Mulsanne
#2
01-25-2016 | 04:32 AM
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I don't have one but I drove it manytime..
don't know about issue but it seem like diffirent animal compare with our Flying Spur.
the engine is cam in block...and old school V8 i guess it will be more reliable.
It more quiet. Driving feel like a Rolls Ghost. Smoother compare with the Flying..
more than that..i don't know whatelase to say.
Common problem with those car in here is Air Shock, Cost a lot to replace. No Aftermarket cheap like our Spur.
don't know about issue but it seem like diffirent animal compare with our Flying Spur.
the engine is cam in block...and old school V8 i guess it will be more reliable.
It more quiet. Driving feel like a Rolls Ghost. Smoother compare with the Flying..
more than that..i don't know whatelase to say.
Common problem with those car in here is Air Shock, Cost a lot to replace. No Aftermarket cheap like our Spur.
#3
01-25-2016 | 08:37 AM
Hi.
I had a ride in one when Bentley gave us a lift whilst servicing my GT. Fabulous experience in my opinion, very well built and lots of road presence.
Here's a link for a bit more Mulsanne info': http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=904981
I had a ride in one when Bentley gave us a lift whilst servicing my GT. Fabulous experience in my opinion, very well built and lots of road presence.
Here's a link for a bit more Mulsanne info': http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=904981
#4
01-25-2016 | 09:26 AM
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thanks, very helpful! will let you guys know when I pull the trigger. trying to ascertain the various model year changes now but it's just a matter of time before I pick one up. letting depreciation work it's magic for the moment.
#5
01-25-2016 | 09:29 AM
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I owned a 2003 Continental R for seven years. One of only ten built that year, mine may have been the very last of the line. The epitome of over engineering. A castle nut with a cotter pin where a simple nut with loctite would do. The car spent 20% of the time in the shop, but I didn't care as my wife paid the bills. And the other 80% was marvelous, just marvelous! This wasn't the fastest car, nor the largest, nor the anything in particular, but it was ME. Unique. Apart from the ordinary. Superb. In my opinion one of the best proportioned cars ever. Paint you could see into; leather that smelled new after seven years; idiosyncratic operating controls; heavy doors that would be at home on a tank; steering wheel as large as a tractor. A very hard car to describe in words. There is no question about the provenance: this car was the end of the line for engineers and production crew that loved cars. And I loved it..... except for the price to keep it running..... If you have to ask .....
I now drive a 2009 Brooklands Coupe. Purchased two years ago with less than 3,000 miles. The Brooklands (Not to be confused with the four door car of a decade earlier) got the short end of the Great Recession with only 550 made. There are 180 in the US. This car is superb. Where the 2003 spent its life in the shop, this one spends its life on the road. And eat up road it does. Unbelievable power. Be certain to make sure your seat belt is tightened before stepping on the gas, as you will be pushed back into the seat with unbelievable force with just a little pressure on the pedal. The leather interior is the pinnacle of Bentley workmanship: dozens of ambrosia fed cows volunteered for the privilege of residing in this car. Stitching that is perfectly straight. Fluted headliner that constantly asks to be stroked. Wood dash that begs to be viewed from different angles - the better to show off its burls and swirls. The stainless casting and polishing of the vents, the machining of the organ stops, shifter and door pulls. The smell of the leather hits with visceral impact every time the door is opened. The paint is impeccable. Do I like this car? There is no way I can envision driving anything else.
And this gets us to the original question. The Brooklands is the replacement for my leased 2013 Mulsanne. Turned back in after 34 months and 14,990 miles. I gladly paid for the last two months of non-use. This car is the first vehicle to be designed from scratch by Bentley (really Volkswagen) in 80 years. It is great that VW provided the resources for Bentley to produce this car, but it is a modern limo, with all that implies: If you are not sitting in the back seat you are not getting what this car provides. This is a passenger's car. It is not a driver's car. There is nothing special about the front seat experience. Yes, the glass control ***** are neat and the stainless castings are present, but the car has no personality. It is computer CAD/CAM by committee at its finest. The car is dead reliable. Only yearly trips to the shop on its anniversary for oil changes. No mechanical problems. But the leather has been tanned by some ecologically correct goo that leaves the surface blemish free and totally devoid of anything but a resemblance to cardboard. It is cut by computer - and the cows run from this process. The wooden steering wheel is impeccably covered - as is the dash - in wood that looks like it came from trees grown for perfection, not character. The paint is modern, and water based. There is no longer that deep sink-into-me feeling of the older cars. Paint is perfectly smooth with no orange peel, but no love-me-for-I-have-been-created-by-perfectionists using tiny rags and countless hours to bring out the very best. The Naim radio uses noise shaping and computer processing with thousands of watts of power so that it beats a Sony walkman by a small margin, but not much more. The engine is powerful, but does not inspire awe. The brakes stop - but you would expect that. The car just has no quirkiness, no character, no zest for life. All of our friends looked forward to going to dinner with us. We always drove. As I said - this is a car for passengers. If you get one be sure to get the chauffeurs hat that is a requirement of owning the car.
