Patrick's BMW purchase inspired me (to consider something crazy?)

"Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom" (will-alib) 11/19/2018 at 11:03 • Filed to: None

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I’m always surfing Craigs and lately Facebook Marketplace, and found a 1995 Bentley Brooklands with low miles (125k) that looks to be in excellent condition for $10.5k. I have to do some research into the service history of these cars, and my initial thought has always been that parts availability could be problematic and cost is probably pretty steep but there’s something cool about an old Bentley for what sounds like short money. (not those wheels though; they’re hideous) I realize this has the potential to be a money pit, but it doesn’t have the same kind of over-engineered systems like you see on German cars and the 6.75 is a pretty bulletproof motor. I don’t mind turning wrenches on small stuff that breaks as long as the major pieces don’t go clunk . I’d like to own an interesting car that you don’t see everyday, but this might not be my dd. So, fellow Oppos, is this worth further research or am I just tap dancing on a land mine?

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 11/19/2018 at 11:25

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That seems really neat. A comfortable , floating DD is the best.

someassemblyrequired > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 11/19/2018 at 11:26

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It’s a very pretty landmine. GM transmission, I think the major issue with those is really the braking system, which is a bit of an oddball, and the parts are expensive.   Fuel pumps are the other big issue.

jasmits > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 11/19/2018 at 11:26

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Dude... I mean I’m sure it’ll be at least somewhat of a money pit but if you do your homework and you’re confident you can take it on from both a financial and   skill perspective and you’re not relying on it as a daily it would certainly be an awesome experience to own .

Take my advice with a grain of salt, I’m a massive sucker for British luxury and currently 3 months in on beater Range Rover Classic ownership... but I’ve always dreamed of having a depreciated Bentley one day. I mean... It’s a Bentley. 

fintail > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 11/19/2018 at 11:26

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That may be low miles for a 95 Corolla, but it aint for one of these. I’d be careful . These have complex hydraulic suspension/brake s, beware, definitely get a PPI.

Love those early airbag steering wheels, when they didn’t quite care about design yet.

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 11/19/2018 at 11:27

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Th is is an Excellent bad Idea, it is an outstandingly bad idea you should definitely do. I mean obviously posting a 25 year old British car of maddening complexity on OppO will give you nothing but affirmation of your selected choice of automotive masochism.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > someassemblyrequired 11/19/2018 at 11:29

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Yeah, I recall reading these had a THM trans, so that should not be an issue. I do remember reading about complicated brakes, but that might have been on their older cars. Gotta do some more reading here..

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > fintail 11/19/2018 at 11:37

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Yep, a PPI is a must here. Wasn’t aware of the hydraulic suspension though. I’m not finding any Chilton/Clymer’s repair manuals for Bentley either. Might be stuck with buying a factory manual which would be pricey , I’m sure. Will have to look for a Bentley owners forum online for more info.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > My X-type is too a real Jaguar 11/19/2018 at 11:40

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See, it’s a question of how bad an idea is it that I’m trying to get an answer for. It comes down to a matter of degree - Oppo bias is being considered.

For Sweden > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 11/19/2018 at 11:49

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If you prefer to spend money on fixing British cars over vacations, go for it.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > For Sweden 11/19/2018 at 11:51

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One vote solidly in the NO column... ty

Tripper > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 11/19/2018 at 12:18

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I’ve always hated how Bentley and RR’s of this era and even some of the newer ones appear as if the dash was the last thing they added. and by added I mean just put up a plank of wood and cut holes in it, and or took it out of another car.

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 11/19/2018 at 12:22

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This is the best kind of idea. A terrible one. I am 100% in support of you buying this Bentley. 

Nick Has an Exocet > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 11/19/2018 at 12:23

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A 100k mile Bentley?

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Nick Has an Exocet 11/19/2018 at 12:30

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LoL. Everything!

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! 11/19/2018 at 12:31

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My X-type is too a real Jaguar said pretty much the same thing. Are you by chance related?

Nom De Plume > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 11/19/2018 at 13:25

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I’d double my budget and get the Ferrari I posted last night.  Make it legal and mechanically trouble free you could afford a project like this for a few months off the proceeds.  Haha, for 30K I have a bridge that is sure to be even more profitable and enjoyable to own.

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 11/19/2018 at 13:46

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Oppo must attract a certain type of fooli sh enthusiast.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! 11/19/2018 at 14:01

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It’s only foolish if you buy it without doing the research. But yeah, I’d say we’re all just a little nuts here which is totally ok with me.

GLiddy > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 11/19/2018 at 14:17

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How much are you budgeting for maintenance?  This sounds like a terrible idea.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > GLiddy 11/19/2018 at 14:19

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Zero. The hydraulic suspension iced it for me.

fintail > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 11/19/2018 at 14:46

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It’s similar if not the same system as on a Shadow or Spirit/Spur, I believe - so the issues with those cars might repeat.

I like these things too, but I am way too chicken to dive into one.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > fintail 11/19/2018 at 14:53

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Yeah, if it weren’t for the funky suspension I might seriously consider it as a weekend/sometimes weekday car.

Goddammit.. why are British cars so damn British???

fintail > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 11/19/2018 at 14:59

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I knew a guy who had an early (67, I think) Shadow, a lovely low mileage unrestored car. The prior owner put like 10K into the brakes and suspension, and the guy I knew bought it for 15K. He kept it in perfect condition but seldom drove it, and it eventually became one car too many. It took eons to sell at that same 15K. You have to really love the cars.

I like a number of them too - Corniches, some Shadows and Spirits/Spurs, and 90s Continentals - but I’d go crazy with anxiety about the next repair, if I owned one.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 11/19/2018 at 16:38

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Put it this way...there are a great many worse cars that you could drop ten grand on. Frankly, I would do it and I know very little about 90s Bentley's.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 11/19/2018 at 16:40

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No doubt, but there’s just too much downside to this car. Because hydraulic suspension.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 11/19/2018 at 17:00

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So that rules out Citroens, many Range Rovers and  KDSS equipped Land Cruisers as well then.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 11/19/2018 at 17:34

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Aye. It does. But those had no attraction for me as this Bentley did.

Dusty Ventures > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 11/19/2018 at 21:07

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“Am I tap dancing on a land mine?”

Like your name is Savion Glover.

Do it.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Dusty Ventures 11/20/2018 at 00:04

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LoL. A little research showed this to have a potential nightmare of a hydraulic suspension, so the final vote is Nyet.

Dusty Ventures > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 11/20/2018 at 03:47

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You say nightmare like it's a bad thing

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Dusty Ventures 11/20/2018 at 07:42

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The best stories come from bad decisions, right?

Dusty Ventures > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 11/20/2018 at 15:45

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Absolutely

Get it and just run it until the time bomb suspension hits zero, then unload it.  That might be tomorrow, it might not be for years. But either way the years/months/hours until then will be GLORIOUS.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Dusty Ventures 11/20/2018 at 16:11

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I consulted the Bad Idea Bears. They seemed enthusiastic.

PyramidHat > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 11/22/2018 at 10:58

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Can you get Weathertech mats for these?