£22k Bentley Continental GT - running costs?
Discussion
300bhp/ton said:
Aston Martin took the Jaguar XJ-S, re-skinned it, tarted the interior up and made a few minor changes. Yet still used Ford parts bin switch gear. They then sold it for double the money. A lovely car, but mechanically just Ford/Jaguar.
Not really. There were quite a few changes, especially as it progressed through it's life.Yes it is derived from an XJS, but it isn't just re-skinned
ok it took some digging but so far I've only found one site that actually says what they do for a service on a GT:
-Oil and filter change
-replacement of dust and pollen filters
-wiper blades
-key fob batteries
-full diagnostic test and report
-checks of the brake pads and discs
-check brake fluid level
-check suspension
-check steering
-check fuel system
-check cooling system and hoses
-Further tests and checks are carried out on all exterior and interior lighting, internal warning lamps and the vehicle’s on board diagnostic system, including a report on the tyre pressure monitor battery status.
-The service book for your vehicle will also be endorsed with our official Bentley Dealer stamp, maintaining the integrity of the service history.
So basically they check a whole heap of stuff that you can easily do yourself (lights and such) and don't actually do anything to them (brakes, brake fluid, steering).
In fact the only actual thing done for your £500-700 is an oil and filter change, pollen filter change (do these really need doing once a year??), remote batteries (
yeah these always need changing yearly), wiper blades (which you could easily do yourself for a tiny outlay) and an OBDII diagnostic (handy if there is a problem, although this cost doesn't include actually doing anything about any fault).
-Oil and filter change
-replacement of dust and pollen filters
-wiper blades
-key fob batteries
-full diagnostic test and report
-checks of the brake pads and discs
-check brake fluid level
-check suspension
-check steering
-check fuel system
-check cooling system and hoses
-Further tests and checks are carried out on all exterior and interior lighting, internal warning lamps and the vehicle’s on board diagnostic system, including a report on the tyre pressure monitor battery status.
-The service book for your vehicle will also be endorsed with our official Bentley Dealer stamp, maintaining the integrity of the service history.
So basically they check a whole heap of stuff that you can easily do yourself (lights and such) and don't actually do anything to them (brakes, brake fluid, steering).
In fact the only actual thing done for your £500-700 is an oil and filter change, pollen filter change (do these really need doing once a year??), remote batteries (
yeah these always need changing yearly), wiper blades (which you could easily do yourself for a tiny outlay) and an OBDII diagnostic (handy if there is a problem, although this cost doesn't include actually doing anything about any fault).George H said:
300bhp/ton said:
Aston Martin took the Jaguar XJ-S, re-skinned it, tarted the interior up and made a few minor changes. Yet still used Ford parts bin switch gear. They then sold it for double the money. A lovely car, but mechanically just Ford/Jaguar.
Not really. There were quite a few changes, especially as it progressed through it's life.Yes it is derived from an XJS, but it isn't just re-skinned
There really are an amazing number of similarities - people just don't like to admit it.
OP, you never know maybe someone who has actually owned a 100k+ miles CGT will be along soon instead of pages and pages of guess work and rumours.
Back in the real world. If you were looking to spend £25k on a German, why not buy it, put the 3k left over in a slush and add 2k a year to it, that you'd be spending on any car like this.
Sorted
Back in the real world. If you were looking to spend £25k on a German, why not buy it, put the 3k left over in a slush and add 2k a year to it, that you'd be spending on any car like this.
Sorted
doogz said:
George H said:
300bhp/ton said:
Aston Martin took the Jaguar XJ-S, re-skinned it, tarted the interior up and made a few minor changes. Yet still used Ford parts bin switch gear. They then sold it for double the money. A lovely car, but mechanically just Ford/Jaguar.
Not really. There were quite a few changes, especially as it progressed through it's life.Yes it is derived from an XJS, but it isn't just re-skinned
George H said:
300bhp/ton said:
Aston Martin took the Jaguar XJ-S, re-skinned it, tarted the interior up and made a few minor changes. Yet still used Ford parts bin switch gear. They then sold it for double the money. A lovely car, but mechanically just Ford/Jaguar.
Not really. There were quite a few changes, especially as it progressed through it's life.Yes it is derived from an XJS, but it isn't just re-skinned
interweb said:
The DB7, known internally as the NPX project, was made mostly with resources from Jaguar and had the financial backing of the Ford Motor Company, owner of Aston Martin since 1988. The DB7's platform is an evolution of the Jaguar XJS's, though with many changes. The styling started life as the still-born Jaguar F type (XJ41 – coupe / XJ42 – convertible) designed by Keith Helfet. Ford cancelled this car and the general design was grafted onto an XJS platform. The styling received modest changes by Ian Callum so that it looked like an Aston Martin. The first generation Jaguar XK-8 also uses an evolution of the XJ-S/DB7 platform and the cars share a family resemblance, though the Aston Martin was significantly more expensive and exclusive.
doogz said:
300bhp/ton said:
It also happened to be the same Eaton Roots M90 as used on the x300 XJR6. I don't know, but suspect the manifold and pulley arrangement are not dissimilar either.