I now drive a 2009 Brooklands Coupe. Purchased two years ago with less than 3,000 miles. The Brooklands (Not to be confused with the four door car of a decade earlier) got the short end of the Great Recession with only 550 made. There are 180 in the US. This car is superb. Where the 2003 spent its life in the shop, this one spends its life on the road. And eat up road it does. Unbelievable power. Be certain to make sure your seat belt is tightened before stepping on the gas, as you will be pushed back into the seat with unbelievable force with just a little pressure on the pedal. The leather interior is the pinnacle of Bentley workmanship: dozens of ambrosia fed cows volunteered for the privilege of residing in this car. Stitching that is perfectly straight. Fluted headliner that constantly asks to be stroked. Wood dash that begs to be viewed from different angles - the better to show off its burls and swirls. The stainless casting and polishing of the vents, the machining of the organ stops, shifter and door pulls. The smell of the leather hits with visceral impact every time the door is opened. The paint is impeccable. Do I like this car? There is no way I can envision driving anything else.
And this gets us to the original question. The Brooklands is the replacement for my leased 2013 Mulsanne. Turned back in after 34 months and 14,990 miles. I gladly paid for the last two months of non-use. This car is the first vehicle to be designed from scratch by Bentley (really Volkswagen) in 80 years. It is great that VW provided the resources for Bentley to produce this car, but it is a modern limo, with all that implies: If you are not sitting in the back seat you are not getting what this car provides. This is a passenger's car. It is not a driver's car. There is nothing special about the front seat experience. Yes, the glass control ***** are neat and the stainless castings are present, but the car has no personality. It is computer CAD/CAM by committee at its finest. The car is dead reliable. Only yearly trips to the shop on its anniversary for oil changes. No mechanical problems. But the leather has been tanned by some ecologically correct goo that leaves the surface blemish free and totally devoid of anything but a resemblance to cardboard. It is cut by computer - and the cows run from this process. The wooden steering wheel is impeccably covered - as is the dash - in wood that looks like it came from trees grown for perfection, not character. The paint is modern, and water based. There is no longer that deep sink-into-me feeling of the older cars. Paint is perfectly smooth with no orange peel, but no love-me-for-I-have-been-created-by-perfectionists using tiny rags and countless hours to bring out the very best. The Naim radio uses noise shaping and computer processing with thousands of watts of power so that it beats a Sony walkman by a small margin, but not much more. The engine is powerful, but does not inspire awe. The brakes stop - but you would expect that. The car just has no quirkiness, no character, no zest for life. All of our friends looked forward to going to dinner with us. We always drove. As I said - this is a car for passengers. If you get one be sure to get the chauffeurs hat that is a requirement of owning the car.
#6
01-25-2016 | 09:37 AM
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Thank you for the generous write-up!
I have a 2007 Arnage T right now (the same mechanical/cosmetic but 4-door version as your 2009 Brooklands coupe, I believe).
I agree with your assessment of the last of the truly hand-built era (Brooklands/Arnage). Picked up mine with less than 7k miles on her and love the sense of occasion and presence. Right now she is behaving fine but only because I spent a few K last week on annoying mechanical and electrical issues like replacing the window regulator/motors that stopped windows from opening or closing and troubleshooting airbag lights that kept coming on. That had me looking at the Mulsanne and noticing that you can pick up low mileage 2011 or 2012 versions for 150k or less.
For now, enjoying my Arnage and consider myself lucky to be able to do so!
I have a 2007 Arnage T right now (the same mechanical/cosmetic but 4-door version as your 2009 Brooklands coupe, I believe).
I agree with your assessment of the last of the truly hand-built era (Brooklands/Arnage). Picked up mine with less than 7k miles on her and love the sense of occasion and presence. Right now she is behaving fine but only because I spent a few K last week on annoying mechanical and electrical issues like replacing the window regulator/motors that stopped windows from opening or closing and troubleshooting airbag lights that kept coming on. That had me looking at the Mulsanne and noticing that you can pick up low mileage 2011 or 2012 versions for 150k or less.
For now, enjoying my Arnage and consider myself lucky to be able to do so!
