How bad.....

"jkm7680" (jkm7680) 05/12/2015 at 20:14 • Filed to: None

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Would a Bentley Mulsanne Turbo S be in the reliability department?

It’s probably horrible, but these things can be found for sub $10,000.

TheHondaBro > jkm7680 05/12/2015 at 20:16

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Depends on whether or not it’s less than a brand new Honda Civic.

Alex B > jkm7680 05/12/2015 at 20:18

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No idea.

deprecated account > jkm7680 05/12/2015 at 20:21

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TL; DR: Yes.

505Turbeaux > jkm7680 05/12/2015 at 20:23

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all about the maintenance. I mean it is just a big honking V8, a GM transmission and some decent enough parts?

How much you want to spend on keeping it on the road is the real question by continuing that maintenance?

RallyWrench > jkm7680 05/12/2015 at 20:23

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Reliability Department<——————————————————————->Turbo Bentley

I’d still love to have one though.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > jkm7680 05/12/2015 at 20:25

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Horrid. But who cares?

AM > jkm7680 05/12/2015 at 20:25

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It’s old and it’s British. That should answer your question!

jkm7680 > 505Turbeaux 05/12/2015 at 20:27

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Hmmmm, as long as I could do most of the work myself it would be doable. GM transmission doesn’t scare me that much (Surprisingly enough) but the engine and how complicated it looks would freak me out a bit.

I’d be comfortable spending in the range of $2,000 and under yearly.

jkm7680 > AM 05/12/2015 at 20:28

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It also features the ever reliable Lucas electronic that everybody loves so much!

jkm7680 > sm70- why not Duesenberg? 05/12/2015 at 20:28

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My wallet.

505Turbeaux > jkm7680 05/12/2015 at 20:30

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if you did that you should be okay. Mind your gas budget though, that will certainly alter

jkm7680 > 505Turbeaux 05/12/2015 at 20:31

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Do you have any experience with them? Indirect or firsthand?

AM > jkm7680 05/12/2015 at 20:31

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Aw no way! Even better then!

jkm7680 > AM 05/12/2015 at 20:32

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Omg yes! They totally don’t like to randomly break and shit.

505Turbeaux > jkm7680 05/12/2015 at 20:38

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not a whole lot on the Turbo R, but some first hand for sure. There just aren’t that many around. I have been tempted many a time to go down that road. I do know my way around the 6.25/.75 pretty good though. you can’t go to Autozone for parts, but that is a given. I don’t know your mechanical prowess enough to give you a thumbs up or a thumbs down. Not for the work itself, but for your diagnostic ability. This is where it comes into play the most. You cannot throw parts at a Bentley to make issues go away. You need to be able to pinpoint issues very well. Tfritch or RamblinRover are the only 2 other people I know around here that have it like I do with dio work (even internet diagnosis :) )

jkm7680 > 505Turbeaux 05/12/2015 at 20:42

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Was it a Bentley engineered engine?

I’m not horrible at diagnosing issues, I learn a little more every day but I’ve still got some learning to do. The turbo/intercooler issues would probably be my weak spot though.

RallyWrench > jkm7680 05/12/2015 at 20:47

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It’s a development of the old Rolls Royce engine they’ve had since the 60’s, so it was actually fairly well sorted by then, from what I’ve read of it. I have no firsthand experience with them, though. Just an unhealthy British classic car magazine habit.

505Turbeaux > jkm7680 05/12/2015 at 20:47

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well, considering Bentley was owned by RR 2 decades plus before designing it, no, it was not a Bentley design. This is an engine design that is likely older than your parents (late 50’s).

Turbo and intercooler issues are roughly the same between any car of the modern era. There isnt much there to diagnose, and it isnt weird like a Biturbo - with 2 turbos blowing into one carb or anything, although the Mulsanne turbo was close

dogisbadob > jkm7680 05/12/2015 at 20:51

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The good news is that they have GM automatic transmissions (the same TH400 from a 70s Chevy Suburban, if I’m not mistaken), so an LSx swap is easy enough to do.

jkm7680 > 505Turbeaux 05/12/2015 at 20:55

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Came across this thread, which seems to include pretty much everything entailed in Turbo R ownership. Honestly, it doesn’t sound that horrible. But the hydraulic system concerns me. Other than that, I’m fine with replacing simple items like suspension bushings, calipers etc. I’ve got access to a full shop luckily.

jkm7680 > dogisbadob 05/12/2015 at 20:55

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Haha, I actually researched that a little bit. Grey Poupon and ‘Murica are a good combo.

505Turbeaux > jkm7680 05/12/2015 at 21:01

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yeah that lays it out pretty good right there. Hydraulics never bothered me because I am used to the Citroen system that is very similar. Brakes are a bitch though. Never done them, dont care to unless I owned it

jkm7680 > 505Turbeaux 05/12/2015 at 21:04

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I’m trying to gauge a better understanding at the complexity of that one system, haha. It seems very complicated and time consuming, that’s all I know.

Wonder if it would be possible to somehow ghettorig something else into there?

505Turbeaux > jkm7680 05/12/2015 at 21:06

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I am sure it is possible, I wouldnt want anything to do with it on a 5500-6000 pound beast

AM > jkm7680 05/12/2015 at 21:06

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jkm7680 > 505Turbeaux 05/12/2015 at 21:07

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Same, haha. They sure could do with some Jenny Craig or something.

505Turbeaux > jkm7680 05/12/2015 at 21:16

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then it becomes not a Bentley, sadly. You are back to a Northstar in a Fiero

jkm7680 > 505Turbeaux 05/12/2015 at 21:20

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Haha, true. Thanks for the advice though!

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > dogisbadob 05/13/2015 at 17:28

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Ooh; there’s an interesting thought...

Galileo Humpkins (aka MC Clap Yo Handz) > jkm7680 05/13/2015 at 17:45

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Somewhere between the reliability of shower sandals made out of toilet paper and an umbrella with no fabric on the frame beneath a waterfall. But still, get one.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > jkm7680 05/13/2015 at 21:29

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Sub $10k? Dee Preesh.

jkm7680 > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 05/13/2015 at 21:38

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http://www.beverlyhillscarclub.com/1989-bentley-t…

I’ve seen a few for cheap, this one appears to possibly have hydraulic issues though.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > jkm7680 05/14/2015 at 01:11

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Got the scratch? Grab it. I’d love to take it for a drive.

jkm7680 > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo 05/14/2015 at 07:09

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Wrong side of the country, sadly.