4.4l Arnage - "unloved" but not cheaper than Red Label
Discussion
Why aren't they much cheaper than the Red Label models? Quick search on Autotrader showed that both variants are more or less the same, with the first 5 bottom-of-the-barrel ones all being RLs.
I thought all the experts claim how great the RL is and how boring/underpowered/soulless the 4.4/GL. Normally this should be reflected in 2nd hand prices.
Or is it that these kind of cars are priced rather on overall history/condition and not so much on spec/variant/extras?
Or is all this "red label is better than green" an urban/auto hack myth made up by people who never owned one, let alone compared them side by side?
I am very keen on the GL and am still trying to find out why that (in the eyes of the "experts"/pub bores) would be a mistake.
I thought all the experts claim how great the RL is and how boring/underpowered/soulless the 4.4/GL. Normally this should be reflected in 2nd hand prices.
Or is it that these kind of cars are priced rather on overall history/condition and not so much on spec/variant/extras?
Or is all this "red label is better than green" an urban/auto hack myth made up by people who never owned one, let alone compared them side by side?
I am very keen on the GL and am still trying to find out why that (in the eyes of the "experts"/pub bores) would be a mistake.
Hi PCD - thanks for your advice, as always.
I have driven both, under normal conditions, no autobahn racing, track etc.
Yes, the RL is a bit quicker/has more torque/whatever. Still - the GL is a fine car.
Something to consider: Road tax in Germany is based on the displacement of the engine (we call it "envy tax") and its emission class. Taking this into account, and also the higher insurance rates for the RL, the higher maintenance (esp oil changes) and its fuel consumption, the overall difference between RL and GL, based on the assumption that i will get tired of the car (RHD being impractical in car parks etc, the sheer bulk) after 4 years, the overall difference in cost will be around 5000 GBP. A lot of money? Yes, if you take into account that in Germany you need to gross 10k to make 5k.
Now, yes, I know, if you have to ask the price, then you cant afford it, bla bla bla. This is a vanity purchase anyway, and people over here in Germany will think I am utterly mad, no matter what engine is in it. Hm, come to think of it - some of my friends will ask me why I didnt go for the Arnage T. So, even a RL is not the final solution:-)
SO - my question is: will I be in tears every time I start the car and wish I had the RL? Can I live with the otherwise fine BMW v8 (used in much simpler form in the Range Rover as well)? Besides the engine (and the slightly improved rear space situtation, which is not relevant for me) GL and RL are the same car, right? I would only buy a GL with RL upgrades as often offered, so no 17" wheels or amber lights for me.
PS: Just to put everything into perspective, GL LHD in Germany start at 40k, and RL easily reach 60k. For 12 year old cars. Which are impractical to use for someone who needs to go to the airport 2-3 times a week. And only wants this as a toy.
I have driven both, under normal conditions, no autobahn racing, track etc.
Yes, the RL is a bit quicker/has more torque/whatever. Still - the GL is a fine car.
Something to consider: Road tax in Germany is based on the displacement of the engine (we call it "envy tax") and its emission class. Taking this into account, and also the higher insurance rates for the RL, the higher maintenance (esp oil changes) and its fuel consumption, the overall difference between RL and GL, based on the assumption that i will get tired of the car (RHD being impractical in car parks etc, the sheer bulk) after 4 years, the overall difference in cost will be around 5000 GBP. A lot of money? Yes, if you take into account that in Germany you need to gross 10k to make 5k.
Now, yes, I know, if you have to ask the price, then you cant afford it, bla bla bla. This is a vanity purchase anyway, and people over here in Germany will think I am utterly mad, no matter what engine is in it. Hm, come to think of it - some of my friends will ask me why I didnt go for the Arnage T. So, even a RL is not the final solution:-)
SO - my question is: will I be in tears every time I start the car and wish I had the RL? Can I live with the otherwise fine BMW v8 (used in much simpler form in the Range Rover as well)? Besides the engine (and the slightly improved rear space situtation, which is not relevant for me) GL and RL are the same car, right? I would only buy a GL with RL upgrades as often offered, so no 17" wheels or amber lights for me.
PS: Just to put everything into perspective, GL LHD in Germany start at 40k, and RL easily reach 60k. For 12 year old cars. Which are impractical to use for someone who needs to go to the airport 2-3 times a week. And only wants this as a toy.
Edited by Rushmore on Sunday 28th October 11:13
Edited by Rushmore on Sunday 28th October 11:18
Hi B&S - I know that I am, sort of, "missing" the updated car when going for the Unlabeled Arnage ("No Label" Arnage) (GL indeed only means a very small number of cars). I just want to find out what I will be "missing" (i.e. more power, "better" handling/harsher ride) and how that relates to my preferences and also how that relates to the price difference.
PCD said the RL gives the real Bentley experience. Then what does the GL/NL do?
You said there are a lot of "improvements". So how does a RL differ in that respect to the GL/NL? Are they totally unbearable?
PCD said the RL gives the real Bentley experience. Then what does the GL/NL do?
You said there are a lot of "improvements". So how does a RL differ in that respect to the GL/NL? Are they totally unbearable?
[quote=buyer&seller]
It was then the new owners VW who didn't want to be using one of their rivals engines in their new flagship, so it was they who made that decision to rework the old engine to fit it into the Arnage
[/quote]
THAT is the story I remember (and which made me win Pub Quiz recently)
[quote=Bluebottle911]the fact that enough Bentley buyers who were prepared to spend over £150,000 on a car told Bentley that they did not like the 4.4 experience, to persuade Bentley to realise that fitting the 4.4 had been a mistake
[/quote]
While THAT sound a bit too good to be true. A car manufacturer listening to the demands of its customers.
It was then the new owners VW who didn't want to be using one of their rivals engines in their new flagship, so it was they who made that decision to rework the old engine to fit it into the Arnage
[/quote]
THAT is the story I remember (and which made me win Pub Quiz recently)
[quote=Bluebottle911]the fact that enough Bentley buyers who were prepared to spend over £150,000 on a car told Bentley that they did not like the 4.4 experience, to persuade Bentley to realise that fitting the 4.4 had been a mistake
[/quote]
While THAT sound a bit too good to be true. A car manufacturer listening to the demands of its customers.
Bluebottle911 said:
Come to think of it, why don't you go for an Arnage T - it may be totally archaic and rather silly, but it is utterly magnificent, as a Bentley should be. They're not a lot more money than an Arnage Green / Red Label.
Absolutely - but then I realized that the post 2005 MY series with the revised headlights might be an even BETTER choice!Gassing Station | Bentley & Rolls Royce | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff