Arnage T Incoming
Discussion
After years of wanting one I've finally purchased a 2004 (MY 2005) Bentley Arnage T. Its the facelift version in black with black interior, dash in wood and aluminium, and all the usual extras. Car has been immaculately maintained by its single owner, slightly high miles but full Bentley history from new.
My wife thinks im nuts but its been a long time dream to own one. Whats more the Arnage T is my favourite model, and one I prefer over the Mulsanne and Continentals.
Cant wait to pick it up tomorrow!
My wife thinks im nuts but its been a long time dream to own one. Whats more the Arnage T is my favourite model, and one I prefer over the Mulsanne and Continentals.
Cant wait to pick it up tomorrow!
Modificata said:
After years of wanting one I've finally purchased a 2004 (MY 2005) Bentley Arnage T. Its the facelift version in black with black interior, dash in wood and aluminium, and all the usual extras. Car has been immaculately maintained by its single owner, slightly high miles but full Bentley history from new.
My wife thinks im nuts but its been a long time dream to own one. Whats more the Arnage T is my favourite model, and one I prefer over the Mulsanne and Continentals.
Cant wait to pick it up tomorrow!
Congratulations Modificata. I hope that you get as much pleasure out of your car as I do mine.My wife thinks im nuts but its been a long time dream to own one. Whats more the Arnage T is my favourite model, and one I prefer over the Mulsanne and Continentals.
Cant wait to pick it up tomorrow!
No decent pictures taken but picked up the car yesterday and drove it hope to London from Warwick. Today I took it to get it washed. My first impressions of the car is that this is unlike anything I have driven before. In every way. Let me explain.
Im not sure where to start but lets talk about the build quality. Our daily driver is a Porsche Cayenne Turbo, I have a Ferrari, and have had many Mercs, BMWs, Porsches etc and not one of the cars can come close to the build quality on this Bentley. You hear all the time that what seems like real wood is real wood, but the finish and quality of the wood exceeds many decent cabinets, let alone another car. The wood finish has such a depth to it that people often talk about the depth of shine on a polished car. But on the Arnage is doesnt matter where you look. Doors, dash, central console, rear passenger area, the finish is just simply flawless even after 10 years and high miles. Credit to the previous owner but also credit to the manufacturer.
Once you move past the wood and look at the turned aluminum, that too is just stunning. I was a bit apprehensive at first of if I would like it. When you look at each of the markings on the turned aluminum dash and door pieces you begin to realise that each mark was made by hand. Someone hand made each of those perfect pieces. They are stunning. Almost like someone has made a lovely piece of jewelry.
Then your eye falls on every piece of metal in the car and you realise firstly there is a lot of metal, and secondly Its all metal. Its not plastic made to look like metal. Its all metal. The strange thing is I knew all of this before I purchased the car but you begin to understand how no other german saloon can compare. Pulling the door handles and you feel the diamond pattern on the inside, and this a theme carried throughout the car.
I haven’t even mentioned the leather. Firstly there is lots of it and again not something I didn’t know but the quality of the leather is simply a grade above anything else. My car has the diamond stitched leather and it creates such a sense of occasion. Adds a bit of drama. In any car it might be too much, but in the Bentley it looks just perfect.
I haven’t even mentioned the drive… I’ll come back to that another time.
Im not sure where to start but lets talk about the build quality. Our daily driver is a Porsche Cayenne Turbo, I have a Ferrari, and have had many Mercs, BMWs, Porsches etc and not one of the cars can come close to the build quality on this Bentley. You hear all the time that what seems like real wood is real wood, but the finish and quality of the wood exceeds many decent cabinets, let alone another car. The wood finish has such a depth to it that people often talk about the depth of shine on a polished car. But on the Arnage is doesnt matter where you look. Doors, dash, central console, rear passenger area, the finish is just simply flawless even after 10 years and high miles. Credit to the previous owner but also credit to the manufacturer.
Once you move past the wood and look at the turned aluminum, that too is just stunning. I was a bit apprehensive at first of if I would like it. When you look at each of the markings on the turned aluminum dash and door pieces you begin to realise that each mark was made by hand. Someone hand made each of those perfect pieces. They are stunning. Almost like someone has made a lovely piece of jewelry.
Then your eye falls on every piece of metal in the car and you realise firstly there is a lot of metal, and secondly Its all metal. Its not plastic made to look like metal. Its all metal. The strange thing is I knew all of this before I purchased the car but you begin to understand how no other german saloon can compare. Pulling the door handles and you feel the diamond pattern on the inside, and this a theme carried throughout the car.
I haven’t even mentioned the leather. Firstly there is lots of it and again not something I didn’t know but the quality of the leather is simply a grade above anything else. My car has the diamond stitched leather and it creates such a sense of occasion. Adds a bit of drama. In any car it might be too much, but in the Bentley it looks just perfect.
