25k Bentley? Realistic Running Costs

[jamesogt]

Something like this?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2015...

Fuel paid by work, 15k a year. Makes a change from the usual Merc/BMW etc.

Would it be a money pit or could I actually do it!?

[WightGT]

Much will depend upon the service history. Service by Bentley dealers is a menu based system, whereby different aspects of the service are done according to vehicle age & mileage. If not done by a main dealer, some of the expensive bits might have been missed out. You can access the service schedule from the Phantom Motors website, and compare that with the service record for the car. As a general rule, these cars are electrically complicated. I prefer main dealer servicing because the car gets all the latest Bentley software tweaks, which helps to keep the electrons on course.

Will the car live outside, or can you garage it? If kept in the open, the front passenger footwell is prone to flooding. This is not a good idea, as there are boxes of electronics under the carpet. The flooding happens because of blocked drain holes - leaves, spiders and so forth. The same can happen to the drain holes around the petrol filler can and rear spoiler housing. Keep them clear by regularly blowing them out with compressed air.

I take it that at this age, the rear windscreen stop light has already packed up and been replaced.

Things that pack up include the exhaust manifold thermocouples, which are £500 to replace. The weight of the engine takes it's toll on front suspension components and wheel bearings. The worst scenario is alternator or starter motor failure, which is reported to require engine removal at a cost of £10,000. I have not yet heard whether this is true or not.

Bentley main dealer servicing is as you would expect for a car that 10 years ago cost £120,000. Routine servicing will cost you between £800 and £2,000 depending on what service it is. If you allow £4,000 per year you should be able to enjoy a fabulous car. This car should run on 19 inch wheels, and the ride will be harsh on 20 inch, to say nothing of wheel damage from potholes. I'd put it back on the intended wheels and tyres, otherwise you'll have to inform your insurer that you are not running on the Bentley spec wheels & tyres. Some insurers charge a fortune, so it's worth shopping around, especially since some expect you to pay the first £1,000 of windscreen repairs (the windscreen costs £1,600). I insure with Aviva and the premium is £230 per year including European travel.

In short - make sure you know what you are getting into, and don't try and do it on a shoestring.

[TR4man]

I know nothing about Bentleys, but how the front wings are bolted on to the example in the OP's link looks a bit odd to me.

Surely a car of this calibre would have the fixing bolts spayed body colour?

Perhaps something is not quite all it seems with that example, or I'm talking a load of st?

[enjoythemusic]

It's an early model car and yes the fixing bolts rust. Those very early models had growing pains, too.

[Corbeliere]

The bolts on mine are black. Having said that, the car is also black.

As for the wheels, as mentioned by WightGT, it looks like a Mulliner spec' car judging by the door panels, so the wheels seem correct.

I had the infamous engine out job done by Bentley Knutsford a couple of years ago to fix a leaking air hose. The cost of that was around £3K.

My servicing is now done by Ivor Twiss at GT Services in Crewe, not too far from the OP and definitely second to non when it comes to Bentley's.

One thing about these cars is that they are a smile a mile.
Good luck with your decision.