COSTS TO MAINTAIN A 1999 SILVER SERAPH RR

COSTS TO MAINTAIN A 1999 SILVER SERAPH RR

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DOC1TOR

Original Poster:

6 posts

38 months

Thursday 23rd September 2021
quotequote all
i am considering a purchase of a sweet well maintained low milage 1999 RR Silver Seraph. Are these reliable every day drivers ? Annual maintenance to keep it in tip top shape is approximately what amount of money ?

dkatwa

572 posts

252 months

Saturday 25th September 2021
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Might be worth speaking to a specialist like Hanwell's

DOC1TOR

Original Poster:

6 posts

38 months

Saturday 25th September 2021
quotequote all
I am unfamiliar with Hanwells......I will google it

RSTurboPaul

11,268 posts

265 months

Saturday 25th September 2021
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If you have to ask... ?


lol

DOC1TOR

Original Poster:

6 posts

38 months

Sunday 26th September 2021
quotequote all
I am here in the USA........member of the Rolls-Royce Owner's Club.....Hanwell's would be a good place for me to buy a pre-owned RR or Bentley......never could afford a new one......when I visit London, I will go to Hanwell's......I do not think that an e mail to them will help me learn about the reliability of a 1999 silver seraph here in the USA......

RSTurboPaul

11,268 posts

265 months

Sunday 26th September 2021
quotequote all
DOC1TOR said:
I am here in the USA........member of the Rolls-Royce Owner's Club.....Hanwell's would be a good place for me to buy a pre-owned RR or Bentley......never could afford a new one......when I visit London, I will go to Hanwell's......I do not think that an e mail to them will help me learn about the reliability of a 1999 silver seraph here in the USA......
If you are a member of the USA Rolls Royce Owner's Club, you could ask them?

DOC1TOR

Original Poster:

6 posts

38 months

Sunday 26th September 2021
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that is precisely what I will do........do you have a RR or Bentley.......?

RSTurboPaul

11,268 posts

265 months

Sunday 26th September 2021
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Sadly I have neither!

TarquinMX5

2,061 posts

87 months

Sunday 26th September 2021
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I can't give you any figures but they seem to be fairly reliable; yes, fewer about than the Arnage but I can't recall seeing/hearing of any particular problems with them whereas the Arnage, pre-my2007, has numerous reported issues with the engine as they're getting older, primarily head gasket and associated problems. Likewise, the original BMW-engined Arnage now seems to be more reliable than the later 6 3/4.

One issue, not specific to RR, that's becoming more noticeable is problems with electronics, ie immobiliser systems, seat ecus and, for the later SZ cars, the (basically unsupported) Zytek engine management unit. However, the latter isn't relevant to the Seraph and I've no idea what support is like across the pond. There is, or used to be, a specialist in the States, I think J Robinson (might have been Robertson)
who used to have a comprehensive eebsite, which might have more info, if you can find it.

The Australian RR club have a useful website/forum, might be worth checking there.
(don't own a a Seraph, but long-term owner of an older RR)

DOC1TOR

Original Poster:

6 posts

38 months

Monday 27th September 2021
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thank you for that info.....it is obvious that you are an expert.... JE Robinson is thriving here on this side of the pond.....I copied this from his fine website........JE Robison Service is New England’s top Bosch Car Service shop, specializing in Bentley and Rolls-Royce, Land Rover, BMW, Mercedes, and Jaguar. Our factory-trained technicians are ready to do any service or repair. We handle everything from oil changes and routine maintenance to engine overhauls and complex electronic repairs. We code keys and alarms and do programming on late model vehicles. We also have a full detail shop, tire and undercar service, and alignment.

RR and Bentley are all beautiful cars......my goal in buying my next one is a cost of $75,000 USD or less , affordable to me maintenance annually ( $5000).....and reliability........in June 2021 at a RROC annual meeting.....a renowned RR expert tech told us that the new RR must be serviced in a " Clean Room ", and has some artificial intelligence ( AI )......amazing !!

jeyjey

220 posts

104 months

Monday 27th September 2021
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The Silver Seraph is the most expensive of that generation because there were so few of them built. Both the Arnage 4.4 and 6-3/4 would be cheaper to buy.

Your maintenance budget is in the right ballpark for any of them.

I use an 07 Arnage as a daily driver. Then again I'm retired, so there's not a lot of daily driving going on. wink

jeyjey

220 posts

104 months

Monday 27th September 2021
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Oh, and did you find https://www.rollsroyceforums.com/ ? The membership there is a little more US-heavy....

DOC1TOR

Original Poster:

6 posts

38 months

Monday 27th September 2021
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that is useful info.....in fact, 2 RROC friends drive Arnages.....both men know cars and are wealthy.....I will pursue an Arnage .....