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[2boxerdogs]

If you have to ask the cost you can't afford it !!

[Lizzie_Zoom]

lovely motors but can you imagine if something broke you'd have to sell a kidney...lol

That rules me out then.I only have one working kidney as it is.
Running costs for a Benltley are collosal,but like anything ellse theres cheap(ish) ways round these things,but its never going to be a cheap hobby.I would imagine diy is possible as they are pretty low tech machines.Afaik the engines are pushrod V8,s ? and it doesn't get much more basic than that.Buying one wih LPG already fitted would make the fuel bill a bit less painful.
I believe brakes & suspension can be expensive,and have a hard time due to the cars weighing the same as a small battleship.
Service history is everything with a car like that imo.

Thanks Albitz .

Yes, as usual that is what some have said on the Bentley forum, and you can see 6 cars, but 4 will be "walk away" jobs.

I think this will take some heavy thought, plus I have registered with the Bentley Owners Forum to ask more questions.  I am asking myself, do I want really big car issues when I am retired?  The Omega is just enough for me after all. I can keep that going quite easily and relatively cheaply, but I know a Bentley could be a big money pit.  Still not sure though as my heart is ruling my head and a Bentley has been a dream for soooo long.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

If you have to ask the cost you can't afford it !!

Yes, but you could say that about a miggy.  However, I agree with what you say when it comes to a prestige car. 

[henryd]

lovely motors but can you imagine if something broke you'd have to sell a kidney...lol

That rules me out then.I only have one working kidney as it is.
Running costs for a Benltley are collosal,but like anything ellse theres cheap(ish) ways round these things,but its never going to be a cheap hobby.I would imagine diy is possible as they are pretty low tech machines.Afaik the engines are pushrod V8,s ? and it doesn't get much more basic than that.Buying one wih LPG already fitted would make the fuel bill a bit less painful.
I believe brakes & suspension can be expensive,and have a hard time due to the cars weighing the same as a small battleship.
Service history is everything with a car like that imo.

The v8 is the old 6.75lt Roller lump with a turbo the size of a dustbin on it,very low stressed though,max revs is circa 4000rpm,big lumps of torque though capable of sub 6secs to 60 which is good for 2.5 tonnes of iron

I love them and will have one as a toy sometime

[Lizzie_Zoom]

lovely motors but can you imagine if something broke you'd have to sell a kidney...lol

That rules me out then.I only have one working kidney as it is.
Running costs for a Benltley are collosal,but like anything ellse theres cheap(ish) ways round these things,but its never going to be a cheap hobby.I would imagine diy is possible as they are pretty low tech machines.Afaik the engines are pushrod V8,s ? and it doesn't get much more basic than that.Buying one wih LPG already fitted would make the fuel bill a bit less painful.
I believe brakes & suspension can be expensive,and have a hard time due to the cars weighing the same as a small battleship.
Service history is everything with a car like that imo.

The v8 is the old 6.75lt Roller lump with a turbo the size of a dustbin on it,very low stressed though,max revs is circa 4000rpm,big lumps of torque though capable of sub 6secs to 60 which is good for 2.5 tonnes of iron

I love them and will have one as a toy sometime

Oh dear, another piece of tempting info!

[Manual Elite V6]

We have two of these come into the garage I work at, they are a lot of car for little money and for the size are very rapid, they only rev to about 4K, you'd probably see a maximum of about 10mpg, the rear spring seats tend to rot and parts are notoriously expensive, but provided you look around you should find a decent one which has had all the common issues sorted, the gearbox selector shaft seals tend to start leaking and they use a mineral based brake fluid which I believe is also not cheap, only had a problem with running one of them once which turned out to be an ignition coil which is basic wear and tear, the owners seem to do a fair bit a mileage and talk highly of the reliability for a car of that ages, they are very comfy inside with enough room for 5 adults with plenty of room to stretch, the boot space is massive. Also the front callipers are known to seize but this is easy enough sorted with a rebuild kit.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

We have two of these come into the garage I work at, they are a lot of car for little money and for the size are very rapid, they only rev to about 4K, you'd probably see a maximum of about 10mpg, the rear spring seats tend to rot and parts are notoriously expensive, but provided you look around you should find a decent one which has had all the common issues sorted, the gearbox selector shaft seals tend to start leaking and they use a mineral based brake fluid which I believe is also not cheap, only had a problem with running one of them once which turned out to be an ignition coil which is basic wear and tear, the owners seem to do a fair bit a mileage and talk highly of the reliability for a car of that ages, they are very comfy inside with enough room for 5 adults with plenty of room to stretch, the boot space is massive. Also the front callipers are known to seize but this is easy enough sorted with a rebuild kit.

