A/C is working correctly on these cars it is the best I have experienced on any vehicle. I have not used it in the Middle East (never been) but here in the UK you would struggle to sit in the car on maximum cold in the hottest weather for more than 15 mins without having to adjust the dial. The later Arnage/Seraph are poor in comparison and a big step backwards.

jinkster

Original Poster:

2,277 posts

163 months

Thursday 4th December 2014
quotequote all
[quote=buyer&seller]
Small Car said:
Well I am sure others will speak for themselves but my experience, when the temperatures were up in the summer, we're not great. But the system is old so maybe needs work. It clears a misted window when started so there is some grunt in it, but otherwise mine doesn't get very cold...
You may be best to get your system checked out, when the A/C is working correctly on these cars it is the best I have experienced on any vehicle. I have not used it in the Middle East (never been) but here in the UK you would struggle to sit in the car on maximum cold in the hottest weather for more than 15 mins without having to adjust the dial. The later Arnage/Seraph are poor in comparison and a big step backwards.
Thank you for your assistance. I am going to look at the 1997 Brooklands in a few days. Its on the market here for £17,000 (30,000km). I think its pretty expensive in comparison to the UK prices however there is a big haggling culture here.

Bluebottle911

811 posts

202 months

Thursday 4th December 2014
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jinkster said:
Fuel consumption is no issue as the fuel is....(don't read this if your in the UK)....16 pence per litre!
I am moving to Qatar. Yesterday. biggrin

Bluebottle911

811 posts

202 months

Thursday 4th December 2014
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Seriously, while again I have no experience of Middle East type temperatures, I would not worry about the abilities of the aircon system - it is immensely capable so long as it is properly maintained. Other than checking out parts availability and access to a decent specialist when required, I can see no reason not to go for it. And every reason to do so. Good luck!

LMV600

55 posts

198 months

Monday 8th December 2014
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Pre purchase inspection is a must out here , unless you are very lucky with a caring owner ( there are not many about ) the car will most likely be in some form of neglect , and due to the wonderful standard of driving will more than likely have been involved in many coming's together over the years .
Haggle hard , that price seems strong based on the limited information available .

jinkster

Original Poster:

2,277 posts

163 months

Tuesday 9th December 2014
quotequote all
When I get some time away from studying the books for the new job I'll go down and take a look. Prices for these cars seem to stay high here and there is not much around. I love an old Shadow 2 or something here.