Hello Paul,
I did read the thread the other night, but it was only by chance that I had seen it because it was at the top of the AMG Lounge section, which is an area of the forum that I never venture in anyway, unfortunately, I didn’t really have the time to post anything then. Big decision to make though Paul, but to be honest, there is nothing more special, (to me anyway) than actually owning a Bentley Motor Car. These cars really are the pinnacles of automotive excellence, and I should know, because I’ve been an engineer in this industry now for near on 44 years this year. How do you actually go on to describe something with such an iconic history as this, well, I am not going to give you my answer to that, but what I will say is this, from the moment you actually sit in these cars, you’ll automatically know you have made the right decision and choice. No Mercedes Benz has ever made me feel like that - that’s what pride of ownership and sense of occasion means to me.
I previously owned a January 2004 Bentley Arnage R which I bought in June 2004, it was only 5 months old at the time when I bought it from Bentley in Manchester, it had 3,600 miles on the clock and I owned it for a total of 6 months up until someone in an overloaded builders truck took a dislike to it when I was parked at a set of traffic lights, the outcome, well, the car was totalled as a result of the accident - but that’s another story I could tell you about sometime. From that day on, I can honestly say that I have never ever driven anything that can compare to that of a Bentley, other than another Bentley, and I have driven lots of very expensive and prestigious motorcars. These cars are obviously not for everyone, and not everyone can afford them, but what I would say is that if you are in a fortunate position to buy one of these, then don’t hesitate, the driving experience really is something else. Once you have owned one of these, it’s very difficult to actually compare anything else against it.
I don’t wish to offend anyone in here, so my sincere apologies, but I am no fan of any AMG car, I never have been and I never will be. I do love the aesthetic looks on some of the models, but that’s pretty much where it ends for me, CL65 or not. I really don’t have a craving for any type of performance cars such as these, I’m 60 years old next year and I’ve gone through that stage – thankfully. However, I can comment on Mercedes in general, I’ve owned the CL500 now for over 10 years, it’s a fabulous car to own and drive, as you already know having owned one yourself previously, but its certainly not in the same league as a Bentley. From the word go, I have had nothing but trouble after trouble with this car, it has been by far the nicest and most expensive Mercedes that I have ever bought and owned, but its also been the most unreliable and expensive one to repair. Last year, I bought a new Audi A8L W12, for me, it really is the next best thing to owning a Bentley, but its not a Bentley, I only bought this car because of my disappointment in the Mercedes brand after driving the S500L and the S600L models, they were miles apart in terms of quality and build as far as the Audi is concerned, again, its just my opinion only, but its an opinion based on knowing what quality and engineering standards are all about, that is the sole reason and the only reason I bought it. Strangely enough though, I did actually look again at the Arnage range before I placed the order with Audi, but I decided this time to give Audi a go having never ever owned one before. This really was the best option at the time, this Audi is absolutely fabulous, and I really can’t fault it at all.
I am at the moment in a very similar situation to you, however, the difference being, I would never ever consider buying any AMG car, so in that respect; my choice is a much simpler one than yours. My closest and very best friend is now selling his Bentley Azure; this is a car with a very very special Mulliner package. The car is a February 2009 model with only 7,200 miles on the clock, its absolutely like brand new, not so much as a stone chip on it. In addition to that, a couple of years ago now, he sent the car back to Mulliner and had the original rear bench seating arrangements removed and converted to those that are now fitted in the latest Brooklands model (individual single seating with the rear window switchgear and central arm rest arrangement) that alone cost him nearly 11k. Was this money well spent and justified, I think that it was, because it totally transforms the rear seating area in this car. If you get the chance, then have a look on some of the motoring web sites at the rear seating arrangement of the new Brooklands Coupe and then compare it to that of the Azure Convertible to give you an idea of what he had done.
He is shortly taking delivery of his new Rolls Royce Wraith that he ordered last year for August delivery this year. The dealers have given him a price for his car in part exchange; however, he has offered me the car for exactly the same price that the dealers have offered him. At the moment, I am still unsure and contemplating whether or not to buy it, the reason being, my CL500 is going in August, (the vehicle is provisionally sold to a colleague at work) and I was going to hold off until such time as the new S Class Coupe arrived and have a look at that, but on reflection, and now looking back on the experience with the CL, then I am pretty much sure, in fact I am 99% sure that I will never ever buy another Mercedes again. Sadly, I really have lost all confidence in the marque, the quality and build of this once great car manufacturer has diminished significantly over the past decade or so, and for me it’s no longer synonymous with it’s past history – sad but very true.
