Bentley Turbo R total shite! Now, Brooklands 'R' turbo shite....

[MarvinsMom]

yeay, big bentley back and fixed.... and it only owes you a kidney, your fresh human liver, a limb or 3.....

 

enjoy! i know i would....

[oldcars]

Love it. If i squint at the photos it looks a bit like my 75   

[NorfolkNWeigh]

I can. I've dealt with him too and I thought the exact opposite. To be fair, I bought a restoration project of an old BMW from him, not anything RR or Bentley and he was a pleasure to deal with.

I thought he was OK when I bought my Turbo R from him, otherwise I wouldn't have bought it. Even when he bought it back 5 years later I was happy to deal with him, even if I was kicked in the balls on price.

The next owner wasn't so lucky and I can't say I remembered renewing the diff ,having a full hydraulic service or recon transmission. All of which were in the service history during my ownership including copies of invoices in my name- the new owner wrote to me out of curiosity, I bet he wishes he hadn't !

The new owner passed away shortly afterwards, so nothing came of it.

[xtriple]

I barely slept last night for worrying about the bastard. It is blowing about three different gales from three different directions and stuff is tumbling  down the road... noisily! I know the old girl is hardly likely to blow away but things could hit it/fall on it. So far, she seems okay....

 

It doesn't seem right to leave it outside on the street but I have zero choice at the moment, I need to look into garages again. Urgently!

 

I am currently worrying myself  to death why the clock doesn't work (wired wrong) So I asked Paul at Specialist cars.... He is an utter bastard!   He said, and I quote:

 

'sounds like the feed is wired wrong. I will need another holiday around Easter time so we will look into it in the New Year!' Yes, I am officially, the holiday fund!

 

Got asking him about bills for work done, ten grand is not that unusual! Not every week but certainly a few times per year. Biggest bill he's handed out this year was well into the 20s for all new liners and pistons and a complete engine rebuild (owner wanted to keep the original engine) but the car which needed it was worth 150-200K so not really a worry! It was a beautiful S2 Continental in red. and so pretty I wanted to marry it!

 

Their workshop (big) was absolutely crammed with cars! Everything from (value wise) an old Shadow 1 through to that S2 Continental and covered Spirits, Turbos, and even a very new Brooklands (VW shit) that I had to admit, was a lovely car. He was having a moan about just how many ecu's there are on the new one, and this cars various computers had fallen out with each other and would no longer talk to their neighbours! Total electrical shutdown, no start, and was getting pricey....

 

My mate Mark who keeps running me up there and looks after the mutts while I pay is a photographer/editor of a magazine and is going to do a feature in the new year, Paul was keen, even though it will be a photographic mag rather than car related. Should be fun.

 

Still no word from the arse with my pinstripes. I wish they were easy to get, I'd just buy a new lot and fuck him off. I put loads of work his way (his work is good... when he can be arsed to do it, or needs money) and he let me down on every one! Obviously, I don't recommend him any more!

[xtriple]

I thought he was OK when I bought my Turbo R from him, otherwise I wouldn't have bought it. Even when he bought it back 5 years later I was happy to deal with him, even if I was kicked in the balls on price.

The next owner wasn't so lucky and I can't say I remembered renewing the diff ,having a full hydraulic service or recon transmission. All of which were in the service history during my ownership including copies of invoices in my name- the new owner wrote to me out of curiosity, I bet he wishes he hadn't !

The new owner passed away shortly afterwards, so nothing came of it.

There are so many rogues out there in the classic car world. I guess that's why I distrusted Specialist Cars  to begin with. Obviously I should have distrusted 'Inglebys' and did, but not enough!

 

When you find a dealer/specialist that's good, you really have to nurture them and pray they don;t get old and retire, or broke and shut down!

[xtriple]

Small update time.

 

Had the tracking done at a place with a Hunter four wheel alignment thing. Brooklands was miles out and the rear is not adjustable at all but the front is. Now feels much better, more precise and brakes dead straight hands off the wheel. Good.

