John

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john clock colle

Original Poster:

20 posts

155 months

Friday 17th March 2017
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Evening all.
I I have been a Bentley man for about 10 years now. Started with a Continental s (1995), seven years ago I bought a Arnage T (2007) three years ago I bought a GTC (2007) and have been wondering where to go next. I have looked at a couple of new shape Brooklands (perhaps to replace the Continental s) but have been intrigued by the Mulsanne range.
Most of the posts mention the look of the frontal view of the car but I have always had issues with the rear 3/4 view.
I expect that we are all the same and I have mentioned to a couple of friends when I have seen one that I been thinking about but after 2-3 cars I was starting to bore myself.
I thought that the only thing to do was to find one and jump in.
I have bought a 2011 example, dark blue and cream ( they may call it "string!"). First thoughts are that it is fantastic!
The front is more distinctive than ugly (I like it) and the rear 3/4 does not seem to be an issue.
You can see why they command the money.
I will try to post a couple more times to say how things are working out but first impressions are of a class act.
I expect that somebody will be on my case for saying it but it is my understanding that the Muslanne is more a proper Bentley than the Spur range.
Regards, John

jeyjey

220 posts

97 months

Friday 17th March 2017
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Congrats, John!

I think I prefer the Arnage front and the Mulsanne rear 3/4 view. But the interior of the Mulsanne is drop-dead gorgeous.

Cheers,
Jeff.

john clock colle

Original Poster:

20 posts

155 months

Saturday 18th March 2017
quotequote all
Hi Jeff
You are correct about the interiors, a major part of my buying decision. Even with this you can drive yourself potty.
My car is not been through the Mulliner program, I have sketchy knowledge of what this entails but I understand you would have had diamond quilted seats (?). Looking at other cars for sale some have TVs etc in the rear headrests and sunroofs. So it sounds like I have bought myself a poverty spec car, but it just looked right. Some I have noticed have two tone seats, just because the new buyer had the money to spec what they like does not mean that they should have.
I understand your views on the front of the Arnage (I still think that it looks good) but trust me the Muslanne looks better in the flesh than in pictures.
Regards,
John.

jeyjey

220 posts

97 months

Saturday 18th March 2017
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The sunroofs eat up a lot of headroom. I have one on my Arnage, but I wish I didn't.

Cheers,
Jeff.

AmitG

3,298 posts

160 months

Sunday 9th April 2017
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John - how are you getting on with it? I saw one when driving past the Sevenoaks Bentley dealer. I would have liked to stop to have a closer look, but I wasn't thinking of buying one, and I doubt they will take a Prius as trade in smile

But it did look beautiful. Would love to know what it's like.

john clock colle

Original Poster:

20 posts

155 months

Monday 10th April 2017
quotequote all
Hello AmitG
We are just finishing a Bentley Drivers tour based in Essex. We had booked in our Continental s to take so we thought we better stick with it but it would have been nice to have brought the Mulsanne to further test it out. The weekends away with (or without) the drivers club are a good way of getting to know your car as owning (any) prestige car carries a great deal of responsibility, as much as you tell yourself you are not going to let the car worry you (normally about parking) you (well I) can't help yourself. As the aircon is not working at present in the Continental it was not one of my better ideas.
Regarding the Mulsanne, Autocar have just done a review on them that makes interesting reading. I was left with the feeling from reading the article that (although they seemed to rate the car) it is a car to be driven in. I am neither in a position to or would want to be driven.
My view is that it is a great drivers car. I turned up to look at the Mulsanne in my Arnage (which I will be selling soon) so the (private) seller could see that I was used to the marque and after a look at the car suggested that I drove it. Obviously I would drive it prior to buying but he lived on a fast and narrow country lane, pulling out of his drive was character building, and I was surprised he let me drive straight away, thinking about it perhaps he did not fancy the idea of pulling out himself, the reason for selling the car.
Straight away you felt totally relaxed and in control (good job I hear you say) but what I mean was that the car does not feel to big to drive. It is actually no wider than the Arnage but 170mm longer. I and others have touched on the styling but as mentioned (although dodgy) in photographs it looks good (to me) in the flesh (well metal) my wife (who does not "get it") said it looks like a presidents car and I guess that sums it up, I feel very presidential driving it !
Regards, John.

sealtt

3,091 posts

158 months

Friday 14th April 2017
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That is how a top end luxury car should make you feel!

Interesting to read your thoughts, thanks.