I owned a 2003 Continental R for seven years. One of only ten built that year, mine may have been the very last of the line. The epitome of over engineering. A castle nut with a cotter pin where a simple nut with loctite would do. The car spent 20% of the time in the shop, but I didn't care as my wife paid the bills. And the other 80% was marvelous, just marvelous! This wasn't the fastest car, nor the largest, nor the anything in particular, but it was ME. Unique. Apart from the ordinary. Superb. In my opinion one of the best proportioned cars ever. Paint you could see into; leather that smelled new after seven years; idiosyncratic operating controls; heavy doors that would be at home on a tank; steering wheel as large as a tractor. A very hard car to describe in words. There is no question about the provenance: this car was the end of the line for engineers and production crew that loved cars. And I loved it..... except for the price to keep it running..... If you have to ask .....
I now drive a 2009 Brooklands Coupe. Purchased two years ago with less than 3,000 miles. The Brooklands (Not to be confused with the four door car of a decade earlier) got the short end of the Great Recession with only 550 made. There are 180 in the US. This car is superb. Where the 2003 spent its life in the shop, this one spends its life on the road. And eat up road it does. Unbelievable power. Be certain to make sure your seat belt is tightened before stepping on the gas, as you will be pushed back into the seat with unbelievable force with just a little pressure on the pedal. The leather interior is the pinnacle of Bentley workmanship: dozens of ambrosia fed cows volunteered for the privilege of residing in this car. Stitching that is perfectly straight. Fluted headliner that constantly asks to be stroked. Wood dash that begs to be viewed from different angles - the better to show off its burls and swirls. The stainless casting and polishing of the vents, the machining of the organ stops, shifter and door pulls. The smell of the leather hits with visceral impact every time the door is opened. The paint is impeccable. Do I like this car? There is no way I can envision driving anything else.
And this gets us to the original question. The Brooklands is the replacement for my leased 2013 Mulsanne. Turned back in after 34 months and 14,990 miles. I gladly paid for the last two months of non-use. This car is the first vehicle to be designed from scratch by Bentley (really Volkswagen) in 80 years. It is great that VW provided the resources for Bentley to produce this car, but it is a modern limo, with all that implies: If you are not sitting in the back seat you are not getting what this car provides. This is a passenger's car. It is not a driver's car. There is nothing special about the front seat experience. Yes, the glass control ***** are neat and the stainless castings are present, but the car has no personality. It is computer CAD/CAM by committee at its finest. The car is dead reliable. Only yearly trips to the shop on its anniversary for oil changes. No mechanical problems. But the leather has been tanned by some ecologically correct goo that leaves the surface blemish free and totally devoid of anything but a resemblance to cardboard. It is cut by computer - and the cows run from this process. The wooden steering wheel is impeccably covered - as is the dash - in wood that looks like it came from trees grown for perfection, not character. The paint is modern, and water based. There is no longer that deep sink-into-me feeling of the older cars. Paint is perfectly smooth with no orange peel, but no love-me-for-I-have-been-created-by-perfectionists using tiny rags and countless hours to bring out the very best. The Naim radio uses noise shaping and computer processing with thousands of watts of power so that it beats a Sony walkman by a small margin, but not much more. The engine is powerful, but does not inspire awe. The brakes stop - but you would expect that. The car just has no quirkiness, no character, no zest for life. All of our friends looked forward to going to dinner with us. We always drove. As I said - this is a car for passengers. If you get one be sure to get the chauffeurs hat that is a requirement of owning the car.
I now drive a 2009 Brooklands Coupe. Purchased two years ago with less than 3,000 miles. The Brooklands (Not to be confused with the four door car of a decade earlier) got the short end of the Great Recession with only 550 made. There are 180 in the US. This car is superb. Where the 2003 spent its life in the shop, this one spends its life on the road. And eat up road it does. Unbelievable power. Be certain to make sure your seat belt is tightened before stepping on the gas, as you will be pushed back into the seat with unbelievable force with just a little pressure on the pedal. The leather interior is the pinnacle of Bentley workmanship: dozens of ambrosia fed cows volunteered for the privilege of residing in this car. Stitching that is perfectly straight. Fluted headliner that constantly asks to be stroked. Wood dash that begs to be viewed from different angles - the better to show off its burls and swirls. The stainless casting and polishing of the vents, the machining of the organ stops, shifter and door pulls. The smell of the leather hits with visceral impact every time the door is opened. The paint is impeccable. Do I like this car? There is no way I can envision driving anything else.
