Flying Spur - what to watch for?

[R11ysf]

Hi all,
I have a friend who is looking to buy a Flying Spur. His ideal would be a 2006, Navy blue model with about 35k miles for around £40-£45k.

He is going to look at one this week and is not very mechanically minded. I've obviously told him that tyres and clutch will be expensive if needed and he should get one that has just had a major service.

Are there any major problems with these? Is there anything that was wrong with the early ones? Are there any major bills that crop up and should be especially checked for? Also what is the yearly maintenance likely to be for 10k miles a year?

Is an inspection absolutely necessary and who is good to do them and what should it cost please?


Sorry for all the questions but I have checked the search and I know nothing about these whatsoever!!


Thanks

[ADP68]

Depends on where you are, but check "n sandell" website for service prices and intervals. The rrbsa "rolls r and bentley specialist assocn" of mechanics have a list of members to contact. Also, people speak highly of phantom motor cars.

[WightGT]

Good afternoon. Some Flying Spurs have photovoltaic panels on the roof to keep the batteries charged up. If the car in question does not have them, it will be necessary to either use it regularly or else plug in a battery conditioner every week. On the wider front, the tyre pressure sensors are probably ready for replacement, which will cost about £400. Electrical glitches are common. Some will drive your friend mad, others will just annoy him. Some can bring the car to a sudden halt, without warning, power assistance or servo for the brakes. This is caused by an imbalance in the detected temperatures in the exhaust manifolds - the car thinks it is overheating. A normal service is in the region of £800. If the car is to be serviced by a Bentley dealer, it will soon require replacement brake pipes, which are an element on the service schedule. This will add about £500 to the service invoice. My advice would be to use a Bentley main dealer for servicing, since they seem to build in upgrades that the independents don't. Oh - the TV wont work, unless it has already been upgraded to Digital.
In spite of the above, your buddy should certainly experience a Flying Spur. There are plenty about since they don't hold their value - because of electronics? - but find one with a decent service history and go through the invoices noting waht has been done, and get a warranty.
Good luck to him - tell him to join the Bentley Drivers Club for more support.

[R11ysf]

WightGT said:

Good afternoon. Some Flying Spurs have photovoltaic panels on the roof to keep the batteries charged up. If the car in question does not have them, it will be necessary to either use it regularly or else plug in a battery conditioner every week. On the wider front, the tyre pressure sensors are probably ready for replacement, which will cost about £400. Electrical glitches are common. Some will drive your friend mad, others will just annoy him. Some can bring the car to a sudden halt, without warning, power assistance or servo for the brakes. This is caused by an imbalance in the detected temperatures in the exhaust manifolds - the car thinks it is overheating. A normal service is in the region of £800. If the car is to be serviced by a Bentley dealer, it will soon require replacement brake pipes, which are an element on the service schedule. This will add about £500 to the service invoice. My advice would be to use a Bentley main dealer for servicing, since they seem to build in upgrades that the independents don't. Oh - the TV wont work, unless it has already been upgraded to Digital.
In spite of the above, your buddy should certainly experience a Flying Spur. There are plenty about since they don't hold their value - because of electronics? - but find one with a decent service history and go through the invoices noting waht has been done, and get a warranty.
Good luck to him - tell him to join the Bentley Drivers Club for more support.

Fantastic information Wight. Thank you very much, it has been passed on and received very well.