 

Stereo is being a nightmare: totally different to any other Alpine unit and the wiring is Bentley specific and seems to be a problem. Going to a radio specialist tomorrow to see if the original head unit can be repaired.

 

One headlight had a ftp and was expecting to need a new bulb but it was free fix in so much as it was just a green connection - free fix, not many of those on this thing!

 

Driving with no music playing is nice! I was always a bit wary of turning it off as you never know what horrible noises may be lurking... but, there are none... other than a squeak from the dashboard somewhere. The car is eerily quiet, it just purrs along  with a lovely V8 sub sound, it sounds glorious! It doesn't even get much louder when you boot it: you can hear the turbo spool up (very remotely I must admit) and it fair flies when you do, it is very rapid for a big lass!

 

I am using it as my daily driver. I really want to just to get used to it and see if she throws up any more horrors. Also, I think she needs using - controls for the air con (climate control sorry!) were very dicey to begin with and needed a fiddle to get anywhere with it. Use seems to have sorted that out thankfully, and everything is either feeling better or I am becoming less scared of using her!

 

Polished her the other day.... bloody big car I found and nearly killed me doing it! Surprisingly few body faults on her, electrolytic corrosion on the doors round the handles and a bubble on the (alloy) bonnet and other than that, good. The paint (old and new) came up great and I did intend to give her a coat of wax, but of course it started raining again... ho hum!

 

The lad came round last night (in the dark and blowing a gale!) and did the pinstripes on the front wing - perfect job! Spot - on colour match and the stripes themselves match size and spacing wise to perfection. I am impressed. He had bad things to say about Mike as well, apparently everyone does as he is so unreliable. Drugs kids - just say 'no'!

 

All in all, I LOVE THIS CAR!

 

It is everything I could have hoped for and more. I do bemoan the amount it has cost, but as the car is soooooo nice to drive, the pain is sort of fading away I can not get used to the attention the old girl gets: people ignore Porsches  and MBs and the like that are worth (in money terms) twice as much or more parked by her and just stare at the car. I feel unworthy as I am a scruffy old twat - I have started telling people that I am the chauffeur for the dogs and cars owner, paid to take them out for a drive and a walk! 

 

Speaking of dogs: They both like it as the windows roll completely down and they can hang there heads out much more easily than the Honda, though getting in it is much more problematic for them as it is much higher than the Honda,  Phoebe hurt herself the other day trying to jump in without help, she fell out and hurt her back. Chester just waits for a helping hand under his arse!

 

It  is great to own this car. I wish I'd done it years ago.

[steve_earwig]

Once again I am disappointed that I can only hit the "like" button just the once. That sounds thoroughly spiffing!

 

Is the Alpine OEM or something? I guess you wouldn't be bothering otherwise but I'm thinking fixing it is likely to cost more than a replacement.

[beko1987]

I'd love to come over and help you polish and wax her!

 

Be honest, have you just nailed it yet and played traffic light GP or pissed off any vagmobiles in L3? Sounds like you can afford to do it 3 or 4 times a year...

[xtriple]

I have been 'childish' several times! It's just so effortless to nail it when some VAG arse is too close and just leave them for dead, and all in total silence as well!

[Junkman]

Is there something wrong with my computer, or why can't I see any pics?

[vulgalour]

You can get steps for dogs, might be an idea to get a couple.

[the judge]

Someone on here surely can fix that radio? I could,but it would have to be posted.

 

 

 

5 grand...

 

 

Only kidding!!!!

[Guest Lord Sward]

I'm pleased your pleased with the decision to lash out again on a Bentley.  Well bloody done.

[panhard65]

They are pretty special I have found with my Rolls they are so quiet every little noise just seems to be amplified. The rear door card clips were loose and it drove me up the wall. Then driving with the window open you could hear a slight rattle from a hubcap. You end up chasing every little thing just to get it right. I finally managed to find a sensibly priced viscous fan for mine so it will come back out of hibernation for it's mot in January and to sort the fan. Hopefully your Bentley is all sorted now and you can start to enjoy it.