And this gets us to the original question. The Brooklands is the replacement for my leased 2013 Mulsanne. Turned back in after 34 months and 14,990 miles. I gladly paid for the last two months of non-use. This car is the first vehicle to be designed from scratch by Bentley (really Volkswagen) in 80 years. It is great that VW provided the resources for Bentley to produce this car, but it is a modern limo, with all that implies: If you are not sitting in the back seat you are not getting what this car provides. This is a passenger's car. It is not a driver's car. There is nothing special about the front seat experience. Yes, the glass control ***** are neat and the stainless castings are present, but the car has no personality. It is computer CAD/CAM by committee at its finest. The car is dead reliable. Only yearly trips to the shop on its anniversary for oil changes. No mechanical problems. But the leather has been tanned by some ecologically correct goo that leaves the surface blemish free and totally devoid of anything but a resemblance to cardboard. It is cut by computer - and the cows run from this process. The wooden steering wheel is impeccably covered - as is the dash - in wood that looks like it came from trees grown for perfection, not character. The paint is modern, and water based. There is no longer that deep sink-into-me feeling of the older cars. Paint is perfectly smooth with no orange peel, but no love-me-for-I-have-been-created-by-perfectionists using tiny rags and countless hours to bring out the very best. The Naim radio uses noise shaping and computer processing with thousands of watts of power so that it beats a Sony walkman by a small margin, but not much more. The engine is powerful, but does not inspire awe. The brakes stop - but you would expect that. The car just has no quirkiness, no character, no zest for life. All of our friends looked forward to going to dinner with us. We always drove. As I said - this is a car for passengers. If you get one be sure to get the chauffeurs hat that is a requirement of owning the car.
#7
01-25-2016 | 09:51 AM
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I live in an area where expensive cars are not rare. Driving on any given Sunday in season (winter) you will see almost every flavor of vehicle: Ferrari, Rolls, Bentley GT, etc. In three years of ownership I did not see another Mulsanne. I could not understand it at first. After a while the initial enthusiasm wears off, and it was obvious - the car is not loved. I did not love it. My wife would not drive it. My guess is that in a short period of time you would regret replacing your Arnage with a Mulsanne.I fully understand the annoyance with the price of maintenance.....
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#8
01-25-2016 | 09:58 AM
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Where in FL are you? I just moved to Miami (BayPoint area) from Los Angeles.
I live in an area where expensive cars are not rare. Driving on any given Sunday in season (winter) you will see almost every flavor of vehicle: Ferrari, Rolls, Bentley GT, etc. In three years of ownership I did not see another Mulsanne. I could not understand it at first. After a while the initial enthusiasm wears off, and it was obvious - the car is not loved. I did not love it. My wife would not drive it. My guess is that in a short period of time you would regret replacing your Arnage with a Mulsanne.I fully understand the annoyance with the price of maintenance.....
#10
01-25-2016 | 10:11 AM
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Good to know, thanks. I care for a '66 Jag eType FHC and always have a hankering for some more classics. Will check them out for certain.
#11
01-25-2016 | 10:28 AM
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Sorry - I should have been more specific. Vantage Motorworks specializes in Rolls and Bentley. I'm not sure if they have any other marques. Quality is Pebble Beach first place winner. Good for spending an hour or so looking. (Full disclosure: I sold them my 2003, but have no other relationship with Vantage.)
http://www.vantagemotorworks.com/
http://www.vantagemotorworks.com/
#12
01-25-2016 | 10:40 AM
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I would not consider trading/selling my Arnage for a Mulsanne.
It's a classic and will only be more special as the years go by.
The Mulsanne will become an old car with a strange snout sooner than later.
It's a classic and will only be more special as the years go by.
The Mulsanne will become an old car with a strange snout sooner than later.
#13
01-29-2016 | 07:53 AM
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Trunk is too small
If you are going to do any long distance driving you are going to find that for such a large car the trunk is way too small.
#15
01-30-2016 | 10:11 AM
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Well I have a CGT Speed and now a 2016 Mulsanne.
I went into the dealership looking to get a fabulous deal on a leftover 2015 Flying Spur because I needed the space but walked out with the 2016 Mulsanne. This car has loads of road presence, much better interior amenities and I beg to differ on this car... it is very much a drivers car. For a 3 Ton monster, it is athletic, supple and has plenty of power. I tend to believe that Bentley's are meant to be driven and Rolls Royces are meant to be driven in...
I went into the dealership looking to get a fabulous deal on a leftover 2015 Flying Spur because I needed the space but walked out with the 2016 Mulsanne. This car has loads of road presence, much better interior amenities and I beg to differ on this car... it is very much a drivers car. For a 3 Ton monster, it is athletic, supple and has plenty of power. I tend to believe that Bentley's are meant to be driven and Rolls Royces are meant to be driven in...