So lots of the parts used, were used in various different other models of car.TBH, that's pretty normal. You think my Impreza has a special custom bespoke turbocharger? Or is it the same one used on many different engines? The engine is the same as found in a Legacy, the brake calipers are the same as used on several different cars, Toyota, Nissan, etc.
Soooo....
What exactly is your point? Is an Ascari A10 a rip off because it uses an M5 engine? What about Weismanns? McLaren F1?
AndrewW-G said:
300bhp/ton said:
Ok then - tech me!!!
No, if you have no knowledge of a subject, you shouldn't be posting "advice" on that subject.Want to learn about servicing a Bentley CGT, go and pay your local specialist to teach you.
doogz said:
300bhp/ton said:
George H said:
300bhp/ton said:
Aston Martin took the Jaguar XJ-S, re-skinned it, tarted the interior up and made a few minor changes. Yet still used Ford parts bin switch gear. They then sold it for double the money. A lovely car, but mechanically just Ford/Jaguar.
Not really. There were quite a few changes, especially as it progressed through it's life.Yes it is derived from an XJS, but it isn't just re-skinned
interweb said:
The DB7, known internally as the NPX project, was made mostly with resources from Jaguar and had the financial backing of the Ford Motor Company, owner of Aston Martin since 1988. The DB7's platform is an evolution of the Jaguar XJS's, though with many changes. The styling started life as the still-born Jaguar F type (XJ41 – coupe / XJ42 – convertible) designed by Keith Helfet. Ford cancelled this car and the general design was grafted onto an XJS platform. The styling received modest changes by Ian Callum so that it looked like an Aston Martin. The first generation Jaguar XK-8 also uses an evolution of the XJ-S/DB7 platform and the cars share a family resemblance, though the Aston Martin was significantly more expensive and exclusive.
I think 300 is pretty much on the money, for a knowledgeable enthusiast who is prepared to do the homework and spannering I think it is perfectly possible to maintain a car like this, go into it with no knowledge or inclination to do stuff yourself you will either have to be lucky or very brave. Would suggest a few grand in the bank as a float whoever you are, I keep two for an old 944, a 22k Bentley I would suggest between 5 and 10 you can lay your hands on, just in case.
It is a quality product with a huge but fairly unstressed engine, a tough auto box that is used in other cars and some commonality with other cars, I would hope that it has a full history and expect the engine should go for a lot more miles without major attention. These things are huge, heavy and powerful but even so I dotn think it is possible to really batter one day in day out as you are soon at illegal velocities, rarely see one getting spanked and here in Cheshire there are a lot of them.
There is a gamble factor that something non consumable and Bentley specific goes tits up, I do think that there will be a few appearing in breakers to provide some secondhand parts availability.
Brakes seem to be reasonable
The body wont be rotten, if its damaged it should cost similar to any other car, unless it needs panels.
Interior should be pristine but could be expensive if it isn't.
Engine, get a full test done, compression etc if not sure, pay someone to do it. on a car like this, you have to take a chance, if the engine blows then you are fairly stuck, probably 5k for a second hand one or the price of the car for a new one.
Gearbox, make sure it operates, get the fluid changed if appropriate (are they sealed units on these ?)
Suspension, potentially an issue due to weight, price up bushes, dampers and check it all rides properly before you buy, get it up on ramps, have a good look round, get an MOT done as that will
most likely advise on condition.
What would concern me is electronics and stuff like air con but to be honest some stuff if it fails you can live without if its a choice between fixing it and being skint.
Like 300 said, exhaust, get a Stainless system made up, doubt it will need one, cant remember last time I replaced and exhaust, this isn't a 1983 fiesta that seemed to need one every other week
It is a quality product with a huge but fairly unstressed engine, a tough auto box that is used in other cars and some commonality with other cars, I would hope that it has a full history and expect the engine should go for a lot more miles without major attention. These things are huge, heavy and powerful but even so I dotn think it is possible to really batter one day in day out as you are soon at illegal velocities, rarely see one getting spanked and here in Cheshire there are a lot of them.
There is a gamble factor that something non consumable and Bentley specific goes tits up, I do think that there will be a few appearing in breakers to provide some secondhand parts availability.
Brakes seem to be reasonable
The body wont be rotten, if its damaged it should cost similar to any other car, unless it needs panels.
Interior should be pristine but could be expensive if it isn't.
Engine, get a full test done, compression etc if not sure, pay someone to do it. on a car like this, you have to take a chance, if the engine blows then you are fairly stuck, probably 5k for a second hand one or the price of the car for a new one.
