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Arnage or Continental GT

10K views 8 replies 7 participants last post by  Johnma 
#1 ·
Hi all


Really appreciate anyone's advice or suggestion. (You know them times you just need someone to convince you your doing the right thing to make you pull the trigger!)


I've had a couple of Shadows, Spirits, and a Turbo but at present im RR/Bentleyless!
Dad picked his 99' Arnage up 2 Saturdays ago and im back in love again. I've been toying for a year or so about pulling the trigger on a Continental GT. The prices for early entry level ones are in the £23-£25k mark now and they look so much car for the money.


I've presently got a Range Rover Vogue and an older CL500 Mercedes. The new car would replace the Merc so 2 door and no back leg room is not an issue!


Car would be a daily driver but only around 8000 mile a year. I appreciate im buying entry level so to expect some problems. Nuts and bolt problems arnt really an issue as I can cope with most of that, but its the electrics, ecu's etc and major repairs..


Now my issue is, ive started doing as much homework as I can regarding what to look for and models, years to avoid. What ones have all the toys etc... And all I seem to find is horror stories of living with a GT.
Permenant electrical issues, money pits, 10mpg etc etc..


So its got me considering an Arnage for reliability. Not really what I wanted as I think the GT looks more modern (although the Arnage's are stunning)


Just wondered if anyone living with an early GT could offer any insight? Or maybe point me in the direction to get some positive/genuine/realistic advice?


Thanks so much in advance


Terry
 
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#2 ·
Hi Terry
IMHO
I've seen GT's in bits and they look a total nightmare to work on , days of work to change simple things like vacuum pipes, seems most things are complete drop engine and subframe to do anything!
Even headlamp bulb is front panel, wing off etc.
when I was looking a few years ago I came to the conclusion the best Arnage was the 4.4L has this was what it was designed for.
Up to you!
Good luck
Mike
 
#3 ·
I have a picture somewhere of a CGT with the entire front off and engine out... just to change the starter! The specialist I use now do a lot of the 'new' cars as well (but not the new RRs) and they say that bolts are always siezed/rusty, and the engines need to come out for so many 'small' jobs it is ridiculous. But then, I guess thats what you get when you wrap a VW Phaeton W12 in a pretty body the rnning gear was never designed for.
 
#4 ·
This is kind of the impression I was getting. I was hopeing I had just stumbled across the bad reviews. :(


Dads Arnage is lovely. That's the 4.4L in Meteor Blue with Parchment leather. Just all the Rolls/Bentleys ive owned before have been the 4 door luxury type. I just thought the 2 door GT could be a change and looks quite modern..
As I say, im handy with nuts and bolts, but im reading everywhere that its major strip down to do anything. Kinda worry that as im buying at the cheaper end the cars going to be off the road longer than on it!
Maybe an Arnage is the way to go.. My only niggle is how many similarities inside it has to my old 80's Spirit. Door handles, switches, sun visers, air vents etc.. All stunning, just maybe not "different enough" to warrant the £20-£25k if that makes sence?
 
#6 ·
GT prices will continue to drop as they get older and wear and tear sets in. These are expensive cars to maintain and most of the dash is VW Phaeton. I used to drive a Continental Flying Spur. The ride was nice but luckily I did not have to dish out for the repairs. Thr front air struts are over $6K to replace alone. Better ones can be obtained from Arnott but this gives you an idea since this is a common problem.
 
#7 ·
Hi Terry, have you thought about the older Continental? The later ones have more power and they look great. Not too bad to repair also. Otherwise, I would recommend looking into an extended warranty/service contract. If you go that way, investigate thoroughly as some are crap while others will pay for repairs. I too have seen at my indie garage, newer Conti's with the whole front subframe out for what we call simple repairs. Good luck in your hunt and research.

Mark
 
#8 ·
If you own an older C215 , CL500, complexity should not be anything that scares you given how complex these cars are. I think that your father probably bought the most easy to maintain Bentley. The BMW 4.4 motor is pretty stout and there are about a million BMW forums with expert knowledge to help you when you run into issues. To the point that Mark made, a 90's continental R would be a thing to cherish. Sadly these don't seem to be available in the US.
 
#9 ·
Hi, I just part exchanged my Arnage 4.4 with LPG conversion to a van trader in Leicester. I think it's still for sale on eBay. Easy to work on being a lot of BMW parts and so cheap to run on LPG. It's up for £12,995.00 . It's not perfect but the cheapest Bentley to buy and run. Have a look.
 
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