Spotted, M25 Tuesday, burnt out Bentley

Spotted, M25 Tuesday, burnt out Bentley

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Discussion

Autogasm

Original Poster:

146 posts

200 months

Wednesday 12th May 2010
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Oh dear, as the title suggests I was somewhat amazed to see a new Bentley on the back of an open recovery truck having suffered what looked like a pretty severe engine fire. Not sure which model as I went by pretty quick but looked like a Continental GT from the front!

Don't think Bentley would be too happy to have this thing lapping the M25 if full view, I'm sure they insist on covered transporters?

PremierHomes

21 posts

167 months

Saturday 5th June 2010
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Wow, I wonder what happened? Like you say im sure bentley wouldn't be happy to have their cars on full view in that situation?

Balmoral Green

40,929 posts

249 months

Saturday 5th June 2010
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What on earth has it got to do with Bentley? They made that car yes, but they don't follow it around all day wiping its bottom.

If one crashes, the insurers recover it, if one breaks down, the AA/RAC or whoever relays it to the owners preferred dealer/specialist.

Problems can and do occur, you think Bentley would be aware of every mishap and arrange a clandestine op to cover it up?

Autogasm

Original Poster:

146 posts

200 months

Monday 21st June 2010
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A friend of mine worked at an Aston dealership and they were threatened with legal action by Aston Martin after recovering a car on an uncovered transporter! I am sure that Bentley would operate a similar policy when one of their cars.... fail to proceed!!

sidaorb

5,589 posts

207 months

Tuesday 22nd June 2010
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I am surprised, when I worked for one of the largest recovery companies, to get the contract they had to use only contractors with covered trucks for there recovery work, then when I worked for one of the largest independants they had two covereds dedicated to Police and Rolls/Bentley/Aston/Ferrari/Lambo contracts.

Balmoral Green

40,929 posts

249 months

Tuesday 22nd June 2010
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I must remember to tell the AA and insist on a covered wagon the next time I break down.

A car under manufacturers warranty I can understand, perhaps the roadside recovery that comes with the package does have such a stipulation, but outside of warranty they're just cars that can and do break down and get involved in accidents.

The expectation that they should be covered and everything hushed up is quite frankly, stupid.

Autogasm

Original Poster:

146 posts

200 months

Tuesday 22nd June 2010
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Well... thats the top marques for you!! I did wonder if large recovery firms had stipulations when moving them and thanks to Sidaorb, there you go!!

I bet someone at Bentley had kittens when it turned up!!

AndrewW-G

11,968 posts

218 months

Tuesday 22nd June 2010
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Autogasm said:
I bet someone at Bentley had kittens when it turned up!!
There is a very good chance nobody from Bentley will even see it.

If the car had a severe engine fire, the insurance company involved would have had the car taken to a recovery yard, and then once the claim has been settled, the car would have been sold on for scrap / parts.

Unless it was a factory owned car, I can’t see any need for it to go back to Crewe

Balmoral Green

40,929 posts

249 months

Tuesday 22nd June 2010
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Without wishing to prolong an argument, especially on the internet, how would this square?

I buy a five year old Continental GT from a specialist used car dealer, as part of the deal I negotiate an insurance backed 24 month used car warranty that comes with RAC membership.

Eighteen months after delivery, I have a breakdown or mishap. The RAC relay the car to a Specialist or a Bentley dealer at my option.

Do the RAC have to use a covered wagon?
Why would there be any expectation of a covered wagon?
Would Bentley Motors insist on a covered wagon? and what has it got to do with Bentley anyway?

Stock movements of premium cars are often done in covered wagons, and as & when cars break down, crash, catch fire etc, I don't preclude the option of a covered wagon for recovery either.

But ordinarily, it's just going to be the regular roadside recovery/relay. Which is exactly what the OP saw, so what's the big deal?

And AndrewW-G is quite right, it might go to a dealer for diagnosis/repair, or be written off and go to salvage, but it wouldn't be going to Bentley at Crewe, nor would they have any interest in it, unless they were investigating a series of similar incidents and they wanted it for appraisal. But don't forget, they don't have an automatic right to the car to do so, as it's not theirs, they would need to ask the owner or even buy the salvage from the insurer.

Edited by Balmoral Green on Tuesday 22 June 22:42

Autogasm

Original Poster:

146 posts

200 months

Tuesday 22nd June 2010
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I think its only you having an arguement???

My initial post was over my SURPRISE that a burnt out Bentley was lapping the M25 in full view! Nobody on here is saying that Bentley's SHOULD only be transported in covered vehicles, or that you SHOULD wait until one turns up, but the fact is the MANUFACTURER sometimes insists on it!! Bentley's shouldn't breakdown or burst into flames and all that!

If my new Bentley had caught fire, I wouldn't care less if it was transported in full view, but Bentley would I'm sure. Had it been a Ford Focus, nobody would have looked twice, which is precisely why the top marques require covered transporters. People take note!

Crikey, it aint so touchy over in the TVR forums relating to breakdowns, its an everyday part of life!

Balmoral Green

40,929 posts

249 months

Tuesday 22nd June 2010
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I don't know about touchy, but some people have some strange ideas about the cars and breaking down, usually along the lines of urban myth.

I remember a long time ago, I was told about how a RR had broken down, RR came along and whisked the car away in a covered wagon, and the owner was given a brand new car by RR, a wad of cash, a nod and a wink and the insistence that "It never happened". Such tales irk me, not least because they are believed and perpetuated.

Your surprise that the car wasn't covered just struck a similar chord, that's all. The warranty & after sales package on the cars isn't much different to many others, including the bread & butter brands.

smile

Edited by Balmoral Green on Tuesday 22 June 23:43

Autogasm

Original Poster:

146 posts

200 months

Thursday 24th June 2010
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Glad we understand each other, I certainly didn't intend any heated discussion over it. Having heard the story that I posted earlier re- Aston Martin from the horses mouth, I would have assumed that Bentley would operate a similar policy.

I have an RR 'spotted' thread next!!!!!

Autogasm

Original Poster:

146 posts

200 months

Thursday 24th June 2010
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But can I just say, I'm still very suprised to see a burnt out Bentley lapping the M25 in full view :-D!!!

Balmoral Green

40,929 posts

249 months

Thursday 24th June 2010
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Autogasm said:
heated discussion
Nah, I just like to post a lot of argumentative garbage, it's what internet forums are for!

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by Balmoral Green on Thursday 24th June 13:49

Mulliner GT

302 posts

193 months

Friday 25th June 2010
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When my GT breaks, a few times too often. Bentley Assist sends a RAC petrol. When it gets recovered, they put duct tape over number plates, boot emblem and cover up alloys. Its never been covered and I couldn't care less. Although neighbours find it funny. I'm glad its a regular occurance as sometimes a scruffy looking contractor relays it away, it can look like its been repo'd. rofl

Edited by Mulliner GT on Friday 25th June 16:19

Bluebottle911

811 posts

196 months

Monday 28th June 2010
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Mulliner GT said:
When my GT breaks, a few times too often.
I would be much more interested to hear about this - why? how often? etc. - than whether the trailer on which it is taken away is covered or not (or what colour it is). What are the issues?

Mulliner GT

302 posts

193 months

Monday 28th June 2010
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Bluebottle911 said:
Mulliner GT said:
When my GT breaks, a few times too often.
I would be much more interested to hear about this - why? how often? etc. - than whether the trailer on which it is taken away is covered or not (or what colour it is). What are the issues?
Complete new Gearbox
Coil packs
Spicing kit
Wiper mechanism stopped
Starter motor
various sensors changed

All paid for by Bentley warranty, age of car 05/55 with 41k miles.
Bentley dealers, the 3 I have used, all absolutely superb.
Would I but another, oh yes...

Autogasm

Original Poster:

146 posts

200 months

Wednesday 30th June 2010
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Bluebottle911 said:
Mulliner GT said:
When my GT breaks, a few times too often.
I would be much more interested to hear about this - why? how often? etc. - than whether the trailer on which it is taken away is covered or not (or what colour it is). What are the issues?
It was blue and was one of those twin deck ones!!