Bentley Flying Spur - Advice Needed!

[HarrySK]

Hi all,

I have been toying with the idea of buying a Bentley Flying Spur (2005-2009) recently, so much so that I will be going to see a few over the coming weeks!

At the moment I am unsure which of the two options to go with:
1) 2005 Model with 30-40k miles
2) 2008-2009 model with 65-70k+ miles (Mulliner)
They both work out at similar prices (around the £30-35k mark)
I know that the earlier model (2005) will be cheaper on road tax but it will require the 10 year service (Bentley have quoted £2k - this is the base price with almost inevitable additional costs on top of this) so that is intimidating if I get a late 2005/2006 model.

Any advice on what you guys would recommend or any general guidance when it comes to Flying Spur's (what to look out for etc.) that would be great!

Thanks.

Harry.

[Deerfoot]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&a...

I can't help you with your questions but I'm guessing someone in the above section might be able to give you some advice.

[PositronicRay]

Servicing costs are expensive 4,6,8, yr are £1500, annual services are £750, so you're likely to cop for a biggie at some point.

I would look at the car in the best condition with the best history. Phone the servicing dealer to get an idea of what was replaced and when, see if any big bills are in the offing (i.e. had they recommended any work to done last time round that had been ignored)

It's quite a lot of money to spend on a 10 year old car, so an inspection (from a marque specialist) would be advisable once you have settled on one.

[HarrySK]

PositronicRay said:

Servicing costs are expensive 4,6,8, yr are £1500, annual services are £750, so you're likely to cop for a biggie at some point.

I would look at the car in the best condition with the best history. Phone the servicing dealer to get an idea of what was replaced and when, see if any big bills are in the offing (i.e. had they recommended any work to done last time round that had been ignored)

It's quite a lot of money to spend on a 10 year old car, so an inspection (from a marque specialist) would be advisable once you have settled on one.

Thanks for the heads up, I was aware of the painfully expensive services - for the 10 year/ 40k miles one I was quoted £1950!

I did contact Bentley in Barnet about one I was looking at in Manchester but they were less than helpful unfortunately. I did let them know the current owner said he is happy for me to obtain any information and even gave specific details but still that enquiry did not go very far. I will not give up though, will carry on pestering the servicing dealerships for info no doubt.

Deerfoot said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&a...

I can't help you with your questions but I'm guessing someone in the above section might be able to give you some advice.

Thanks pal, I have added a quick post there also.

[HarrySK]

Any more advice would be helpful! Going to look at two more tomorrow.

[Thankyou4calling]

I've no knowledge of your circumstances but here is my take.

If the thought of a 2k service bill (that will realistically be at least £5k) fills you with dread then do not buy one because you just won't enjoy driving it.

Decent tyres are gonna be £1000 I should think. You are going to average 10mpg, any consumable item will be pricey.

I know there will be specialists who can do things for a lot less than HR Owen but it still won't be cheap and if you don't get things done the car will be very difficult to move on and then hit you with a HUGE bill.

How do I know this.

Well, many years ago I bought a Mulsanne Turbo. I just wanted one do I hunted out the very cheapest I could find that looked good and it did look fantastic.

A month after I got it I had it serviced and it cost £2,000 that was a few years ago and I then dreaded every squeak, rattle or movement in the temp gauge.

Buying the car was the least of my concerns.

[nrick]

Thankyou4calling said:

I've no knowledge of your circumstances but here is my take.

If the thought of a 2k service bill (that will realistically be at least £5k) fills you with dread then do not buy one because you just won't enjoy driving it.

Decent tyres are gonna be £1000 I should think. You are going to average 10mpg, any consumable item will be pricey.

I know there will be specialists who can do things for a lot less than HR Owen but it still won't be cheap and if you don't get things done the car will be very difficult to move on and then hit you with a HUGE bill.

How do I know this.

Well, many years ago I bought a Mulsanne Turbo. I just wanted one do I hunted out the very cheapest I could find that looked good and it did look fantastic.

A month after I got it I had it serviced and it cost £2,000 that was a few years ago and I then dreaded every squeak, rattle or movement in the temp gauge.

Buying the car was the least of my concerns.

I have a Moonbeam Silver '05 Gt that I has done almost 100k, 50k of them in my company.

It has been a pleasure to drive, fills me with pride every time I come back to it.

It has averaged 19mpg (as high as 23 and as low as 5mpg) over that time

I spend about £500 a year on it (I have the diagnostics and have replaced items that needed changing, I maintain it to a higher standard than the factory spec

It has never let me down

It has had some niggly faults which I have cured, including failed exhaust tailpipe trims that have mild steel supports, now replaced with stainless laser cut items

If you are unlucky then you will be very unlucky (Starter, air pipes, suspension, etc), these cars are ridiculously complicated at times but very manageable given the manuals and diagnostics are reasonably priced. I have a friend who had a FS that had an £8k service of routine stuff.

I buy my Pirelli P1 Zero Bentley spec tyres for £140 each

Most consumables are Audi/VW based.

Go in with your eyes open and you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Any questions just ask

This car is by far the best thing I have ever bought and my only worry is what I replace it with (the newer one is still £80k)

[dvs_dave]

The systems, diagnostics and many many parts are shared with the D3 Audi A8 and VW Phateon so any specialist for these will be able fix your Bentley too. Are you planning on fixing bits and pieces yourself? If so make sure you buy a VCDS diagnostics cable as it'll pay for itself many times over very quickly.

And just what is so special about the 10yr/40k mile service over a W12 A8 or Phateon at the same age/mileage given they are virtually the same underneath? Sounds like a load of protectionist bks to me.

[DonkeyApple]

HarrySK said:

Hi all,

I have been toying with the idea of buying a Bentley Flying Spur (2005-2009) recently, so much so that I will be going to see a few over the coming weeks!

At the moment I am unsure which of the two options to go with:
1) 2005 Model with 30-40k miles
2) 2008-2009 model with 65-70k+ miles (Mulliner)
They both work out at similar prices (around the £30-35k mark)
I know that the earlier model (2005) will be cheaper on road tax but it will require the 10 year service (Bentley have quoted £2k - this is the base price with almost inevitable additional costs on top of this) so that is intimidating if I get a late 2005/2006 model.

Any advice on what you guys would recommend or any general guidance when it comes to Flying Spur's (what to look out for etc.) that would be great!

Thanks.

Harry.

If the 10 year service is as big as you say then I'd hazard that is the reason for most sellers choosing now to offload. And even if you buy an 08 then in a couple of years you are going to be in the same boat of having to pay up or try and find a buyer.

As such, is it not smarter to try and buy through a main dealer subject to them doing all that work at their expense? You'll surely find one who will be more willing to do such a deal as the clock on their stock ticks down, meaning they'll have to do it anyway not long from now?

[nrick]

The ten year service includes transmission drain and refil, they alternate between reasonable and not so reasonable. The difference usually being transmission, plugs, etc

http://www.pmcuk.com/userfiles/files/WT%2001000%20...

Eg Plugs require the inlet manifold off and there are 12 of the buggers.....

[nrick]

refill