£22k Bentley Continental GT - running costs?

£22k Bentley Continental GT - running costs?

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Discussion

Zingari

902 posts

172 months

Sunday 13th April 2014
quotequote all
I've just been getting interested in these as c£25k 'looks' good value dependent on whether or not there is a cap limit on a 3rd party warranty.

Whilst a PPI is sensible, electrical gremlins/failures can occur at any time. I can accept some issues on a car 10yrs+ old but baulk at the ludicrous repair/replacement costs. Being VAG under the skin it defies logic they can be so unreliable?

Very true you can't polish a turd; but you can roll it in glitter

Sheeshani

1 posts

66 months

Sunday 9th September 2018
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What about insurance for 30 y o female, no previous claims - rough ideas

Cupramax

10,469 posts

251 months

Sunday 9th September 2018
quotequote all
Stick your details into any of the gazillion or so comparison sites... your location will have a big impact too.

GG33

1,217 posts

200 months

Tuesday 9th October 2018
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Here is a video on how they build the W12 engine in a conti GT. It will give an insight as to just how complex the engine/transmission sub assembly is and possibly why lots of bigger jobs require 'engine out' Those cats look like they would be a bit inaccessible from underneath (just guessing here) - Worth a watch anyway!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GVemj0ebMw
Enjoy - GG33

jimarillo

9 posts

93 months

Saturday 3rd November 2018
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Sheeshani said:
What about insurance for 30 y o female, no previous claims - rough ideas
700

I have no ideal where you live or where the car is kept overnight. I keep mine in a communal car park and its about 700 quid per annum and im a 40yr old male in Central London.

Admiral have me atm

jimarillo

9 posts

93 months

Saturday 3rd November 2018
quotequote all
in 2015 I bought a 2004/5 Mulliner GT for 32k
Since then I have spent roughly 4k a year on stuff.
Big items (over 2k) :
MAF sensor
Gearbox Service
TPMS system replacement
Suspension sensor replacement

Mid Items (over 1k)
New brake callipers and hoses

Smaller costs:
Tyres - 250 a corner

Throw in the odd bullst something from Jack Barclay/HR Owen for 500 quid. Stay away from the main dealers as much as possible.

I mainly use an independent called Prasads Automotive in Sydnham, they are good, don't necessarily take the piss but they are honest in saying that this car does have expensive costs but the costs are necessary to maintain the value in the car. That said it an amazing car, I had mine remapped to 650hp and it delivers every time. High costs soon forgotten (except when looking at the letters from the bank!)

Buy one, spend a fortune keeping it and enjoy every time you get in such a ridiculous car.


jimarillo

9 posts

93 months

Saturday 3rd November 2018
quotequote all
oh and somewhere in this thread someone mentioned Phaeton parts.

No

They are Phaeton parts not Bentley Continental GT parts.

If you buy Phaeton parts then you will end up buying them and the Bentley parts.


Cverrier

3 posts

63 months

Thursday 13th December 2018
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I have a 2004 GT, and it cost me £23K for one with 60,000miles on it.

Running costs...

Petrol - Remember you'll get 15mpg if you drive carefully (single digits if you don't) and you should try to use high-octane fuels.

Servicing - Interim is about £300, Major is about £800. Some of this is parts (a W12 has twice as many things to replace, and Bentley do charge a premium), some is labour (the engine is really wedged in, so access to anything is hard work that requires lots of time-consuming disassembly. Replacing a headlamp bulb pretty much requires the front of the car to come off.

Yes, they are built by VAG, but most parts are not interchangeable. The electronics can tell the difference and is likely to misbehave or generate warnings if you try a VW or Audi-branded component. Mine had an Audi parking brake motor on one wheel, and it complained a LOT until that was swapped out.

There are a LOT of electronics, and they do start to go wrong as they age. Wiring looms on early models had wear points leading to shorts in inaccessible places

The Air suspension can start to go (just wear and tear leaks) as it ages - new suspension rams are expensive.

