1989 Bentley Eight
Discussion
I have a 1990 active ride 8.
It's a fine thing. I'm not a natural Bentley/ roller type. I like light fast track oriented cars, so I didnt really expect to like it, but there is a definite sense of occasion whenever I decide to go somewhere in it. It was bought as a bit of a laugh with every intention of selling it on soon afterwards(after a Le Mans trip on which it averaged 100+) but here we are 2 years later. It's a grower.
Re the poverty spec jibe; pretty much identical interior to turbo / r, and with regards to no turbo or whatever, all I can say is these are not sports cars even with a turbo. They are wafters, so I couldn't give a monkey's really.
It's a fine thing. I'm not a natural Bentley/ roller type. I like light fast track oriented cars, so I didnt really expect to like it, but there is a definite sense of occasion whenever I decide to go somewhere in it. It was bought as a bit of a laugh with every intention of selling it on soon afterwards(after a Le Mans trip on which it averaged 100+) but here we are 2 years later. It's a grower.
Re the poverty spec jibe; pretty much identical interior to turbo / r, and with regards to no turbo or whatever, all I can say is these are not sports cars even with a turbo. They are wafters, so I couldn't give a monkey's really.
Not a jibe, but a fact. The original 8 was a Mulsanne with a reduced spec. which enabled R-R to cut the price by about 10/15%.
In e.g. 1990, the 8 was the entry level model. Spend a bit more and you got a Mulsanne S, a better specced version of the 8 with same performance. If you wanted more performance you bought a Turbo R, basically a Mulsanne S with a turbo. Significant price differentials in each case.
Price differentials now are much less, so my advice to the OP is to avoid the 8 in favour of a Mulsanne S if you really don't care about the performance, but if I were you I would go for a Turbo R and get the full "flying drawing room" experience.
In e.g. 1990, the 8 was the entry level model. Spend a bit more and you got a Mulsanne S, a better specced version of the 8 with same performance. If you wanted more performance you bought a Turbo R, basically a Mulsanne S with a turbo. Significant price differentials in each case.
Price differentials now are much less, so my advice to the OP is to avoid the 8 in favour of a Mulsanne S if you really don't care about the performance, but if I were you I would go for a Turbo R and get the full "flying drawing room" experience.
MJK 24 said:
Disregarding anything under the bonnet, I'd be fascinated to know what differentiates the Eight to the Mulsanne to the Turbo R? What was added to one to make the next etc.
Thank you
It varied from year to year, but basically when they launched the 8, R-R pared back on the spec., a bit here and a bit there, e.g. seats, wheels, quality and quantity of veneer, other fixtures and fittings, to save on the cost, keep the price down and so widen its appeal. I suspect that no one item made a huge difference on its own, but little savings all add up and taken as a whole package they clearly were able to make a significant saving. Equally no one item is to die for, but the whole package of savings make an 8 less special.Thank you
As far as I am aware, the only difference between Mulsanne S and Turbo R comes down to the turbo and consequent modifications to engine, drive train and running gear, so the the Mulsanne S is effectively just a Turbo R without the extra performance.
If your 1989 Bentley 8 is before October 1989 it should be the 'old' inactive ride, which I would say is a good thing, as active ride shocks are very pricey to replace.
At the end of 1989 the Bentley 8 was £60,000, the Mulsanne about £85,000 and the Turbo R £104,000. Less came as standard on the 8 (and to a lesser extent on the Mulsanne), so buyers had to 'up-spec' if they wanted (eg) more leather.
For anyone thinking of buying a car from this era I would suggest buying top-spec, which has to be the Turbo. The 8 is still a charming car, but if you are going to have to pay significant repair bills you may as well be maintaining/improving a top-of-the-range car.
BUT all of these cars rust, and in some cases very severely. You will almost certainly find evidence of repairs/spraying on sill, lower wing, wheel arches. Also it is common to find chromed fitments reacting with the body panels. I have also seen panels affected by 'crows-feet' (check the roof and top of wings).
The 6.75l engine is common across the range, and very reliable provided that it is not abused (overheating due to failure to maintain the cooling system springs to mind).
One recurring issue in threads is the cost of tyres. The 8 and Mulsanne running 235s on a 15" wheel are fine, but the Turbo on 255/15 are very expensive. The later 1993(?)-on running 255/17s give you more tyre choice, so there is good sense in buying a later car (people task of up-grading, but the cost of up-grading wheels is itself prohibitive). The final 'face-lift' had a shorter grille, that looks very appealing.
You will see it said time again that you should have the car checked out properly (if it is around London try Nigel Sandell). For the common-man (and there are a lot of us about) bills can be frightening.
Buy a KIA and you will sleep at night (and your woman will love - or not hate - you for it!).
At the end of 1989 the Bentley 8 was £60,000, the Mulsanne about £85,000 and the Turbo R £104,000. Less came as standard on the 8 (and to a lesser extent on the Mulsanne), so buyers had to 'up-spec' if they wanted (eg) more leather.
For anyone thinking of buying a car from this era I would suggest buying top-spec, which has to be the Turbo. The 8 is still a charming car, but if you are going to have to pay significant repair bills you may as well be maintaining/improving a top-of-the-range car.
BUT all of these cars rust, and in some cases very severely. You will almost certainly find evidence of repairs/spraying on sill, lower wing, wheel arches. Also it is common to find chromed fitments reacting with the body panels. I have also seen panels affected by 'crows-feet' (check the roof and top of wings).
The 6.75l engine is common across the range, and very reliable provided that it is not abused (overheating due to failure to maintain the cooling system springs to mind).
One recurring issue in threads is the cost of tyres. The 8 and Mulsanne running 235s on a 15" wheel are fine, but the Turbo on 255/15 are very expensive. The later 1993(?)-on running 255/17s give you more tyre choice, so there is good sense in buying a later car (people task of up-grading, but the cost of up-grading wheels is itself prohibitive). The final 'face-lift' had a shorter grille, that looks very appealing.
You will see it said time again that you should have the car checked out properly (if it is around London try Nigel Sandell). For the common-man (and there are a lot of us about) bills can be frightening.
Buy a KIA and you will sleep at night (and your woman will love - or not hate - you for it!).
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