Should I Buy a 8-10yr old Bentley Mulsanne?

[Shorty1234]

Hey Forum,

After any helpful opinions from anyone who owns or has owned a Mulsanne.

Looking to upgrade my car. Tried GT/Spur both quite low for me to get into. Test drove a Mulsanne, liked it a lot. Happy with the price (almost).

Bit concerned about the maintenance costs. Told that a 10yr service is over £2000 plus vat etc / door handles £1000 / brakes pads & discs £800 / starter battery £450 supplied & fitted...etc

Understand this is a £300k flagship model, but are these prices normal for this type of car?

Are independent garages much cheaper?

Currently have a Range Rover & Discovery.

Thanks

[iphonedyou]

Honestly, if maintenance costs scare you I think you're probably better looking elsewhere.

£300k car new - maintenance will always be a material cost.

[PrinceRupert]

Shorty1234 said:

Hey Forum,

After any helpful opinions from anyone who owns or has owned a Mulsanne.

Looking to upgrade my car. Tried GT/Spur both quite low for me to get into. Test drove a Mulsanne, liked it a lot. Happy with the price (almost).

Bit concerned about the maintenance costs. Told that a 10yr service is over £2000 plus vat etc / door handles £1000 / brakes pads & discs £800 / starter battery £450 supplied & fitted...etc

Understand this is a £300k flagship model, but are these prices normal for this type of car?

Are independent garages much cheaper?

Currently have a Range Rover & Discovery.

Thanks

It's a 300k car. I would say a 2k service is quite reasonable...

[Lozw86]

I expect it’s one of the most expensive types of car to run and maintain

[Poshbury]

Having owned a GT, I would definitely recommend that you find a good Indy. Mine was in Crewe, knows them inside out and a lot cheaper than the main stealers.

[ZX10R NIN]

Find a good Indy & prices will be a bit more sensible but it's a 300k car that comes with 300k running costs, as long as you're good with the maintenance costs then I'd say buy one they're a special car.

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Sunday 21st February 12:44

[Jasandjules]

If you can afford it and have a slush fund (I'd say 10k plus at least at all times) ready just in case, then go for it... AS above, find the best indy - not a local one necessarily, far better to travel for the "best" IMHO>

[Clifford Chambers]

For old cars someone once quoted 'budget 5% pa of original OTR running cost'

Fortunately I've always come in less than that, not always by much though.

[h0b0]

Shorty1234 said:

Hey Forum,

Bit concerned about the maintenance costs. Told that a 10yr service is over £2000 plus vat etc / door handles £1000 / brakes pads & discs £800 / starter battery £450 supplied & fitted...etc

Thanks

I dream of those service prices. Just yesterday I was quoted $1200 for a new battery. Couple of years ago they wanted $5k for brakes. This on a Porsche. I might trade it in for a cheaper to run Bentley.

[Shorty1234]

ZX10R NIN said:

Find a good Indy & prices will be a bit more sensible but it's a 300k car that comes with 300k running costs, as long as you're good with the maintenance costs then I'd say buy one they're a special car.

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Sunday 21st February 12:44

True - thanks

[Shorty1234]

iphonedyou said:

Honestly, if maintenance costs scare you I think you're probably better looking elsewhere.

£300k car new - maintenance will always be a material cost.

True - Thanks

[Shorty1234]

h0b0 said:

I dream of those service prices. Just yesterday I was quoted $1200 for a new battery. Couple of years ago they wanted $5k for brakes. This on a Porsche. I might trade it in for a cheaper to run Bentley.

Hahah..... appreciate that

[The spinner of plates]

If you can afford to do, then do it.

If you’re unsure, then it might not be much fun.

And cars like this are for fun - cars make great servants but terrible masters.

[psi310398]

As you are into double JLR exposure, I think you have proven that you have the requisite sense of humour and deep pockets to run the risk...

[Shorty1234]

Hahaha...... thats true.

[V6Alfisti]

Ultimately that all seems quite reasonable for a £300k car.

Some of the parts prices on much cheaper cars like Maserati's can be eye watering like £120 for a 15cm piece of tube and a standard connector on the end !

As with most things, I think/expect what you will find is that the consumables are not specific to Bentley

e.g. the brake pads for the front are £25 for a pair of Bosch pads instead of £600 (same pads as for the A8 and Macan), a quick search for discs was less fruitful however.

Equally with unique parts, it will be a case of stumping up Bentley prices or wait for a car in breaking.

On Maserati's they used quite alot of Alfa bits like the F1 pump = selespeed, the central ceiling light = GTV e.t.c, I suspect Bentley borrow some bits from VAG. On the back of my Porsche 997, if you pull off the rear numberplate light it has a VW symbol and part number.

Edited by V6Alfisti on Wednesday 24th February 16:41

[fflump]

The great thing about the Mulsanne is that it is a proper Bentley, and few VW parts inside or out.
The bad thing about the Mulsanne is that it is a proper Bentley, and few VW parts inside or out.

Have you driven a Ghost? If you're going for a Mulsanne you should discount a RR first.

[CIIUVE]

Bentley Mulsanne 2011 my first Mulsanne beautiful car owned for 3 years Previous cars 2007 Bentley flying spur & 2001 Bentley Arnarge LE all cars lovely to drive cheapest to run would be the Arnarge as older tec ( bmw parts ) Mulsanne Best car but a minor movement in the steering joint Bentley Reading wanted to change the whole steering rack on further investigating (Phantom Cars would change the a fending bearing for about £1200) a bit cheaper than £4000.00 from Bentley whole steering rack if Bentley dropped there really hi cost i would buy another Mulsanne tomorrow i Say look after your existing customers ps Stuart Walker in Wiltshire looked after my Arnarge & Flying Spur with a lot better prices thanks all Clive

[Robertb]

Why not give a specialist a call for a realistic appraisal of what you might be on the hook for.

For example, try Stewart Walker as mentioned above… now based in Newbury and seem a friendly lot.

[TarquinMX5]

As the OP asked the question nearly 4-years ago, I suspect that he's probably already decided one way or the other. If he hasn't, it's most likely not the car for him