Transmission oil replacement - every 50,000miles - £500 from a good dealer.

The VAG heritage does mean it suffers less from the 'hand-built' variability and glitches of older Bentleys, but it needs regular maintenance, or the repair costs can be breath-taking. Every other car feels flimsy and underpowered afterwards, but you will need to accept Bentley-class running costs.

Fiammetta

404 posts

87 months

Saturday 15th December 2018
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I normally get about £50 K worth of something , Cayenne, Range Rover s X6 etc .
A while back got a 1 y old RR for £58;k at trade in with 95 K miles got £ 6 K .
Point is depreciation, the hidden killer and any finance charges on top .
2017 I took a punt on a £23 k 2005 launch modal mulliner spec Conti GT - cash sale .
60 K miles on the clock .
It has a lot of work like the loom splice and I think the vac pipes done .
The TPMS sensors were done prior to the sale .
Fast fwd 2/3 years bearing in mind zero monthly payments and virtually zero it tiny depreciation at 81 K miles I have had one £2.5 K bill for a lamba sensor , new HACV control ( part £800 ) , rear spoiler wire disconnected refitted and a service , oil + filters .
Tyres I can get for £200 a corner ,correct B rated Pirellis - had two .
Rear pads inc fitting by specialists £250 - The quick fit type fitter could not get his computer to open the EBC motors so I had to take it to a B specialist who had the right softwear and fitted genuine pads - so no E bay £25 jobs here .Pads were £125 + vat of the bill .

Fronts are DIY able as is a lub change .
There’s a few drains that need regular checking for patency - see 6 speed online B threads .
So a lot of stuff that creates the bill horror stories are preventable.

Just one example
The Aircon drain pan in the centre console has two little rubber elbows accessed at the side of the foot wells .If they block then water wets the carpet .Under the passenger side is a fuse / relay box and in that all sorts of stuff that if wet = big bill .
The KESSEY If gets wet can burn the starter motor out - so a £200 euro carparts needs the engine out to replace it so add another£ 2/3 K ——- easily preventable.
Similarly the centre scuttle drain ( pre 2007 MY ) protects other ECU s .I have made an adaptation out of a curved piece or 12mm pipe which attaches to a hover to vac out this area - regularly- leaves insects and stuff .

I have also fitted a better waterproof cover to fuse box / ECU s / connects under the scuttle.
To keep damp out and maintain the electric connections working properly.

Plus side a lot of none electric stuff is as said common to other VAG comm .
I ve just had a front control arm done for the MOT part was £103 + vat from eurocarparts as opposed to £300 from a B agent .Fitted by local spanner man £250 all in .

So overall I,am happy with it and via Mr Google I think I went in wide eyes open .

Get 21/22 mpg on long motorway runs same as a Cayenne S btw .

I needed the 4WD for Alpine driving and have a set of winter tyres that are put on in the winter .So preserves the same wheels due to TPMS - however on the 6 speed online B forum you can turn the dash waring light out when the batts knacker or diff wheels are fitted .

I had a F 360 as a 3 rd car but recently sold it as tbh the B is faster - .
It’s my daily driver now even had a ski flap .

It’s not for guys who are car numbties or suited to parking outside ( drain blocking )

You need to be hands on wearing a prevention hat and 1/2 handy with spanner’s .
Like accessing the scuttle requires removing the wiper blades and fiddling about .

You need a code reader too as sometimes they throw a one off CEL - nothing ,just clear it .

Also trickle charger always ( hence cant really park outside) .
At airports I have a solar charger as well .


Edited by Fiammetta on Saturday 15th December 09:23


Edited by Fiammetta on Saturday 15th December 09:25

Fiammetta

404 posts

87 months

Saturday 15th December 2018
quotequote all
Another common issues seems to be the air suspension.
It’s needs jack mode before a lift .
So you must at MOT time or tyre change or normal garage place instructions on the centre console and a post it on the steering wheel .
Other marques like Merc , RR and Cayenne run air struts but the Bentley are more sensitive to stretch and the bags can rip .They all prob stand one or two lifts out of “ Jack mode “ but as they age the bags can rip .So it’s very important older ones are placed in “ Jack mode “

Many oilks forget this little detail so be careful.

