Looked at this GT today - Newbie questions?
Discussion
Starting my search with one of the closest cars to me:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
The car has full stamped service book but no supporting invoices except the last one at 44,000 miles (interim) - all Bentley main dealer - are services due every 10,000 miles or are they time based? Will Bentley give information out on previous services as i couldn't see any evidence of when the spark plugs were last changed.
The rear spoiler had about 3 or 4 "bubbles" in it - all felt solid so looked like the part was warped possibly? is this normal or something that should be changed? It seemed to work fine though.
The leather was in good condition but a little grubby for my liking - it seems to effect the lighter leathers - is there a way to clean these back to original or do you need to go down the leather dye route?
This car has Advan tyres fitted all round - the rears need replacing along with a wheel refurb - are these tyres any good or would you be replacing with Pirelli's?
This particular car is on the higher side of my budget, but is a 55 registered car so cheaper tax (every little helps
) but no massage seats, the TPMS seemed to be non-working from the dash messages and the jury was out for the dark green leather dash/steering wheel.
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.
Good to start seeing cars in the flesh - reinforces my determination to get one and it also got approval from the boss lady which makes life a little easier!!
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
The car has full stamped service book but no supporting invoices except the last one at 44,000 miles (interim) - all Bentley main dealer - are services due every 10,000 miles or are they time based? Will Bentley give information out on previous services as i couldn't see any evidence of when the spark plugs were last changed.
The rear spoiler had about 3 or 4 "bubbles" in it - all felt solid so looked like the part was warped possibly? is this normal or something that should be changed? It seemed to work fine though.
The leather was in good condition but a little grubby for my liking - it seems to effect the lighter leathers - is there a way to clean these back to original or do you need to go down the leather dye route?
This car has Advan tyres fitted all round - the rears need replacing along with a wheel refurb - are these tyres any good or would you be replacing with Pirelli's?
This particular car is on the higher side of my budget, but is a 55 registered car so cheaper tax (every little helps
) but no massage seats, the TPMS seemed to be non-working from the dash messages and the jury was out for the dark green leather dash/steering wheel.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.
Good to start seeing cars in the flesh - reinforces my determination to get one and it also got approval from the boss lady which makes life a little easier!!
enjoythemusic said:
Some know defects on the 2006. Make sure the false air hose problem right above the transmission has been done recently (£4500 fix). Check the condition of the air bladder / suspension, as it might look like it holds air right this second, yet ***days later it could droop*** (£2500 per side to fix, four corners total). The third brake light (on roof) should have been changed (£1500), as they are known to stop working due to rain. Lots of other bits on those old 2006, and why they are priced accordingly as many know of these (and other) problems.
Just make sure you keep at a minimum $5000 to $10,000 to keep her running.
Already aware of the transmission pipe and the 3rd brake light - not seen reference to the suspension - how do you check these in sufficient detail on the car?Just make sure you keep at a minimum $5000 to $10,000 to keep her running.
This car has a service book - but not a corresponding detailed invoice for each service.
I'm giving this particular car a miss, the cheap tyres, TPMS and lack of paperwork puts it out and there are plenty more to see.
Would love to buy from approved Bentley retailer but above my budget this time
Blimey what a condescending post - you have no idea of my finances, total budget or maintenance fund. Just because I choose not to spend £50k or more on the initial purchase I am somehow not worthy of owning a Bentley or being allowed to buy one?
PH is normally a friendly and helpful bunch, not in this forum it seems
PH is normally a friendly and helpful bunch, not in this forum it seems
Edited by mattman on Thursday 8th March 21:35
johnwilliams77 said:
mattman said:
Blimey what a condescending post - you have no idea of my finances, total budget or maintenance fund. Just because I choose not to spend £50k or more on the initial purchase I am somehow not worthy of owning a Bentley or being allowed to buy one?
PH is normally a friendly and helpful bunch, not in this forum it seems
I actually think he’s providing you with very good advice ...!PH is normally a friendly and helpful bunch, not in this forum it seems
Edited by mattman on Thursday 8th March 21:35
If you have experiences that have cost that sort of money it's useful to potential buyers to share it.
Edited by mattman on Thursday 8th March 22:02
thanks Memzy - Thats really helpful information!
this is going to be a 3rd car so don't wish to sink larger amounts of money into the initial purchase. I'm taking my time with the search as the quality and history varies massively throughout the price range, so spending £10-£15k more may not guarantee avoiding some of the more common issues.
this is going to be a 3rd car so don't wish to sink larger amounts of money into the initial purchase. I'm taking my time with the search as the quality and history varies massively throughout the price range, so spending £10-£15k more may not guarantee avoiding some of the more common issues.
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
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...
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
Thought it polite to circle back on this after all the advice and thoughts given. After looking at 5 GT’s of 04/05 vintage from £20-25k I just couldn’t find the right one. Each car was nice but had something that wasn’t quite right. Service histories were lacking detail, most advertised with FSH ended up as just a stamped book with no evidence of what work had actually been done, so trying to figure out if the key jobs had been done already was difficult.
After speaking with a local Indy who I trust, I decided to give the GT a miss this time ner come back again when my budget allows a newer car. After looking at a range of different cars I found a lovely 2010 987.2 Boxster 3.4 S with PDK and some choice options. Not quite the luxury coupe I originally was after but a whole lot of fun at a different level.
Thanks again for all your input - Matt
After speaking with a local Indy who I trust, I decided to give the GT a miss this time ner come back again when my budget allows a newer car. After looking at a range of different cars I found a lovely 2010 987.2 Boxster 3.4 S with PDK and some choice options. Not quite the luxury coupe I originally was after but a whole lot of fun at a different level.
Thanks again for all your input - Matt
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