[Christine]

 slight rattle from a hubcap....       

 

 

Wheel nuts fallen off , or kids have put gravel in them   

[chaseracer]

Dave, would you like another AS dealer sticker?  I'll bring it down and fit it myself if you wouldn't mind picking me up from the station in the Bentley.

 

[xtriple]

That is a very kind offer, but I am a bit dubious about an Autoshite sticker... the last car was utterly fine until said sticker was affixed and then it exploded in a ball of flames and killed nuns and kittens willy-nilly!

 

However, if you are coming down this way, I will happily pick you up from the station and let you drive to wherever you are going! You will have to put up with the pong of smelly dogs and me... I smell the worst!

 

I would love a sticker for her, but...scared!

[Eddie Honda]

Stop being a scaredy-cat and get that sticker on!!

[Richard]

I don't think it will be too difficult or expensive (relatively speaking) to get the original stereo fixed. You could buy a new one but nothing else will look right in there.

[chaseracer]

https://www.yell.com/biz/n-j-abbott-mobile-auto-electrics-torquay-4871494/

 

??

 

[xtriple]

I am off to see the stereo wizard in a few minutes, I shall report back. To be honest, he sounded like a complete arse on the phone but if he can fix the head unit.fit the new one, then I will be happy.

 

If not, I shall call the chap listed above - thanks for the link

[xtriple]

The old stereo in my car is being repaired. The new one is wrong in every way - even the autochanger socket that I tried so hard to get, is the wrong one as my old stereo is.... old!

 

Anyone want an Alpine stereo head unit?

[Christine]

That'll be another £650 ... which will buy  a whole Honda coupe 

[tapir]

Xtriple, just found this and enjoyed reading about your adventures of crewe's finest, any updates,

hoping you've not had any more five figure bills!

[xtriple]

Mmmmm. No, not any more five figure bills but still causing worries, the bloody thing!

 

The 'new' steering rack lasted less than 250 miles before it was replaced again, this time with a brand new, factory fresh unit at no extra cost to me! Off the road for four days only, a new record!  Also, at the same time one of the new top suspension mounts was replaced as it had failed and the strut was leaning forward again.

 

The last two days on starting her up, I have had 'Brake Pressure' warning on the dash. This is a new worry as it hasn't done this before even when left for a few days. Yesterday it was started for the first time in two days and today it had obviously had recent use. I have no idea what this one can be as it had a new pump, accumulators and various other bits, so I wouldn't have thought anything else was about to fail?

 

I just did the brake pressure check - when it's been out for a run, park up and stop the engine, turn the ignition back on and press the brake pedal like a madman until the warning comes back. It took 55 pumps on the pedal which is good... No idea, we will see what Paul at Specialist cars says.

 

It also has periodic electrical maladies: some days the seats and mirrors don't work and then do. This however is becoming less frequent and, thinking about it, hasn't happened in a week or two, Had a headlight fail which was  a bad connection (no cost!) and the alarm/immobiliser  continues to play up and sometimes the car just won't start! This is always a pleasant experience as I just have to sit there and wait while the alarm runs its self diagnosis checks and then the car will turn over normally and start straight up.

 

Had the original stereo re-built after wasting loads of cash getting a replacement Alpine head unit - same as my old one, but totally different! All the connections and amps were unique to Rolls Royce and it was cheaper to get the old one re-done than have the car re-wired to accept a modern unit! No, there are no simple fixes...

 

Had the overmat re-trimmed with a leather foot/heel plate. Lovely job and sets the interior off a treat.

 

Lost a tiny bit of the front bumper the other day, all it does is cover a fixing point but the price for a new one was horrendous! £70 plus postage and then painting to match the car. Found one on eBay - £28 delivered (second hand) and when it arrived (the next day!) it is the same (or very close) colour as my bumper! What a miracle.... Not fitted it yet as it needs a dry day and they are in short supply!