Again more preventative and easily knackered rarther than poor design .
In 20 years of various air suspension cars the only prob I have had is a £80 loose connection on a Cayenne- re soldered by a Porsche Indy it was corroded .
Of course a Franchised dealer would have replaced the whole strut .

So if are gonna get a old Conti GT you really need access to a specialist B outfit .

justinbaker

1,339 posts

247 months

Monday 28th January 2019
quotequote all
Fiammetta said:
Similarly the centre scuttle drain ( pre 2007 MY ) protects other ECU s .I have made an adaptation out of a curved piece or 12mm pipe which attaches to a hover to vac out this area - regularly- leaves insects and stuff .

I have also fitted a better waterproof cover to fuse box / ECU s / connects under the scuttle.
To keep damp out and maintain the electric connections working properly.

Edited by Fiammetta on Saturday 15th December 09:25
I would love to see the scuttle ECU protection, I keep looking at mine, and think about the water going directly in that area.
What did you make?

Many thanks in advance.

spreadsheet monkey

4,544 posts

226 months

Tuesday 29th January 2019
quotequote all
Fiammetta said:
I normally get about £50 K worth of something , Cayenne, Range Rover s X6 etc.

2017 I took a punt on a £23 k 2005 launch modal mulliner spec Conti GT - cash sale. 60 K miles on the clock .

It’s not for guys who are car numbties or suited to parking outside ( drain blocking )
I like your style.

It's interesting to hear real-life stories of people using these cars as they were intended, and doing DIY maintenance where possible.

Cimaguy

559 posts

71 months

Friday 15th February 2019
quotequote all
What is the V8 like? Is it a better car? More reliable? Less costly to run?

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

189 months

Wednesday 6th March 2019
quotequote all
jimarillo said:
in 2015 I bought a 2004/5 Mulliner GT for 32k
Since then I have spent roughly 4k a year on stuff.
Big items (over 2k) :
MAF sensor
Just curious and not trying to be funny on this. But just did a quick Google and found this:



Even including labour to fit, I struggle to see how a MAF could cost over £2000. Am I missing something?

SpeckledJim

31,608 posts

252 months

Wednesday 6th March 2019
quotequote all
300bhp/ton said:
jimarillo said:
in 2015 I bought a 2004/5 Mulliner GT for 32k
Since then I have spent roughly 4k a year on stuff.
Big items (over 2k) :
MAF sensor
Just curious and not trying to be funny on this. But just did a quick Google and found this:



Even including labour to fit, I struggle to see how a MAF could cost over £2000. Am I missing something?
That one's aftermarket, and so probably junk (?) and the Bentley part will be of reasonable quality or better, and carry a totally ludicrous mark-up.

Pays your money, takes your choice...


SydneySE

406 posts

259 months

Monday 1st April 2019
quotequote all
ehyouwhat said:
The hat that I wear when I drive the Bentley Continental GT that I've owned for over two years. As I hinted at earlier, the figures might seem excessive but then so are the repair costs should things go pop, and who would want to find themselves in a position of not being able to make necessary repairs?

My car has less than half of the miles mentioned by the OP and I have had a single £3,900 bill for service, MOT, tyres, clutch work and a few sundries...no significant major repairs. I go through over £1k of tyres a year and the car is not my primary mode of travel. Sure, you could have a 'cheap' year, but I would rather be safe than sorry.

My father also owns a similar model of a similar age (but again with fewer miles) and had a gearbox fault that would have eaten up that budget pretty much all by itself.

Oh, and my figures were excluding fuel costs.
clutch? in a Conti GT?? didn't think they made manuals...

