Continental - Supersports vs V8s

[simong800]

Hi all,

First time posting in the Bentley forums, having just started exploring the possibility of buying one!

Long story short I am in a Panamera Diesel (2015 model) having come out of a 991 Turbo. I am looking to get into something which combines the best of both - I want the comfort, road presence and space of the Pan and the performance and badge of a 911 Turbo. But ideally something with a bit more character, the 911 was a superb vehicle but after a Maserati Granturismo S it felt a bit clinical in some respects.

Additionally I am really after something which won't do my brains from a depreciation perspective! Having toyed with the idea of a 911 GT3 (losing some comfort and space which I wouldn't like but should be solid from a residual value perspective) and the idea of a Vanquish (probably out on cost as the 8 speed gearbox ones are north of £150k still. And they probably still have quite a bit to drop!) I have come around to the idea of a Bentley.

I haven't driven any but have visited my local showroom and will be looking to arrange a couple of test drives. Initial thoughts were to get into a V8 or V8s however a bit of research has led me to the supersports. The way I see it it offers:

- better performance
- more aggressive looks (subjective)
- less depreciation as you can get a lovely specced version for mid 70's or so, surely they won't drop by loads from there? And even if they depreciate at the same rate as a V8s the higher starting price of the latter (£105k plus for a used one) means the actual £'s of depreciation is less
- rarer

Can anyone enlighten me with their experiences of either/both models? Would be great to hear any thoughts on either/both from those who know the cars much better than I do. Also is there anything to watch out for? For example would a purchase of one from outside the official dealership network (and thus without warranty) be strongly advised against?

I am under the impression the last of the 2011 plates (2012 model year) come with the infotainment system of the V8s, is this worth paying the premium for or is the old version not that different?

Thanks in advance to anyone with any insight

[POORCARDEALER]

Used Panamera Turbo S?

[simong800]

I did consider a Pan Turbo, but there is a new model Panamera out imminently so was more minded to get into something else for a while then maybe look at the next generation of pans at a later date. Will give them a bit of time to depreciate, you can get a 14 plate with 10k miles on for £80k used. Assuming the dealer paid £70k for it, then someone has paid £5 a mile in depreciation - trying to make sure that person isn't me! Good shout though and will definitely keep the new one on my radar when they're eventually out as it really is a great car in diesel format, just obviously not as exciting as a V8 (or W12)!

[Birkin1932]

I've just bought a W12 GTC supersports, swapped from a v8 4.4 Arnage.

The car is epic.

Rear seats are rubbish, not as bad as a 911, but getting there.

Very, very quick without the sport engaged. With the sport engaged, Oh dear!!

I'm using it as an everyday car, getting about 18mpg.

It definitely puts a smile on your face

[simong800]

Birkin1932 said:

I've just bought a W12 GTC supersports, swapped from a v8 4.4 Arnage.

The car is epic.

Rear seats are rubbish, not as bad as a 911, but getting there.

Very, very quick without the sport engaged. With the sport engaged, Oh dear!!

I'm using it as an everyday car, getting about 18mpg.

It definitely puts a smile on your face

Thanks Birkin, good to hear. Forgot to mention I will be driving it daily. Not expecting much mpg wise, but only doing circa 25 miles a day so it isn't too much of an issue. Plus I would offset any increased petrol costs against my perceived decrease in deprecation, which I may have totally fabricated - man maths at its finest 18 mpg sounds pretty good to be honest, my friend just got rid of a 4.4 v8 diesel range rover and he only got 22mpg out of it on average......

May I ask what year your is? I.e. does it have the "old" or the "new" infotainment? Any issues with it? The 991 and the Panamera have made me realise how dated the Maserati retrospectively felt in terms of sat nav and audio, so keen to ensure this isn't the case again....

Thanks!

[Birkin1932]

Its a 2011 with 14k miles on clock and old entertainment system. Its has ipod etc etc. THE SATNAV IS RUBBISH.

I run it for almost a month, about 1500 miles and I THINK ITS GREAT.

Can be a bit noisy on start up and booming around town, exhaust over run is fantastic.

Its the total opposite of the limo Arnage. But very addictive.

[ted 191]

I've had a panamera and a 991 ts, and just sold a 14 speed, bentley has character by the bucket load but depreciation is horrific.
If possible I would go for the later 8 speed cars.