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lluis
Unregistered guest
Posted From: 145.64.134.245
Posted on Wednesday, 01 August, 2007 - 02:14:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Dear Sirs,

I need some advice on the purchase of a Turbo R, from 1990-1994. I have started talking to specialists in The Netherlands and they seem not to agree on which would be the best model, the pre Zytek Engine Management (until 1994), the 3 speed (1992) or four speed. At the end it seems that they refer to a matter of taste.

What are the differences in living with the 3sp gearbox or with the 4sp gearbox? Any differences in terms of reliability, maintenance, performace, economy (laugh) between these gearboxes?

More over, could you please advise on the following:

- Is there any particular year that should be avoided?

- Any issues with part-supply problems for a particular model? I had heard stories about 15" tires getting really scarce.

- Are there any significant differences in terms of confort, reliability, maintenance between the pre-active suspension and the active suspension?

- Is it possible to have the 4-speed box on a car with steering-wheel mounted gearlever?

Thanks in advance for the replies.

Lluís Gimeno-Fabra

(Message approved by david_gore)
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Paul Yorke
Frequent User
Username: paul_yorke

Post Number: 60
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Wednesday, 01 August, 2007 - 16:52:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

I need some advice on the purchase of a Turbo R, from 1990-1994. I have started talking to specialists in The Netherlands and they seem not to agree on which would be the best model, the pre Zytek Engine Management (until 1994), the 3 speed (1992) or four speed. At the end it seems that they refer to a matter of taste. Late cars are harder to work on. Things like hydraulic pump seals are a real pain in the a****. Depends if you want to do anywork yourself I guess.

What are the differences in living with the 3sp gearbox or with the 4sp gearbox? Any differences in terms of reliability, maintenance, performace, economy (laugh) between these gearboxes?
4 speed locks the torque converter so better economy. More to go wrong with the 4 speed and more expensive to repair.

More over, could you please advise on the following:

- Is there any particular year that should be avoided? Possibly early active ride cars. Most have been updated by now though.

- Any issues with part-supply problems for a particular model? I had heard stories about 15" tires getting really scarce. Bigger / Wider tyres are more expensive and wear tyres and suspension faster.

- Are there any significant differences in terms of confort, reliability, maintenance between the pre-active suspension and the active suspension? More to go wrong with active ride. More expensive if you need dampers etc. Standard active ride settings are too harsh for many people. These can be re-programmed to give a 'nicer' ride.

- Is it possible to have the 4-speed box on a car with steering-wheel mounted gearlever? Errrrrr yes, R-R's I think plus ??? can't picture which at the moment.

A very good car is what you need to look out for. Any year well maintained car will be a better buy than a badly maintained car of another year.

good luck with your search.
}
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Lluís
Unregistered guest
Posted From: 145.64.134.245
Posted on Wednesday, 01 August, 2007 - 17:19:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Thanks a lot for the information. I will continue gathering information.

From what you say I understand: Pre-Active, 3 Speed (until 1992) easier to do the work yourself / live with.

Active, 4 speed, harsher ride, more problems which are harder to solve by a diy. Better economy (if the concept applies).

I will test drive a Brooklands Low Pressure Turbo in August, let's see what it's like.

Any special issues with RUST in these cars?

Thanks,

Lluís

(Message approved by david_gore)
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Robert Follia
New User
Username: robertofollia

Post Number: 7
Registered: 6-2007
Posted on Wednesday, 08 August, 2007 - 21:18:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

hi Lluis
According to your name you must be from Barcelona or its whereabouts. I'm from Barcelona, too, but now work in Northern Spain. I joined the forum and have been collecting information from these great forum and its Technical gurus. Bill Coburn is the great saver of these superb cars. If it weren't for him, most of them would be scrapped. Get some of the Tee One Topics issues (downloadable here once registered, they are are a precious deal of information).
Dealers are almost non-existant (only 2), not willing to help (at least here in Spain) and watch us as a nuisance. What they want is to sell cars, and nothing else.

