Bentley.....

[mat8n]

Location 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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You seriously have completely missed what i want.(and you have no taste! baring the Maserati! )

I don't want a race car or an economical 'fun' roadster(I'd rather have one of my old beach buggies), I want what I want....a Bentley GTC, because it is a Bentley GTC, not because it's fast or expensive etc....just because.
If I weren't to get one i'd be looking at an Aston DB9 or V8 vantage(cabrio) or a Gallardo or 430 if i had more money!....just because.

I don't need it for the shops or to go work in, I won't be hammering it along autobahns or down winding country lanes.....I'll be using it like granny uses her Nissan micra.

I want to wake up in the morning and remember what i have in the garage and smile and be happy and proud with myself and think 'yea'

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

You seriously have completely missed what i want.(and you have no taste! baring the Maserati! )

I don't want a race car or an economical 'fun' roadster(I'd rather have one of my old beach buggies), I want what I want....a Bentley GTC, because it is a Bentley GTC, not because it's fast or expensive etc....just because.
If I weren't to get one i'd be looking at an Aston DB9 or V8 vantage(cabrio) or a Gallardo or 430 if i had more money!....just because.

I don't need it for the shops or to go work in, I won't be hammering it along autobahns or down winding country lanes.....I'll be using it like granny uses her Nissan micra.

I want to wake up in the morning and remember what i have in the garage and smile and be happy and proud with myself and think 'yea'

In light of this: Get a GTC. What's the worst that can happen? Life is too short.

 

[mat8n]

In light of this: Get a GTC. What's the worst that can happen? Life is too short.

I can spend £10k on an indicator bulb!

 

[wemorgan]

I can spend £10k on an indicator bulb!

Plus fitting, plus VAT.

 

[stumpy1]

I can spend £10k on an indicator bulb!

Actually Bentley charged only 80 quid to change a number plate bulb.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Go in expecting it, and when it doesn't happen (and it probably won't) then you can feel even happier about not owning a Bentley, but owning the right Bentley.

It will barely depreciate, which will offset some of the potential repair costs.

 

[gr1nch]

You seriously have completely missed what i want.(and you have no taste! baring the Maserati! )

Well, I spent a few minutes trying to help you out. But yeah, I thought you were turning away from the Bentleys, so I'd say if you want one that much and you seem to have the readies given your cars and wishlist, then go for it - you only live once!
As for my own taste in cars, it's even worse than you think! Apart from my new car, all have been, I'm not ashamed to say, very modest over the years, due to budget.

Good luck with your search, I'm sure you'll find the car of your dreams.



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[flowrider]

You seriously have completely missed what i want.(and you have no taste! baring the Maserati! )

I don't want a race car or an economical 'fun' roadster(I'd rather have one of my old beach buggies), I want what I want....a Bentley GTC, because it is a Bentley GTC, not because it's fast or expensive etc....just because.
If I weren't to get one i'd be looking at an Aston DB9 or V8 vantage(cabrio) or a Gallardo or 430 if i had more money!....just because.

I don't need it for the shops or to go work in, I won't be hammering it along autobahns or down winding country lanes.....I'll be using it like granny uses her Nissan micra.

I want to wake up in the morning and remember what i have in the garage and smile and be happy and proud with myself and think 'yea'

I know what you mean, i wanted an SL500 and despite the bad press with ABC, SBC, leaks etc i still bought one!

 

[c955]

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

Yeah, my bad. I didn't read the table properly

The total produced in the period 2000-2013 was 86,716

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bentley

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

So was the R230 bad press justified ?

I know what you mean, i wanted an SL500 and despite the bad press with ABC, SBC, leaks etc i still bought one!

So, just for the record, was the "bad press" justified, IYHO ?

(Having had two different R230's for three fault free years - personally I'm convinced it's mainly Internet whinging)

 

[Red C220]

So, just for the record, was the "bad press" justified, IYHO ?

(Having had two different R230's for three fault free years - personally I'm convinced it's mainly Internet whinging)

I guess the problem with reading forums is it's populated by stories of problems and issues.

We don't have the same drive to write about trouble free motoring, it's not as "exciting". There could be 100 problem free cars for every lemon. If you only hear about the lemons it's pretty bitter and labels the model by default.

 

[John]

And also, people seem to forget the car they buy is £70k > £100k new - it aint suddenly going to cost Hyandai i10 money to fix, just because you paid a 5th of that for it...

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

R230... 3 years / 15k miles / Zero to fix

Fair point about possible repair cost.

I'm just surprised that I've run two different 10 year old R230's for the last three years / 15,000 miles and not needed to spend a penny on "fixing" anything, apart from routine, and i mean very routine, servicing & detailing. Not even new tyres.

And I'm a fussy old soul. If anything is worn, it gets replaced.

Yet to read the Forums you'd think they would need fettlin'

 

[John]

Fair point about possible repair cost.

I'm just surprised that I've run two different 10 year old R230's for the last three years / 15,000 miles and not needed to spend a penny on "fixing" anything, apart from routine, and i mean very routine, servicing & detailing. Not even new tyres.

And I'm a fussy old soul. If anything is worn, it gets replaced.

Yet to read the Forums you'd think they would need fettlin'

I kept my previous W211 E55 for 5.5 years. In that time I did a fair few bits to it but nothing major and certainly nothing I minded spending money on. My SBC was original (not that I used the brakes that much anyway), I never had a strut go and nothing with the engine or gearbox.

It can be luck of the draw combined with timely maintenance when required, which you stated above, is the route I followed to ensure I kept the costs sensible and spread out.

A lot of people come on to ask for advice because stuff has failed so you get an unnaturally concentrated view of all the problems - as do inde's too!

I take it with a pinch of salt. If I listened to forums religiously, I'd never have considered a Gran Turismo and nor would I have a CL500 now!

So I don't generally.

Except on the Bentley as those costs are so ridiculous when they go wrong, I couldn't face ploughing in serious 4 or 5 figures to repair it.

 

[flowrider]

So, just for the record, was the "bad press" justified, IYHO ?

(Having had two different R230's for three fault free years - personally I'm convinced it's mainly Internet whinging)

I've only had my SL500 since Nov. 2016 so too early to tell. One of the first jobs was to replace the ABC fluid and have the suspension checked over, the pump was new a month before i bought it.

 

[Gurd63]

Hi, i havent read the whole 5 pages so please do forgive me if i cover anything that has been said...

From my own personal experience, i've had the opportunity of part owning a 2004 Bentley Continental GT non mulliner and currently owning a 2009 Flying Spur Speed mulliner, and my uncle owning a 2007 Arnage mulliner.

The early GT cars, pre 2006 are disasters in my opinion. I had never a never ending amount of problems with our GT, radiator leaks (weak point on any gen 1 continental), rear spoiler malfunction, led brake light strip failure (££££) but the main issues were the electrical problems. We were misfortunate enough to have the Kessy unit fail on us. This was due to water building up around the unit and eventually penetrating the unit. All electrical systems failed, ignition was stuck on, very strong burning smell coming from the engine. When at the garage (Bentley Conversions), they showed me that there was nearly a 15mm puddle where the kessy unit sits!! An initial bad design from Bentley and not a cheap problem to fix.

Sold that car i think 4 cars back and recently bought a Flying Speed Spur, and its a completely different car. Most of the niggly problems from the pre facelift cars were resolved in the 2008 facelift. Kessy unit moved, more sophisticated electrical systems, gearbox feels 100 times better (however im unsure if this was something they changed or just revised for the facelift). Power outputs also changed as well as exterior differences and minor interior alterations, albeit the infotainment system feels dated now. But overall its a brilliant car, what the 04-08 should have been! Although i guess a Spur is not what you're after, i prefer this over a GT. As the dimensions (width x length) feel better and not as tight inside.

But then the Arnage is a true old school tank!

Hope that helps!

 

[mat8n]

That's great thanks, I was told to go for a 2008 onwards car.
The other issues you stated are coupe(and mainly pre 08) only problems, as the gtc doesn't have the spoiler or strip led brake light.

So basically you're saying a post 08 convertible is perfect

 

[BoristheBounce]

I was in the pub last night and this thread came up as I was talking to someone who I know very well and runs a Bentley GTC amongst other things; he has had it since new and had NO problems with it what so ever.

Its a 2013 car and as it happens he mentioned to me he's thinking of selling it.

Details below

Bentley Continental GT Convertible, 4 litre V8 petrol AWD.
current registration 63 AD, originally reg’d as NK 13 AXD.
Cost new OTR £151,357.
Colour – Body - Morrocan Blue (£3230 extra).
Soft top & leather seats – contrasting Imperial (dark) blue.
Purchased new on 02-March-2013 from Bentley Newcastle.
22,435 miles from new (as of 24-March-2017).
Serviced every Feb (4 times) at Bentley Leeds.
Last MOT - 13-Feb-2017 at Kwikfit, Newton Aycliffe. Expires 01-March-2018. No observations or advisories.
2 keys.

There are no niggly faults at all with the car, everything works as new.

The car returns approx. 31 mpg at 75 mph (the Audi V8 engine switches off 4 cylinders when cruising).

Extras.
Colour - £3230.
Seat ventilation and heating with massaging feature - £625.
White cross stitch on steering wheel - £135.
White contrast stitching to seats - £1395.
Rear view camera - £865.
Power boot opening & closing - £690.
Neck warmer - £735.
Bright aluminium facia panels - £990.
Personalised treadplates (removable) - £780.
Embroidered Bentley emblems to 4 seats - £455.
Supply and fit Nav Trac - £1542. Nav Trac contract expired late Feb-2017 but can be restarted – approx £300 per annum with Vodafone Tracking. I am still in possession of the tracking fobs that need to be in the car when started.

Nice motor still looks like new, drop me a line if you are interested. its not actually up for sale as yet but he is considering sending it to his sons to sell down south. If he gets the right offer he may let it go now.

 

[Red C220]

^ Likely to be double (or more) what the OP's wanting to spend.

 

[stumpy1]

The V8s are a totally different animal and preferable in almost every way to the W12