Bentley Turbo R Purchased
Discussion
Hi
My first post but have been lurking for awile.
After many classsics over the years from MG, Triumph,Morgan, Lotus, Jaguar Mercedes and a cheap Ferrari amongst others I have finally purchased a Bentley, having first driven one twenty years ago.
I have just sold a Humber Super Snipe estate and as my 65th was approaching thought it should be now or never.
Bought from the very helpful Romans Garage of Grantham she is a 1990 model with 74000 on the clock and a great service history.
So a couple of questions to start with please.
As I live in Taunton area of Somerset does anybody have recomendations for Indepedent Specialists in the area.
Which of the marque clubs do you feel would be best for me and what insurance company do you suggest for a classic policy.
Thanks in advance for your insights.
dandpl
My first post but have been lurking for awile.
After many classsics over the years from MG, Triumph,Morgan, Lotus, Jaguar Mercedes and a cheap Ferrari amongst others I have finally purchased a Bentley, having first driven one twenty years ago.
I have just sold a Humber Super Snipe estate and as my 65th was approaching thought it should be now or never.
Bought from the very helpful Romans Garage of Grantham she is a 1990 model with 74000 on the clock and a great service history.
So a couple of questions to start with please.
As I live in Taunton area of Somerset does anybody have recomendations for Indepedent Specialists in the area.
Which of the marque clubs do you feel would be best for me and what insurance company do you suggest for a classic policy.
Thanks in advance for your insights.
dandpl
Congratulations, lovely car and a nice colour as well.
Specialist cars in Exeter look after my car (and a lot of others obviously!
) and are extremely good, they collect/deliver as well so easy! I have found them to be helpful to an extreme and sympathetic when the car inevitably goes wrong Mine did... loads when I first got it but they have slowly sorted it out to the point where we are down to simple servicing (major degree of 'touching wood' here ) .
There is quite an active group on Facebook (the SZ register) and they meet up quite a lot down here so maybe I will get to meet you Other forums that you MUST join are: The Australian RR forum as they seem to know everything about these cars and are so helpful it's embarrassing and the Rolls Royce and Bentley forums as they are also good.
As to clubs, I can't recommend as I'm not a 'joiner' and also I am not really the target audience being a scruffy old cripple
That'll teach me to read the posts properly...
I insure mine with General Accident on an ordinary policy and it costs me £220 per year fully comp, granted with limited mileage but still, rather cheap for what it is.
Specialist cars in Exeter look after my car (and a lot of others obviously!
) and are extremely good, they collect/deliver as well so easy! I have found them to be helpful to an extreme and sympathetic when the car inevitably goes wrong Mine did... loads when I first got it but they have slowly sorted it out to the point where we are down to simple servicing (major degree of 'touching wood' here ) .There is quite an active group on Facebook (the SZ register) and they meet up quite a lot down here so maybe I will get to meet you
Other forums that you MUST join are: The Australian RR forum as they seem to know everything about these cars and are so helpful it's embarrassing and the Rolls Royce and Bentley forums as they are also good.As to clubs, I can't recommend as I'm not a 'joiner' and also I am not really the target audience being a scruffy old cripple
That'll teach me to read the posts properly...
I insure mine with General Accident on an ordinary policy and it costs me £220 per year fully comp, granted with limited mileage but still, rather cheap for what it is.
Edited by Xtriple129 on Monday 17th July 10:20
Another vote for Specialist Cars at Marsh Barton, Exeter. Haven't used them for a while but they've been going for quite some time, were previously at Buckfastleigh.
I don't belong to any specific RR or Bentley clubs, so no recommendations. Have previously found Hagerty, LV and Peter Best good on classic policies but there are plenty of others as well.
A classic colour scheme, good choice.
I don't belong to any specific RR or Bentley clubs, so no recommendations. Have previously found Hagerty, LV and Peter Best good on classic policies but there are plenty of others as well.
A classic colour scheme, good choice.
Looks lovely, great colour.
In terms of specialists, I have no experience of the firm mentioned, so I can not comment. But some specialists are extremely expensive and you need to have your wits about you. On the face of it their hourly rates may look reasonable, however, some of them have a habit of charging out many many hours in excess of what it reasonable. And customers feel embarrassed in to paying the money because it's a Bentley.
Of course, these are not cheap cars to work on and can be very laborious, but I would recommend shopping around.
They are not in your area, but I can highly recommend Starmans, who are next door to Flying Spares (very convenient).
