Generally speaking, large, luxurious and very expensive four-door saloons don’t grab driving enthusiasts by the lapels and slap them around the face with desirability. Yet there’s something almost universally appealing about the Bentley Arnage
saloons that replaced the Arnage are all very well in their own ways, but there’s a definite whiff of the Rhine about them.“It’s 48 years since the pushrod V8 engine was first used in the Bentley S2, but there’s nothing antique about the way the Arnage reaches 60mph in 5.2sec or hits 179mph flat out. The big Bentley is a fluid and faithful handler whose 2500kg weight proves to be an advantage.
“Maintenance can be very expensive and problematic, because we can’t always get the right parts now. We’ve had to have many bespoke parts made. Buy one that has already had money spent on it, else it could cost a fortune. It’s like a house: always get a survey by an expert before buying.”Arnages like a regular oil change, and later cars have a one-year or 10,000-mile service interval. There’s a counter on the dashboard to warn you.
Electrical gremlins can emerge in pre-2006 cars, but keeping the larger battery charged by driving or trickle-charging helps to keep them at bay.The Arnage can cost anything from £700 to £3000 to service, depending on what’s needed. Sandell has seen bills as high as £9000 for work on the air injection and brakes. It’s vital not to skimp, though, and it’s critical to get a car with a full service history.
MPG figures in the mid-teens can be expected, although Sandell says the BMW engine can get up to 34. VED for cars registered before 23 March 2006 is capped at £295.£20,000 - £24,999: Red Labels with an average mileage. Higher-mileage Ts from 2000-2004. The nicest 4.4s make up to £22,000.Post-2001 Rs and Ts with very few miles and in immaculate condition. Later models with higher mileages.Back to topStunning in grey with an immaculate and lovely black leather interior and look-enhancing split-rim alloys. It also has picnic tables, lamb’s wool mats, all the original books and a full service history.