Number four on the way!

So last summer a friend of mine was in town visiting and fell in love with my 1990 Turbo R. After a brief chat it was his and I was left Bentleyless so I immediately scratched that itch by way of the purchase of a 1953 R-Type (lovely automobile, by the way). However, fast forward eight-or-so months and the jones for another Turbo R hits...and I mean hits HARD.

Frantic combing of the various specialist sites across the 'web lands me on my Holy Grail of Turbo Rs; a Vermillion Red (that's Rosso Corsa to you lot) '89 model (20,000 series -- best of the breed) with Magnolia leather, piped Red and Red Wilton carpets bound in Magnolia. Full service history from Symbolic Motor Cars in LaJolla, CA and fresh out of a suspension service. Score! Being picked up today, 1/14, and will be here in exactly one week. Pics to come!!

And yeah, fourth Turbo R. Love these bloody things. Checking account, however, does not

 

They are seductive!

I was reading a review of the Turbo R in the current Hemmings. I wonder when the values of depreciating Arnages will intersect with appreciating Rs? Love both but the maintenance costs concern me.

Kevin

 

Kevin,

You can buy Arnages for Turbo R money now, but....why would you???

 

Congrats on the additions to your Bentley family! I have owned a Turbo R for a decade and agree that they are truly magical machines. They are such capable performers and look stunning when properly maintained (mine still looks and drives like a new car). Costs are in line with other luxury vehicles if you use a competent and resourceful specialist. I acquired an Arnage as a replacement with the intention of doing a trade, but decided to keep the Turbo around for a while longer. After all, two is better then one, right? The Arnage is incredible in its own right and it has been interesting driving them back-to-back (so different but sharing that old-world Bentley essence). I have decided to sell the Turbo R to make room for a new toy, but will probably have the same withdrawal symptoms when it's gone.

All I can say is that if you want one, get one and enjoy!

 

Brave, brave souls you are. Very nice machines, but when somthing goes wrong with that braking system, uhggggg. I had one in the shop not to long ago with the dreded "low brake pressure" light on. After spending about 2 useless days on it I gave up.

I sent it to a Citroen mechanic, who had all the proper testing equipment for the accumulator balls and all the gauges. He fixed it in less then 4 hours. Funny thing is, the dealer and a known rolls Royce specialist spent more then a year combined trying to fix the issue.

I asked what was wrong with the car, and the mechanic just smiled and handed me the bill..$325. Still have no idea to this day what he changed or did to fix that car.

 

Yeah, the braking/leveling systems can sometimes throw you off when diagnosing them, however once you gain the understanding of how they work, like anything, it's not too bad. I rebuilt the entire braking system on my '77 Shadow II; everything from brake pumps to distribution valves to calipers and everything in-between! Was a long and arduous process but in the end, I had a Shadow that would stand on its nose if asked, and that's the way those cars are supposed to be. You'll never drive anything that heavy which stops so well..

 

I agree.. When that system is working as intended it could very well be the best system. But it's complexity is something to behold. Without the correct equipment to test the various parts, you just end up running around in circles.

I had a customer with a merak and it had a braking issue knowbody could fix, the thing just wouldn't stop. He begged me to try and fix it, and I begged him not to bring it in!! It worked out for me in the end...but this was well before I knew of the citeron tech in our area.

 

Congrats! Beautiful car and amazing Color combo!

I had a 2001 Conti R LM a few years ago. Those old B's are cars with soul, that's what is missing on VW Bentleys.

 

Well, the big Brit arrived. Looks mighty good, pulls like a godd*mn freight train--definitely the fastest of the four I've had. Almost feels as if someone has tweaked the boost pressure solenoid or ECU or has tightened the waste gate spring!

It's gonna need new gas springs in the rear--typical--and I've a new pair sitting at the house, waiting to go on. Beyond that, all seems rather in good order with it. Oh, and it might just still have its original paint, as it has the typical lacquer checking here and there that's pretty much par for the course on a Crewe paint job.

Now; how in the hell do I post photos here without being a subscribed member any longer? Is it even possible?