New to PH and to forum
Discussion
I've been attracted to Turbo Bentleys for a long time but have yet to take the plunge. While I am fairly adventuresome (foolish) in my car purchases I always try to have an "exit plan" should things go down the crapper. But I perceive RR/B are to be an entirely different animal. A ferocious beast that relishes feasting on your financial flesh. The point of joining the forum is to explore the truth behind the horror stories.
My hobby is to purchase "project cars" or undervalued cars that appeal to me. The idea was to buy, fix, use, and sell. But the lack of "free time" has me more focused on the buying part. The trill of the hunt for a car is addictive! Once the car had been reconditioned and back on the road then comes the pleaasure of getting to know it.
One type of car that I lust after, are fast luxury "saloons". In that vein I have a 1984 BMW E23 745i, and Maserati QP IIIs. My wish list includes: Aston Martin Lagonda, Mercedes Benz 300SEL 6.3, Mercedes Benz 450SEL 6.9, and of course the Bentley Turbos.
Could you compare and point out differences in terms driving experience, reliability, and cost of parts of the RR/Bentley vis a vis the cars that I own. BTW I assume that any car that I would buy in this category would be at least 10+ years old if not closer to 20.
Looking forward to a long conversation.
Jorge (Texas,USA)
1964 Austin Mini Cooper S
1965 Austin Healey BJ8
1972 Maserati Bora
1973 Citroen SM
1979 Porsche 930
My hobby is to purchase "project cars" or undervalued cars that appeal to me. The idea was to buy, fix, use, and sell. But the lack of "free time" has me more focused on the buying part. The trill of the hunt for a car is addictive! Once the car had been reconditioned and back on the road then comes the pleaasure of getting to know it.
One type of car that I lust after, are fast luxury "saloons". In that vein I have a 1984 BMW E23 745i, and Maserati QP IIIs. My wish list includes: Aston Martin Lagonda, Mercedes Benz 300SEL 6.3, Mercedes Benz 450SEL 6.9, and of course the Bentley Turbos.
Could you compare and point out differences in terms driving experience, reliability, and cost of parts of the RR/Bentley vis a vis the cars that I own. BTW I assume that any car that I would buy in this category would be at least 10+ years old if not closer to 20.
Looking forward to a long conversation.
Jorge (Texas,USA)
1964 Austin Mini Cooper S
1965 Austin Healey BJ8
1972 Maserati Bora
1973 Citroen SM
1979 Porsche 930
Well, this is officially becoming the Turbo R forum. I don't know how to best answer your question, but first I would throw all economics out the window. A Turbo R or Spur is today perhaps the best classic car value in the marketplace. I am currently driving two (2) Turbo Rs, a 1990 and a 1993 and a 1990 Corniche. While these are my cars, my parents and Grandparents have owned various RR/B models from Shadow's to Arnages, and so, I feel like I've been driving these cars my whole life, and the experience they provide is unlike any other car. With one of my Turbo Rs currently in the shop, I recently borrowed my brother's S550. Its a nice and (expensive for what it is) car, but I realized as I drove around, that not one person looked at the car. I don't drive my cars with a "look at me mentality" (well ok, the Corniche is a bit over the top), but I do enjoy the sense of occasion that even the most routine errand provides. There's just such a sense of pageantry with these cars, so be prepared to experience something you never have before.
With regards to running one, these cars will never be cheap to run. The earlier cars (pre 1996 makeover) are much cheaper to run than say an Arnage. Parts while not obsenely expensive can be difficult to get. You may have to call around, or wait a few weeks for a shipment from Crewe. I've had mixed experience with my cars, some, like the Corniche have had very costly repairs, while the 1990 R, seems to run basically with routine fluid changes, brakes and stupid little things like window motors, has been very economical. I've run that car for several years, and in some years have spent as little as $2000 per year which is less than $200 per month. This is very cheap when you consider that I don't have to deal with car payments, interest expense or depreciation.
Reliability. Well, its always a crap shoot. Most of the times, the cars are very reliable, but I remember one time after a week's vacation going in to the garage to go out in the morning. 1990 Turbo R, dead battery (easily jumped), 1993 Turbo R, misfiring engine (I knew about that before I left), Corniche III, pools of Mineral Oil. Both cars were towed that afternoon. The towing company got a real kick out of this.
I hope this is a start to a very fruitful conversation. My best advice to you, if you can afford it, go for it.
With regards to running one, these cars will never be cheap to run. The earlier cars (pre 1996 makeover) are much cheaper to run than say an Arnage. Parts while not obsenely expensive can be difficult to get. You may have to call around, or wait a few weeks for a shipment from Crewe. I've had mixed experience with my cars, some, like the Corniche have had very costly repairs, while the 1990 R, seems to run basically with routine fluid changes, brakes and stupid little things like window motors, has been very economical. I've run that car for several years, and in some years have spent as little as $2000 per year which is less than $200 per month. This is very cheap when you consider that I don't have to deal with car payments, interest expense or depreciation.
Reliability. Well, its always a crap shoot. Most of the times, the cars are very reliable, but I remember one time after a week's vacation going in to the garage to go out in the morning. 1990 Turbo R, dead battery (easily jumped), 1993 Turbo R, misfiring engine (I knew about that before I left), Corniche III, pools of Mineral Oil. Both cars were towed that afternoon. The towing company got a real kick out of this.
I hope this is a start to a very fruitful conversation. My best advice to you, if you can afford it, go for it.
Edited by BeenThereBefore on Friday 17th August 05:38
Edited by BeenThereBefore on Friday 17th August 05:42
For regular servicing, maintenance & repairs, reckon on about £3000 - £4000 a year with a good independent, and about half that if you're a spanners man and you're going to DIY.
My car is no shed, far from it. But my last bill (Saturday) was £3K+, and is fairly typical of what to expect, year in, year out.
As RESSE recently posted...
Labour rates may be cheaper in the US, but parts costs may be more?
My car is no shed, far from it. But my last bill (Saturday) was £3K+, and is fairly typical of what to expect, year in, year out.
As RESSE recently posted...
RESSE said:
Car returned to us yesterday afternoon 
Invoice arrived this morning
Labour + aircon codensor £1,259
Number Two Service + brake accumulator spheres + Sundries £2,829
Fairly typical.Invoice arrived this morning
Labour + aircon codensor £1,259
Number Two Service + brake accumulator spheres + Sundries £2,829
Labour rates may be cheaper in the US, but parts costs may be more?
Edited by Balmoral on Sunday 19th August 19:09
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