Taking the plunge

[RubiconCSL]

First of all - hi (just joined).

I'm looking at buying my first RR and want some advice from people that have been there. I'm probably looking for either a Silver Shadow or maybe Silver Spirit. I'd rather a RR than a Bentley at this point - I want to see that Spirit of Ecstasy when I look out of the windscreen Looking around, it would appear I can get one for between 10k and maybe 15k (depending on mileage, condition etc.). From a dealer, probably add another £5k at least.

Do the prices here look reasonable: http://hanwells.net/car-showrooms? Clearly more expensive than buying privately, but they do a 100 point check and repair anything that comes up, full service and MOT and give a 24 month warranty - which could I guess be worth it in the long run, especially as I have no real experience of buying these cars, so could get caught out if I buy privately. However, if they are maybe 5k more than I could get them privately, would I be better off taking the risk - if I take my time? Can one buy a decent warranty privately for a car of this age to cover any seriously big costs? They reckon that after 12 months, I'd lose around 3,500 if I traded in and around another 2,500 after 2 years. 6k in 2 years looks a bit steep on a car that has cost between 15k and 20k; I had assumed that depreciation at these sorts of ages would be very low.

Next thing, mpg. I'm guessing around 12mpg? I have seen one with a "professional" conversion to a 4.8 litre land cruiser diesel that returns 28mpg. However, is the trade off of better mpg vs value/easy of resale/engine noise worth it? Has anyone else any experience of such conversions? 28mpg would be pretty much the same as I get fro my BMW 320! I'm not concerned with maybe losing acceleration; I'm not buying a sports car!

Realistically, without warranty, what would I be allowing a year to keep one of these beauties on the road? I have been advised £2k should cover it: service, MOT and unknowns. I realise something big could go that would blow 2k out of the water, but assuming no massive issues, would £2k be reasonable?

If I take running costs, fuel for say 5k miles a year, road tax, insurance - would I be realistic in running it for say £4,500 ish? Have I forgotten anything?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[RubiconCSL]

Thanks - what I thought and probably goes some way to explaining why on Hanwell's, it is massively less expensive (I'll let you guess which has the conversion):-

ROLLS-ROYCE SILVER SHADOW (3)

1980 V Rolls Royce Silver Shadow Series II in Willow Gold £69.750
1980 V Rolls Royce Silver Shadow Series II in Classic Walnut £15.950

jeyjey said:

Putting a diesel in (no matter how well done) will reduce the value to under £5K.

Cheers,
Jeff.

[RubiconCSL]

Thanks for the advice so far. I'm still torn (with my lack of depth of knowledge on these cars) between buying from a reputable/specialist dealer or risking a private buy. Clearly, the risk would be I buy a dud and sell one of my kidneys to pay for the work - although I would find someone to check a car over for me if I bought privately (whatever that cost would be I don't know).

So, very ballpark figures, let's say a 1990 Spirit with reasonable mileage and in reasonable condition. What would I be looking at private compared with Trade? For example (and I have no idea how good/reputable this dealer is), this is on for £16k and has had "a lot of work done recently": http://www.silverladyservices.co.uk/used/ROLLS-ROY... What would you think this is worth for a private buy?

[RubiconCSL]

Thanks Tony.

I think I'm going to have to do a lot of homework before I jump in. There is no big hurry though and as they say, act in haste repent at your leisure!

I think it is still a RR rather than a Bentley. Just now which model I go for in the price range I am comfortable with. I'll also try out the links offered up here and work out what the pros and cons are of the various models, along with making a nice list of the main potential issues to look out for on them.

I really do not like the big rectangular headlights on the later models, compared to the two round ones and do prefer the overall shape of the older cars too. The older models just look much more distinctly a Rolls Royce, rather than just a big version of so many other cars of that age. But I guess I'd then have to go back to a much older car and lose some of the newer features (ABS etc.) as well as probably be spending more on repairs simply because of the age and scarcity of parts.

There is also the small point of me building a garage to house the little beauty. Do they really need a garage with some sort of air conditioning and/or heating? Or is that really just going OTT? Maybe building a garage and putting on e of these inside: http://www.airflow-uk.co.uk/Car-Airchamber-all-siz...