RE: Bentley Boyz
Wednesday 4th December 2002
Bentley Boyz
Where's Bentley heading asks Robert Farago
Discussion
It's eminem, not that it matters to me. Somehow, enema does sound right, though some think that that means someone who's not your friend. 
First of all, Robert, hugely over-engineered--when describing German cars--is reduntant, and the rest of Europe seems to be following in their footsteps, with the exception of the kit-car and (mainly British) cottage industry.
Also, it's a W12, not a W8. Everyone knows that VW couldn't possibly make a six liter engine with only eight cylinders.
Yeah, but it's pretty clear that the vast majority of cars--even very expensive, high-performance cars, is bought by non-car nuts, and this trend of making cars very fast and competent, yet bloated and devoid of feel and feedback makes that obvious. Unfortunately, today that includes BMW and Porsche.
snip
But not from the Germans, who seem genetically predisposed to turning small manufacturers' unreliable yet fashionable cars into sleek chic jet aircraft. Even a glance at the GT's spec sheet reveals a hugely over-engineered machine: 500+bhp twin-turbo W8 engine, four-wheel-drive, under floor petrol tank, multi-link rear axle, air suspension, Electronic Stability Programme, Emergency Brake Force Distribution, etc.
First of all, Robert, hugely over-engineered--when describing German cars--is reduntant, and the rest of Europe seems to be following in their footsteps, with the exception of the kit-car and (mainly British) cottage industry.
Also, it's a W12, not a W8. Everyone knows that VW couldn't possibly make a six liter engine with only eight cylinders.
The resulting performance will certainly appeal to well-heeled petrolheads, but what of Mr. Diddy's fans, friends, followers?
snip
Yeah, but it's pretty clear that the vast majority of cars--even very expensive, high-performance cars, is bought by non-car nuts, and this trend of making cars very fast and competent, yet bloated and devoid of feel and feedback makes that obvious. Unfortunately, today that includes BMW and Porsche.
Miguel said:...this trend of making cars very fast and competent, yet bloated and devoid of feel and feedback makes that obvious. Unfortunately, today that includes BMW and Porsche.
M3, M5, Boxster, 996GT3, 996GT2? Too many car mags and too little helmsmanship?
I recently drove a 355 in anger and it was fantastic but the feedback through the wheel was nowhere near as informative and twitchy as a 993. Or are you comments targetting current series Porsche alone?
Sorry my friend but I must disagree most emphatically on this point.
v8thunder said: I hope Bentley don't start offering options of lowrider springs and neon chassis lights thanks to the feedback.
:Rappersylee on: yo yo and a holder for my AK yeah yeah and a machine full of profalatics for when I'm getting jiggy wit ma byyatches in the back G, yeah :Rapperstyle off:.
Anyway, all the rap videos I've seen consist of someone sitting on the bonnet of a Boxter wearing more gold sovereign rings than he has fingers waving his hands at the camera. Look out Porsche, they'll have you next.
Anyway, I thought it was rock and heavy metal videos that went for American cars - just about every Bon Jovi video features a Camaro, AC Cobras are favourites in most '80s rock videos, and where would a classic rock star be without a '65 Mustang GT350?
Anyway, I thought it was rock and heavy metal videos that went for American cars - just about every Bon Jovi video features a Camaro, AC Cobras are favourites in most '80s rock videos, and where would a classic rock star be without a '65 Mustang GT350?
Ok, What I'm about to say will not probably win me any friends - specially not Ted.
But knackers to that.
Bentley, for me, have never been a symbol of sport or street cred of any kind. They've always been driven by fat old wheeze merchants who want to wave their wad in the world's face by buying the pinnacle of automotive vulgarity and crusing around smoking fat cigars and attending their gentleman's clubs.
Bentley may well have once been a symbol for sporting automotive pursuits but that was bloody years ago.
It was good to see Bentley at Le Mans, but let's face it - that car has absolutely nothing, nichts, rien, to do with anything like the cars they actually produce.
When was the last time you actually saw a Bentley being driven balls out apart from a magazine test day that has nothing to do with the real world?
Nah, you can keep your Bentleys and shove 'em!
But knackers to that.
Bentley, for me, have never been a symbol of sport or street cred of any kind. They've always been driven by fat old wheeze merchants who want to wave their wad in the world's face by buying the pinnacle of automotive vulgarity and crusing around smoking fat cigars and attending their gentleman's clubs.
Bentley may well have once been a symbol for sporting automotive pursuits but that was bloody years ago.
It was good to see Bentley at Le Mans, but let's face it - that car has absolutely nothing, nichts, rien, to do with anything like the cars they actually produce.
When was the last time you actually saw a Bentley being driven balls out apart from a magazine test day that has nothing to do with the real world?
Nah, you can keep your Bentleys and shove 'em!
Bloody hell, Smiffy! A little harsh, no?
The purist can still lust after the Crewester for one very good reason: to find out what it is, can I suggest that you book yourself in for a (free!) factory tour?
I guarantee you that you'll emerge quite smitten and feeling rather glad to be British! (Even though the current Hanoverian connection has raised a few eyebrows in the palaces of the mighty...)
Clarkson was quite correct in having an orgasm on national TV whilst hoofing the 'Black Label'/Arnage T. The sound really is akin to distant thunder or some kind of WWII Merlin lump.
Best described as colossal and one of the only marques on the planet to give S class owners an inferiority complex.
Rollers may seem a tad naff but Bentley is quintessential classicism, IMHO! They are like mobile cathedrals and are really, incomparable.
Drive one at full tilt and I promise you you'll love it. Honest!