I have been looking for one of these nice beasts for some time now, but can't make up my mind yet. What I have to do is test drive them to see which one suits me most. My candidates are:
1.- Bentley turbo R. Pre 1990, so no active ride. But... Most have been abused or neglected. Tyres special, scarce and VERY expensive.

2.- Benley eight 1986. Carburettor. Very simple, no ABS, no active ride. But some getting on a bit

3.- RR Corniche coupé. Really nice and elegant. But... rust, neglected cars and bodge repairs beware.

4.- Bentley T2. Same as above

Rust sections are mainly in wheelarches and sills, and front and rear valances, but this pieces are available (not cheap but not too expensive) from specialists such as Flying spares, introcar and Colbrook.

in the chassis it appears in the rear spring cups, which is a recess made in the trailing arms in which the springs seat. The trailing arms are really expensive but, again, specialists listed have repair sections for them.

The Brooklands Low pressure turbo is a great car but it's way too modern and complicated. I mean, it has the Zytek engone management system (maybe it's specific, please correct me if I'm wrong), active ride and all associated gadgetry.

So I'm as you, waiting to find what I want, and then, once found, biting the bullet and going for it.

Good luck in your research!

Regards

Robert
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Lluís Gimeno-Fabra
Yet to post message
Username: lluís

Post Number: 1
Registered: 8-2007
Posted on Monday, 13 August, 2007 - 17:04:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Hi Robert,

Yes, Barcelona is the place, but living in Holland. Saturday my wife and I took a look at a Brooklands and several Continentals. We obviuosly could not agree on what to buy, I prefer the saloon, she wants the coupé.

I will let the idea mature.

To make things worse a lady with a "elderly" parfume sat in the Brooklands and my wife said, just by the smell, that this was an old-man´s car and she was still young, and, and, and.

I'll keep you posted.

Best regards,

Lluís

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Robert Follia
New User
Username: robertofollia

Post Number: 8
Registered: 6-2007
Posted on Tuesday, 14 August, 2007 - 23:34:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

If you have some free and spare time, get a flight to Bilbao, get a taxi or hire a car and visit Torre Loizaga, an ancient XII-century restored fortress which holds the greatest Rolls Royce colelction in the world.
www.torreloizaga.com
Among the contemporary cars, there are one corniche, one silver shadow, two spirits, one silver wraith and one camargue, plenty of styles to choose.

If she whose orders shall be obeyed prefers a Coupé, you will finish with a Coupé, I can assure you. But should this be the case, go for a pre-1994 model, easier to service. You'll recognice that when opening the bonnet, it has no engine plastic covers and you'll see a lot of pipes and cables, that's the one to go for.

That story of an old man's car sound me familiar. I heard it two days before when showing my dream Bentley.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Regards,
Robert

(Message edited by robertofollia on 14 August 2007)
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Lluís Gimeno-Fabra
New User
Username: lluís

Post Number: 2
Registered: 8-2007
Posted on Wednesday, 15 August, 2007 - 18:19:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Quoting Robert "She whose orders should be obeyed" I had a good laugh reading this, it really shows you know the matter. Thanks for your solidarity.

Did the Continental ALWAYS come with the 4-speed box?

Thanks

Lluís

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Robert Follia
New User
Username: robertofollia

Post Number: 9
Registered: 6-2007
Posted on Thursday, 16 August, 2007 - 08:14:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Hi Lluis
it's a sad reality, at least they don't spy these forums...
The Continental always came with the 4 speed box. I'm just a novice here, but I am pretty sure the 4-speed box came together with the floor shift pattern (column gearchange was 3-speed territory, except the 4-speed hydramatics from the earliest Shadows and all Clouds).

Hope that helps.
Regards,
Robert
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Jonas TRACHSEL
Experienced User
Username: jonas_trachsel

Post Number: 15
Registered: 2-2005
Posted on Thursday, 16 August, 2007 - 15:54:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Hi Robert
Your statement about the greatest Rolls-Royce collection is at least challenged by http://www.rolls-royce-museum.at/.
I have been there twice, and it is really astonishing, what the Vonier family has amassed on three floors of an old factory. The collection consists of mainly Derby Phantoms with a spattering of some other models plus a huge collection of R-R-related accessories and parts on display. There is even some original R-R factory equipment arranged as a historic part of the works.
It is absolutely worth a visit, not only if you happen to be in the region.
Jonas
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Lluís Gimeno-Fabra
New User
Username: lluís

Post Number: 3
Registered: 8-2007
Posted on Thursday, 16 August, 2007 - 17:42:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Good laugh again, do you really think they do not spy in these forums???

I will continue looking for it in September, with a test drive, just to feel what it is, I have never driven one. To tell you the truth I am relieved. She initially wanted an Aston Martin V8, which according to her is a car for a younger generation. Come on, Prince Charles has one...

There are also plenty of Continentals now from 1993-1995, so there should be choice.

By the way I have heard about both museums, I'll visit the Spanish one in December, hopefully. Stupid me after 6 years in Munich in my privious assignement I never went to the Austrian one. It will be for next year, maybe.

Best regards

Lluís
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David Gore
Moderator
Username: david_gore

Post Number: 743
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Friday, 17 August, 2007 - 10:12:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Hi Lluis,

My personal thoughts on your situation are summarised in the following "rules":

Rule #1: Your dream car purchase will rarely be a profitable financial investment but will be an investment which provides personal future pleasure that cannot be measured financially.

Rule #2: Always buy the car of your dreams that you can afford to enjoy rather than one that you cannot.

Rule #3: Never buy a car that is someone else's preference otherwise you are only paying to satisfy someone else's dreams and pleasure.

Rule #4: Always purchase something affordable that is desired by your partner at the same time to avoid creating any jealousy or ill-feeling about your purchase. I don't think buying a full size Continental and a collectors model of an Aston Martin V8 would satisfy this rule .

Rule #5: There is nothing wrong with dreaming but there is everything wrong about buying something that is either second-best or which has unaffordable ownership costs.

Rule #6: There is a car out there that has your name on it - be patient and you will know instinctively when the right car comes along.

Good luck in finding your car.
David
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Lluís Gimeno-Fabra
New User
Username: lluís

Post Number: 4
Registered: 8-2007
Posted on Friday, 17 August, 2007 - 20:10:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Hi David,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me. Why should a full size Continental not fulfil rule Nr. 4. Maybe I understood it wrong?

The AMV8 she was looking at was not really a collectors model, it was the latter 1985-1988 which is common by AM standards and which I like, but having talked to specialists and restorers, rust seems to be a massive problem even in the latter models, if you ever come to the Netherlands you will see that this could be a annoying if you intend to drive it here, not everyday but just regularly. Reliability also seems to be an issue on AMV8 engines, but different specialists seem to have different versions of this. One commented that head gaskets should be regarded as routine maintenance in the Vantage specification model if you travel in a hot weather. I do not know if its true, but living in Holland (rust) and travelling to Spain and Italy regularly (heat) seems not to be the optimum combination for this car. My wive understands this, but still wants something sportier than the Turbo-R or Brooklands LPT we have looked at. The Continental seems to attract us both.

As we want a reliable travelling toy to travel 3-4 times a year around 3-4000 Km, this makes 15.000 Km/year, realiability is a major issue, also in the heat of south Italy and Spain.

About affordability maybe you can help me with this point, which I had not asked here before.
I expect no more than 4000 €/year in regular maintenance, which according to specialist should be OK. Is this your experience? I am aware about the possibility of large extra bills in particular when buying a neglected car, which we try to avoid.

About costs what annoys me about the Continental is that it still depreciates quite strongly, at least here. Buying a 95 for 80.000€ would mean losing about 5-10.000€/year in the next three years after which we will probably sell it when children come.

All in all I believe that as a reliable travelling toy, both the Continental and the Brooklands make sense. Maybe in the long term the Continental will hold the value better, but when children come it will have to go, leaving me with depreciation, which the Brooklands would probably do to less extend. Still as you say, if my wive can only enjoy a coupé, then be it. I can enjoy both.

Best regards

Lluís

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David Gore
Moderator
Username: david_gore

Post Number: 744
Registered: 4-2003
Posted on Saturday, 18 August, 2007 - 18:19:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Hi Lluis,

Unfortunately you have taken my warped Australian humour seriously - the collectors model of the Aston Martin V8 I was referring to was a 1:16/1:18 fully detailed scale model that would cost about 100/150 Euros and go into a display cabinet in your home - Sorry for confusing you.

Your budget of 4000 euros per year seems about right for normal running expenses assuming it travels approx 10,000Km per year. I would allow about 20% of the purchase cost for unexpected repairs in the first two years of ownership for a car of unknown history. If the history and ownership of the car is well-known, this will be reflected in an increased asking price but at the same time, your future unexpected repair costs SHOULD be lower unless the car has been grossly neglected or abused.

Depreciation is always a good debating topic however my opinion is that depreciation is irrelevant if you intend to be a long-term owner i.e. 15/20 years or more. This is why I always point out a collectible enthusiasts car is not a profitable investment in the financial sense as accountants are never able to accept that personal enjoyment and satisfaction have a financial value. This seems to be because you do not recover this enjoyment in the price when you eventually sell the car - I prefer to remind myself that there are personal achievements and experiences in this world that money alone cannot buy.

At the end of the day, your decision will essentially come down to two main considerations:

1. Who are you buying the car for?

2. What do you want to achieve while you own the car?

I expect you will have some sleepless nights in the future as you ponder the answers to these question.

Good luck in your search and remember my advice that there is a car out there waiting for you and when you finally see it; you will know this is the car for you!

Kind regards
David
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Lluís Gimeno-Fabra
New User
Username: lluís

Post Number: 5
Registered: 8-2007
Posted on Monday, 20 August, 2007 - 17:22:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Thanks for the explanation on Australian humour, I guess latin humour is different, but humour is good nonetheless.

Continentals sell on the bottom line for 50 k€ for a 1993 here, the top price for a 1994-1995 is around 85k€. I share your view on enjoyment versus cost, the thing is how does kid fit in those nice rear continental seats and this will give us an idea on the potential long term ownership. Once we have spoted a really nice one we will try to get it for the week-end and work out if we could live with it for regular use, mainly holiday travelling.

At the same time I will try to borrow a kid from a friend for the week end and see how he/she fits in the seats and how many things he/she breaks in one day sitting in the car (that's Spanish humour). Actually, we may borrow a child's seat and see how it fits, as this is important to us.

Anyway, this is a great forum, and I will continue posting, as a lot of questions will come when the hunt really starts.

See you.

Lluís
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Robert Follia
New User
Username: robertofollia

Post Number: 10
Registered: 6-2007
Posted on Friday, 24 August, 2007 - 04:05:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Oops, I had been out some days and nearly lost the best of this forum.
Jonas, I did not know this museum existed in Austria. Shame I went to ski in Lech in 2006 and could have visited that wonderful place. Anyway, it's listed in my bookmarks and as one of my next "to-dos".

Lluis, I did not know the Astons' head gasket weakness issue.

As you say the Turbo R is one of my favourites but in your particular case you will have to go for a Continental.

Your annual mileage is the perfect one to have a healthy car. Cars like long hauls and die when being used mainly in town or city traffic. Traffic kills engines and people.
Having it properly maintained (regular servicing, oil and filter changes, hydraulic fluid renewal) are best for a long and pleasant motoring life.
Go for the best and most basic you can afford. The more electronic gimmicks it has , the more likely they are to go wrong.
David is totally right. His advice is realistic and encouraging.

As for the kid test, this is the best (at least Spain-related). Spanish kids are best known as demolition-men, as they demolish, break, and tear apart everything which falls within their operation range.

Search the car you like, test it, be sure it's the colour you want (resprays are very expensive, and sometimes you need re upholstery and this is really expensive).Avoid rust and rot, use waxoyl, dinitrol or any cavity rust inhibitor and protector, especially living in the Netherlands as there is planty of salt on the roads.

We look forward to more news, and hope you come to see the museum soon.

