Rolls Royces For Under $15k

Maintenance? ha

Very high..

 

The maintenance on those cars makes a 400 basket case look like a good deal.

They're not worth fixing...

 

Drive em till they break, and then swap in a 350/350 drivetrain!

My uncle recently had one in a similar condition... (not the chevy swap, I'm half kidding) it was a way cool car, for the money!

 

i'd stay away from them, i've heard that older rolls and bentleys have electrical problems to them, lots of electrical problems.

 

If bought right, they could probably be great, but the reason they are cheap is that:
1. it's not easy to find a competent mechanic;
2. parts are typically horrendous in price;
3. they are complicated and for that reason, not as reliable as you'd like.
I've eye-balled them every once in a while, but get scared away. There are some folks on this board with real experience in these cars, so i'll let them weigh in, but i'd think that even a lower mileage, higher priced car from RR/Bentley would still be a real risk; at some point, their values may turn around, but i wouldn't buy one with that expectation.

 

I'd like to bring up a couple other points in addition to Bill's.

4. Labor rates are horrendous and they like to spend time in the shop.
5. They are old, original cars, and are less reliable than when they were newer (which is not utterly reliable to begin with)
6. Their values will not turn around for 10 years or more. My Uncle has a absolutely mint, original, early Silver Cloud 1 and its not going up in value.
7. They are complicated and for that reason, not as reliable as you'd like.
8. I would wager a $15k Ferrari would be as or more reliable.

Sunny

 

I have a 1984 Silver Spur in stock for sale......and while I haven't had to fix these items listed below......I do know what they cost.......all figures are CAD $......I have about $9K of recon into it already which was required to make it perfect.....

Windshield $2,500
Rear tail light $2,500 each
Brake Pads $1,600 for the set
Shocks $2,000 each
Leather seat reconditioning $1,500 for all four
Etc...etc...etc...

My best friend is the past president of the Western chapter of the RR Owners Club of Canada......Bentley Turbo R's are worse......much worse......

 

I have a Bentley Turbo R. They can get expensive if you go thru the Bentley dealer. They are not as complicated as people think they are, it's quite a straightforward car with a lot of GM parts (transmission,etc.). For basic maintenance your local mechanic can handle. It's the parts cost that will hurt you.

The 80's RR are simpler with less electronics. If you're handy then it's worth a try. Driving a RR or Bentley is quite a surreal experience.

 

you can get them for 20% of that cost if you know which 1970's/80's ford also uses them

 

So what goes bad on them that a competent mechanic cant fix in his/her own garage?

I'm reading the trannys are GM. last time I checked you can get a rebuilt tranny, installed for ~$1500, or less depending on model.

Looks like parts costs are the beyatch... $1600 for brake pads? Damn.

Looks like knowing which parts cross reference is the key

 

I believe that they use mineral oil for brake fluid and it doesn't mix with the stuff everyone else uses. I was told $10K to fix that screwup. Years ago in Hemmings I looked at some parts dealers for RR and wasn't shocked at the prices and I had an E-type at the time. You might want to pick up a copy and look.

 

Sorry but I don't see the appeal. This car is bettered in every regard by any of today's mid-sized sedans, right down to a Hyundai. The only thing it offeres is snob appeal, and not even that as you are more likely to get laughed at in a $15k Rolls than you are to impress anyone. Status on a budget is an oxymoron.

 

Parts are expensive, the brake system is a nightmare if it has not been maintained properly, but if you are going to buy one, buy the best you can, it will be a lot cheaper in the long run.

 

You could say the same thing about a Ferrari 308.

Some people like them. Get what you like, and what makes you smile.

Dom

 

I love those old RR's. I think they are really neat.

 

308 is a classic.

 

The links you posted shows the listing has been removed so it could've been a scam or something else wasn't kosher with the listing.

 

And an old Rolls Royce is not? I'd take a old 60's RR Silver Cloud over a 308 any day.

 

Rolls Royce in my mind has always been the ultimate luxury car maker. Silver Ghost is my favorite and we had a neighbor that had a silver cloud in california. Seen a few here in idaho (bentley and new phantom)

I like the older rolls the best of course

 

Really depends on the which Rolls, but having given it more thought, I am willing to conceed the point. I guess Rolls' just don't resonate with me while F-cars do. I was unfair and I'm sure they are great cars for the qualities of fine materials, old world charm, and a smooth ride.

 

FYI it's a Ford Cortina or Granada, the brakes come in at around £70 for all four corners

Only the body, the interior and the suspension will give the home mechanic any problems......but as we've already said if you don't know who to go to and what to ask for the parts prices can be fairly interesting!

 

I was given my mechanic's 74 RR for a loaner while my Jag was in and it certainly was a treat. Made you feel like every tour was a "ride through the park". Outward visibility was outstanding since the A,B, and C pillars are so small.

But a totally "obvious" car. If I had one I'd probably tint the windows way dark, but hearing about $2000 tail lights, and as it's been said, that other cars (Jag, MB, BMW) are as nice or nicer and more practical means the RR for me may never happen.

I suppose the right RR choice for a F-car guy would be a Bentley anyway. They're supposed to handle better.

 

Ok I can lend some ownership experience to this thread, having owned a '67 Bentley T1 and presently keeping a '91 Turbo R in my garage...

As some here have mentioned, parts prices are fearsome to say the least. Brake rotors for my T1 cost me $400 each six or seven years ago, a ball joint was $290, and a steering box.......almost $4,000!!!

The brakes and suspension operate on a high (and I mean HIGH) pressure hydraulic system which is very complex. Keep in mind, this is on a car from the 1960s, so reliability is a key factor here. The T1 was by and large, the most expensive car I've ever had to maintain. I was stunned when I first got underneath that car while it was on my lift. The differential looks as if it belongs in a 10 ton truck, there are leading and trailing calipers on the front wheels, the control arms are MASSIVE, etc..etc...The engineering and perfection is totally apparent. The engines are buttery-smooth, and the transmission (a GM TH400 variant) is silky as well. The steering is feather light, and the ride...well it's more of a "waft" than a ride. The handling of the old Rollers and Bentleys can be improved dramatically with the additon of a Harvey Bailey Handling Kit.

The Turbo R, by comparison, has been much less of an "animal" on maintenance, mainly because it is 24 years newer. Parts are still on the high side, but if you are competent with a spanner, you can handle most of the repairs at home, save for certain suspension/brake work having to deal with the hydraulics.

IMHO, RR and Bentley engines are some of the best in the world. The V8 used in the Silver Shadows, T1, T2, Silver Wraith, etc..is an absolutely superb powerplant. Just a basic pushrod design, but sooooo smooth.

I've always preferred Bentleys over Rollers simply due to the less ostentatious image of a Bentley. That being said, I've always loved the Silver Shadow RRs from the mid to late '70s, and the extremely rare Flying Spur made in the late '80s (only 50 made) is a masterpiece. Basically, it's a Silver Spur with every conceivable option RR had to offer, including a turbocharged V8 over the naturally aspirated version that the Silver Spur got. I think I'll definitely purchase a Silver Shadow sometime in the not too distant future. Sychelles Blue/Grey two-tone or classic Tuxedo Black over Silver with Burgundy hides.

And yes, there is nothing like being behind the wheel of a Crewe built automobile. That's right, Rollers and Bentleys are "automobiles" or "carriages", but never "cars".

Cheers,
Aaron
'82 GTSi