Відео

Most likely when said engine is eventually increased to 6.75 litres, then turbocharged until it's making 400+ BHP - something has to give and the gaskets were not up to scratch. Later run out cars, which produced circa 500 BHP cars were reworked by Bentley and generally don't tent to suffer the same failure. Either way, these are old cars now and most would have been replaced with improved gaskets and are unlikely to go again. It's wonderful really that the L-series V8 ended up providing nearly 60 years of service, across several models. In its final run out in the Mulsanne Speed, that old engine, albeit heavily reworked, produced 530 BHP, 811lb ft of torque and still met Euro 6 emission regulations. One could say the same with the Rover V8 - in 3.5 litre form it's a reliable old thing, once they started pushing 5.0 litres and bigger power figures from the same block, they became a tad more fragile in stock form.

Great to hear you're enjoying CLK ownership. The fact you're living in dry area, would have definitely helped and hopefully you can continue to enjoy it for many years to come. Unfortunately, many here in Europe have succumbed to corrosion, even though mechanically they're strong.

That has to be one the best and level-headed responses i've had to this video. Thank you for watching.

Interesting that you didn't really get on with it. I've since bought a factory BGT V8 and am really enjoying driving that most days. However, I really did enjoy my time behind the wheel and living with the C, although once they've had some sensible upgrades to the steering/suspension they really sharpen up. Although, it remains a very different drive to my v8 or my 66 BGT. I shall have to mention your name to Richard, when i'm next in the office at MGOC HQ. From memory, MGC numbers were something like 4,542 roadsters and 4,457 GT.

@@fuelupclassic Thanks for the swift reply! I really did try to love the CGT as I had my previous '66 BGT and '64 B roadster. When I bought it, it had a small MotoLita steering wheel on it! Happily, the original wheel came with it and when I put it on, it felt like I had power steering! I guess that the driving I did back then suited the B more than the C which, as you so rightly say, was more of a tourer than a sports car. After selling it, I had two more BGTs and an Alfa 2000 GTV (wonderful but I couldn't deal with the rust!) before the BGT V8 which I loved and owned for over three years before getting into Porsches (an "entry" 924 then two 911s). When the kids came along, it was then BMWs for the space. Living in Vancouver now, I met up with Richard and Roche, Martin and Dave Jarvis at the founder members' celebratory dinner last October . . . after being close friends of all of them, I hadn't seen them since the mid 1980s so it was a nostalgic reunion, Please do remember me to Richard . . . he bought his V8 after driving mine but, unlike me, he had the good sense to keep his! I remember us touring the Scottish Highlands in them around 1980 . . . happy days!

Fantastic to hear you've had some great trips with yours! They're unlike almost any other car and become part of the family don't they.

@@fuelupclassic Absolutely true. At one time I had 4 dogs, 2 would get get very wet and muddy all day outside, but I could just hose out the back and wipe the seats. Muddy boots is just what they are designed for. I am not keen on the urban versions with fat wheels and a snorkel for the high street. The best is deep snow when others are challenged. Diff lock is great when used as it should be.

Same here! Although, prices for good one shave steadily reason in recent years.

It's certainly one that i'm glad the previous owner footed the bill for! However, in reality it's the only big ticket failure it's ever had in 24 years. Even though it's an old pushrod V8 albeit in a relatively high state of tune by the year 2000, labour to do the job on the turbocharged 6.75 V8 is hefty and with genuine parts soon mount up, unlike an old Rover V8 where parts are cheap and plentiful. Although that figure included the diagnosis and strip down, replacing both head gaskets with upgraded parts and a full overhaul of the entire cooling system and anything else it may have needed whilst access was easy. A friend has just had a near £10,000 bill for a similar job on a Turbo R, so for 2017 and the work being undertaken at a very respected specialist, it's not too out of the ordinary.

It achieved an average of circa 20 MPG over the whole trip, which is pretty good for an old 6.75 litre turbocharged V8, 4 people and a boot full of luggage. Highest was 23 MPG on a long, steady motorway run. It's really only in heavy urban traffic that single figures are possible....Then it gets a bit expensive haha.

They're a known weak point on turbocharged Bentley's of the 90s and early 2000s - I guess when you're pushing pretty impressive power figures from an ancient engine design, something eventually has to give. Either way, they don't ALL go, but if you're unlucky enough to suffer a HG failure, it's really not the end of the world and head gasket aside, they're a very strong unit. Once it's been sorted with modern upgraded gaskets etc, it's unlikely to go again. I've had so called 'bulletproof' Toyotas in the past that required entire injector replacements and suffered corrosion issues at just sever years old, which cost a fortune to rectify. In my experience, all cars break, have inherent faults and all need ongoing maintenance, whether they are cheap or expensive.

That's a pretty imprssive weak point. In my opinion Bentley should be prepared to at least to come to the party with some of the costs. The early xk8 had a liner problem, again a known fault, and most were replaced by Jaguar at no cost to the owner. You can't compare Toyotas to Bentleys. They cost a fraction of the price, and they are very reliable in the main. I agree all cars require upkeep for wear and tear and most components will fail eventually, but I still think a failed head gasket at 60k is pretty poor.

@@artistglyn Unfortunately, there's not a chance Bentley were going to pay or even part pay, for a then 17 year old vehicle that had suffered head gasket failure. Luckily, that bill didn't land on my front door and I can only speak of my personal ownership experience of a now pretty old car. Of course, Bentley must of had some idea of the issue, as they did eventually tweak later models, which from what i'm told are far less likely to suffer the same problems. The Nikasil Liner issue on Jaguars of the era was indeed largely properly addressed by Jaguar (I recall my mother had three new engines in an XK8 back in 97!). However BMW were far less generous with dealing with a similar issue at the time, and both would have laughed you out of the showroom if you turned up 17 years later demanding a new engine. Therefore, it does seem to be a bit of pot luck depending on how a manufacturer will look after you, even whilst the car is in warranty. - e.g current LR/Jaguar ingenium engines! Interestingly, i've had hundreds of comments from Toyota and Lexus owners on this video who are only too keen to tell me how great their cars are and how cheap to run they are, and that they are so much better than a RR/Bentley - I can only go on my personal experience in that, of the several that I have owned, they've been no better or worse than any other car. I will take a Bentley or Rolls any day of the week.

As tyres and batteries are basically consumable items, they have been left out. Although I do mention what replacement tyres cost these days and the car is still fitted with its original exhaust. Thank you for watching :)

@@fuelupclassic Original exhaust is impressive, I was wondering about tyres because it's a heavy car but I heard you say about the tyre price, batteries can add up if it's a battery eater which luxury car often are, but it's all good I was just wondering, Thanks for the reply.

Great to hear you're enjoying Lexus ownership, and arguably an LS makes a sensible choice for those looking for luxury, without the potential for big bills. I've owned a few myself and found them to be very capable machines, yet I have no real desire for another. Interestingly, I always note in the comments section those by far the most vocal and first to preach about how comparatively cheap their cars are to buy, run, service and how awful all other manufacturers are in comparison, are almost solely Toyota/Lexus owners. I often wonder if 'die hard' owners of these marques act the same with other purchases in their life, such as houses, watches, holidays etc, constantly making comparisons with others and claiming theirs to be best? Nonetheless, it's not a criticism at all, but it is interesting to see how they both have a such a strong, almost tribal, brand loyalty in certain parts of the world. A RR/Bentley of this age is almost always going to be a heart over head decision, mostly by enthusiasts after a weekend toy, who are likely to accept higher running costs are just a part of the ownership experience. Nonetheless, they're fantastic vehicles to own, with almost zero depreciation at this point, and with specialist support making them perhaps not quite as expensive as some may have thought to keep in tip top condition - hence the video. However, if we all liked and drove the same cars, it would be a very dull world indeed. Happy motoring!

Best compliment i've had today 😂- although do vicars usually wear Barbour jackets?

You could always sleep in it? haha :)

@@fuelupclassic you know what? I never thought of that but it's completely doable 🤣🤣

It’s really not too bad when you average it out. Obviously should something major fail, the bill could easily run to more than the car is worth. However, I hope it helps those interested get a true indication of some of the running costs, as there’s an awful lot of misinformation out there.

Hopefully some of the costs will be roughly the same or at least useful. It’s worth pointing out that the head gaskets were done in 2017 and should a similar issue occur now, I suspect the bill could easily be much more. A good specialist is currently circa £100-120 pound per hour and a Bentley dealer I suspect somewhere in the region of double that, so it soon mounts up.

It’s really not too bad when you average it out. Obviously should something major fail, the bill could easily run to more than the car is worth. However, I hope it helps those interested get a true indication of some of the running costs, as there’s an awful lot of misinformation out there.

Both and a full overhaul of the cooling system at the same time.

Very good advice! They certainly are prone to rust

@@fuelupclassic Im speaking from experience lol

Thank you for watching

They’re lovely old things :)

Condensation as it was a very cold day

@@fuelupclassic I'm very surprised. That's a really dense white smoke, and the smoke would continue for minutes if it was vapor in cold weather. To me it's oil. But of course I didn't see your car so can't claim anything

@@alexispavlov5170 Nope! Just condensation as the car had sat for a while in minus temperatures. Thank you for your concern though.

on an early 3 synchro box, they are rare to come across these days. Later cars, (1967 ish) onwards were then fitted with a 4 synchro, which are not particularly rare to find with overdrive at all.

@fuelupclassic ahh I see. New to the mgbs myself

Ouch!

​@@fuelupclassic but worth every penny!!

Absolutely love that! You have summed up exactly what classic car ownership can be about and why they are so often much more than something to get you from A to B. Enjoy your E30 :)

Sorry the free content documenting my car wasn't 'fast paced' enough for you. Luckily, there's plenty more channels you could and probably should watch.

I feel this is how every 'man maths' decision is made haha! Yes, but in all seriousness fundamentally depreciation has done its thing and knowing that really does help you justify the high running costs.

Go for it! They're fantastic cars :)

Glad you enjoyed it and thank you for watching.

@@fuelupclassic Always enjoy your content tbh just a wholesome watch 😎😎😎

@@jimmerritt2860 Thank you :)

They share surprisingly few components with BMW when you look into it, unlike the RR. Either way, it would likely be a fun project that you should give it a go! Or you could simply just buy an early Arnage fitted with the 4.4 V8.

yes, both done at the same time, along with a full overhaul of the entire cooling system.

Having both would be very damaging indeed haha :) Thank you for watching.

It's not too bad really! Depreciation is almost non-existent these days too. Around £2-£3,000 per year keeps on top of servicing, although it has the potential to throw some really big bills your way should something major fail.

Thank you Vince :) They certainly keep me busy.

Thank you for watching.

An intelligent, level-headed response there 😂

Haha, I know exactly what you mean :). I've never had too much issue with the lack of shoulder space, but i'm not sure I own a pair of trousers that hasn't got a rip in them, from the seat adjustment lever, so conveniently placed to catch you every time you get out!

HAHA! There's far worse and far more expensive ways to waste your money, i'm sure.

Yep! Pretty much all cars end up costing money at some point.