1991 Bentley Turbo R from North America - Comments

Thanks for the tip regarding Flying Spares - I will look them up. Google didn't find them.

Our trip from Orlando to Virginia Beach was uneventful in KCX25677. The Turbo kicks in very impressively out on the interstate. We averaged just at 15 MPG and could have done a bit better if I had put a couple more pounds of air in the tires.

So far just about every small problem such as with recalcitrant seat belts and radio antenna has been fixed with a wee bit of WD-40. Everything is now retracting and extending the way it should. Since we got the car in an "As Is" condition I expect to find a few more problems. It appears to have been stored and nothing done for the past 4-5 years. Bad for it, but reversible.

I recently purchased a '89 Turbo R with low mileage and it's in a class by itself. 0 to 60 in 6 seconds it gets 11 miles to a gallon. Smooth at high speeds, it's a pleasure to ride. Replaced tires at $600 each - have yet to experience the cost of maintenance. Driven 1500 miles a year, hope not to have too much repair. Great car.

I have a 1988 Turbo R a great car to drive. My problem is when I stop after cruising and the engine is hot, the car will not restart. I have taken the cover off the starter relay and with the ignition key on I can start the car by manually operating the relay. No more problems until the next stop. The car starts OK when cold or around town.

Any ideas, thanks Dave.

Another road trip with KCX25677 to report on and a new question for the forum. I pumped up the tires by two more pounds 32 front and 37 rear. We drove 300 miles into the Blue Ridge Mountains. Driving the Blue Ridge Parkway was a nice 100 mile stretch of ups, downs and roundy rounds. We got 16 MPG this time.

I checked the brake fluid again and once more I am down a bottle. Without any signs of a leak??? How much fluid do these things use and is this normal? Where to look?

Thanks.

On the brake fluid problem: I hate to be obvious, but these cars use mineral oil hydraulic fluid, not regular brake fluid. This is indicated by a green cap on the fluid reservoir. Anything other than the proper oil will cause costly damage. There was a recall on 89-90 RR and Bentley requiring a shield between the right front brake caliper line and the oil cooler line because they were too close together and could cause loss of fluid. Hope this is helpful.

I know about the mineral oil. That is all I put in. The problem finally made itself very clear. It was the left hand level ride device. A warning to others: If you keep putting in mineral oil it will eventually find a happy home on the carpeting in the trunk. Yuck! I found a very good mechanic in Richmond, VA (David Word) and KCX25677 is now leak free. We are still getting 11 MPG around town and 16 on the highway. Just about the same as a large SUV would get.

In 2001, I bought a 1990 Turbo R with 36,000 miles. I love the car, but repairs can be staggering. Age of some components trumps low mileage. I have replaced power steering rack, pump, etc at about $6,000. Recently a new radiator because of a small PLASTIC part that has failed. Headlight sitch knob also stripped out and $2,000 for switch andwradiator/hoses. AC was $1400. Water pump about $1600 (very cold weather in non-climate controlled garage caused leak in rubber seal).Biggest surprise was computer, etc then controls fuel distribution, etc. for total of $8,000.

Car now has 51,000 miles and I intend to drive it for a long time. Every time I pay for repairs, I ask---could I, but anything else that I enjoy for the price of repairs? hi Check price of new Arnage!

My advice is buy one if you tend to love a car. Turbos are now about 11-17 years old and low mileage does not mean that you won't have repair bills.

Some parts wear out due to time, not heavy use. So eyes open!

I bought my 1993 Bentley Turbo R last January. I previously owned a 1988 Bentley Mulsanne S and a 1979 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II. I would agree that maintenance is very expensive, but when everything is working and you climb behind the wheel and start the engine... it is absolute heaven. I drive my Turbo R everyday. My gasoline mileage in town is 12 mpg and on the highway about 15-16 mpg. In regards to the earlier review whose car averaged 7 mpg... something is very wrong and the car should be inspected. It is absolutely crucial that you have a good technician for the servicing of your car. I learned a long time ago, there are no short cuts. Regardless of year, these are premium quality cars that require commensurate service. But I can also say, that when the proper repairs have been made, you will not have to make them again for a very long period of time.

Driving these cars are like no other on the road. Nothing compares regardless of year. People ask me all the time, "why do I drive this kind of car?" I drive this car because not everybody has one and it is a way to express my individuality in a sea of generic automobiles. The comfort level and quality is beyond reproach and it is truly a work of art and craftsmanship. A Bentley of any year, is always in style, which cannot be said of most cars. It brings me joy every single day and a joy to the people you pass by on the street. Every man or woman should own one at least in one point of their lives.

It is a sad, sad day. I took KCX25677 to my local mechanic for an oil change. Some other guy brought in a Ford Explorer for minor work. I went out of town to Washington DC for some meetings and got a very bad phone call. The Explorer had caught fire after everyone had gone home due to a factory defect in the cruise control and the entire building full of cars was ruined. 27 cars and trucks are now in the hands of the insurance people. You cannot imagine how terrible the inside of my Turbo R is looking with layers of oily soot on everything. Hopefully some you will be able to get some quality parts from the "Flyin B". Now the search for another Tudor Red, 1989 begins. Sadly, Charlie.

I am currently driving a 1990 Turbo R with 116,000 miles on the clock. It's not mine; it's a loaner while my regular 1998 Brooklands R is in for some work. I test-drove a few Turbo's before settling on a Brooklands a couple of years ago, as I didn't need the extra power. When you're behind the wheel of a Bentley or a Royce, you don't feel in a hurry. The world can jolly well wait for you!

I concur with the points which have been made on the forum before. Firstly, the Turbo R drives beautifully. You would not know it was nearly 18 years old. And you can pick it up for under £15,000.

Second, maintaining one is unbelievably expensive. By all means do the minor works yourself, but do entrust anything you can't do to a specialist. I attended a weekend workshop for SZ cars (RR Spirit/Spur and Bentley Mulsanne/Eight/Brooklands/Turbo) run by the RREC, where after a series of lectures on the first day, they lifted everyone's car onto a ramp on the second day so we could see underneath. Then we were shown how many things a normal mechanic could get wrong if they had not had proper Rolls Royce training.

Running costs are huge, but that is balanced out by negligible depreciation. A 15-year-old Turbo R or Brooklands might drop £5,000 after 5 years. Even if regular maintenance costs £3,000 per year, you are running a car for £4,000 per year (not including insurance or financing costs).

To conclude, they are worthwhile if you have a passion for them, but do "do the maths" before you buy!

I am considering purchasing a 1990 Bentley Turbo R with only around 61,000 miles on the car. I've never owned a Bentley and I must say that in my opinion the Turbo R is about the most beautiful car I've ever seen. My wife drives a Volvo, and this car (the Bentley Turbo R) seems to be head & shoulders above a Volvo.

I was wondering if there are any knowledgeable suggestions from someone out there in regards to scrutinizing the vehicle for mechanical flaws, etc. I know I need to do a bunch of checking before purchase (i.e. insurance, appropriate repair/maintenance shops in my area - Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas.)

Any comments would be greatly appreciated. I realize maintenance could be a bear... and have read all of the comments from previous messages.

Thanks in advance for any help.

I need some advice on a rear end axle noise that I am getting out of my 1991 Bentley Turbo R. I recently had the oil changed, and now I have almost a grinding noise?