£22k Bentley Continental GT - running costs?
Discussion
Done just that last week, bought a GTC V8 mulliner spec car.
P/Ex my Gallardo spider after 5 years, was sad to see it go but fancied something different.
The Bentley is unbelievably comfortable after my Lamborghini but they are 2 completely different cars in that respect. So far so good....
P/Ex my Gallardo spider after 5 years, was sad to see it go but fancied something different.
The Bentley is unbelievably comfortable after my Lamborghini but they are 2 completely different cars in that respect. So far so good....
Happy New Year everybody, heres an update of my purchase and opinion on some of what has been said on this topic so far!
After a lot of consideration I purchased a 54 plate GT with 50K miles on it from a Bentley Main Dealer last September, so I will share my experiences of 13 months running.
Having looked at a few examples I decided that a main dealer who could offer a Bentley warranty was going to be less of a gamble than getting an after market warranty. I ended up buying two years level 1 warranty which was on offer from Bentley at the time for vehicles up to ten years old. Worth visiting the dealer and asking what can be had, etc.
Various bits and pieces have been fixed and replaced over the period of ownership covered by warranty, no major problems to report, I think that buying from a main dealer has ensured a sound vehicle.
It is a toy though and MPG for me is very low, the performance is very addictive as has been mentioned by other posters, so much so that sensible driving is pretty much not going to happen! The GT is a gentleman-hooligan!
Currently on 63K miles, this is a solid piece of machinery, guaranteed to put a smile on my face. Reactions from Joe Public is mixed as with any prestige car.
Main Dealer general service has been excellent, always happy to help and have in my case been flexible on price for some consumables. We had a 2013 GTC demonstrator for three days whilst ours was in for some work last summer, to compare it, the older models have a great old-school feel that the newer model doesn't. Maybe its the thick leather trim, I don't know, the newer models don't have this feel about them but are very beautiful and a newer GT or GTC is certainly on my list for when the prices drop a little. (drop a lot actually).
I think that some of the opinions on the thread so far are over the top, but would probably restrict undesirables from ownership.
If you buy a good example with a Bentley warranty your experience is going to be bulletproof. And expensive. But, worth every penny.
As for buying the cheap GT with huge miles? That would be for a bigger gambler than me!
After a lot of consideration I purchased a 54 plate GT with 50K miles on it from a Bentley Main Dealer last September, so I will share my experiences of 13 months running.
Having looked at a few examples I decided that a main dealer who could offer a Bentley warranty was going to be less of a gamble than getting an after market warranty. I ended up buying two years level 1 warranty which was on offer from Bentley at the time for vehicles up to ten years old. Worth visiting the dealer and asking what can be had, etc.
Various bits and pieces have been fixed and replaced over the period of ownership covered by warranty, no major problems to report, I think that buying from a main dealer has ensured a sound vehicle.
It is a toy though and MPG for me is very low, the performance is very addictive as has been mentioned by other posters, so much so that sensible driving is pretty much not going to happen! The GT is a gentleman-hooligan!
Currently on 63K miles, this is a solid piece of machinery, guaranteed to put a smile on my face. Reactions from Joe Public is mixed as with any prestige car.
Main Dealer general service has been excellent, always happy to help and have in my case been flexible on price for some consumables. We had a 2013 GTC demonstrator for three days whilst ours was in for some work last summer, to compare it, the older models have a great old-school feel that the newer model doesn't. Maybe its the thick leather trim, I don't know, the newer models don't have this feel about them but are very beautiful and a newer GT or GTC is certainly on my list for when the prices drop a little. (drop a lot actually).
I think that some of the opinions on the thread so far are over the top, but would probably restrict undesirables from ownership.
If you buy a good example with a Bentley warranty your experience is going to be bulletproof. And expensive. But, worth every penny.
As for buying the cheap GT with huge miles? That would be for a bigger gambler than me!
I am thinking of this, I have had lots of very nice cars and run a C63 Amg 507 just now but this is looking very good!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-Bentley-Continental...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-Bentley-Continental...
RG63AMG said:
I am thinking of this, I have had lots of very nice cars and run a C63 Amg 507 just now but this is looking very good!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-Bentley-Continental...