He also told me that if I wanted the car then I could take it now and pay him in August, that’s the kind of friend that he is. The car is just parked up in his garage and he very rarely uses it, like you, he also has many many other cars at his disposal. I actually borrowed the car last year for the week when me and my wife had a weeks break up in the lakes, what a car this is to drive, its absolutely fantastic, I have never ever experienced anything such as this – absolutely phenomenal piece of engineering. My Audi is an absolutely superb driving experience, but it’s a different driving experience altogether to that of the Azure. The car is a genuine bespoke Mulliner built car with many many other various expensive additions, its absolutely exquisite, the best Azure I have ever seen. I do have a couple of months anyway to finally make a decision, but I’m pretty much sure really what I am going to do, cars like his don’t often come up for sale that often, sure, there are plenty of Azure for sale, but not like this one, its a one-off golden opportunity for me at the moment to buy it, its absolutely awesome. The CL500 was going this year anyway and I would have replaced it with some form of coupe or convertible, so why not this. This really is one of those cars for special days and occasions, and its only ever been used as such. There is one like it for sale at the moment on one of the car websites that is very very similar. If I can find the link again later, I’ll PM it to you.
There is an absolutely stunning 2005 model
Bentley Arnage T (Mulliner Edition) on PistonHeads at the moment; probably very similar to the one you have an interest in. If I were actually in the market and looking for an Arnage T, then this would be the first on my list to go and look at, even though its got 43,000 miles on the clock, its absolutely beautiful and a pristine example by the look of it, and at a really good price as well. It even has the sports package, which includes the de-chromed rear lamps, front and rear bumpers, wheels, and quad tailpipes. The retail price alone, excluding the Mulliner package and not including any options on that car in 2005 would have cost its original owner 170k, and that’s taken directly from one of my old Glass’s Guide 2005 books. Given its high specification, I’d put it nearer the 185k region; they certainly don’t build cars like this anymore, that’s for sure. Fortunately, you won’t find any flimsy cheap pieces of plastic in this Bentley; I honestly can’t say the same about a modern Mercedes though. Anyway, this one is in Swindon, but if that car were nearer to where I live, then I would have been quite happy and gone and looked at it on your behalf. If you pull up anywhere in one of these, then people really do look and stare, quite simply because, they don’t see them that often, however, you pull up in a CL65, and to the majority of people (non-motorists of course) its nothing special, its just a Mercedes. If you don’t mind Paul, please put the link up or PM it to me regarding the one you are actually interested in so I can have a look at it. I always have and always will have an interest in Bentley Cars.
Anyway, have a look at the links here below on the above
Arnage T Mulliner Edition on both web sites. I’ll be very surprised if you don’t like this car. That is a very very special car indeed, and at that price, I can’t see it being for sale much longer, that is an awful lot of car for 40k, considering its original 170k plus price tag when new. To be honest, I’ll bet you could get that price down slightly if you really wanted it. Put the CL65 at the side of this, and you really will be able to compare the quality, the Mercedes isn’t even in the same league, sorry, but that’s my opinion.
Used 2005 BENTLEY Arnage T Mulliner for sale in Wiltshire | Pistonheads
**** Lovett - Bentley Arnage - £39990
Anyway, if you have got one in mind and do eventually decide on the Bentley, then all I really can say to you is that you are not making a mistake, and you certainly won’t regret it. This is not about the rarity of a car though, on the contrary, it’s about having something really really special that you personally feel very proud to own and drive, for me it is anyway. Likewise, the same applies to the CL65 owners out there who are equally and probably just as happy and proud of their cars, it’s a personal choice. You only live once Paul, and cars are a personal thing to each and every one of us anyway, so why not just go out and buy the things that you want if your finances permit. Anyway, how old did you say you were, (73) this would be an ideal car for you, I could just visualise you behind the wheel of this - seriously, go and buy it Paul.
Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide to buy, I wish you well and all the best
Best Regards,
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