The purist can still lust after the Crewester for one very good reason: to find out what it is, can I suggest that you book yourself in for a (free!) factory tour?
I guarantee you that you'll emerge quite smitten and feeling rather glad to be British! (Even though the current Hanoverian connection has raised a few eyebrows in the palaces of the mighty...)
Clarkson was quite correct in having an orgasm on national TV whilst hoofing the 'Black Label'/Arnage T. The sound really is akin to distant thunder or some kind of WWII Merlin lump.
Best described as colossal and one of the only marques on the planet to give S class owners an inferiority complex.
Rollers may seem a tad naff but Bentley is quintessential classicism, IMHO! They are like mobile cathedrals and are really, incomparable.
Drive one at full tilt and I promise you you'll love it. Honest!
Smiffy, you are utterly wrong about your perceptions about Bentley drivers.
My dad owns one.
It ain't new and it cost him 5 figures, not 6. He's certainly not some fat wheezy old bloke. He's a civil servant who has worked hard all of his life. Since watching the glorious Bentleys of the 40's and 50's it was an ambition of his to own one. And, mostly thanks to the arse falling out of the classic car market in the early nineties, his dream was fulfilled. Bloody good for you, dad, I say.
It's not sporty in the same sense as the modern contemporary Bentley, but it's presence on the road and interior smell, fit and operation are second to none. It's a joy to be driven in. My Merc has presence on the road, but the Benters takes its miniscule Teutonic character and boots it all the way to Bolton.
I am utterly confident you would feel similar, once you had been in one. As a fellow petrolhead you would surely appreciate the engineering and craftsmanship that goes into making these fine cars.
Greg
Hmm, I'll keep an open mind on this and promise that if anyone wants to take me out in their Bentley at the next track day I'll be grateful! 
I guess my perceptions have come from working in London too much where the phenomenon that I describe is a daily occurance. I honestly have *never* met a Bentley driver who has been a petrolhead - That's not to say they don't exist, case in point being your dad Greg.
Yes, I can appreciate build quality and finish fair point - I just think they belong to another generation now, and I always get an image of Ron Atkinson puffing away on a cigar tucking his belly under the steering wheel, whenever I think of Bentley
As I said, I'll keep an open mind but perhaps meeting a Bentley enthusiast will change my mind?
I guess my perceptions have come from working in London too much where the phenomenon that I describe is a daily occurance. I honestly have *never* met a Bentley driver who has been a petrolhead - That's not to say they don't exist, case in point being your dad Greg.
Yes, I can appreciate build quality and finish fair point - I just think they belong to another generation now, and I always get an image of Ron Atkinson puffing away on a cigar tucking his belly under the steering wheel, whenever I think of Bentley
As I said, I'll keep an open mind but perhaps meeting a Bentley enthusiast will change my mind?
I was lucky enough to drive a go in a Bentley last year... I was stunned that it was able to shift the weight so easily, drove increadably well and went round on rails (until you turn off the traction control).
It was like driving your favourite armchair... fantastically comfy and it felt homely. It had character... then I got shown what it could REALLY do, by one of the guys from Bentley.
Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez. Amazing, a two tonne plus luxo-barge that could humble a few sportscars... and that rumble was just divine.
If I could afford one...
EDIT - and who gives a flying if J-upyall-lovinitbadbadbad-z has one? If it keeps them in business so others can enjoy them, then it's a small price to pay.
>> Edited by Podie on Thursday 5th December 15:39
It was like driving your favourite armchair... fantastically comfy and it felt homely. It had character... then I got shown what it could REALLY do, by one of the guys from Bentley.
Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez. Amazing, a two tonne plus luxo-barge that could humble a few sportscars... and that rumble was just divine.
If I could afford one...
EDIT - and who gives a flying if J-upyall-lovinitbadbadbad-z has one? If it keeps them in business so others can enjoy them, then it's a small price to pay.
>> Edited by Podie on Thursday 5th December 15:39
smifffy said: I honestly have *never* met a Bentley driver who has been a petrolhead - That's not to say they don't exist...
I think I described to one of the chaps off-line about the time I hustled the old RT over some moorland B road, giving chase to - get this, no bull, I swear - an Ultima!
Obviously, the clearances meant Mr.GTR couldn't really party but we were both flying, nevertheless.
As he turned off to his barn, we gave each other a mutually respectful toot, flash and a salute, leaving yours truly to fire off and sniff out some more tarmac to pound. Hilarious moment and frankly, the number of times you can humiliate regular commuting traffic in what Vectra man misinterprets as a wheezing Roller, makes for fascinating progress.
Like I said; nothing compares to a Bentley. Normal frames of reference are simply redundant.
Indeed, with the first 380bhp 'R' models now lurking in the £25-£40k bracket, an interesting option to the default Germans, perhaps?
The only thing Bentleys lack are tail gunners.
God save you, ma'am. Hurrah!
derestrictor said: Bravo, Greg!
Btw, which model exactly does Mr.T. Senior run?
>> Edited by derestrictor on Thursday 5th December 14:43
The erstwhile Dr Thomas is the proud owner of a T Series. 1976 MY. One of about 1700 made. Proper carb'd model, none of your fancy fuel injection on his. Has about 250K on the clock, just had a top end rebuild due to excessive oil consumption (which sat nicely with the fuel consumption, I suppose).
It's been all over Europe, including the Eastern Block. He was coming out of a restaurant in Warsaw one evening and about 200 people were clamoured around the car - they'd simply never seen one before. So, true to form, my old man got them to form an orderly queue and gave all that wanted a seat in the front or the back, depending on what they wanted - what a nice man !
He got an average of 13mpg on that trip. He was made up
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