Continental GT 2002 ONWARDS

[Philip Edginton]

Have many of our members owned one of these modern Bentley skate boards. I use that phrase as It tickled me when I first heard an owner call his car that.
After watching a few programs about these models, I am left wondering why they have depreciated so much so quickly.
Lets be vulgar, from over £120k to a well looked after model at £22k. Yes I know that is over a period of say 15 /16 years.
From what I can gather the standard of build is very good, only moan is about the batteries needing a constant trickle charge if not used regularly.
Would now be the time to search and replace my SZ Brooklands at a low market price.
As an added thought, they are also now having a supply of used parts at sensible prices.
Have given up on the idea of having a continental R. the parts are much too difficult to find for them.

Your thoughts are welcome.

[AskerBrowne]

I bought a 2004 GT when it was five years old and kept it for 10 years, taking it up to 96,000 miles.
The faults that I had to rectify were all electrical. The 'handbrake' warning light had a mind of ot's own, and would come on at randonm in spite of nil fault. The most worrying was an exhaust manifold temperature sensor that thought the car was overheating, and would cause the engine to shut down.This could happen at ant time or speed, in heavy traffic or at motorway speed. It disabled the power steering and brakes. It took Bentley Hampshire three weeks to find the fault and fix it, since it was intermittent.
The passenger foot well was prone to flooding if the drain holes below the windscreen scuttle became blocked. They are hard to reach but ideally give them a blast of compressed air from time to time. I also put a couple of newspapers below the passenger side carpet, to act as a blotter in case of a leak.
Keep the key fob batteries in good order, otherwise you will not be able to get in the car. Always have a spare fob battery about your person (not in the car!)
The boot is supposed to open if you press the 'B' on the logo. Most are wrecked by water, but replacements are available.
I find that Bentley main dealers are more interested in selling new cars than in servicing old ones, so finding an able indy will save you labour charges.
To start with, the GT was a head turner, but alas no longer. The paint on my 18 year old Suzuki Jumny was in better order than that on the GT. The Jimny lived outdoors and the GT was garaged.In spite of all this, the GT was a thrill to drive and I'm glad I had the experience. I now have an Arnage T Mulliner II which is in a different league, and for all practical purposes, just as fast.
As ever, a bulging service file is essential.for the GT.

[Philip Edginton]

Thank you for that resume about the GT. I was hoping to hear a different story, maybe an improvement on the electrics and silly things that do not happen on a Toyota at half the price.looks too much like a Jag.

Did look at the Arnage, however could not bring myself to swop the Brooklands after spending more than was respectable. Unless the deal was absolutely too good to miss.
Any problems with that model you would care to inform us about.

If only they did a tin top convertible.

[AskerBrowne]

The Arnage is a brute but a comfortable one. Whilst the engine bay is stuffed there is more room than in the GT. Plenty of parts are shared with Audi which are a lot cheaper. The engine runs best on a 10w/40 oil which keeps the tappets quiet. Ideally go for 2007 or later which have roller tappets. In Arnage T guise it is just astounding.

[Philip Edginton]

OOOOH NOW THAT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING I MIGHT ENJOY. sorry I got quite exited there.

[AskerBrowne]

If you enjoy the thrill of the big dipper, the satisfaction of your bowel movement, and a mutual orgasm you can experience them simultaneously if you put the T into sport mode at 40 mph and floor the pedal.
Best done on a deserted dual carriageway!

[John Robins]

I have been a member of this club for 37 years, and can think of nothing that I have seen or read in that time that better sums up the way that the club should be!

Well done, gentlemen, and put your chamois leathers in the shredder before attending the next concours event.

[AskerBrowne]

Many thanks to John for the praise - most unexoected.
I paid £28,000 for the Arnage and it is not without it's faults. I had a pre-purchase inspection by Bentley Hampshire who gave it the OK. I then acquired it and put it in for a service and two new batteries. That's when they found the cracked water pump, which they had previously failed to spot. I went 50/50 with the vendor to get that fixed, at a cost of about £1,500 each. Then, after a year of ownership, condensation caused water to accumulate behind the plastic headlight frontage. Finding this offensive, I had a new headlight fitted. The unit alone is about £1,600 plus 4 hours labour charge. I should have just drilled a small hole in the plastic to let the water out. Other than that, no major dramas and I have put the miles up to 67,000 from the56,000 at purchase two years ago.
Niggles? There is a beeper that goes off continually at about 76 mph. My best efforts with the raised screen have failed to up it to come on at 90 mph or to turn it off totally. There is also a loud 'Bong' at 90, which I would also like to get rid of.
The passenger seat is reluctant to adjust and I suspect a broken inner belt. However, Mrs.A-B is not fussed, so I'll not spend money on it.The hands-free phone is intended to work with an old Nokia, so is defunct.
Otherwise, all seems well. It's a somnulent tiger unless you poke itwith a sharp stick!

[Philip Edginton]

I think I only bought the Bentley to re live my misspent youth, high speed journeys in souped up cars of the 50 and 60's. virtually no chance of any road holding as one sped around the little used roads at that time, plus if course full use of the great west road, avoiding the Daimler Dart patrol car when possible. Sweeny style driving in numerous jags.
I have the non turbo Brooklands, but I have no problem challenging other cars, although it is them that tend to ask if it can go quicker than their modern stuff. If am not sure then I just give a shrug and PROCEED.

daily use is the byword for these cars.

Oh yes it is wonderful how courteous other drivers are to my car.