Being sold by non franchised dealer = No extended warranty = Money pit even if nothing particularly out the ordinary has goes wrong.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2008-Bentley-Continental...
Lostprophet said:
Really? Why is that? Seems like a good car on paper...
The no extended warranty? Unless its changed again in the last few years only car purchased via a franchise dealer or strictly a private sale (and I believe they check 
) can be eligible for the official extended warranty, and you just have to glance at earlier in this thread to see what I think about running a Conti GT without a warranty.Plus, 08 - 6 Year service will be due soon and that's almost always a biggie with extras.
Hi Chaps, I bought a 2004 Bentley GT a month ago. It has only covered 29,000 miles, with one owner , and been serviced from new, by Bentley.
I have loved the look of Bentley, and Rolls Royce motor cars for forty years or so, and decided to take the plunge on the above car, thinking low mileage, and full service history would make for a perfect car.
The service history really only means that the oil, filters, plugs, and wiper blades have been changed regularly. It does nothing to stop the incredible amount of faults that appear on these cars.
My car has the old favourite tyre pressure monitoring system failure(ECU in boot = £500), heated rear screen failure(fix for £2600), air cconditioning failure, (hopefuly just gas), has a "service now" warning on start up, despite having been serviced by Bentley a 1000 miles ago, has just developed a power steering fluid leak. Im told by an independant Bentley specialist, that the engine has to come out to fix this leak, and may cost £2000!!! It also had at six years old, a partial wiring loom spliced into the dashboard for nearly £3000....SERIOUSLY!!
The car outwardly looks fantastic, with just one small stone chip, and mild swirling to the paintwork, commensurate with ten years of polishing, and a perfect interior. It's just the poor quality of the mechanicals that let it down, and disproves the old adage,that "you can't polish a turd".
They always say never meet your idol. I have, and am so disappointed it defies belief. I will keep the car for a year at best, or until something massive has me recycling it.
P.S. the cost of the repairs isn't too traumatic for me, it's just that such things should not happen on a car alleging to be prestigious. I have staff at work who buy 10 year old fords, renaults etc, and have no problems at all.
Would I buy another Bentley? NO!
I have loved the look of Bentley, and Rolls Royce motor cars for forty years or so, and decided to take the plunge on the above car, thinking low mileage, and full service history would make for a perfect car.
The service history really only means that the oil, filters, plugs, and wiper blades have been changed regularly. It does nothing to stop the incredible amount of faults that appear on these cars.
My car has the old favourite tyre pressure monitoring system failure(ECU in boot = £500), heated rear screen failure(fix for £2600), air cconditioning failure, (hopefuly just gas), has a "service now" warning on start up, despite having been serviced by Bentley a 1000 miles ago, has just developed a power steering fluid leak. Im told by an independant Bentley specialist, that the engine has to come out to fix this leak, and may cost £2000!!! It also had at six years old, a partial wiring loom spliced into the dashboard for nearly £3000....SERIOUSLY!!
The car outwardly looks fantastic, with just one small stone chip, and mild swirling to the paintwork, commensurate with ten years of polishing, and a perfect interior. It's just the poor quality of the mechanicals that let it down, and disproves the old adage,that "you can't polish a turd".
They always say never meet your idol. I have, and am so disappointed it defies belief. I will keep the car for a year at best, or until something massive has me recycling it.
P.S. the cost of the repairs isn't too traumatic for me, it's just that such things should not happen on a car alleging to be prestigious. I have staff at work who buy 10 year old fords, renaults etc, and have no problems at all.
Would I buy another Bentley? NO!
It's much simpler to build 1,000,000 examples of a car lightly dusted with 100 gadgets than it is to build 10,000 examples of a car stuffed with 300 gadgets.
Prestigious cars like Bentleys, Aston Martins and Ferraris simply can't be developed, tested and honed to the same degree as a Mondeo.
Which is sad, but dictated by the economics.
Prestigious cars like Bentleys, Aston Martins and Ferraris simply can't be developed, tested and honed to the same degree as a Mondeo.
Which is sad, but dictated by the economics.
Tim Farquhar said:
Hi Chaps, I bought a 2004 Bentley GT a month ago. It has only covered 29,000 miles, with one owner , and been serviced from new, by Bentley.