One observation from the photograph - it appears to be very low on the front end. This is very common on these cars because the springs weaken over time. The problem is that, as they sink, the wheels assume more and more of a negative camber, and the ride quality and handling is seriously impaired (along with tyre wear). The procedure is to take measurements and then shim the springs and ultimately replace them once they can be shimmed no more. Check the service history to see if this has been done - it probably hasn't because people over look it. But it makes an enormous difference to the drive quality.
Have fun!
In terms of specialists, I have no experience of the firm mentioned, so I can not comment. But some specialists are extremely expensive and you need to have your wits about you. On the face of it their hourly rates may look reasonable, however, some of them have a habit of charging out many many hours in excess of what it reasonable. And customers feel embarrassed in to paying the money because it's a Bentley.
Of course, these are not cheap cars to work on and can be very laborious, but I would recommend shopping around.
They are not in your area, but I can highly recommend Starmans, who are next door to Flying Spares (very convenient).
One observation from the photograph - it appears to be very low on the front end. This is very common on these cars because the springs weaken over time. The problem is that, as they sink, the wheels assume more and more of a negative camber, and the ride quality and handling is seriously impaired (along with tyre wear). The procedure is to take measurements and then shim the springs and ultimately replace them once they can be shimmed no more. Check the service history to see if this has been done - it probably hasn't because people over look it. But it makes an enormous difference to the drive quality.
Have fun!
Edited by matt5791 on Thursday 20th July 07:31
Xtriple129 said:
Congratulations, lovely car and a nice colour as well.
Specialist cars in Exeter look after my car (and a lot of others obviously! ) and are extremely good, they collect/deliver as well so easy! I have found them to be helpful to an extreme and sympathetic when the car inevitably goes wrong Mine did... loads when I first got it but they have slowly sorted it out to the point where we are down to simple servicing (major degree of 'touching wood' here ) .
There is quite an active group on Facebook (the SZ register) and they meet up quite a lot down here so maybe I will get to meet you Other forums that you MUST join are: The Australian RR forum as they seem to know everything about these cars and are so helpful it's embarrassing and the Rolls Royce and Bentley forums as they are also good.
As to clubs, I can't recommend as I'm not a 'joiner' and also I am not really the target audience being a scruffy old cripple
That'll teach me to read the posts properly...
I insure mine with General Accident on an ordinary policy and it costs me £220 per year fully comp, granted with limited mileage but still, rather cheap for what it is.
Many thanks for the reply I have now booked in with Specialist cars of Exeter, although like you not a "joiner" I hve joined the RREC club. I will ley you know how I get on!Specialist cars in Exeter look after my car (and a lot of others obviously!
) and are extremely good, they collect/deliver as well so easy! I have found them to be helpful to an extreme and sympathetic when the car inevitably goes wrong Mine did... loads when I first got it but they have slowly sorted it out to the point where we are down to simple servicing (major degree of 'touching wood' here ) .There is quite an active group on Facebook (the SZ register) and they meet up quite a lot down here so maybe I will get to meet you
Other forums that you MUST join are: The Australian RR forum as they seem to know everything about these cars and are so helpful it's embarrassing and the Rolls Royce and Bentley forums as they are also good.As to clubs, I can't recommend as I'm not a 'joiner' and also I am not really the target audience being a scruffy old cripple
That'll teach me to read the posts properly...
I insure mine with General Accident on an ordinary policy and it costs me £220 per year fully comp, granted with limited mileage but still, rather cheap for what it is.
Edited by Xtriple129 on Monday 17th July 10:20
tonys said:
Another vote for Specialist Cars at Marsh Barton, Exeter. Haven't used them for a while but they've been going for quite some time, were previously at Buckfastleigh.
I don't belong to any specific RR or Bentley clubs, so no recommendations. Have previously found Hagerty, LV and Peter Best good on classic policies but there are plenty of others as well.
A classic colour scheme, good choice.
Thanks now booked in with Specialist cars!I don't belong to any specific RR or Bentley clubs, so no recommendations. Have previously found Hagerty, LV and Peter Best good on classic policies but there are plenty of others as well.
A classic colour scheme, good choice.
SilverWraith said:
Lovely colour to that Turbo R, I am sure you will love it. I had one for four years and loved it. I recently got back into Bentley ownership with the later Arnage R - once you have driven a V8 Bentley you won't go back!
As I also have a Rolls-Royce I would recommend joining the RREC.
Thanks I have joined RREC.As I also have a Rolls-Royce I would recommend joining the RREC.
matt5791 said:
Looks lovely, great colour.
