Bentley.....

[John]

My big issue though is I'd actually want to drive whatever I bought and until I genuinely started looking at these premium brand cars is they aren't really designed to do "normal" annual mileage unless you have really, really deep pockets. They are in reality "toys".

This was one of the big nails in the coffin of the GT for me.

It would have been do-able but I wouldn't have been comfortable dropping so much money into it.

 

[BIG Sean]

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

Not if he's your sister's husband's brother!!

 

[SW18]

Thanks all for a really good thread! I imagined I might have a Bentley one day, and now I'm not so sure: I don't think I could stomach repair bills like that. Just doesn't feel right to pour that much cash into a car. Now I know why older Bentleys get so cheap - I'm a fan of the Arnage, and good ones can be had for £20-40k, which had appealed to me, but running costs now sound a bit extreme.

I know someone with an old Bentley Brooklands from the 90s but that seems to be a different story: simple push-rod V8, many jobs easy for DIY, cheap tax and insurance.

 

[mat8n]

This thread has now got me thinking! Looking at dodge vipers last night

I'm still in two minds, I still think I could be lucky if I only do 10k miles in 3 years, maybe don't need to sell the other kidney to run it!

 

[Bluegnomes]

Definitely a first world problems thread!

I went through the same sort of issues as the OP. It was a bit easier for me since a 911 was the top of my list and after trying a few other cars (Aston's, Lambo, Bentley, Ferrari, Lotus) the 911 had the best mix of performance/reliability/practicality (you can drive it as a daily and leave it in a car park without worries) and low depreciation. Only the AMG-GT came close but I think it will depreciate more and we occasionally use the rear seats in the 911.

 

[gr1nch]

Glad I never went for a second hand Bentley GT now (it was a considered alternative). Although I had the cash to buy it, I realise now that I'd not got enough disposable income, should things have gone wrong. I'd have found the , but not without hurting​ our home finances.

And 21 hours labour for a startee motor! Crikey, it took me 10 minutes on my near new Ford Escort can in the 1980s

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[HB]

Glad I never went for a second hand Bentley GT now (it was a considered alternative). Although I had the cash to buy it, I realise now that I'd not got enough disposable income, should things have gone wrong. I'd have found the , but not without hurting​ our home finances.

And 21 hours labour for a startee motor! Crikey, it took me 10 minutes on my near new Ford Escort can in the 1980s

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Your car is every bit as good as the Bent , and better engineered !

 

[c955]

Your car is every bit as good as the Bent , and better engineered !

Slightly oranges and apples, but according to Wiki, almost 1,500,000 Ford Escort Mk IIIs (1980-86) were registered in the UK.

From 2000-2013, Bentley produced just under 11,000 vehicles (all models). When you're dealing with those kinds of numbers, it's no wonder you can make that kind of claim re. engineering!

 

[HB]

Slightly oranges and apples, but according to Wiki, almost 1,500,000 Ford Escort Mk IIIs (1980-86) were registered in the UK.

From 2000-2013, Bentley produced just under 11,000 vehicles (all models). When you're dealing with those kinds of numbers, it's no wonder you can make that kind of claim re. engineering!

Grinch has a new W222, a superbly engineered car.

Mk 3 Escorts were a pile of crap.

Bentley make lovely cars but, they are not put together as well as a W222. ( This is only my opinion as I have access to both a new Conti GT and A W222 all the time )

 

[Mactech]

Slightly oranges and apples, but according to Wiki, almost 1,500,000 Ford Escort Mk IIIs (1980-86) were registered in the UK.

From 2000-2013, Bentley produced just under 11,000 vehicles (all models). When you're dealing with those kinds of numbers, it's no wonder you can make that kind of claim re. engineering!

Err no! From 2000 to 2003 Bentley were producing around 1000 cars a year. Since the VW take over and the launch of the Conti GT in 2003 they have been averaging 10,000 per year. With the launch of the Bentayga that is set to double!

So only a factor of 10 out

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Just make sure you drive a few first.....

Completely agree with the "if you want to, then just do it" argument. But....

Just make sure you drive a few to make sure that what you "think" it will be like, is what it's actually like..... to drive, to sit in, etc etc.....

Which is not a point about the Bentley Continental, it's more about any car.

There are so many people around who buy a "dream car," a "bedroom wall" car, or a "rich man's car,"
and find that the reality of using completely destroys the dream:

"it was a nightmare to drive,"
"I didn't feel safe parking it anywhere,"
"It was keyed twice in six months"
"my wife would never drive it,"
"it wasn't anywhere near as fast as I expected,"
"it was way too fast..."
"I only did 2,000 miles in it in the two years that I had it.."

If you've got the money, does it matter? Not really, but in a way it does, it takes up time and diverts resources from other things you could have done...

Does this sound like a variation on the "Should I buy a boat, or a plane" question? Yes - because it is.

 

[stumpy1]

Older Bentleys cost as much if not more to run if you are unlucky. My 90's model needed suspension, headgaskets, tyres and a door lock in one go. That was 13k. That's why they are cheap to buy.

 

[stumpy1]

The new S 500 is a brilliant car but it is only an ok S Class.

 

[Bluegnomes]

@mikeinwimbledon

Great post about expectations vs reality.

Fortunately I love driving my 911 (trip to Italy / Switzerland in first week) and so does MrsG.

"it wasn't anywhere near as fast as I expected," - er no! It's bloomin fast!

I can understand why people buy these cars and don't hold onto them long but I'm quite happy to keep mine for a while.

 

[gr1nch]

Grinch has a new W222, a superbly engineered car.

Mk 3 Escorts were a pile of crap.

Bentley make lovely cars but, they are not put together as well as a W222. ( This is only my opinion as I have access to both a new Conti GT and A W222 all the time )

Thanks HB. I'm really very happy with my W222, everything about it feels, as you say, superbly engineered. It does have a fault with the Keyless-Go that I'm taking over the border to Germany to fix, but that's a whole other story!

The Ford Escort van I had was red and reliable, until I had to fit that new starter motor. Funny thing is, I'm no mechanic, but short of taking the engine out, I felt confident to attempt most jobs on it. And with normal, generic tools too. I lifted the W222 hood yesterday and there is barely a place you get your a hand in.

With the Ford, I did end up bumping into a Lada of all things and pushed back the front, popping the bonnet, by Brighton pavilion, when a rather eye-catching young lady was tottering along on my left. Those old Ladas have very solid bumpers! An expensive glance, that

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[Deleted member 6183]

Thanks HB. I'm really very happy with my W222, everything about it feels, as you say, superbly engineered. It does have a fault with the Keyless-Go that I'm taking over the border to Germany to fix, but that's a whole other story!

The Ford Escort van I had was red and reliable, until I had to fit that new starter motor. Funny thing is, I'm no mechanic, but short of taking the engine out, I felt confident to attempt most jobs on it. And with normal, generic tools too. I lifted the W222 hood yesterday and there is barely a place you get your a hand in.

With the Ford, I did end up bumping into a Lada of all things and pushed back the front, popping the bonnet, by Brighton pavilion, when a rather eye-catching young lady was tottering along on my left. Those old ladies have very solid bumpers! An expensive glance, that

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I've heard about that.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Or there's always a ... Bentley Continental Flying Spur.

Doing the "desk research" can always open up other options.

Like this Bentley Continental Flying Spur, with 62k on the clock and just two owners for a mere £25k

This came through this afternoon from a forthcoming Bicester auction:

Bicester Classic & Vintage Car and Motorcycle Auction Catalogue

 

[mat8n]

Doing the "desk research" can always open up other options.

Like this Bentley Continental Flying Spur, with 62k on the clock and just two owners for a mere £25k

This came through this afternoon from a forthcoming Bicester auction:

Bicester Classic & Vintage Car and Motorcycle Auction Catalogue

I have an S class and an SL. i Don't want a big luxury saloon car, I have one already.

I want a toy that I enjoy.....not a race car or a daily driver....as said above, A dream car, Bedroom wall car, Bucket list car.......but not if it's going to totally crucify me

2000 miles a year is probably close to what i'll do!

 

[Scott_F]

Mk 3 Escorts were a pile of crap.

But a quantum leap forward when you consider its predecessor.

 

[gr1nch]

Location

I have an S class and an SL. i Don't want a big luxury saloon car, I have one already.

I want a toy that I enjoy.....not a race car or a daily driver....as said above, A dream car, Bedroom wall car, Bucket list car.......but not if it's going to totally crucify me

2000 miles a year is probably close to what i'll do!

The GT is pretty chunky and refined though. As you've already got an S and SL (btw I like your choices ) how about similar cars or something less luxurious but more fun that won't crucify you? I'm thinking roadster. Here's the cars I've in mind for you ....in ascending purchase prices - was fun window shopping again! (I hope this does not breach forum rules, I removed all identifiers from the ads, which are assuredly not my cars ). Enjoy!

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