Discussion
I hardly venture out of the McLaren Forum but now have an itch to scratch so looking to the PH Bentley Massive for some guidance.
Now that I have the garage space I will be buying an Arnage. The car will be a long-term keeper (maybe for life), so low’ish mileage will be important. Will join an eclectic mix of vehicles and will cover approx 3K miles PA. Mainly used for long distance tours and occasional weekend jaunts. Basically, I desire the experience of owning a proper big Bentley saloon.
Budget = £35K Max
Age isn’t a major factor, but condition is.
Not bothered about warranty, as will self-warranty.
There’s quite a few on PH and AT for sale. Any pointers and advice would be appreciated. Thank you
Now that I have the garage space I will be buying an Arnage. The car will be a long-term keeper (maybe for life), so low’ish mileage will be important. Will join an eclectic mix of vehicles and will cover approx 3K miles PA. Mainly used for long distance tours and occasional weekend jaunts. Basically, I desire the experience of owning a proper big Bentley saloon.
Budget = £35K Max
Age isn’t a major factor, but condition is.
Not bothered about warranty, as will self-warranty.
There’s quite a few on PH and AT for sale. Any pointers and advice would be appreciated. Thank you
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 17th July 19:48
Go in with your eyes open. If not already aware, read up on head gasket issues and also camshaft issues on later ones, fixed for 2007 model year. May or may not be an issue, or might have been done already. Basically, good cars, enjoyable ownership experience providing the risk of the occasional bill doesn't cause concern.
TarquinMX5 said:
Go in with your eyes open. If not already aware, read up on head gasket issues and also camshaft issues on later ones, fixed for 2007 model year. May or may not be an issue, or might have been done already. Basically, good cars, enjoyable ownership experience providing the risk of the occasional bill doesn't cause concern.
Thank you for the response. My budget pretty much covers earlier 2000 models. Does the camshaft/gasket issues effect them also?This is the mileage/ age I am looking at > https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10418699
This is going to test my grey cells 
From memory, the worst affected Arnages for head gaskets were 2000-2001, prior to the Arnage R & T. However, there have been numerous reports of gasket failures on Rolls/Bentley Turbos from approx 1994. However, not all cars have been affected and there have been numerous theories, generally around differing rates of thermal expansion. Repair cost in £5000 ballpark, assuming no other issues.
An oft-expressed view is that if it hasn't happened yet, it's a case of when, not if, and there is a school of thought about having them changed (fairly sure there are revised gaskets) as a preventative measure if not already done.
I think I'm right in saying that the camshaft issues weren't really an issue until the introduction of the Arnage T; Arnage Rs seem to be affected to a lesser degree. However, I don't know the percentage of affected cars and as with most things, people complain when they have a problem but don't make any comment if there aren't any problems.
The old 6 3/4 (no metric 6.75 stuff
) was a good old engine and suited the car but it did seem to start suffering from a few issues once they started bumping up the power outputs.
From memory, the worst affected Arnages for head gaskets were 2000-2001, prior to the Arnage R & T. However, there have been numerous reports of gasket failures on Rolls/Bentley Turbos from approx 1994. However, not all cars have been affected and there have been numerous theories, generally around differing rates of thermal expansion. Repair cost in £5000 ballpark, assuming no other issues.
An oft-expressed view is that if it hasn't happened yet, it's a case of when, not if, and there is a school of thought about having them changed (fairly sure there are revised gaskets) as a preventative measure if not already done.
I think I'm right in saying that the camshaft issues weren't really an issue until the introduction of the Arnage T; Arnage Rs seem to be affected to a lesser degree. However, I don't know the percentage of affected cars and as with most things, people complain when they have a problem but don't make any comment if there aren't any problems.
The old 6 3/4 (no metric 6.75 stuff
) was a good old engine and suited the car but it did seem to start suffering from a few issues once they started bumping up the power outputs.Good evening to you all. As other contributors have said, there is a head gasket problem with these cars that was not resolved until the 2006/07 model. It would seem that paying £35K for a 2002/3 model is about £7K too much unless the service history shows that the head gaskets and tappets have been upgraded.
Getting a 2006/7 Arnage for £35K might be a bit ambitious, but by no means impossible. In purchasing, make sure there is a perfect service history, showing what has and has not been done. I think you should budget for £45K and get something from about 2009 to be reasonably certain of a trouble free long term ownership. Even then, you might need £3K up your sleeve for a main dealer service to sort out lurking problems.
Best wishes,
David.
Getting a 2006/7 Arnage for £35K might be a bit ambitious, but by no means impossible. In purchasing, make sure there is a perfect service history, showing what has and has not been done. I think you should budget for £45K and get something from about 2009 to be reasonably certain of a trouble free long term ownership. Even then, you might need £3K up your sleeve for a main dealer service to sort out lurking problems.
Best wishes,
David.
Thank you all for the feedback. Seems that I need to up my budget, which I arrived at by viewing the classifieds, rather than available funds. I’ll up it to £45K because of the significant risk of the gasket failure issue. There’s a huge amount online about the issue so does seem a very real risk. I’ll look for a 2007 onwards model.
Although above my £45K budget, this car appears to be a well cared for example, but possibly overpriced? https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
I do prefer the ‘R’ as I am looking for a more relaxed / non-sporting car (and I like the chrome grill surround). It will mainly be used for sedate long distance touring. I have a McLaren 720S sat in the garage for more spirited driving.
Apart from the gasket issues is there anything else to consider?
Although above my £45K budget, this car appears to be a well cared for example, but possibly overpriced? https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
I do prefer the ‘R’ as I am looking for a more relaxed / non-sporting car (and I like the chrome grill surround). It will mainly be used for sedate long distance touring. I have a McLaren 720S sat in the garage for more spirited driving.
Apart from the gasket issues is there anything else to consider?
I had a 2002 Arnage T for about 6 years and I would endorse all of the comments and pitfalls which have been pointed out here. I would recommend the later models from 2007 onwards where you will avoid the head gasket and tappet problems.
The only thing I would add, and I don't know if it was cured on later models but the earlier "T" models had an incredibly sensitive throttle and this was common to all of them. Not just mine!
I would go for a later "T" if this has been cured otherwise go for the "R"
The only thing I would add, and I don't know if it was cured on later models but the earlier "T" models had an incredibly sensitive throttle and this was common to all of them. Not just mine!
I would go for a later "T" if this has been cured otherwise go for the "R"
The 2007 models also came with the 6-speed gearbox. No particular issues that I'm aware of on these later cars, just the normal checks that apply to any purchase; for me the tyres (brand, spec, tread etc.) are usually a good indication of whether a car's been well maintained.
Although the T is often the one people suggest is the 'must have', the reality is that many actually prefer the R, or find that it's perfectly adequate
Although the T is often the one people suggest is the 'must have', the reality is that many actually prefer the R, or find that it's perfectly adequate
Good morning,
I have owned a 2007 Arnage T for 10 years and driven 85k miles in it. I would definitely aim for the later model as suggested by other owners. Mine is main dealer serviced annually but I use specialists where possible, and finding a good local specialist is really helpful- they seem to be able to do jobs using more cost effective techniques than the main dealers.
They are mostly well built, but parts supply can be challenging, again places like flying spares have come up trumps when Bentley have said it will take months to get a part.
I really like the R model you posted, with a bit of negotiation, you may come in nearer budget.
A couple of ownership points...
The yellow warning lights for TPMS, airbags and engine management have been fairly frequently illuminated, and may or may not indicate an actual problem. So need not be a cause for concern everytime. Red warnings should be taken seriously, but can be tripped on by a low battery- there are two- which on mine can be drained if left standing, so keep charged if using for 3 k miles a year. The only red warning I have had was for coolant loss a couple of times caused by a minkr leak. The other unobvious point is that there are a variety of hoses ie turbo in the engine which may bave started leaking with age and reduce power, but not obvious unless you drive a couple of cars. The T should get a move on under power! Even a main dealer service failed to spot this.
They are old school tech ... I have changed the satnav for a touch screen, and added a parrot with a speaker in the dash for bluetooth, so not noticeable but functional.
Like any decent car, they cost money to run, but the pleasure is immense, and mine has never left me stranded. If you would like to know anything else, let me know.
I have owned a 2007 Arnage T for 10 years and driven 85k miles in it. I would definitely aim for the later model as suggested by other owners. Mine is main dealer serviced annually but I use specialists where possible, and finding a good local specialist is really helpful- they seem to be able to do jobs using more cost effective techniques than the main dealers.
They are mostly well built, but parts supply can be challenging, again places like flying spares have come up trumps when Bentley have said it will take months to get a part.
I really like the R model you posted, with a bit of negotiation, you may come in nearer budget.
A couple of ownership points...
The yellow warning lights for TPMS, airbags and engine management have been fairly frequently illuminated, and may or may not indicate an actual problem. So need not be a cause for concern everytime. Red warnings should be taken seriously, but can be tripped on by a low battery- there are two- which on mine can be drained if left standing, so keep charged if using for 3 k miles a year. The only red warning I have had was for coolant loss a couple of times caused by a minkr leak. The other unobvious point is that there are a variety of hoses ie turbo in the engine which may bave started leaking with age and reduce power, but not obvious unless you drive a couple of cars. The T should get a move on under power! Even a main dealer service failed to spot this.
They are old school tech ... I have changed the satnav for a touch screen, and added a parrot with a speaker in the dash for bluetooth, so not noticeable but functional.
Like any decent car, they cost money to run, but the pleasure is immense, and mine has never left me stranded. If you would like to know anything else, let me know.
Decent looking Arnage with very low miles.
It's a bit black on black on black for my tastes, and it's located in Grimsby of all places but might be worth checking out.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324238237001
It's a bit black on black on black for my tastes, and it's located in Grimsby of all places but might be worth checking out.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324238237001
ChocolateFrog said:
Decent looking Arnage with very low miles.
It's a bit black on black on black for my tastes, and it's located in Grimsby of all places but might be worth checking out.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324238237001
SPOOKY! I am moving home from Gloucester to 20 miles south of Grimsby in September. I’m visiting the property next week.It's a bit black on black on black for my tastes, and it's located in Grimsby of all places but might be worth checking out.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/324238237001
It looks a nice car. Will go take a look. Thank you
I’ve had my 2007 Arnage T Mulliner for two years now purchased from a dealer for £35k, 58k miles, it had a few problems, multiple warnings, alarm going off, worn brakes, heating and ventilation issues etc.
£130 on a battery sorted all alarms and warnings, £150 on a new thermostat sorted the heater problems and new discs and pads sorted the brakes.
Throttle is very sensitive particularly when I stop at a junction and stays in 2nd gear deciding that 1st might be better at the last moment before lurching off. A gearbox oil and filter change may fix this.
In addition to the advice already given I would add check the battery voltages, should br 12.44V or above.
Check that the temperature gauge quickly comes up to the centre position.
Check the boot stays up although new struts are cheap,£100.
Check all windows work.
If you do buy one,
Always use premium 97 RON petrol, it’s designed for it and not using it causes poor performance and rough idling.
Keep the service battery on an intelligent trickle charger.
Use it at least once a week and occasionally give it a good thrashing in sports mode, it’s not designed for popping to Waitrose, although their spaces are a bit bigger.
£130 on a battery sorted all alarms and warnings, £150 on a new thermostat sorted the heater problems and new discs and pads sorted the brakes.
Throttle is very sensitive particularly when I stop at a junction and stays in 2nd gear deciding that 1st might be better at the last moment before lurching off. A gearbox oil and filter change may fix this.
In addition to the advice already given I would add check the battery voltages, should br 12.44V or above.
Check that the temperature gauge quickly comes up to the centre position.
Check the boot stays up although new struts are cheap,£100.
Check all windows work.
If you do buy one,
Always use premium 97 RON petrol, it’s designed for it and not using it causes poor performance and rough idling.
Keep the service battery on an intelligent trickle charger.
Use it at least once a week and occasionally give it a good thrashing in sports mode, it’s not designed for popping to Waitrose, although their spaces are a bit bigger.
Gassing Station | Bentley & Rolls Royce | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff