Looked at this GT today - Newbie questions?
Discussion
johnwilliams77 said:
I bought myself a V8 BMW which cost a couple of thousand so if it throws a bill beyond the cars value all is not lost..
Interesting, as traded the 2007 GTC key for key for a CPO BMW 435i M optioned with Dinan Stage 4 upgrades (didn't like the M4's synthetic steering 'feel'). The 435i is faster and more agile than the Bentley, has better back seat room, and so far has cost me $0 to keep going for the past year as the warranty is truly excellent. BMW has been a joy to work with as well.Get a BMW, enjoy the drive
I had 4 Jaguar X350 XJR's before the Bentley and had barely any problems with any of them. I'm now back in a Jaguar after getting rid of the Bentley. This time I bought an XFR which is remapped to over 600BHP and boy is it quick, quicker than the GT that a fact.
My good lady wants another GT but next time it will be main dealer supplied and as new as possible.
My good lady wants another GT but next time it will be main dealer supplied and as new as possible.
mattman said:
...The car has full stamped service book but no supporting invoices except the last one at 44,000 miles (interim) - ............ the TPMS seemed to be non-working from the dash messages and .........
That's two good reasons not to buy any second hand car never mind one as expensive as a Bentley.mattman said:
...The dealer won't provide a warranty, but will sell me one as their standard offering won't cover the Bentley and they charge £149 "admin" fee which annoys me more than it should..........
And that's a third. You might want to look very carefully at the small print on the warranty he's offering you.
Thanks all - this is great information.
Personally I don't see a BMW or Mercedes in the same atmosphere as a Bentley or Aston, but each to their own - I find a 4 series or similar Euro box is just a bit dull.
Many of the cars of this type; Bentley, Aston, Porsche, Maserati etc have the potential to throw big bills at anytime, but then again I've had BMW and Mercedes which also like do the same.
Going in eyes wide open is the key, these are special cars (in my eyes) and I have a duty to keep at least one on the road for the enjoyment of others before we all end up in driverless, electric bland boxes. I hope to join sporting bears with whatever car I end up buying after seeing what they do at some recent events.
Yes it's going to rape me financially, but for the 49 minutes a year that it will run correctly will be special
Personally I don't see a BMW or Mercedes in the same atmosphere as a Bentley or Aston, but each to their own - I find a 4 series or similar Euro box is just a bit dull.
Many of the cars of this type; Bentley, Aston, Porsche, Maserati etc have the potential to throw big bills at anytime, but then again I've had BMW and Mercedes which also like do the same.
Going in eyes wide open is the key, these are special cars (in my eyes) and I have a duty to keep at least one on the road for the enjoyment of others before we all end up in driverless, electric bland boxes. I hope to join sporting bears with whatever car I end up buying after seeing what they do at some recent events.
Yes it's going to rape me financially, but for the 49 minutes a year that it will run correctly will be special
Edited by mattman on Sunday 11th March 13:42
THIShttps://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-c... is an 04 model for similar money but with slightly lower milage and the sort of history you should expect.
It would be interesting to see how they compare.
I'm not sure I go along with the sellers "one previous owner" claim though. That sort of flexibility with the facts always make me cautious.
It would be interesting to see how they compare.
I'm not sure I go along with the sellers "one previous owner" claim though. That sort of flexibility with the facts always make me cautious.
I’m with you Matt - too many dull cars that if you took the badges off, they’d merge into the same blandness.
I thought of a Jaguar XF but it is no longer classic Jaguar shape - it could be a big Honda or Toyota, particularly here in NZ where we’ve been invaded by Japanese ‘ordinary’.
Buying a Bentley for me is the easy part but looking at the maintenance, I’m out
I look forward to your purchase Matt and following the ownership journey.
Perhaps I should look at a BMW 645, what do you reckon? More room in the back of the Bentley I guess...
I thought of a Jaguar XF but it is no longer classic Jaguar shape - it could be a big Honda or Toyota, particularly here in NZ where we’ve been invaded by Japanese ‘ordinary’.
Buying a Bentley for me is the easy part but looking at the maintenance, I’m out
I look forward to your purchase Matt and following the ownership journey.
Perhaps I should look at a BMW 645, what do you reckon? More room in the back of the Bentley I guess...
mark387mw said:
I’m with you Matt - too many dull cars that if you took the badges off, they’d merge into the same blandness.
I thought of a Jaguar XF but it is no longer classic Jaguar shape - it could be a big Honda or Toyota, particularly here in NZ where we’ve been invaded by Japanese ‘ordinary’.
Buying a Bentley for me is the easy part but looking at the maintenance, I’m out
I look forward to your purchase Matt and following the ownership journey.
Perhaps I should look at a BMW 645, what do you reckon? More room in the back of the Bentley I guess...
They can be just as bad Mark - i've done the 645 - Automatic gearbox failed at 75,000 miles £2,500 - 19" wheels crack easily - £150 to be repaired, £450 for a new wheel, Run Flat tyres are then taken out too - £325 each for the rear, £275 each for the fronts. However one of the few BMW's that provide a sense of style on the roads todayI thought of a Jaguar XF but it is no longer classic Jaguar shape - it could be a big Honda or Toyota, particularly here in NZ where we’ve been invaded by Japanese ‘ordinary’.
Buying a Bentley for me is the easy part but looking at the maintenance, I’m out
I look forward to your purchase Matt and following the ownership journey.
Perhaps I should look at a BMW 645, what do you reckon? More room in the back of the Bentley I guess...
dunebuggy said:
Car purchases are almost never rational though...and no one wants to say "I have a BMW" as opposed to simply turning up in ones Bentley...
Dull vs interesting.
Agreed, and for something far more interesting than a basic mass produced Bentley why not try a Ariel Atom, or a Caterham, a Cobra... There are soooo many interesting cars that are far more fun and less costly to run (personal opinion) than a Bentley imho.Dull vs interesting.
Think outside the box if you truly want something special, and not just another tintop you see at all the cars shows (or every day in Cheshire).
Edited by enjoythemusic on Monday 12th March 14:45
Another car viewed today - popped up 20mins from home so had to have a look. An 04 with 70,000 miles (advertised as 66,000) which does annoy me.
TPMS not working at all so not giving any menu options when pressing the "vehicle" button - is that right or should it take it into a sub-menu?
Advertised with full detailed service history including recent service - turns out that was just a stamped book with no supporting paperwork - so pretty useless for checking the known issues. The dealer advised me to call through the service stamps to see what had been done which didn't inspire me with confidence
Car itself was in good condition externally apart from all the wheels needing a refurb - did have a full set of Pirelli's that had been fitted 500 miles ago though which was good and spoiler was in perfect condition, unlike the first car as well as what looked like a recent set of discs and pads all round.
Little things nagged me though - the plastic "chrome" around the engine start button was peeling off, the black surround on the electric mirror switch was crackled and the ashtray kept leaping out every time you opened it. The door pad was pitted where the seat belt had been caught against the door too and there was wear to the drivers seat bolster - parchment leather with navy dashtops. All relatively minor stuff and i guess you should expect some of this on a 14 year old car, but to me it didn't feel like a car that had been cherised.
7 owners as well on the log book - again not a deal breaker as it equates to an owner every couple of years, but its high compared to other cars out there.
It was nice - but not the car for me, it didn't feel right and i was happy to walk away which is always a good test. It was however good to see it, compare to the 1st car (which has since been sold) and help me build a more comprehensive checklist of things to check.
This is very unlike me - usually i buy the first car i see - it makes a change to be able to be a little more "detached" and be more objective in the purchase.
the hunt continues.......
TPMS not working at all so not giving any menu options when pressing the "vehicle" button - is that right or should it take it into a sub-menu?
Advertised with full detailed service history including recent service - turns out that was just a stamped book with no supporting paperwork - so pretty useless for checking the known issues. The dealer advised me to call through the service stamps to see what had been done which didn't inspire me with confidence
Car itself was in good condition externally apart from all the wheels needing a refurb - did have a full set of Pirelli's that had been fitted 500 miles ago though which was good and spoiler was in perfect condition, unlike the first car as well as what looked like a recent set of discs and pads all round.
Little things nagged me though - the plastic "chrome" around the engine start button was peeling off, the black surround on the electric mirror switch was crackled and the ashtray kept leaping out every time you opened it. The door pad was pitted where the seat belt had been caught against the door too and there was wear to the drivers seat bolster - parchment leather with navy dashtops. All relatively minor stuff and i guess you should expect some of this on a 14 year old car, but to me it didn't feel like a car that had been cherised.