Thanks!

How much does the servicing bill on these come to on average please?

[Manual Elite V6]

We have two of these come into the garage I work at, they are a lot of car for little money and for the size are very rapid, they only rev to about 4K, you'd probably see a maximum of about 10mpg, the rear spring seats tend to rot and parts are notoriously expensive, but provided you look around you should find a decent one which has had all the common issues sorted, the gearbox selector shaft seals tend to start leaking and they use a mineral based brake fluid which I believe is also not cheap, only had a problem with running one of them once which turned out to be an ignition coil which is basic wear and tear, the owners seem to do a fair bit a mileage and talk highly of the reliability for a car of that ages, they are very comfy inside with enough room for 5 adults with plenty of room to stretch, the boot space is massive. Also the front callipers are known to seize but this is easy enough sorted with a rebuild kit.

Thanks!

How much does the servicing bill on these come to on average please?

Personally I have never seen the full bills so can't comment of that, I know most parts are very expensive but that's about it, but most people who do own these cars are rolling in money.

[Lizzie_Zoom]

We have two of these come into the garage I work at, they are a lot of car for little money and for the size are very rapid, they only rev to about 4K, you'd probably see a maximum of about 10mpg, the rear spring seats tend to rot and parts are notoriously expensive, but provided you look around you should find a decent one which has had all the common issues sorted, the gearbox selector shaft seals tend to start leaking and they use a mineral based brake fluid which I believe is also not cheap, only had a problem with running one of them once which turned out to be an ignition coil which is basic wear and tear, the owners seem to do a fair bit a mileage and talk highly of the reliability for a car of that ages, they are very comfy inside with enough room for 5 adults with plenty of room to stretch, the boot space is massive. Also the front callipers are known to seize but this is easy enough sorted with a rebuild kit.

Thanks!

How much does the servicing bill on these come to on average please?

Personally I have never seen the full bills so can't comment of that, I know most parts are very expensive but that's about it, but most people who do own these cars are rolling in money.

  Says it all recently!   Thanks!

[Sir Tigger KC]

My Uncle had one for a while a few years back when he was doing big motorway miles through work and loved it!!    I'm sure that fact that he got paid mileage helped!!! 

He reluctantly got rid of it when he retired and found it a bit much for popping down to the garden centre! 

[belldarr]

Hi Lizzie,

I guy I work with bought a low mileage Bentley Brooklands as his 2nd car, like you it was something he had always wanted, he paid around £25k for it and kept it for a year, he had a new set of tyres that cost £1200 and he then had a nightmare with an electical problem that cost £4k to fix, he then sold it for £8k.  Even with all that expense he loved every mile he drove it, he was unlucky with the electrical problem and in my opinion he sold it far too cheaply but once you have one you won't ever want to drive anything else and he is now looking for one of the newer shaped models as his 11 plate mondeo just isn't the same lol.

Oh and every time you stop for fuel someone will pass comment - in fact whenever you stop for anything someone will always mention the fuel consumption

Darren

[Lizzie_Zoom]

Hi Lizzie,

I guy I work with bought a low mileage Bentley Brooklands as his 2nd car, like you it was something he had always wanted, he paid around £25k for it and kept it for a year, he had a new set of tyres that cost £1200 and he then had a nightmare with an electical problem that cost £4k to fix, he then sold it for £8k.  Even with all that expense he loved every mile he drove it, he was unlucky with the electrical problem and in my opinion he sold it far too cheaply but once you have one you won't ever want to drive anything else and he is now looking for one of the newer shaped models as his 11 plate mondeo just isn't the same lol.

Oh and every time you stop for fuel someone will pass comment - in fact whenever you stop for anything someone will always mention the fuel consumption

Darren

That is all food for thought, thanks

Oh yes, one of those anywhere will be a talking point, and especially at the pumps!

As said though, the mpg is not my major concern

[henryd]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bentley_Turbo_R

Here you go Lizzie

[cnj]

may your dream come true lizzie!!

[Steve Brookman]

One life - live it!

Steve