I haven’t even mentioned the drive… I’ll come back to that another time.
Way to go OP!!
You are bringing back good memories of taking one of those to Juan Les Pins a few years ago.
Reminding me that I'm sure the 'T' changed the laws of physics.
Plant foot on loud pedal, rear of car lowers, front rises & it just sits & reels in the horizon.
It's owner replaced it with a GTC. It really isn't in the same class.
Enjoy.
You are bringing back good memories of taking one of those to Juan Les Pins a few years ago.
Reminding me that I'm sure the 'T' changed the laws of physics.
Plant foot on loud pedal, rear of car lowers, front rises & it just sits & reels in the horizon.
It's owner replaced it with a GTC. It really isn't in the same class.
Enjoy.
Reading this old thread brought home how personal and how different peoples choices can be for cars. I too, like jq74 am due to collect my Arnage (an 08 T), after 9 years of DB9 ownership. My wish list was in complete contrast with Modificata and jq74
Exterior colour- had to be a light colour, silver, light blue etc. Black for me was a definite no-no due to having a black car previously and being a slave to cleaning it. It could look dirty without going anywhere - as my cars live outside.
Interior- linen, ivory etc, again black interiors to my eye just look plain
Wood- light wood, darker wood not a deal breaker for the right car but machine turned- a definite no
Model- i didnt think a Continental GT would be that different to my Aston, its just an assumption, i've only been in a Conti once. I liked the idea of a proper 4 seater too. So i went with the Arnage, preferably the "R" model as the more pliant ride appealed. What scared me though , were the horror stories relating to the pre 07 cars chewing their cams. I couldnt (and still havent) really got to the bottom of what causes this and why some cars seemed to be completely trouble free and others afflicted. It didnt seem to be a lack of maintenance issue either. That prompted me to spend probably more than i should have and commit to a later car.
So now i'm in the "day before xmas eve when you were 10" stage, cant wait
Exterior colour- had to be a light colour, silver, light blue etc. Black for me was a definite no-no due to having a black car previously and being a slave to cleaning it. It could look dirty without going anywhere - as my cars live outside.
Interior- linen, ivory etc, again black interiors to my eye just look plain
Wood- light wood, darker wood not a deal breaker for the right car but machine turned- a definite no
Model- i didnt think a Continental GT would be that different to my Aston, its just an assumption, i've only been in a Conti once. I liked the idea of a proper 4 seater too. So i went with the Arnage, preferably the "R" model as the more pliant ride appealed. What scared me though , were the horror stories relating to the pre 07 cars chewing their cams. I couldnt (and still havent) really got to the bottom of what causes this and why some cars seemed to be completely trouble free and others afflicted. It didnt seem to be a lack of maintenance issue either. That prompted me to spend probably more than i should have and commit to a later car.
So now i'm in the "day before xmas eve when you were 10" stage, cant wait
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very nice congratulations, I thought it was only the T that had the quilted leather, maybe that was just on the pre face-lift cars then. Mine is the total opposite.. deep black paint with black leather and dark wood / turned dash! must be lovely to have the choice of the Brooklands as well, a great pairing and I see why you wanted the softer R given you have that car as well!
Update- i have the original Bentley build sheet for my car now, leather is magnolia main, beluga secondary, wood is burr oak veneer. Extras the original owner had to pay for include- Alpine radio/cd/mp3 player with sub woofer ( i wonder what the original spec is ? ) Flying "B" radiator mascot, Bentley emblems to waistralls, Burr oak veneer (why extra ??), carpet overmat to luggage compartment, leather steering wheel with veneer insert to rim (very undecided about that wheel tbh), rear quarter companion mirrors with veneer surround, veneer cruise control switch surround, veneered insert to door trim, dvd system in rear compartment with screens to front headrests, ultrasonic park distance control-front and rear with reversing camera, arnage T sports combination 2. No mention of how much all this extra stuff cost though
gjlelec said:
Hi Jeff,
08 Arnage, external silver, leather -linen, wood- looks like Tamo Ash ? the only thing i've seen on the car i'd change is black dialled clocks. I think the white are much nicer
regards-Gary
I'm not sure about your comment regarding dials..... Yes white ones would match the interior better but I think white dials may also make the dashboard look a bit cheap - Black I think is more elegant and look better when illuminated while driving at night. Another angle maybe...... Enjoy those black dials, they look good to me!08 Arnage, external silver, leather -linen, wood- looks like Tamo Ash ? the only thing i've seen on the car i'd change is black dialled clocks. I think the white are much nicer
regards-Gary
Edited by allister on Monday 8th May 21:47
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