7 owners as well on the log book - again not a deal breaker as it equates to an owner every couple of years, but its high compared to other cars out there.
It was nice - but not the car for me, it didn't feel right and i was happy to walk away which is always a good test. It was however good to see it, compare to the 1st car (which has since been sold) and help me build a more comprehensive checklist of things to check.
This is very unlike me - usually i buy the first car i see - it makes a change to be able to be a little more "detached" and be more objective in the purchase.
the hunt continues.......
Edited by mattman on Tuesday 20th March 13:58
I'm sure pressing the vehicle button should bring up options regardless of the TPMS not working. I am pretty certain mine did.
The chrome on the starter button was flaky on mine too but I got a replacement off the bay.
Worn seat bolsters is a common problem, as are marks from the seat belts.
Seems like you made the right choice walking away. There are plenty out there.
The chrome on the starter button was flaky on mine too but I got a replacement off the bay.
Worn seat bolsters is a common problem, as are marks from the seat belts.
Seems like you made the right choice walking away. There are plenty out there.
Interesting thread because I am thinking of getting another CGT. Had one eight years ago and loved it and itching to go back ever since.
However I am really shocked by some of the numbers being thrown around here, not least the idea of putting aside 1250-1500 a month for service and maintenance. That's £18k a year at the upper end of that range!! This must be assuming some pretty major things going wrong every year (!) because Bentle offers fixed price servicing at £649 for an interim and £999 for major service up to year 14.
https://cdn.bentleymotors.com/downloads/en/as/Bent...
I'm aware of hydraulic pipe issues and water damage from the scuttle being £3-5k jobs but even so, these don't happen every year. So what am I missing here? I've asked around the specialists and have been told that for a good car with a complete, proper maintenance history (i.e. no skimping!) one should be banking on maintenance costs of around 1500-2500 a year, absent the odd big issue. I suspect the convertible might be a different matter - too much to go wrong and leak prone in the boot, but I'd only be interested in the Coupe.
Am I wearing rose tinted spectacles or are these horror stories being exaggerated?
However I am really shocked by some of the numbers being thrown around here, not least the idea of putting aside 1250-1500 a month for service and maintenance. That's £18k a year at the upper end of that range!! This must be assuming some pretty major things going wrong every year (!) because Bentle offers fixed price servicing at £649 for an interim and £999 for major service up to year 14.
https://cdn.bentleymotors.com/downloads/en/as/Bent...
I'm aware of hydraulic pipe issues and water damage from the scuttle being £3-5k jobs but even so, these don't happen every year. So what am I missing here? I've asked around the specialists and have been told that for a good car with a complete, proper maintenance history (i.e. no skimping!) one should be banking on maintenance costs of around 1500-2500 a year, absent the odd big issue. I suspect the convertible might be a different matter - too much to go wrong and leak prone in the boot, but I'd only be interested in the Coupe.
Am I wearing rose tinted spectacles or are these horror stories being exaggerated?
No you are not wearing rose tinted specs .
Ideally buy one that’s had the vac hoses done and a loom spice from the blocked drain if an early modal .
There in lies the dilemma.
Do I buy an early 03/04 for less £ - hoping all the known faults been “ done “ - attended to ,or do I take a younger say 09/ 10 for 2x at least £ , fault free supposedly and then pick up big bills of a 8,9 or 10 year old - normal stuff not specifically.Bentley GT related .
You know boggo stuff like suspension bush s , Aircon pumps , PAS pumps , drive shafts , disks etc .
Mines had the two biggies done I had it 03 modal 2 years and it’s just had a few minor electrical gremlins .
Oil light fault £300 fix at a B specialist .
Washer pump and new headlight washer pump ( while the tank is out ) £300
Rear spoiler has packed up going in next month - it’s due an oil change .
Currently on 76 K bought it with 62 K and new brake pads then .
But really stuff like brakes / tyres etc are consumables and mileage or fun related .
Sure the suspension bushes last X miles as do drive shaft universal joints ,but as said they are not Bentley specific.
I,am coming from Ferrari ownership - so it dare I say it cheap relatively.
Just spent £1600 on wife’s Audi 14 plater 50 K needed new front disks / pads and the clock spring in the multifunction wheel snapped = air bag light on = fail MOT .