I have loved the look of Bentley, and Rolls Royce motor cars for forty years or so, and decided to take the plunge on the above car, thinking low mileage, and full service history would make for a perfect car.
The service history really only means that the oil, filters, plugs, and wiper blades have been changed regularly. It does nothing to stop the incredible amount of faults that appear on these cars.
My car has the old favourite tyre pressure monitoring system failure(ECU in boot = £500), heated rear screen failure(fix for £2600), air cconditioning failure, (hopefuly just gas), has a "service now" warning on start up, despite having been serviced by Bentley a 1000 miles ago, has just developed a power steering fluid leak. Im told by an independant Bentley specialist, that the engine has to come out to fix this leak, and may cost £2000!!! It also had at six years old, a partial wiring loom spliced into the dashboard for nearly £3000....SERIOUSLY!!
The car outwardly looks fantastic, with just one small stone chip, and mild swirling to the paintwork, commensurate with ten years of polishing, and a perfect interior. It's just the poor quality of the mechanicals that let it down, and disproves the old adage,that "you can't polish a turd".
They always say never meet your idol. I have, and am so disappointed it defies belief. I will keep the car for a year at best, or until something massive has me recycling it.
P.S. the cost of the repairs isn't too traumatic for me, it's just that such things should not happen on a car alleging to be prestigious. I have staff at work who buy 10 year old fords, renaults etc, and have no problems at all.
Would I buy another Bentley? NO!
Was there ever a better argument set out for having an independent pre purchase inspection. I would have thought that several of these faults would have been apparent on a test drive and any competent indie would pick up most of the rest. Do you have any come back against the vendor? Were they private, franchised or an independent?I have loved the look of Bentley, and Rolls Royce motor cars for forty years or so, and decided to take the plunge on the above car, thinking low mileage, and full service history would make for a perfect car.
The service history really only means that the oil, filters, plugs, and wiper blades have been changed regularly. It does nothing to stop the incredible amount of faults that appear on these cars.
My car has the old favourite tyre pressure monitoring system failure(ECU in boot = £500), heated rear screen failure(fix for £2600), air cconditioning failure, (hopefuly just gas), has a "service now" warning on start up, despite having been serviced by Bentley a 1000 miles ago, has just developed a power steering fluid leak. Im told by an independant Bentley specialist, that the engine has to come out to fix this leak, and may cost £2000!!! It also had at six years old, a partial wiring loom spliced into the dashboard for nearly £3000....SERIOUSLY!!
The car outwardly looks fantastic, with just one small stone chip, and mild swirling to the paintwork, commensurate with ten years of polishing, and a perfect interior. It's just the poor quality of the mechanicals that let it down, and disproves the old adage,that "you can't polish a turd".
They always say never meet your idol. I have, and am so disappointed it defies belief. I will keep the car for a year at best, or until something massive has me recycling it.
P.S. the cost of the repairs isn't too traumatic for me, it's just that such things should not happen on a car alleging to be prestigious. I have staff at work who buy 10 year old fords, renaults etc, and have no problems at all.
Would I buy another Bentley? NO!
Paul
SpeckledJim said:
It's much simpler to build 1,000,000 examples of a car lightly dusted with 100 gadgets than it is to build 10,000 examples of a car stuffed with 300 gadgets.
Prestigious cars like Bentleys, Aston Martins and Ferraris simply can't be developed, tested and honed to the same degree as a Mondeo.
Which is sad, but dictated by the economics.
True of Ferrari and Aston Martin but Bentley has the might of VAG behind it. Prestigious cars like Bentleys, Aston Martins and Ferraris simply can't be developed, tested and honed to the same degree as a Mondeo.
Which is sad, but dictated by the economics.
Saying that, my dads 2007 A8 is a pile of turd as well.
WelshBentleyBoy said:
Was there ever a better argument set out for having an independent pre purchase inspection. I would have thought that several of these faults would have been apparent on a test drive and any competent indie would pick up most of the rest. Do you have any come back against the vendor? Were they private, franchised or an independent?
