The Bentley Experience? Anyone done it?

[tomvcarter]

Hi, I just won tickets to go on the Bentley experience, its a tour round the factory in Crew and then a drive in the Continental GT...
Has anyone been on this?
I would need to drive to Crewe from London and take a days holiday from work, and dont want to do it if its a disapointing day out, with a 5 min spin the GT...
Any info would be much appreciated?
Thanks Tom

[mcdjl]

If you don't want it...

[dave1409]

I haven't done the experience, but have spent a little time working in the factory. It's definately worth a visit.

[Liokault]

dave1409 said:

I haven't done the experience, but have spent a little time working in the factory. It's definately worth a visit.

I haven't done the experience, but have spent a little time working in the factory. It's definately not worth a visit

[williamp]

go for it! It;ll be a great day out touring a factory if nothing else. The drive will be a ncie bonus. As someone else has said, if you dont want it...

[Greenpis]

Did it last year, was a great day.

Two hours in a GTC and a GT Speed, with no restriction on speed limits. You just had to cough for the points if caught.

Lunch wasn't bad.

Then tour of the factory, very interesting. But if you've never been in a car factory before you may find it a bit boring.

Got to lounge in the Mulsanne before it went off to a launch thingy.

Drove up from London also, worth the drive. Stayed at Rookery Hall only 5 minutes drive to the factory, would recommend.

Very nearly tempted to place an order

[jonnydm]

This looks interesting. How long does one get to take a CGT away for? Any idea how much it costs?

[jonnydm]

Greenpis said:

Did it last year, was a great day.

Two hours in a GTC and a GT Speed, with no restriction on speed limits. You just had to cough for the points if caught.

Lunch wasn't bad.

Then tour of the factory, very interesting. But if you've never been in a car factory before you may find it a bit boring.

Got to lounge in the Mulsanne before it went off to a launch thingy.

Drove up from London also, worth the drive. Stayed at Rookery Hall only 5 minutes drive to the factory, would recommend.

Very nearly tempted to place an order

Never or ever?

[tomvcarter]

Greenpis said:

Did it last year, was a great day.

Two hours in a GTC and a GT Speed, with no restriction on speed limits. You just had to cough for the points if caught.

Lunch wasn't bad.

Then tour of the factory, very interesting. But if you've never been in a car factory before you may find it a bit boring.

Got to lounge in the Mulsanne before it went off to a launch thingy.

Drove up from London also, worth the drive. Stayed at Rookery Hall only 5 minutes drive to the factory, would recommend.

Very nearly tempted to place an order

2hrs in the car!

Sweet... is that the norm?

Feeling tempted already... M3 swap for a GT... hmm

[Greenpis]

tomvcarter said:

Greenpis said:

Did it last year, was a great day.

Two hours in a GTC and a GT Speed, with no restriction on speed limits. You just had to cough for the points if caught.

Lunch wasn't bad.

Then tour of the factory, very interesting. But if you've never been in a car factory before you may find it a bit boring.

Got to lounge in the Mulsanne before it went off to a launch thingy.

Drove up from London also, worth the drive. Stayed at Rookery Hall only 5 minutes drive to the factory, would recommend.

Very nearly tempted to place an order

2hrs in the car!

Sweet... is that the norm?

Feeling tempted already... M3 swap for a GT... hmm

Think it's the norm, but happy to be corrected. Mine was a corporate day.

Setup was Two groups of 5 couples(10). One group does the factory tour in the morning, whilst other group took the cars out.

Then reverse for the afternoon.

Car selection was a GTC, GT, GT Speed, Flying Spur & a Flying Spur Speed.

They were open to requests to drive particular cars, so I got in with mine first (OH wanted to drive the GTC - because it was RED!)

Don't think I would have enjoyed as much if I had taken out one of the Spurs.

And the GT Speed is a vast improvement on the GTC, I know the extra weight - but amazing in comparison. And the GTC had more headroom in the rear(with roof up) than the GT???

Bentley Driving Instructor was excellent, former Derbyshire Police driving instructor. Learnt a few things about 'making progress', some highway code revision and some good stories of previous drivers kerbing the alloys on the first corner.

Highlight of the day - Select Sport setting and floor it from 0 to 80.

Think you can guess that I enjoyed it, and would recommend. The stty drive up the M1/6 was worth it.

Also got to have a look around the Bentley Routemaster that was refurb'd for the Bentley charity. Excellent job for a worthy cause, was featured on PH before christmas, I think.

[Greenpis]

jonnydm said:

Greenpis said:

Did it last year, was a great day.

Two hours in a GTC and a GT Speed, with no restriction on speed limits. You just had to cough for the points if caught.

Lunch wasn't bad.

Then tour of the factory, very interesting. But if you've never been in a car factory before you may find it a bit boring.

Got to lounge in the Mulsanne before it went off to a launch thingy.

Drove up from London also, worth the drive. Stayed at Rookery Hall only 5 minutes drive to the factory, would recommend.

Very nearly tempted to place an order

Never or ever?

Just notice the bold never, so my answer above was somewhat irrelevant to your question.

Now to answer the question I think you asked, probably both actually.
I found it interesting as have been in car factories quite often, and was able to make comparisons between true mass production and Bentley production. In an anorak way.
OH doesn't understand or interested in anything mechanical, but likes cars in a 'female' way, found it interesting from 'blonde' perspective!

[jonnydm]

Greenpis said:

jonnydm said:

Greenpis said:

Did it last year, was a great day.

Two hours in a GTC and a GT Speed, with no restriction on speed limits. You just had to cough for the points if caught.

Lunch wasn't bad.

Then tour of the factory, very interesting. But if you've never been in a car factory before you may find it a bit boring.

Got to lounge in the Mulsanne before it went off to a launch thingy.

Drove up from London also, worth the drive. Stayed at Rookery Hall only 5 minutes drive to the factory, would recommend.

Very nearly tempted to place an order

Never or ever?

Just notice the bold never, so my answer above was somewhat irrelevant to your question.

Now to answer the question I think you asked, probably both actually.
I found it interesting as have been in car factories quite often, and was able to make comparisons between true mass production and Bentley production. In an anorak way.
OH doesn't understand or interested in anything mechanical, but likes cars in a 'female' way, found it interesting from 'blonde' perspective!

Thanks.

Now if anyone could tell me if there is any cost that would be great!
I wouldn't be going as part of a corporate event or as a prospective punter.

Edited by jonnydm on Tuesday 11th May 00:33

[tomvcarter]

i won the day in a competition with Barclays... but you can pay via the Bentley website

[Eviltad]

Liokault said:

dave1409 said:

I haven't done the experience, but have spent a little time working in the factory. It's definately worth a visit.

I haven't done the experience, but have spent a little time working in the factory. It's definately not worth a visit

+1

[tomvcarter]

i won the day in a competition with Barclays... but you can pay via the Bentley website

[tomvcarter]

£200 for a train ticket to Crewe! ouch i hope its worth it