RR New Silver Spirit vs Bentley Arnage T

[Kevert]

Fellow enthousiasts. My first post after using PH for many years to gather a lot of information on different cars I have owned.

I currently own a 1986 Bentley Eight and really enjoyed it for the last three years. Unfortunatly the engine needs a full rebuild and the costs are way more than the value of the car here in NL. So decided to part the Eight and go an look for something new. Always liked the last version (new) of the Silver Spirit/Spur from 1996 onwards but also very interested in the Arnage but only the T's. So looking for advice here.

I have been looking around for solid examples of both and now have found an example of both:

1. RR Silver Spirit 1997 dark blue with tan hide. 55tkm from new cherised by three owners from new EU car. Beautiful car with very light corrosion on the top of the doors (the all seem to have this on one of the aluminium panels). Good service history.

2. Bentey Arnage T 2003 silver with black hide. 60tkm from new two owners from new, EU car. Also beautiful car with good service history

I really like the color combination on the RR but think the Arnage is the more practical car and therefore I would use it more (neither would be a daily driver)

Looking for real world experiences with one of these cars or maybe even someone who has/had both.

[Longy00000]

Can't offer anything on the RR but to the best of my knowledge the Arnage T cars are more revered for the post 2006/7 era. I think they can be liable for top end rebuilds on earlier cars (€8000 ?) where the later ones had this remedied and are seen as more robust.
You may want to google this before committing

[TarquinMX5]

As Longy says. There were some issues with the Arnage engines but significant changes were made for model-year 2007, when a 6-speed auto box was also introduced. The early ones had 6.75 litres on the under-bonnet plaque (centre front), whereas the revised ones had 6 3/4 litres.

Similarly, there have been some reported issues, although quite a while ago now, on the last Spirits / Mulsannes etc, the ones with the mirror fitted into the window base rather than on the door, ie no front quarter lights, 94/95? onwards. These were fitted with a Zytek ECU which, certainly for a while if not still the case, were unsupported. I seem to recall that Flying Spares were retailing some refurbed ones a while ago and don't know if that's still the case.

Both issues mentioned above may or may not be something to be concerned about but if not aware it might be worth researching the subjects such that at least you are aware. I seem to recall that there used to be numerous topics on the Zytek on the Australian Rolls Royce forum but it was quite a few years ago.

Eta: typo

Edited by TarquinMX5 on Friday 5th June 21:48

[Kevert]

Thanks both. I have checked out both cars. RR to many small things not working/damaged, Bentley very nice car but disappointed by the (lack of) quality of the leather on everything besides the seats.

Considering to take the step to a second gen Flying Spur V8 and trade in my Cayenne and use it as one of the two daily’s