Paul
Hello Paul, In hindsight, you're spot on about having an independant inspection prior to purchase. The TPMS light was aparent on the test drive, and I suppose I should have run through the complete set of controls for the car, but I didn't try the A/C, or indeed the rear screen demister. The power steering leak I accept could happen to a car that is, after all ten years old.Paul
The car was bought from an independant garage, who supplied me with a third party warranty. Now we find out out how good this will be.
Regards Tim
Wow, the official Bentley warranty I have suddenly seems good value :-).
These gt's are great cars and as long as you go in with your eyes open a remember that the parts make upto the original £140k cost the you should be ok. I've run my for 2 years with warranty and have only had to pay for TPMS sensors and general wear and tear items
I love mine and will sad to see it go but needs must to make way for a super sport.
On another note if anyone is interested in a Triple Black GT with Fbsh and official warranty then let me know... I would much rather see an enthusiast buy the car at a discount over the giving it to Bentley and them make £7k
These gt's are great cars and as long as you go in with your eyes open a remember that the parts make upto the original £140k cost the you should be ok. I've run my for 2 years with warranty and have only had to pay for TPMS sensors and general wear and tear items
I love mine and will sad to see it go but needs must to make way for a super sport.
On another note if anyone is interested in a Triple Black GT with Fbsh and official warranty then let me know... I would much rather see an enthusiast buy the car at a discount over the giving it to Bentley and them make £7k
Tim Farquhar said:
Hello Paul, In hindsight, you're spot on about having an independant inspection prior to purchase. The TPMS light was aparent on the test drive, and I suppose I should have run through the complete set of controls for the car, but I didn't try the A/C, or indeed the rear screen demister. The power steering leak I accept could happen to a car that is, after all ten years old.
The car was bought from an independant garage, who supplied me with a third party warranty. Now we find out out how good this will be.
Regards Tim
Glad to hear you have a fall back position. It might be worth getting your indie to do a report and hitting the warranty provider with it. Once you have got it fixed go out and enjoy it. They are well worth the aggravation that you are bound to get with a complex piece of machinery. I have difficulty in driving my Arnage T and not smiling.The car was bought from an independant garage, who supplied me with a third party warranty. Now we find out out how good this will be.
Regards Tim
Paul
Mike Scott said:
Wow, the official Bentley warranty I have suddenly seems good value :-).
These gt's are great cars and as long as you go in with your eyes open a remember that the parts make upto the original £140k cost the you should be ok. I've run my for 2 years with warranty and have only had to pay for TPMS sensors and general wear and tear items
I love mine and will sad to see it go but needs must to make way for a super sport.
On another note if anyone is interested in a Triple Black GT with Fbsh and official warranty then let me know... I would much rather see an enthusiast buy the car at a discount over the giving it to Bentley and them make £7k
.These gt's are great cars and as long as you go in with your eyes open a remember that the parts make upto the original £140k cost the you should be ok. I've run my for 2 years with warranty and have only had to pay for TPMS sensors and general wear and tear items
I love mine and will sad to see it go but needs must to make way for a super sport.
On another note if anyone is interested in a Triple Black GT with Fbsh and official warranty then let me know... I would much rather see an enthusiast buy the car at a discount over the giving it to Bentley and them make £7k
Tim Farquhar said:
They always say never meet your idol. I have, and am so disappointed it defies belief. I will keep the car for a year at best, or until something massive has me recycling it.
P.S. the cost of the repairs isn't too traumatic for me, it's just that such things should not happen on a car alleging to be prestigious. I have staff at work who buy 10 year old fords, renaults etc, and have no problems at all.
Sorry to hear of the problems. The 10 year old fords or Renaults have so much less to go wrong with them hence the reliabilty. Whereas the Bentley is so much more complicated and so much more that can go wrong, and, it's built to a price too. Really, over the last 20 years the quality of VW cars has dramatically declined, as far as I can see - I have a 1996 A6 which is in a different league and superbly well made when compared to the Touareg I recently got rid off and the 2006 A8 I used to run.P.S. the cost of the repairs isn't too traumatic for me, it's just that such things should not happen on a car alleging to be prestigious. I have staff at work who buy 10 year old fords, renaults etc, and have no problems at all.
Seriously consider an older Bentley, pre-VW.
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