Best regards
Robert
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Lluís Gimeno-Fabra
New User
Username: lluís

Post Number: 6
Registered: 8-2007
Posted on Friday, 24 August, 2007 - 17:16:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Yes, I own a Jaguar, which I inherited from my parents some time ago and is really nice, but as you say, rust was a major issue before I put it right at far more expense that the car's value. Rust is my enemy number one here. Salt is not really that much present here, it was in Munich, where I lived before, here it's a very high humidity and condensation, I just got a new garage and I made a rudimentary ventilation system to avoid this.

Great advice, I can only adhere, when buying a classic go for the most basic. Honestly I still do not know if this applies to Bentley, where basic is not really a representative word, in other makes at least I can only agree.

I can tell you more reasons why, when the extras break it's a pain to find replacement parts, I do not know if this applies to Bentley, but it certainly does to other makes. Try to find those beautiful filigrane supports in a Jaguar-Daimler picknick table... I also think that with time you realise that a lot of the extras are superfluous.

About the kids, well mine will be probably be Dutch, does this change anything??? And of course polite, quiet, will not eat in the car and will not put their shoes on the upholstery. Like all other kids do in the 1950's TV series.

Lluís
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Robert Follia
Experienced User
Username: robertofollia

Post Number: 11
Registered: 6-2007
Posted on Wednesday, 29 August, 2007 - 19:28:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Hi Lluis, Don't know what happened to my last post, maybe I only clicked in preview and not in "post", it might be old age...

I did not know you owned a Jag, but I do know what you are talking about. I have owned up to four land rovers (now only 3 of them are left and one more should go to make room for the flying B), and I can assure a Land Rover is the most accurate corrosion time bomb put together, which begins ticking as soon as the vehicle leaves the assembly line.
All my vehicles have been thoroughly rustprocfed as soon as I could, with cavity wax (I use the locally produced Kaviter rust spray from krafft). My father's late Range Rover Classic from 1995 spends its life parked by the sea (I live in Laredo and parking places are scarce, very expensive and small), so finding one for my Discovery 2 V8 was a nightmare.

Basic models can also exist in Bentley form, and that means older ones. As the cars evolved, more elctronics, more witing looms and more complex systems were being fitted, giving way to a new form of slavery (official dealer vs. enthusiast user). Some faults can't even be diagnosed or put right without specialist (and very expensive) equipment. In the UK there are plenty of Bentley specialists (and in Oz, too), but in continental Europe, apart from Brabo cars and a handful more, they are as rare as hen's teeth.

A post'94-95 car might be much more reliable, but finding parts for the unique engine management system outside the official network can be up to impossible.
Pre-Zytek cars (these do not have the engine plastic cover) use a Bosch jetronic (K or L depending on model year) and can be easier to service.

Active ride is a pleasure as long as it does not go wrong (dampers are a shock to change) and it became standard on post 30,000 series cars.

As far as kids go, you won't have the "demolition kid syndrome" being Dutch, they will sit calm, polite and quiet.

Just keep us updated
Regards,
Robert
Still in search
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Lluís Gimeno-Fabra
New User
Username: lluís

Post Number: 7
Registered: 8-2007
Posted on Friday, 31 August, 2007 - 18:05:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Hi,

I live 10 Km away from Brabocars, which is an advantage. I think I will ask them to arrange a test drive next week, I want to drive a 1993-1995 model and a Zytek model and see what it's like, or if there is any diference. Reliability is my major concern, as often we travel quite far by car on holidays, servicing will be very probably done at Brabo.

Believe me, even with rust-proofing, here in Holland due to very high humidity rust is really annoying. The Bentley will sleep in a well ventilated garage, but still.

Where are you looking for to buy a Bentley? Are there any specialists in Spain?

