£25,000 - which Bentley for the least stressful ownership?

[Ffffaster]

I know that I want a Bentley, but I know it's not something to go into lightly at this level.

Autotrader reveals, I can choose between the following, as old as 1980 and as young as 2013. Mileages vary too, between 15,000 to 150,000.

Arnage
Brooklands
Continentail
Eight
Flying Spur
Mulsanne
R-Type
Turbo R

So quite a lot of choice and there are loads of pros ans cons. But which car is likely to make me regret taking the plunge the least in terms of "problems" and costs?

Frankly, I'd be delighted to own any of them for different reasons. I think what I want to do is narrow it down to the cars that will probably run the best and not sour the experience. Perhaps a lottery, but any help from owners and PH would be great.

Thanks!

[Wheel Turned Out]

My first thought would be the Eight, as there's ostensibly much less to go wrong. But I think the truth is it's a plunge whichever you choose - so pick the body style you like the most, then plump for the example with the biggest stack of service history and invoices you can find.

Also they don't like to sit and when they're looked after they wear miles pretty well, so don't necessarily be tempted by ultra low mile examples.

[DodgyGeezer]

ooohhhh excellent thread here, be curious to see what you end up with

[Nick Forest]

Frankel and Prosser cover exactly this topic in episode #216 in the Intercooler - subtitled “£20k and asking for trouble”

[matrignano]

If you can find a Brooklands or Mulsanne for £25k go for it!!

[dkatwa]

Maybe speak to Hanwells? That's where I would go first if I was in the market for such a car...

[Ffffaster]

dkatwa said:

Maybe speak to Hanwells? That's where I would go first if I was in the market for such a car...

have seen and read a fair amount of negative stuff about Hanwell and their warranty, but probably best to work it out for myself.

[HocusPocus]

Ffffaster said:

dkatwa said:

Maybe speak to Hanwells? That's where I would go first if I was in the market for such a car...

have seen and read a fair amount of negative stuff about Hanwell and their warranty, but probably best to work it out for myself.

I bought my Silver Spirit from Hanwell, which was has had no hidden gremlins. Over past 6 years, I have always received immediate, courteous and effective support whenever needed including fixing some paintwork issues.

[buyerandseller]

matrignano said:

If you can find a Brooklands or Mulsanne for £25k go for it!!

I suspect it’s the ‘80’s or ‘90’s versions he’s talking about.

[Penguinracer]

From a depreciation perspective, as coupe's invariably fare better than than equivalent four-doors, I'd bee looking at a Continental-R if you can find one near £25K.

None of these cars will be cheap to keep in top fettle, but as an occasional driver for high days & holidays in the summer, it should be half-sensible.

I think these cars get very expensive when used year-round as daily drivers. I can't image the salted winter roads do them any good.

[WhiskyDisco]

Arnage for me

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407171...

Keep £5k back to pay for 50% of the cost of a head gasket replacement. This looks a fantastic buy.

[alabbasi]

In my mind, the CIS-E cars would be the ones. 3 Speed TH400 transmission and CIS injection make things simple. Zytec cars require very expensive scan tools to figure out what's going on (although some have converted them to OBD2)

[S100HP]

WhiskyDisco said:

Arnage for me

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202407171...

Keep £5k back to pay for 50% of the cost of a head gasket replacement. This looks a fantastic buy.

Is that a LM002 in the background? Wow....

[soad]

S100HP said:

Is that a LM002 in the background? Wow....

Photo 18? Hummer H1.