Bentley.....

[mat8n]

OK i'm going to ask again as a lot of you guys have had these cars! I know it's a mercedes forum but i can't find a suitable bentley one!

I'm wanting to change my old SL350 for something that i class as my ambition car! Things have happened lately that's made me think why not!!

Anyway, I'm looking at an early Bentley GTC, i've narrowed it down from similar priced and style/type of car, I had a look at DB9's and V8 vantages(volante) and the obvious SL63.....nothing else took my fancy and a Bentley has always been my dream car, way before the continental came out!

So, I can afford the car,insurance,service and running costs of about 5-6k miles a year if that, I'm keeping my S class as my runaround and only going to be using the Bentley on nice days for pleasure and maybe the odd weekend away, maybe a euro road trip next year.

I'm thinking of getting a warranty for a year or two with it? does anyone have any knowledge of which one?

Also what unknown or secret costs would be involved?

All Bad and please some good! advice/knowledge would be most welcome, but please genuine facts and not just internet tittle tattle i've read up on the common faults and what to look for......I just need a push to make me part with my cash

life is to short not to do it!!

Thanks

 

[Delayed Steve]

Go for it, you only live once. Just because someone has had a problem doesn't mean that you will..
If you don't have one you'll always be thinking " what if ?"
If you have one and it ends up a money pit you can always sell it ! But at least you'll be able to say you had one !

 

[Deleted member 37751]

What year/budget you look at pal?

 

[gaz_l]

Why not? Probably not a daily car unless your honorific is "Sheik", but if your mileage is low and you've set aside a few quid in case of the unexpected, go for it! There's very little to match the sense of occasion of riding in a Bentley.

Best of luck!

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[mat8n]

06-09 realistically £40k-£50k+ but not much more if at all! And looking under 50k miles, full history, from a dealer.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Simal (he's Akash on this forum) has this for sale:

BENTLEY CONTINENTAL 6.0 W12 GTC 2DR 4WD - £54,995 ? Synergy

I'd definitely say to do it Mat, I had to take a similar step last year when I bought the Maserati but it's quite easy to do; if you can afford it and you're not hurting anyone in the process why not do or buy things you'll enjoy? We're on this earth for such a short space of time pal, might as well enjoy it while we're here!

 

[saff]

I was offered a Turbo R red badge by a pal. Umm'd and Rrr'd for some time but never did it.

Not too long afterwards I encountered a life-changing condition which forced me to leave a well paid job so I missed out. Regret not taking the plunge when I could afford to.

Well happy with my MB it must be said.

 

[mat8n]

Simal (he's Akash on this forum) has this for sale:

BENTLEY CONTINENTAL 6.0 W12 GTC 2DR 4WD - £54,995 ? Synergy

I'd definitely say to do it Mat, I had to take a similar step last year when I bought the Maserati but it's quite easy to do; if you can afford it and you're not hurting anyone in the process why not do or buy things you'll enjoy? We're on this earth for such a short space of time pal, might as well enjoy it while we're here!

That's the kind of thing, and looks like a nice one. there's actually quite a few available, I can get one with the same spec and milage for a fair bit cheaper. I'll be doing a but if credit(pcp, so I can get one now instead of saving for a few more months)
I've enquired to a few dealers today, don't think I've mailed them..... But if they are flexible on price and do me a deal with my Sl it could go on my list!

 

[grober]

How about this from Derek Mowat?
Used Bentley Azure Convertible 6.8 2dr in Edinburgh, City Of Edinburgh | Derek C Mowat
That way people will think you are landed gentry or perhaps a faded movie star and not just another premier league footballer?

 

[mat8n]

Because it's awful!
I'd rather have an older corniche rolls than that!

 

[mat8n]

Double post

 

[Red C220]

I harbour a secret yearning for one of these. Despite the fact it must be like driving a yacht, there's something so eccentric about it I find it really appealing.

Used 2008 Bentley Brooklands COUPE for sale in Berkshire | Pistonheads

 

[John]

I do like the idea of a BCGT but without wanting to put anyone else off, the running costs are quite an eye-opener.

As SPX states - why not if you can...

Has anyone actually run a BCGT before and know what the servicing is like (inde and main dealer)?

I remember a recent post on the W12 engine making the car a lot more expensive should it go wrong.

 

[Red C220]

I do like the idea of a BCGT but without wanting to put anyone else off, the running costs are quite an eye-opener.

As SPX states - why not if you can...

Has anyone actually run a BCGT before and know what the servicing is like (inde and main dealer)?

I remember a recent post on the W12 engine making the car a lot more expensive should it go wrong.

Stumpy1 runs a Flying Spur W12 and has mentioned before that when it goes wrong it's rarely inexpensive. He's mentioned before that the V8 Continental is actually probably a much better proposition but then again it's a step up in price band.

From memory the last big fix on his Flying Spur was in the region of £15K to keep it on the road. It's not one for shrinking violets.

 

[AndyRan]

They can be fairly sensible to run if you keep away from main dealers and go to a good indy.

The parts prices however will always be high, if you buying a car that needs a set of stoppers make sure you factor that in - 3-4k easily

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

As others have said, if you can, then why not? I think your approach of budgeting for a warranty for year or two would be prudent on a car like this, to give you time to work out whether you've bought a peach or a lemon.

I harbour a secret yearning for one of these. Despite the fact it must be like driving a yacht, there's something so eccentric about it I find it really appealing.

Used 2008 Bentley Brooklands COUPE for sale in Berkshire | Pistonheads

^^ That's blooming lovely ^^

 

[Darrell]

My bro in laws brother is guru in the world of training car salesmen. He works with several manufacturers including Aston and McLaren. According to him, go for it. It's a car for a bloke with big balls. Buy one, run it for a while and flog it before you get any problems.

 

[mat8n]

Isn't your brother in laws brother your brother in law?

 

[Darrell]

Isn't your brother in laws brother your brother in law?

Suppose he could be but his name is Matt.

 

[stumpy1]

Been there, seen it, done it. And wouldn't again.

There are loads of silly problems that will eventually crop up and cost crazy money to fix. Yes, you can use independents but they still have to use genuine parts in a lot of cases. And although most of it is from VW it isn't interchangeable. My advice is that unless you buy a car with loads of faults already fixed, or have money to burn, don't go there. Oh, and how does 8mpg and a tiny tank grab you?