Best regards

Lluís
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Julian Moreno
New User
Username: morenoj

Post Number: 9
Registered: 5-2005
Posted on Tuesday, 04 September, 2007 - 06:19:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Hello LLuis, Robert and everybody, I will awnser your question about service Bentley/Rolls Royce in Spain, res de res, nada de nada, nothing of nothing, is enough clear? One example, my car stopped in Madrid, I call the official service and awnserd me to wait four months to leave the car to look it --SSII-- I bring it to a Mercedes dealer of a friend of mine, making me an special favour to go inside, the faces were........well two days looking.....I return back to my city 250 Km far away, I only take out a wire of the fuel pump relay, engine on, it suposse to be a wire comming from the oil pressure sender that energize o disernegize the relay, because I suspect that this oil pressure sender was not working properly, low pressure indic ation, -a good car life security- but two nights for me thinking about it and searching post by post this wonderfull forum give me this very high risk option, well but this is another history and when I have time to ensure this was the problem, I will post my experience. Only to tell you that forget to think that somebody can repair here the car. Belive in your hands, enjoy your dreams and with a little bit of luck and buying with your head on your shoulders and reading all the posts... For me until now, I mantein the car, without problem, slowly upgrading the things I can, but I think that a car hand made is better accesible to all parts than a robot made car.
Regards from Spain to all prouds owners.
Julián
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Robert Follia
Experienced User
Username: robertofollia

Post Number: 12
Registered: 6-2007
Posted on Tuesday, 04 September, 2007 - 07:51:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Lluis,
you are very lucky living 10 kms away from the nearest specialist, that even has pattern good quality parts and sells reconditioned parts.

Besides in the Netherlands there is another web page or club, known as "De Mascotte". In Spain Crewe's finest are almost unknown, and there are a fair amount of them around, especially Silver Shadows.

But what Julian says is a sad truth. All stealerships (sorry, dealerships) have long vanished. In Barcelona, the only "official" dealer is an always closed showroom, small enaough to hold only two cars and with a handy mobile number written on a paper sticked to the door interior.

The workshop is (or was) a VW workshop.

Long ago, the RR/B logo was catered for and serviced by a Mercedes dealership (they shared space), close to my home, but from the kidnap of the flying lady times, has long vanished. Even the people who knew and serviced once these precious cars might no longer be working there, or might be retired.

Another classic dealer was in Marbella, C. de Salamanca was called, but I do not know if it is still trading RR/B (still trades Land Rovers).

In Northern Spain there is a society called Airie in Bilbao, which only sold Crewe's finest searched all along the UK, so I guess some kind of service could be provided.

There is a specialist near MAdrid, thanks to Piel de Toro forum, whose details are the following ones:
FELIX VALLADOLID (Automóviles FVC)
RESTAURACIÓN
Restauración Rolls-Royce y Jaguar/Daimler
C/ del Hierro 4. Pol. Ind. Campo Nuevo
28863 - COBEÑA
MADRID
Tel.: 91 620 88 53
Fax: 91 620 88 53

He specialises mainly in restoration but maybe can service something.

There was a historic BMC/Jag/Wolseley dealer in Barcelona, Fiol Roca was called, now Ford dealer, don't know if some time ago also dealt with Crewe's finest, will have to get some confirmation.

And another specialist, dealing basically in british cars and Crewe's, caleld Italiberica, but don't know if they have workshop facilities.

As far as rustproofing goes, there is another product (UK made) that os claimed to be the best one, it comes from bilt hamber laboratories
www.bilthamber.com

The product is called Dynax and the link is here
http://www.bilthamber.com/dynaxs50.html

If I don't have my dream Bentley for winter, I will try in my ever-rusting Land Rover Discovery.

I was looking for my Bentley mainly in Germany (one nice RR Corniche II coupé, one nicer green SS II and some Turbo Rs in need of some TLC) , or Belgium (I have seen a nice 1987 blue turbo R there) or some specialists in the UK, where a very good low mileage left-hooker turbo R from 1986 Christmas eve was found (but alas it was the LWB version, too big for me).

I prefer to have a left hooker whenever possible, but living where I live, and with the facilities we have here, a Crewe purchase has to be treated with the utmost caution. That's why I am delaying the purchase so much. Want to see my ability to self-service, maintain and improve my own car (I managed to do it with 4 Land Rovers at a time).

Bill Coburn (thanks again Bill) recommended me, very wisely, a pre-injection Bentley Eight, which should be the way to go. But I have the soft spot for the Bentley T2 series and there's the Turbo R files, too.

One year ago I would have gone for a Mulsanne Turbo (I know next to nothing about Crewe's finest), but after reading all Tee One Topics, these great forum and all the info, it's a matter of Eight, Turbo R, or T2. All three can't be, only one.

Sorry for such a long post. but something should be done here in Spain. It's a pity not having any support from dealers or specialists. And the worst is that there is a fair amount of RR-Bs crying for help down here.

All the best from Spain

Robert
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Lluís Gimeno-Fabra
New User
Username: lluís

Post Number: 8
Registered: 8-2007
Posted on Tuesday, 04 September, 2007 - 18:11:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Concerning Jaguar in Spain, it was similar, Fiol i Roca were quite nice, but my father now just buys parts for his 1987 model to the business that took over, C. de Salamanca, in the Mandoni Stree, near Montjuich. I buy parts directly from the factory through jdht and do all repair work in my Jag myself.

Just come to Holland then, your Bentley will be well serviced, and I could just open a Hotel for Spanish Pilgrims to Brabo :-) and invest the profits in a good cause, like keeping my bunch of English finest running.

Best regards

Lluís
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Robert Follia
Experienced User
Username: robertofollia

Post Number: 13
Registered: 6-2007
Posted on Wednesday, 05 September, 2007 - 19:50:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Hi LLuis,
I did not know that C de Salamanca took over the remains of Fiol i Roca.
I have been taking a look at Brabo's offerm,a nd it's impressive, and at a good price. The Continental R from 1993 is pre-zytek,a nd the 1994 green one (for me it's the nicest) it's a Zytek one.
Having a specialist nearby owning a zytek should be no problem.

Maybe I should be moving to the Netherlands, as having a Crewe's finest specialist nearby is the utmost luxury, a luxury almost unheard of in Spain, with only a couple of dealer (stealer)ships spread all over the place that see classic models as heaps of junk, they don't know them, they are trained on the newer ones so it's a matter of self-help.

The Hotel seems a very good idea. Hope it has a heated garage for our prides and joys...

All the best
Robert
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Lluís Gimeno-Fabra
New User
Username: lluís

Post Number: 9
Registered: 8-2007
Posted on Thursday, 06 September, 2007 - 17:09:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Heated and with a massaging service for the paint, to rub in finest of Swisswax, while the owners marvel at Dutch culinary delights...
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Robert Follia
Experienced User
Username: robertofollia

Post Number: 14
Registered: 6-2007
Posted on Thursday, 06 September, 2007 - 18:37:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Yum!
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Lluís Gimeno-Fabra
New User
Username: lluís

Post Number: 10
Registered: 8-2007
Posted on Wednesday, 14 November, 2007 - 20:25:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Hello again after a while,

So I did the test drive, wife and me first time driving a Bentley. Very nice, we did highway, shopping and city-drive. It was a Continental-R from 1996 from Brabo, who were very kind letting us drive it during 3 hours.

The decision is then taken, we forget the Turbo-R, as we really loved the Continental and we are starting to look at precise cars. I found one with a colour combination tha my wife and I liked, in Munich, but that's far away, Black with red leather.

The smartest decision seems to focus on the Brabo cars, they are near home and they are a specialist, I have the feeling that it's wiser to buy from them and not try to buy something less expensive on my own, although Brabo proposed an inspection service if we find something on our own.

So calmly we are looking at the market and also getting our other cars shipped from Spain. When it's done, I'll tell the Forum.

Best regards

Lluís
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Robert Follia
Experienced User
Username: robertofollia

Post Number: 15
Registered: 6-2007
Posted on Thursday, 29 November, 2007 - 22:58:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IP

Hi Lluis,
Nice to see you were able to test drive such a wonderful car. Once the decision has been taken, you're almost done, the only thing is finding then a suitable colour combination that pleases you (difficult thing as some of them had some weird combinations), and sometimes once you find a nice one it has the steering wheel on the wrong side.

As far as dealers go, having Brabo nearby is a safety option. I would stick with them. As they seem very competent and honest, maybe they would also be keen to service a car bought somewhere else, but they will always have that additional gesture towards you if the car was sold by them.

Good luck!
And check here
www.bilthamber.com

one of the best rustproofing and rust killers around.

All the best
Robert

P.S. My bentley buying programme has been halted so far, but still looming!