Then we had the haldex diff oil changed - Quattro .
Just to illustrate you can get a big ish bill with a boggo car the minute the warranty drops off , well a year later .
Ideally buy one that’s had the vac hoses done and a loom spice from the blocked drain if an early modal .
There in lies the dilemma.
Do I buy an early 03/04 for less £ - hoping all the known faults been “ done “ - attended to ,or do I take a younger say 09/ 10 for 2x at least £ , fault free supposedly and then pick up big bills of a 8,9 or 10 year old - normal stuff not specifically.Bentley GT related .
You know boggo stuff like suspension bush s , Aircon pumps , PAS pumps , drive shafts , disks etc .
Mines had the two biggies done I had it 03 modal 2 years and it’s just had a few minor electrical gremlins .
Oil light fault £300 fix at a B specialist .
Washer pump and new headlight washer pump ( while the tank is out ) £300
Rear spoiler has packed up going in next month - it’s due an oil change .
Currently on 76 K bought it with 62 K and new brake pads then .
But really stuff like brakes / tyres etc are consumables and mileage or fun related .
Sure the suspension bushes last X miles as do drive shaft universal joints ,but as said they are not Bentley specific.
I,am coming from Ferrari ownership - so it dare I say it cheap relatively.
Just spent £1600 on wife’s Audi 14 plater 50 K needed new front disks / pads and the clock spring in the multifunction wheel snapped = air bag light on = fail MOT .
Then we had the haldex diff oil changed - Quattro .
Just to illustrate you can get a big ish bill with a boggo car the minute the warranty drops off , well a year later .
Thanks, Fiammetta, for a very thoughtful post. I had been thinking about a slightly later car but your suggestion of going for one which has had the big 10 year service done, together with worn renewables replaced, makes a lot of sense, particularly if the known faults have already arisen and been addressed.
Would you know if the vacuum hose replacements are now of metal or is Bentley still using the plastic hoses which always fail in time. Also, I was not sure what you meant by the "loom spice" from the drainage hole in the scuttle.
Would you know if the vacuum hose replacements are now of metal or is Bentley still using the plastic hoses which always fail in time. Also, I was not sure what you meant by the "loom spice" from the drainage hole in the scuttle.
One other thing. The instruments were hard to read on my old 2004 model which was the main reason I sold it. Eight years on, my eyesight is worse so this will still be a problem. I recall that Bentley improved instrument legibility a couple of years later - bigger numbers on the speedo - but I don't remember the model year this happened. Can anyone remind me?
Loom splice when complete repositions the bit that gets wet from being soaked due to the blocked drain higher up .
So in future if the drain reblocks that crucial part of the loom will not get wet ,or left underwater .
How ever knowing there’s an award issue with that drain I have made an adaptation out of 10 mm copper pipe fitted to a vac .
I use this now and agian to Vac out under the HVAC air in , located in the middle of the scuttle .You have to take the scuttle cover off by removing the wipers - that’s a phaff too , see the hand book .
I,ve also made a protective sheet for the fuse / relay box in the NS scuttle to protect it more from water , rain and snow melting on the grill and settling on the flat top , seeping down and eventually entering .On top there’s various VW electrical connectors just sat there waiting to corrode ? All exposed to the weather !
There’s is a fairly tight rubber OEM seal in the lid , ——— but I don’t trust it .
Rarther not test the lid or the integrity of those connectors sat on top .
Biggie here is the keyless go relays .
If water / corrosion ends up activating the starter motor electrical bits resulting in a burnt out starter - that’s an engine out job and a 4 figure bill entirely preventable .
Here’s a pic of the additional cover - silver heat proof cloth and waterproof
Regarding the vac hose I understand two schools of thought .
OEM Bentley was plastic like the one that heat weakened and leaked ,it runs across the gearbox and is near some exhaust components.
So if done by dealer it will be another plastic .
How ever for specialists some use a metal replacement of the vital heat exposed bits .
This now throws doubt in the “ file of dealer service / repairs history “ bills is better when looking at used ., and walk away if not full Bentley.Hmmm ?
I understand from a certain MY They modded the vac pipe so it can stand the heat and the scuttle drain moved to two outboard like normal Audi’s .
Not sure when or which MY has both done .
