The closest full dealer is in Atlanta over four hours away so I doubt they will see much of my 07 GTC. I bought the car in Knoxville, one hour from me and they have offered to service the car. I have done business in town with mechanic for years working on all sorts of more domestic type cars. He does Merc, Lexus, Jag ect. also and says he can do the Bentley for me on routine maintenance. I am inclined to go with him but was wondering who does your work for you?

Does anyone do their own?

 

Local VW dealer can easily do the yearly oil changes, as the core of the car is the VW Phaeton. For larger/major services the dealer comes to my home (90 minutes from dealer) for free, takes the car, services it, and drops it back off here.

 

Thanks for the reply. I will not have that option since the nearest dealer is 4 hours away. The used car dealer I bought it from is wanting the work and I may let them do some work but I do believe my local guy can handle regular nut a bolt turning. I will not work on the car myself except top off fluids if needed.

I am a dentist, not a car mechanic.

 

Normal stuff your local guy should be ok, as it is mainly check fluid levels, change oil, change in-cabin air filters, change wiper blades and battery in the remote control. At the 40k major service with spark plug changes and other things, the dealer may be the best option. Also note when you take a car to a dealer, albeit Toyota, Bentley, Honda, etc, there may be new 'firmware' for the car and this is normally part of the service and something a non-dealer can’t do.

 

Stephen below is a copy of what the salesman at USI motors sent me about the upcoming service which is a four year service at 12K miles.

I would like to visit the dealer in Atlanta Ga. some time but honestly I am afraid of it costing me out the ---. When I hear about a dealer coming to the house and giving that kind of super service I think mega $. Do you think the charges you pay are fair. Now I'm down to the nitty gritty mate eh?

What is "firmware".

 

Hmm.. ok, taking it one by one:

Firmware is my geeky name for the core computer software that runs/operates a car. All modern cars nowadays use software/computers to operate. As such, over time such software has updates.


The service is around 200 when you need oil change:
Sounds about right, though FYI my local VW dealer quoted me about $120 a year ago.


$200 for brake fluid flush:
Two bottles of fluid is about $30 max and with a $40 tool you can DIY it. How much do you want to save in costs and do you trust your ability to bleed the critical brake system of your car? It really is very easy, just remember brake fluid will eat away paint, etc so be careful.


$300 for the engine air filters (2 of them)
$250 from Foley parts (they are an authorized Bentley dealer)
www.ebay.com/itm/BENTLEY-CONTINENTAL-GT-FLYING-SPUR-GTC-AIR-FILTER-4060-/330636485391?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories &fits=Make%3ABentley%7CModel%3AContinental&vxp=mtr &hash=item4cfb78630f


$200 for cabin air filters (2 of them)
Here is here it gets weird, can't find a lisring for JUST those though you can call Foley parts for just those. For $300 you can get those filters PLUS the wiper blades ($100+), the needed oil filer ($30), and battery for the remote ($5 each)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bentley-GT-GTC-Flying-Spur-1-Year-Service-Kit-Filter-/250928377570?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories &fits=Make%3ABentley%7CModel%3AContinental&vxp=mtr &hash=item3a6c7f2ee2


800 for the spark plug service plus 23 a plug for the parts.
Hmm... doing the spark plug change is NOT easy for the normal person. Months back i did look at the manual at what it took to change the plugs and quickly decided this is not an easy swap like in the Ferrari or other cars i have had/seen. Let them do it, not an easy DIY from the looks of it.


The book actually recommends the plugs every 40K miles... You could really wait till then for that. I would not do it by time but by mileage if it were me.
Easy solution... drive the car more. You'll rack up 40k miles in no time Though seriously, yes after about 5 years i'd have the 40k major service done due to brake fluid aging, filters do age, etc.

So yes, some things can easily be DIY (and thus save you $$) provided you have some basic skills and like the whole DIY car fun. Some other things like spark plug change is a bit more involved for the basic DIYer. Of course none of this solves the firmware update, lubrication of the window seals, clearing out of the drainways on the doors/trunk, etc and more than is done by the factory service center during a normal service. Below is what the factory lists as what is a 40k service:
-----------------------
------------------------
2006 Continental GT Coupe
4 Years or 40k miles. Shedule 04 service. Labor 8.5hr. Parts $Check the vehicle diagnostic system for stored information.Check the condition of the tyre pressure sensor batteries (if fitted).

VEHICLE RAISED
Remove the front screening panels. Drain the engine oil.Check the power steering system for leaks and condition.Check the condition, position and mounting of the exhaust system.Check the braking system for leaks, damage and position.Check that all body drains are free from obstruction, correct as necessary.Check the condition of the engine, gearbox, suspension mounts for leaks and damage.Renew the sump plug and oil filter Drain plug N90813201 Filter 07C115562C
Check the condition of the engine drive belt.Check the fuel system for leaks, damage and position Check the condition of the steering column universal joints, couplings and the steering rack flexible gaiters.Check the condition of the track rod and front axle ball jointsCheck the condition of the drive-shaft gaiters Check the cooling system for leaks Inspect the underside of the body for corrosion or underseal damage.Fit the front screening panels.

VEHICLE AT HALF-WAY POSITION
Check the condition and tread depth of the tyres. Remove the road wheels. Replace the tyre pressure sensor batteries (if required).?????Check the brake pads for wear. Check the brake calipers and dust seals for leaks. Check the condition of the brake discs. Renew the brake fluid. 2 pint DOT4 brake fluid. Check the air suspension for leaks and damage. Remove foreign matter from all cooling matrices.Refit the road wheels. Check the tyre pressures and adjust as necessary.

VEHICLE ON GROUND
Refill the engine oil. 13X Mobil 10w-40w Synthetic.Renew the spark plugs.12X 101905600B
Check the coolant level and frost protection. Specification -25 degrees C. Record actual value.Check the condition of pipes and hoses engine to body for chafing and constriction.Replenish the windscreen washer reservoir.Screen washer additive. 890-B
Check the power steering system reservoir fluid level and top-up as necessary.Check the brake fluid level and top-up as necessary. Renew the air filter elements.3W0129620B. 3W0129620C.
Replace the wiper blades and check jet aim on the windscreen.2X wiper 3W1955425B.
Renew the dust and pollen filters. R/H 3D1819619A. L/H 3D1819620B. Check the condition of the batteries. Check the condition and the tyre pressure of the spare wheel.Lubricate all locks and latches.Renew the integrated key fob batteries. 2X CR2032
Renew the park heater key fob batteries (if fitted). ?????Check the operation of the centralised door locking and anti-theft alarm system.Check the operation of the active rear aerofoil (2-door cars).Check the condition and operation of all seat belts. Check the condition and operation of all lights and horns.Check headlamp setting.Check all facia warning lamps including engine fault indicators for correct operation.Check the steering system for freedom from play. Inspect the bodywork for corrosion, stone chips, damage or contamination. Indicate on chart. Correct as authorised by ASM.Carry out a full functional check and road test the car for satisfactory performance and condition.Check the vehicle diagnostic system for stored information.Reset the service indicator light. On completion of this service schedule complete the respective voucher contained in the service record.

 

PS: i added up the figures you provided and it is $1976, the dealer here did the 40k for around $2400. Is it worth saving $500? Your call. For me, the lure of a nice holiday in ATL for a few days alone under the guise of having the Bentley serviced works for me

Hmm, come to think of it any excuse for a holiday in ATL works

 

Very nice post indeed. I will have the Knoxville people look at the car and get their opinion and only accept service after I hear from them. They offered the oil change and filter for free so I will get that much.

I will not skimp on car care especially brakes. One trip off road and the savings are not worth it. I did hear that the manifolds need to be removed to get at the plugs. Little more than the Harley plug change out.

I did tell the wife that I would like to go to Atl. for the weekend for car trip with fancy eating out and an upscale room to, well duh.

 

In the Buffalo - New York area Wetzels's Imports & Exotics does Audi/Bentley service.

mark@wetzelsracing.com
info@wetzelsracing.com
716-508-0878

 

Steven, you're a veritable goldmine of information!

You'll be the first person I contact when I want to take the engine out

 

Oh hell no!!!

If this was a Formula car where it is easy to remove the covering body panels via a few 1/4 turns and standard metric tools... The GT 's engine and bits are packing in there all crazy-like. Anyone who has seen the GT sans front bumper and front undertray know the score.

Swing your own bro'

See, this is where having the Bentley guys come to my home in clean white shirts and taking her away for a few days, then bringing her back all perfect works for me. My long days of spending time in front of a parts washer are over. OVER!!! (but man, those washing chemicals sure can make your brain feel... fuzzy ).

 

Yup, I know why changing plugs cost so much.

While I'm no expert like you, I did take the engine out of my Vespa motor scooter 50 years ago. Did it on a sheet in a large lounge with a grand piano and chandeliers while my aunts - the house owners - were away for a year in London. I'm sure they never knew, as the smell of kerosene had long gone.

Nowdays I struggle to find the bonnet release latch on any of my cars

 

i KNEW IT!!!!!!!! So you ARE that type of guy

True story here. You see, years ago i came home to find my room mate had taken out the engine in his VW Bug and was taking it apart on my fine solid wood dining room table (using only a beach towel between the engine bits and my wood table). And yes, some degreaser did eat up/remove a few spots of the table's stain/varnish

Uh huh, so now we all know you ARE that type of guy. Note to self, never let kensilver homesit the house while i am away.

PS: A real engine guy would have had that Vespa engine bored out, ported and polished. Perhaps up the jet/carb size... Oh God, those little scooter engines were so much fun!

 

Yep, I'd have the Bentley motor stripped and ports polished in no time, with a large box left in the corner of your lounge marked "Parts Left Over."

PS. You couldn't afford me as a house-sitter anyhoo