In terms of specialists, I have no experience of the firm mentioned, so I can not comment. But some specialists are extremely expensive and you need to have your wits about you. On the face of it their hourly rates may look reasonable, however, some of them have a habit of charging out many many hours in excess of what it reasonable. And customers feel embarrassed in to paying the money because it's a Bentley.
Of course, these are not cheap cars to work on and can be very laborious, but I would recommend shopping around.
They are not in your area, but I can highly recommend Starmans, who are next door to Flying Spares (very convenient).
One observation from the photograph - it appears to be very low on the front end. This is very common on these cars because the springs weaken over time. The problem is that, as they sink, the wheels assume more and more of a negative camber, and the ride quality and handling is seriously impaired (along with tyre wear). The procedure is to take measurements and then shim the springs and ultimately replace them once they can be shimmed no more. Check the service history to see if this has been done - it probably hasn't because people over look it. But it makes an enormous difference to the drive quality.
Have fun!
Thank you for your reply. I have listed the springs on my "snag" list but it maybe the angle and the slope the car is on.In terms of specialists, I have no experience of the firm mentioned, so I can not comment. But some specialists are extremely expensive and you need to have your wits about you. On the face of it their hourly rates may look reasonable, however, some of them have a habit of charging out many many hours in excess of what it reasonable. And customers feel embarrassed in to paying the money because it's a Bentley.
Of course, these are not cheap cars to work on and can be very laborious, but I would recommend shopping around.
They are not in your area, but I can highly recommend Starmans, who are next door to Flying Spares (very convenient).
One observation from the photograph - it appears to be very low on the front end. This is very common on these cars because the springs weaken over time. The problem is that, as they sink, the wheels assume more and more of a negative camber, and the ride quality and handling is seriously impaired (along with tyre wear). The procedure is to take measurements and then shim the springs and ultimately replace them once they can be shimmed no more. Check the service history to see if this has been done - it probably hasn't because people over look it. But it makes an enormous difference to the drive quality.
Have fun!
Edited by matt5791 on Thursday 20th July 07:31
Tell Paul that 'Dave sent you'. It won't get you a discount but it 'might' get me one My car is booked in for a service and MOT in September (already? God, time flies...) and it's due for the rear brake hoses changing and the auto light sensor looking at and... it just goes on and on
Seriously, they are good people that are a pleasure to deal with, they are (to answer a question posed above) quite cheap for labour charges and don't seem to go over the top on hours either. I do have the official times for all jobs and I occasionally check what they have charged me for compared to what it 'should' be and they are usually below that figure.
Be prepared for a shock though: they will go over the car pretty comprehensively and tell you what's wrong, what needs doing urgently and what can be left and attended to later. My car was soooooo bad (which I sort of suspected, sadly
) that I got a phone call to request I make myself a cup of coffee and sit down before I read their e-mail. I was glad I did as my car had been badly neglected and needed lots and lots of urgent repairs. I knew the brakes were bad... I knew the front suspension was making a knocking noise... I didn't realise a full front suspension, new brakes (pads, pumps, spheres everything) a new steering rack and engine mounts and various other bushes/mounts were needed.
By the time I had added a few more jobs on that I wanted done, a few electrical gremlins sorting, and generally gone to town on her, the bill would have bought me another car: another brand new car at that!
My car is booked in for a service and MOT in September (already? God, time flies...) and it's due for the rear brake hoses changing and the auto light sensor looking at and... it just goes on and on Seriously, they are good people that are a pleasure to deal with, they are (to answer a question posed above) quite cheap for labour charges and don't seem to go over the top on hours either. I do have the official times for all jobs and I occasionally check what they have charged me for compared to what it 'should' be and they are usually below that figure.
Be prepared for a shock though: they will go over the car pretty comprehensively and tell you what's wrong, what needs doing urgently and what can be left and attended to later. My car was soooooo bad (which I sort of suspected, sadly
) that I got a phone call to request I make myself a cup of coffee and sit down before I read their e-mail. I was glad I did as my car had been badly neglected and needed lots and lots of urgent repairs. I knew the brakes were bad... I knew the front suspension was making a knocking noise... I didn't realise a full front suspension, new brakes (pads, pumps, spheres everything) a new steering rack and engine mounts and various other bushes/mounts were needed.By the time I had added a few more jobs on that I wanted done, a few electrical gremlins sorting, and generally gone to town on her, the bill would have bought me another car: another brand new car at that!
dandpl said:
Many thanks for the reply I have now booked in with Specialist cars of Exeter, although like you not a "joiner" I hve joined the RREC club. I will ley you know how I get on!
Make sure you get in touch with the local section of the RREC. The South Wales section is brilliant with plenty of activities.Paul
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