SydneySE

406 posts

259 months

Monday 1st April 2019
quotequote all
SpeckledJim said:
That one's aftermarket, and so probably junk (?) and the Bentley part will be of reasonable quality or better, and carry a totally ludicrous mark-up.

Pays your money, takes your choice...
here's a Bosch one, which would be OEM:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BENTLEY-CONTINENTAL-3W-...

Infact, you can actually get the sensor itself (the bit that looks "stuck in the side" of the tube) for approx £30 if you get the Bosch part number of it. I did this and bought a GM astra sensor (bosch made) for under £15 for an Alfa Brera of mine where they wanted £130 for the whole assembly (more than the Bentley part!!)

I do my own work on my Lamborhghini murcielago- plenty of VW/audi stamped parts used in it; the same is true for the Bentley Conti... many, many VW/audi parts... and as for electronics, Bosch or Siemens make the majority.....

Live to drive

19 posts

86 months

Tuesday 2nd April 2019
quotequote all
I own a 2007 GTC and have it anually serviced and MOT'd at my Bently Dealer who offer a good rates for older models in order to keep the business. I purchased the car in September 2015 and is now approaching 40k miles
So far the average bill has been in the order of £1200 with variance either side.
Tyre ware is very good depending on how you drive, the choice of tyres and regular pressure and tracking (all 4 wheels) checks
Everthing works, I get a bit grumpy is something doesn't work as it should.
Bluetooth has been upgraded to accept all phones and works well.
TV has been upgraded to Digital.
Lights have been upgraded to LEDs and upgraded Headlights with DRL installled (looks stunning)
As for comments on brakes, similar to tyres, on any car, brake heavy they wear out quickly, drive well and they last a long time. Expect 25k to 30K miles for fronts and I'm still on original backs. and I don't hang about as will be attested to fromt he sporting tour last year.
I've tried Mercs, Jags, Maserarttis and a few others and for me the GTC ticks all the boxes but then if we all liked the same things that would be borring and no conversation.
Just accept that running a Bentley is an indulgance to be enjoyed. If I had to think twice before using the car I wouldn't enjoy it so when I can no longer enjoy the car that is the time to part company with it. All good things have to come to an end sometime.
As for mpg it is comparable to any car with a similar size power plant giving similar performance. See Aston Martin data for a start.
What ever you decide just enjoy the drive in what ever you drive.

Fiammetta

404 posts

87 months

Tuesday 16th April 2019
quotequote all
justinbaker said:
Fiammetta said:
Similarly the centre scuttle drain ( pre 2007 MY ) protects other ECU s .I have made an adaptation out of a curved piece or 12mm pipe which attaches to a hover to vac out this area - regularly- leaves insects and stuff .

I have also fitted a better waterproof cover to fuse box / ECU s / connects under the scuttle.
To keep damp out and maintain the electric connections working properly.

Edited by Fiammetta on Saturday 15th December 09:25
I would love to see the scuttle ECU protection, I keep looking at mine, and think about the water going directly in that area.
What did you make?

Many thanks in advance.
Sorry for the late reply - just waited until it’s was “maintenance “time .

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/bentley/430587...

Fiammetta

404 posts

87 months

Tuesday 16th April 2019
quotequote all
justinbaker said:
Fiammetta said:
Similarly the centre scuttle drain ( pre 2007 MY ) protects other ECU s .I have made an adaptation out of a curved piece or 12mm pipe which attaches to a hover to vac out this area - regularly- leaves insects and stuff .

I have also fitted a better waterproof cover to fuse box / ECU s / connects under the scuttle.
To keep damp out and maintain the electric connections working properly.

Edited by Fiammetta on Saturday 15th December 09:25
I would love to see the scuttle ECU protection, I keep looking at mine, and think about the water going directly in that area.
What did you make?

Many thanks in advance.
Sorry for the late reply - just waited until it’s was “maintenance “time .

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/bentley/430587...