 

Other than that, I continue to be frustrated by local garages/bodyshops - they just don't want to touch the car! So far, four body shops have looked at an easy job and declined to do it!

 

But,I still love the car. It is fabulous to drive, smooth and fast and handles beautifully... the fuel consumption is utterly appalling!

[Bren]

I can sympathise with you over bodyshops.

 

Times have now changed - more money in lots of smart repairs with a quick turnaround than having a single car taking up the shop for a week.

 

I have learned my lesson - I will walk away from anything in future that needs lots of paintwork.

[xtriple]

Just spoken to Paul and he says: all is good, normal, as it should be, stop fretting!

[Bren]

Mmmmm. No, not any more five figure bills but still causing worries, the bloody thing!

 

The 'new' steering rack lasted less than 250 miles before it was replaced again, this time with a brand new, factory fresh unit at no extra cost to me! Off the road for four days only, a new record!  Also, at the same time one of the new top suspension mounts was replaced as it had failed and the strut was leaning forward again.

 

The last two days on starting her up, I have had 'Brake Pressure' warning on the dash. This is a new worry as it hasn't done this before even when left for a few days. Yesterday it was started for the first time in two days and today it had obviously had recent use. I have no idea what this one can be as it had a new pump, accumulators and various other bits, so I wouldn't have thought anything else was about to fail?

 

I just did the brake pressure check - when it's been out for a run, park up and stop the engine, turn the ignition back on and press the brake pedal like a madman until the warning comes back. It took 55 pumps on the pedal which is good... No idea, we will see what Paul at Specialist cars says.

 

It also has periodic electrical maladies: some days the seats and mirrors don't work and then do. This however is becoming less frequent and, thinking about it, hasn't happened in a week or two, Had a headlight fail which was  a bad connection (no cost!) and the alarm/immobiliser  continues to play up and sometimes the car just won't start! This is always a pleasant experience as I just have to sit there and wait while the alarm runs its self diagnosis checks and then the car will turn over normally and start straight up.

 

Had the original stereo re-built after wasting loads of cash getting a replacement Alpine head unit - same as my old one, but totally different! All the connections and amps were unique to Rolls Royce and it was cheaper to get the old one re-done than have the car re-wired to accept a modern unit! No, there are no simple fixes...

 

Had the overmat re-trimmed with a leather foot/heel plate. Lovely job and sets the interior off a treat.

 

Lost a tiny bit of the front bumper the other day, all it does is cover a fixing point but the price for a new one was horrendous! £70 plus postage and then painting to match the car. Found one on eBay - £28 delivered (second hand) and when it arrived (the next day!) it is the same (or very close) colour as my bumper! What a miracle.... Not fitted it yet as it needs a dry day and they are in short supply!

 

Other than that, I continue to be frustrated by local garages/bodyshops - they just don't want to touch the car! So far, four body shops have looked at an easy job and declined to do it!

 

But,I still love the car. It is fabulous to drive, smooth and fast and handles beautifully... the fuel consumption is utterly appalling!

Something visceral about owning a car that is utterly appalling on fuel - it's akin to having a burd that can drink more pints of lager than you or your mates.

[mat_the_cat]

Anyone want an Alpine stereo head unit?

 

Ooh, I have a thing for old radios...any photos please? I may be tempted!

[xtriple]

I shall try and get one for you... expect delivery of said photo about 2021 as I am fucking useless!

 

I have had a reply from Paul at SC and it is looking more and more likely that something is amiss with my starter/solenoid/relay/ecu/wiring loom/key/immobiliser/or the colour of the car is so offensive to itself that it is protesting its own existence.

 

Oh hum...

 

He asked me if I can hear  anything clicking when we have our non-start adventures... usually the first thing you listen for and of course, I have not! No fucking idea, so now I have to wait until it does it again which could be today or three weeks time.

 

I shall go and look at said stereo now, hold on......... TDM 7580E is the model number. It is all complete along with little loom, cage etc and was from Alpine recon themselves. It should be good....