Running a Turbo R as a daily driver
Discussion
I have always loved Turbo R's and given that I am going to change my existing car (merc s320 cdi) in the next few months I have been thinking about running a Turbo R as my daily car. It would need to be totally reliable and cover about 12k per year. Not too bothered about fuel bills.
Has anyone tried this in a car that is say 10 years old ? Is it feasible
Has anyone tried this in a car that is say 10 years old ? Is it feasible
Completely agree with BG -- they are fantastic daily drivers. In fact, thats true of just about any car -- garage queens are the ones that might be shiniest, but fall apart at the mearest hint of proper use.
I'd have no worries about using my '98 RT as a daily driver.
But, and it is a *big* but,
you have to get a good one to start with.
If I was looking to buy again today, there's only two places I would consider (I'm sure others have their own favourite places, but I have my own reasons for my list....)
Phantom Motors have a gorgeous late R in green which is mint.
PA-Wood have a dark blue RT.
Both at firm prices, both from places with serious reputations.
I'd have no worries about using my '98 RT as a daily driver.
But, and it is a *big* but,
you have to get a good one to start with.
If I was looking to buy again today, there's only two places I would consider (I'm sure others have their own favourite places, but I have my own reasons for my list....)
Phantom Motors have a gorgeous late R in green which is mint.
PA-Wood have a dark blue RT.
Both at firm prices, both from places with serious reputations.
The very reason I bought the one I did was that it had been a 'daily driver' (after Warrens excellent advice 
) and so had already covered 110,000 miles in 10 years when I got it in May this year. It's now on 115,000 miles and gets used at least every other day. I totally agree the more it gets used the better it gets.
As its 10 years old there are obviously niggles which appear and sometimes go again! Its only broke down once due to a faulty radiator cap causing all the coolant to flood out, funnily enough I reported the fact I had to top up the coolant when it went for service (at main dealer) they did all manner of checks and found 'nothing wrong' then a week later it broke down and lost all the coolant. So I took it to our local RR/Bentley specialist who in 15 minutes diagnosed the radiator cap was the culprit. So altough when I bought mine I focused on the fact it had £48,000 of receipts
from the same main dealer from new it didn't really matter as a good specialist is probably better. Its cost around £2,500 to service it and sort out problems since buying it, and I don't like to think about the Optimax cost!
) and so had already covered 110,000 miles in 10 years when I got it in May this year. It's now on 115,000 miles and gets used at least every other day. I totally agree the more it gets used the better it gets. As its 10 years old there are obviously niggles which appear and sometimes go again! Its only broke down once due to a faulty radiator cap causing all the coolant to flood out, funnily enough I reported the fact I had to top up the coolant when it went for service (at main dealer) they did all manner of checks and found 'nothing wrong' then a week later it broke down and lost all the coolant. So I took it to our local RR/Bentley specialist who in 15 minutes diagnosed the radiator cap was the culprit. So altough when I bought mine I focused on the fact it had £48,000 of receipts
from the same main dealer from new it didn't really matter as a good specialist is probably better. Its cost around £2,500 to service it and sort out problems since buying it, and I don't like to think about the Optimax cost!I'm not a Turbo-R driver, but have a SSII and an S3. You may also like to try Frank Dale, or my own mechanic, Nigel Sandell, www.nsandell.com. Both have very good reputations and the latter is a member of the RRBSA (Rolls-Royce and Bentley Specialist Assocn).
Both are based in Isleworth.
Rgds,
Andy
Both are based in Isleworth.
Rgds,
Andy
Dont see how you could use this as a daily driver,
i use our Turbo RLWB one of the weekened cars, to be honest, the hassel of driving in london deters your from enjoying driving.
I enjoy cars like we all do, or we would not buy them, but driving them has become something of a chore.
The Turbo RL attracts alot of attention, so parking it and leaving it is always a worry.
Some people would say forget about worrying, but if something happens, a large bill will appear!
i preffer to use a smaller car, and leave the Turbo RL for night trips out or the weekend.
i found taking my cars aboard is better. taking my merc cl600 to cyprus this summer, where i will enjoy it! only done 5000m in 5 years!
niko
i use our Turbo RLWB one of the weekened cars, to be honest, the hassel of driving in london deters your from enjoying driving.
I enjoy cars like we all do, or we would not buy them, but driving them has become something of a chore.
The Turbo RL attracts alot of attention, so parking it and leaving it is always a worry.
Some people would say forget about worrying, but if something happens, a large bill will appear!
i preffer to use a smaller car, and leave the Turbo RL for night trips out or the weekend.
i found taking my cars aboard is better. taking my merc cl600 to cyprus this summer, where i will enjoy it! only done 5000m in 5 years!
niko
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