Gearbox, make sure it operates, get the fluid changed if appropriate (are they sealed units on these ?)
Suspension, potentially an issue due to weight, price up bushes, dampers and check it all rides properly before you buy, get it up on ramps, have a good look round, get an MOT done as that will
most likely advise on condition.
What would concern me is electronics and stuff like air con but to be honest some stuff if it fails you can live without if its a choice between fixing it and being skint.
Like 300 said, exhaust, get a Stainless system made up, doubt it will need one, cant remember last time I replaced and exhaust, this isn't a 1983 fiesta that seemed to need one every other week
George H said:
doogz said:
300bhp/ton said:
George H said:
300bhp/ton said:
Aston Martin took the Jaguar XJ-S, re-skinned it, tarted the interior up and made a few minor changes. Yet still used Ford parts bin switch gear. They then sold it for double the money. A lovely car, but mechanically just Ford/Jaguar.
Not really. There were quite a few changes, especially as it progressed through it's life.Yes it is derived from an XJS, but it isn't just re-skinned
interweb said:
The DB7, known internally as the NPX project, was made mostly with resources from Jaguar and had the financial backing of the Ford Motor Company, owner of Aston Martin since 1988. The DB7's platform is an evolution of the Jaguar XJS's, though with many changes. The styling started life as the still-born Jaguar F type (XJ41 – coupe / XJ42 – convertible) designed by Keith Helfet. Ford cancelled this car and the general design was grafted onto an XJS platform. The styling received modest changes by Ian Callum so that it looked like an Aston Martin. The first generation Jaguar XK-8 also uses an evolution of the XJ-S/DB7 platform and the cars share a family resemblance, though the Aston Martin was significantly more expensive and exclusive.
I'm not saying they aren't different in places. But the basic platform, structure, engine, suspension, layout, breaking and I daresay even HVAC and switch gear are all XJ-S or Ford parts bin. It's a lovely car the DB7, but it's £100k or what ever price tag didn't mean it was engineered any differently or used any different parts to cars costing half the amount.
300bhp/ton said:
AndrewW-G said:
300bhp/ton said:
Ok then - tech me!!!
No, if you have no knowledge of a subject, you shouldn't be posting "advice" on that subject.Want to learn about servicing a Bentley CGT, go and pay your local specialist to teach you.
300bhp/ton said:
ok it took some digging but so far I've only found one site that actually says what they do for a service on a GT:
-Oil and filter change
-replacement of dust and pollen filters
-wiper blades
-key fob batteries
-full diagnostic test and report
-checks of the brake pads and discs
-check brake fluid level
-check suspension
-check steering
-check fuel system
-check cooling system and hoses
-Further tests and checks are carried out on all exterior and interior lighting, internal warning lamps and the vehicle’s on board diagnostic system, including a report on the tyre pressure monitor battery status.
-The service book for your vehicle will also be endorsed with our official Bentley Dealer stamp, maintaining the integrity of the service history.
So basically they check a whole heap of stuff that you can easily do yourself (lights and such) and don't actually do anything to them (brakes, brake fluid, steering).
In fact the only actual thing done for your £500-700 is an oil and filter change, pollen filter change (do these really need doing once a year??), remote batteries ( yeah these always need changing yearly), wiper blades (which you could easily do yourself for a tiny outlay) and an OBDII diagnostic (handy if there is a problem, although this cost doesn't include actually doing anything about any fault).
300BHP/Ton, I'm going to put this bluntly. I'm a Crewe trained Bentley service technician. You're a bloke on the internet who has already admitted to not knowing much about these cars. Why are you so convinced that you know more about running, maintaining and servicing these cars than people who clearly know more about them than you do? -Oil and filter change
-replacement of dust and pollen filters
-wiper blades
-key fob batteries
-full diagnostic test and report
-checks of the brake pads and discs
-check brake fluid level
-check suspension
-check steering
-check fuel system
-check cooling system and hoses
-Further tests and checks are carried out on all exterior and interior lighting, internal warning lamps and the vehicle’s on board diagnostic system, including a report on the tyre pressure monitor battery status.
-The service book for your vehicle will also be endorsed with our official Bentley Dealer stamp, maintaining the integrity of the service history.
So basically they check a whole heap of stuff that you can easily do yourself (lights and such) and don't actually do anything to them (brakes, brake fluid, steering).
In fact the only actual thing done for your £500-700 is an oil and filter change, pollen filter change (do these really need doing once a year??), remote batteries (
yeah these always need changing yearly), wiper blades (which you could easily do yourself for a tiny outlay) and an OBDII diagnostic (handy if there is a problem, although this cost doesn't include actually doing anything about any fault).Gassing Station | Bentley & Rolls Royce | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff