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Gents, I have been getting an itch lately to try out something a little funky for a daily. Things that are coming to mind would be a Bentley Brooklands or Azure or a Maybach 57s. With what seems like pretty standard luxury dailies all crossing the $100k mark, I feel like there may be some older stuff less expensive than that that could check the box and be a bit more unique while being equally enjoyable. If any of you have spent any meaningful seat time in any of the above, would be great to get your driving impressions. Other suggestions welcome. Thanks.

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Driven an Arnage and loved it. Not exactly the same but I imagine should be close to the feel of an Azure.

 

Sorry but I would respectfully disagree. :turboalex:

 

The Arnage is good, tight and reasonably well-engineered save the infamous electricals. The character of the car changes subject to whether it has the archaic but original 6.75 litre or the techy BMW engine. But the Azure is an absolutely horrendous thing to drive. It looks cool and definitely has the old-school "British Club" charm. But it literally steers like a boat because it's as big and heavy as one. The lack of a rigid top made an already somewhat flexible chassis to be a crowl shake king. Anything above 40mpg, you steering it one way and it will turn the other! You can literally feel the wheelbase flexes and vibrates when you go over bumpy roads. Do a slow cruise on LA's Rodeo Drive or NYC's 5th Ave and you will look cool in it. Drive it at "regular" speed and above and it's a complete POS. And you are rolling the dice as far as QC is concerned. On some cars, the electricals are ok; on some other, I had seen on several occasions where the complete wiring harness was replaced and the gremlins are still there.

 

Which Brooklands were you referring to? The older one that is the twin of the Rolls Royce Spirit/Spur series save the Pantheon grill or the newer 2-door hardtop coupe? From your interest on the Azure, I would guess the later. Basically the same car as the Azure but having a fixed roof greatly improved the chassis' rigidity. And VW did a huge overhaul/re-engineering on the old 6.75 liter turbo engine which is now actually decent. And it needs the beefed up carbon brakes to bring the 2.5+ tonnes yacht to a halt. Miles better than the Azure without the doubt but the electrical gremlins still persist. Nothing major, just quite annoying. I really like its looks and the low production probably makes it a rather sort-after car.

 

These cars are so heavy that their suspension often don't last very long and they aren't cheap to replace. The steering-rack is prone to problems and seldom do they not leak.

 

The Maybach 57 is just a glorified Mercedes-Benz S-class in a XL package. You have the MB's QC & engineering (of that era) but the Maybach doesn't look as good as the S-class. IMO, it's actually pretty ugly and it's a neither nor car.

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Spent a ton of time driving a 2006 Arnage R (6.75L) and absolutely love it. Incredible power and just absurdly comfortable. Has quite the presense as well. A nice maintained low mileage Arnage can be found sub $75k too

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57s looks dated. Azure is definitely a pass. Goofy 1970's tech climate control, cheap looking din stereo and much too floaty ride. A friend had one with 37k miles and couldnt give the damn thing away. I remember lots of front end suspension wear issues, gas guzzler and performance that was nothing at all to write home about.

 

The brooklands looks cool in its last/latest iteneration, but I have no experience with that particular car. Generally, the resale value of the car tells the story. I remember back in '07 or '08 a local guy bought one new, drove it for about three weeks then decided he didnt want it any more. He couldn't get any action at 50% off of msrp.

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The Arnage is nice. I have driven a few, never owned one and have gotten mixed reviews regarding the electronics of the car, seems to be hit and miss but i think they are great value for the money.

The Azure sucks huge, i agree with the previous comments regarding the car, drives terrible and no body rigidity whatsoever, terrible car.

 

I took a maybach home for a weekend a few years ago as i was contemplating buying one, hated it. In my opinion, it drove like an 80's Caddy and incredibly boring looks.An S class MB is a way better car for much less money

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I had a few Arnages back in the day and have nothing but good memories from them although they were fairly low tech by todays standards they still ooze class in the right environment. I just did a quick look on ebay and can't believe you can buy an Arnage T for 30k. If it actually checks out I don't know how you could go wrong at that price.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bentley-Arnage-ARN...em=151928714801

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On another note I know a few here trashed the Azure and I don't have any experience with one but this one online although way over your 100k range is one of the nicest I have seen. Couldn't pull this color off in Maryland but Miami or Socal this would be a sweet ride.

 

 

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bentley-Azure-T-/2...em=262205910987

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On another note I know a few here trashed the Azure and I don't have any experience with one but this one online although way over your 100k range is one of the nicest I have seen. Couldn't pull this color off in Maryland but Miami or Socal this would be a sweet ride.

 

 

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bentley-Azure-T-/2...em=262205910987

WOW, that's just gorgeous!

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What about a used Flying Spur? They can be had for under 100k while still being relatively new. I also happen to think they are one of the best looking sedans out there.

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WOW, that's just gorgeous!

 

 

 

 

Interior looks like a perfect spec for Toofdoc! I wonder if the "T" options help to tighten the car up a bit although its not like this thing would be used for anything besides relaxing drives here and there.

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I owned an Arnage for a year, just sold it to buy a Phantom. I loved it, if I could have kept it and had the Phantom too then I would have. Mine was an 05 so it was the facelifted model with different fenders/headlights as as well as the updated seats, center console etc. The facelifted cars are much better than the 04 down models if you ask me. Tech is kind of dated yes but much simpler than the iDrive systems in the RR cars if you ask me. Mine never had any electrical gremlins but I replaced both the batteries when I purchased it and kept them on a tender. I also made sure to drive it at least once every 2 weeks, they do not like to sit around. Mine had 103000km (64k miles) on it and I sold it for $50k.

 

I have never driven the Azure or 57s so I cant comment on those, I did go to look at a Brooklands that is for sale locally before settling on an RR however I didnt drive it. In person it is incredible. Interior, though it looks similar to the Arnage, is completely different. Different seats, different display panel between the speedo and tach, different bluetooth tech, TONS of room in the back seats. The Brooklands also has an extra 100hp and 100ftlb over the stock Arnage (Brooklands is at 565hp and 750ftlb) which makes it a tire roaster. Look up Jeremy Clarksons review on the Brooklands from Top Gear in 2009.

 

In my opinion, if you can get a Brooklands, buy that first. If not a Brooklands, get an 07+ Arnage (most advanced tech that they had in these cars and they fixed the cam wear issue that some of the earlier cars had). I wouldnt bother with the 57s if you are going to be driving it yourself and convertibles dont do anything for me so the Azure doesnt get my vote either.

 

Also as a side note, the Arnage Ts were basically just an appearance package. They were the same engine/chassis with an extra 20hp (I think, if not less), fog lights added to the front bumper, a reduction in chrome trim and quilted upholstery/door panel inserts. Also 20" wheels. I dont think there were many differences other than that.

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After digging in a bit, it seems like an Arnage T would be a cool option. Speaking generally, there seems to be a ~40%+ premium for the 2005 and later face lifted cars. As you mentioned, this likely cures a lot of the electronic issues. Think the premium is worth it?

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After digging in a bit, it seems like an Arnage T would be a cool option. Speaking generally, there seems to be a ~40%+ premium for the 2005 and later face lifted cars. As you mentioned, this likely cures a lot of the electronic issues. Think the premium is worth it?

Yes. Bwilkins gave some great info. The 05' had the facelift but the 07+ got an updated ZF transmission and more efficient Mitsubishi turbos. Horsepower was bumped from 450 to 500. There's are some really good, low mileage 07'-09's that come up. They seem worth the extra money

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What about a used Flying Spur? They can be had for under 100k while still being relatively new. I also happen to think they are one of the best looking sedans out there.

 

I second this....the FS has a modern, elegant, classic look and the engine is pretty much bullet proof.

I've contemplated selling mine but it's such a great reliable sedan.

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I second this....the FS has a modern, elegant, classic look and the engine is pretty much bullet proof.

I've contemplated selling mine but it's such a great reliable sedan.

Does yours have the 6.0 W12? I am loving the 5.2 V10 in my S8 and whenever we come back to the US I could see going for an A8L W12 but man it would be tempting to just go for a FS.

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Still busted but it is probably my phone over here in Hong Kong. I looked it up through the website. Certainly looks clean. I'd need to see that interior in person to know for sure. The woodgrain is old man but let's face it...the whole car is old man. ;)

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After digging in a bit, it seems like an Arnage T would be a cool option. Speaking generally, there seems to be a ~40%+ premium for the 2005 and later face lifted cars. As you mentioned, this likely cures a lot of the electronic issues. Think the premium is worth it?

 

The premium for the facelifted cars is definitely worth it. The facelift came with the VAG purchase of Bentley and they changed a lot of stuff that was downright archaic from the pre-face lift cars both cosmetic and electronically. As was mentioned below your comment, the 07 cars also got the ZF transmission which is a 6spd, I forgot about that change. They also got a push button start that is located by the gearshift on the center console although you still have to put the key in the ignition so its more of a novelty than anything. The 05/06 cars still have the GM 5spd transmission which in my opinion is just as good as the ZF trans albeit less one speed.They are both tried and true transmissions that wont give you any problems. The 05/06 also still have the pixel display info screen between the speedo and tach on the dash whereas in 07 they moved to a full LCD screen that is slightly larger. The pixel display still does everything it needs to but the LCD is a bit more modern looking and easier to read. . The 40% premium for the facelifted cars is worth it just for the better headlights and center console if you ask me. If you can find a good 07+ with the right miles/history and colours that should be your top pick, I couldnt find one around here so I settled for my 05 however if/when I buy another one I will go with an 07+.

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