Buy even if the drains are outboard and easier to access they still have to be unclogged.
Porsche Cayenne has electrical issues , damp passenger carpet usual symptoms with blocked outboard drains .
Agian not really Bentley specific in my book .
It’s all about a little TLC .
So in future if the drain reblocks that crucial part of the loom will not get wet ,or left underwater .
How ever knowing there’s an award issue with that drain I have made an adaptation out of 10 mm copper pipe fitted to a vac .
I use this now and agian to Vac out under the HVAC air in , located in the middle of the scuttle .You have to take the scuttle cover off by removing the wipers - that’s a phaff too , see the hand book .
I,ve also made a protective sheet for the fuse / relay box in the NS scuttle to protect it more from water , rain and snow melting on the grill and settling on the flat top , seeping down and eventually entering .On top there’s various VW electrical connectors just sat there waiting to corrode ? All exposed to the weather !
There’s is a fairly tight rubber OEM seal in the lid , ——— but I don’t trust it .
Rarther not test the lid or the integrity of those connectors sat on top .
Biggie here is the keyless go relays .
If water / corrosion ends up activating the starter motor electrical bits resulting in a burnt out starter - that’s an engine out job and a 4 figure bill entirely preventable .
Here’s a pic of the additional cover - silver heat proof cloth and waterproof
Regarding the vac hose I understand two schools of thought .
OEM Bentley was plastic like the one that heat weakened and leaked ,it runs across the gearbox and is near some exhaust components.
So if done by dealer it will be another plastic .
How ever for specialists some use a metal replacement of the vital heat exposed bits .
This now throws doubt in the “ file of dealer service / repairs history “ bills is better when looking at used ., and walk away if not full Bentley.Hmmm ?
I understand from a certain MY They modded the vac pipe so it can stand the heat and the scuttle drain moved to two outboard like normal Audi’s .
Not sure when or which MY has both done .
Buy even if the drains are outboard and easier to access they still have to be unclogged.
Porsche Cayenne has electrical issues , damp passenger carpet usual symptoms with blocked outboard drains .
Agian not really Bentley specific in my book .
It’s all about a little TLC .
Edited by Fiammetta on Friday 27th April 20:32
There’s a couple more drains inside the car access by peeling back the carpet on both sides of the trans tunnel .
These are the air con drains .
You know when you park up and return to see a pool of water under on a summers day .
They drain either side of the gearbox .
If blocked water runs down and wets the carpet , car steams / mists up = damp .
But again a biggie —- there’s yet another electrical box under the passenger foot well stuffed full of relays - stuff like heated window a d much more .
You don,t want damp in there .
So I have a pipe cleaner 5 mm dia and occasionally rod those out .
Also with strimer line , poke it down the fuel filler water drain ( on all your cars ) again not Bentley specific.
If you look under the rear spoiler when it’s up there’s a couple of drains there too .
Pour a cup of water in and it should exist under the boot lip .Rod out those every now and again - again any car with a electric spoiler will have drains that need attention particularly if you park near trees blossoms etc .
Fuel filler cap and even the oil filler cap need to seal properly when replaced .
If not it will throw a check engine light - again not Bentley specific.
Ferrari’s are buggers for that if they can’t detect a + ve fuel tank pressure .= hello CEL
These are the air con drains .
You know when you park up and return to see a pool of water under on a summers day .
They drain either side of the gearbox .
If blocked water runs down and wets the carpet , car steams / mists up = damp .
But again a biggie —- there’s yet another electrical box under the passenger foot well stuffed full of relays - stuff like heated window a d much more .
You don,t want damp in there .
So I have a pipe cleaner 5 mm dia and occasionally rod those out .
Also with strimer line , poke it down the fuel filler water drain ( on all your cars ) again not Bentley specific.
If you look under the rear spoiler when it’s up there’s a couple of drains there too .
Pour a cup of water in and it should exist under the boot lip .Rod out those every now and again - again any car with a electric spoiler will have drains that need attention particularly if you park near trees blossoms etc .
Fuel filler cap and even the oil filler cap need to seal properly when replaced .
If not it will throw a check engine light - again not Bentley specific.
Ferrari’s are buggers for that if they can’t detect a + ve fuel tank pressure .= hello CEL
Gassing Station | Bentley & Rolls Royce | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff