Phantom Drophead Oil Service before or after winter storage
Discussion
I have a 2014 Series 2 Phantom Drophead which has covered just 12,600 miles.
The last oil service was completed just over a year ago in June 2020 at 11,000 miles. It also recently had new spark plugs fitted and coolant changed two months ago in June 2021 at 12,500, as that's all that was needed at the time.
The cars computer is now saying it needs an oil service in either 3 months or 1,200, which is fine, but my question is:
Taking into account the car has only covered 1,600 miles since it's last oil service, do I leave the oil service until next April / May so it's fresh for next Summer (when hopefully we'll be able to get over to Europe), or would it be more beneficial for the car to be sitting with new, clean fresh oil over the winter period.
As always, your opinions would be appreciated?
The last oil service was completed just over a year ago in June 2020 at 11,000 miles. It also recently had new spark plugs fitted and coolant changed two months ago in June 2021 at 12,500, as that's all that was needed at the time.
The cars computer is now saying it needs an oil service in either 3 months or 1,200, which is fine, but my question is:
Taking into account the car has only covered 1,600 miles since it's last oil service, do I leave the oil service until next April / May so it's fresh for next Summer (when hopefully we'll be able to get over to Europe), or would it be more beneficial for the car to be sitting with new, clean fresh oil over the winter period.
As always, your opinions would be appreciated?
I know it seems a bit crazy Matt, but if for example it costs me £600 to change it, if that service were to be missing from the service book at time of resale and the pattern continues, it would knock significantly more off the value of the vehicle.
To date the car has never missed a service and has always been covered by a Rolls-Royce Warranty, both major plus points if I do ever come to sell it.
To date the car has never missed a service and has always been covered by a Rolls-Royce Warranty, both major plus points if I do ever come to sell it.
Well yes and no........ The car did go in to RR this year after 12 months but an oil service wasn't due at that point. By the time it is due, the car will be in storage. So, it does have a service stamp for this period. Technically it did go for it's annual service, it's just that oil wasn't due at that time.
Part of me is tempted to wait until it comes out of storage next Spring and get it done then fresh for the Summer, I just wondered if there was any benefit to having fresh oil in the car during storage, although at 1,600 miles since last service, what's in it is hardly old!
Part of me is tempted to wait until it comes out of storage next Spring and get it done then fresh for the Summer, I just wondered if there was any benefit to having fresh oil in the car during storage, although at 1,600 miles since last service, what's in it is hardly old!
I have had an early Phantom Drophead for 12 years which I bought with 700 miles on the clock. Always serviced by RR London (H R Owen). It has now covered approx 35,000 miles and I have always let HRO decide what to do or not do service-wise when they have it for the MOT. Typically we have a service every other year and a safety check on alternate years so on your facts we would not have an oil change.
If you are not already aware, RR Introduced a servicing and repairs discount for older cars earlier this year which is called 'Paragon' in RR speak. That gives you 30% off parts and (I think) labour. That is worth having. They even applied it to my new tyres. I cannot remember how old the car has to be to qualify.
Surprised you have already had your plugs changed. I had mine changed this year for the first time after 14 years at my insistence despite HRO telling me they were not due for change until 60,000 miles. It just seemed wrong that my plugs were 14 years old. By contrast my Lamborghini Huracan has to have its plugs changed every two years regardless of mileage so its on its 3rd set of plugs at 10k miles to keep the warranty alive.
Postscript - I just found the Paragon flier - the car has to be 8 years old and the concession applies to both parts and labour. It does not specify the concession so it may depend on what you are having done.
If you are not already aware, RR Introduced a servicing and repairs discount for older cars earlier this year which is called 'Paragon' in RR speak. That gives you 30% off parts and (I think) labour. That is worth having. They even applied it to my new tyres. I cannot remember how old the car has to be to qualify.
Surprised you have already had your plugs changed. I had mine changed this year for the first time after 14 years at my insistence despite HRO telling me they were not due for change until 60,000 miles. It just seemed wrong that my plugs were 14 years old. By contrast my Lamborghini Huracan has to have its plugs changed every two years regardless of mileage so its on its 3rd set of plugs at 10k miles to keep the warranty alive.
Postscript - I just found the Paragon flier - the car has to be 8 years old and the concession applies to both parts and labour. It does not specify the concession so it may depend on what you are having done.
Edited by OLDBENZ on Friday 20th August 02:01
Thank you OLDBENZ for the interesting and informative reply.
Mine is a 2014 MY, so it's great to know that it will qualify for the Paragon scheme you mention next year - That's really useful to know.
I decided to book my car in for the oil service in mid September after all. If I had chosen to leave it until next year, it would have been almost two years since it's last oil service, so longer than I felt comfortable with.
I have used HR Owen London before, but for the most part have used Rolls-Royce Sunningdale, who I must say have been absolutely fantastic.
Over the last couple of years, Sunningdale have done several things for me with goodwill and no charge, From things like a small bodywork dent repair as a result of my carelessness with a Range Rover door, to the re-gassing of my air con and general discounted maintenance. More importantly, I can always speak directly with Ben, the Service Manager there. Hopefully you never will, but If ever you do have an issue with HR Owen, I can't recommend these guys highly enough.
With regards to the spark plugs, I think they're due something like every 5/7 years, or 60,000 miles, so I decided to do it just to be on the safe side (although it was driving beautifully before, so maybe not necessary)..
On a different note, I have received and accepted an invite to HR Owen's "Rolls-Royce Party of the year", have you. and will you be attending?
Mine is a 2014 MY, so it's great to know that it will qualify for the Paragon scheme you mention next year - That's really useful to know.
I decided to book my car in for the oil service in mid September after all. If I had chosen to leave it until next year, it would have been almost two years since it's last oil service, so longer than I felt comfortable with.
I have used HR Owen London before, but for the most part have used Rolls-Royce Sunningdale, who I must say have been absolutely fantastic.
Over the last couple of years, Sunningdale have done several things for me with goodwill and no charge, From things like a small bodywork dent repair as a result of my carelessness with a Range Rover door, to the re-gassing of my air con and general discounted maintenance. More importantly, I can always speak directly with Ben, the Service Manager there. Hopefully you never will, but If ever you do have an issue with HR Owen, I can't recommend these guys highly enough.
With regards to the spark plugs, I think they're due something like every 5/7 years, or 60,000 miles, so I decided to do it just to be on the safe side (although it was driving beautifully before, so maybe not necessary)..
On a different note, I have received and accepted an invite to HR Owen's "Rolls-Royce Party of the year", have you. and will you be attending?
Edited by Mulsanne-Speed on Friday 20th August 20:09
Edited by Mulsanne-Speed on Friday 20th August 20:35
Thanks for the Sunningdale recommendation.
I should wave my flag for H R Owen, though. I have been using HRO for over 16 years now and have found them very good and supportive on both the Rolls Royce and Lamborghini side so they have definitely earned my loyalty.
Yes, I received an invitation the other day to the HRO event and I am hoping to be able to go.
Happy motoring!
I should wave my flag for H R Owen, though. I have been using HRO for over 16 years now and have found them very good and supportive on both the Rolls Royce and Lamborghini side so they have definitely earned my loyalty.
Yes, I received an invitation the other day to the HRO event and I am hoping to be able to go.
Happy motoring!
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