Can you self service the CGT ?
 

I own a Porsche and do simple oil changes to save on the $600 oil change the dealer wants to charge me for. Then I take my $199 duratech tool and reset the service light. Also do my own brakes and filters, the easy stuff.

Can these be done on a CGT for the "home" mechanic.

Looking at a 2005\2006 but no matter what financial situation I am in I hate to pay $2k for service I can do myself.

I too prefer to do my own servicing. Problem is, how do you value that stamp in your service record handbook. And how much will potential buyers value it when you come to sell the car. There's nothing much on the schedule that's outside the scope of a competent home mechanic except perhaps resetting the service warnings. I've yet to find a GT service manual available anywhere but I managed to get a VW Phaeton one on CD - it's gotta be close. Paying £200 for oil when I know I can get it for less than £70 smells rip-off to me.

my .03 worth
 

I am quite sure that you can physically do the work yourself. But you are getting more than just an oil change when you take it to the dealership. When it comes to the CGT, you paid how many hundred thousand dollars for the car, why skimp on the service? There are checks and balances, they are looking for and could possibly find something that needs attention before it becomes a larger problem.

These are assumptions, but again, its your car. Be caeful... right?!? LOL

Steve

p.s. $600 for an oil service is 3 times what it cost here... I'd make sure you aren't getting hosed there too...

I do all the work on my Pcar, but the Bentley is a much tougher car to work on. Oil changes arent an issue but brakes for example are a problem, for one the parts are approx, $2000 alone, but to remove the rear pads you need a their scanner to release the rear caliper. Without that you cant do the rear brakes. I too hate to get ripped by a dealer and I happen to own several repair shops so I do everything on all my cars...but the Bentley is not worth it, many things under the hood also require taking many things apart and its just not that convenient without the correct "special Bentley" tools.

That's some good info to know. This is a great board!! :cool:

Here is a pic of the caliper...
http://www.britishcarpartsco.com/images/gtbrakes.JPG

did you try www.workshopmanuals.co.uk

their service was amazing when i ordered my porsche stuff and i'm on the other side of the pond.

I think this thread is worth bringing up again as 2005 Bentley GT's are hovering around the high 70k's...as looking more and more tempting vs spending that on a 997.

I see the workshop manuals on ebay for $275, anyone know where to buy the bentley tools (brake scanner? mentioned above) and anyone know of a reset tool.


Come on guys the internet is all about finding ways to do things yourself without bringing it to the dealer for a "stamp".
On my Cayenne I do all the oil changes, brakes, and have the Durametric reset tool. I hear you with the "service stamp" but I don't look to sell my cars

so it is impossible to remove the rear calipers without a bentley technician? :(

not impossible
 

Its not impossible. The underpinnings of a CGT is a modifed version of the A8. I've worked on it before and altho it is tought it is possible to do. You need this software and tool to connect to your car. Its called Vag-Com. Maybe some of you have heard of it from the VW world. Its basically a replica of the tools VW/Audi use. Don't try and purchase the Ebay knock off vag coms they dont work period.

You are so right about the prices. You can buy so many cars with 70K those days. CGT is one of my long time favor, but a 70K CGT must likely will be out of the warranty. That is a big cons and dangerous.

So it was time to do the brakes on my Flying Spur. Must say the fronts were pretty tuff. Nothing like the 6 & 8 piston calipers on Porsche's & Benz's where you can just pull the pins out to slide the pads in & out. For it you have to unbolt the whole caliper and pop the pads in & out.

Now for the rears I read that you need a "Vag-Com" computer to do them. Just for the hell of it I tried to do it anyway and let me tell ya you can't. Tried every possible way with running the car and turning the E brake on it off with a C clamp on the caliper & it just would not compress. Almost thought that I was gonna have to get the car towed cause afterwards it wouldn't even go back on over the old pads. Finally I got it to compress just enough. Does any know how much a Vag-Com costs and where I can get 1 from? Also what other functions can you do with it?

http://www.ross-tech.com/ these guys have it

Shoot. I hope this will do the trick, I just ordered it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370240674208&ru=http%3 A%2F%2Fmotors.shop.ebay.com%3A80%2F__%3F_from%3DR4 0%26_trksid%3Dm39%26_nkw%3D370240674208%26_fvi%3D1 &_rdc=1#ht_3664wt_941

For me, the idea is you can..... but would you want to? when you are dealing with a 60k+ car (figure that was a 180K car) why skimp on service? not to mention these cars have alot of bespoke parts and need specific tools, so the aggravation and hassle it will create is not worth it. Also when considering a car I always consider service of sed car as part of the cost. I mean there are some cars that yea I can just do some minor service to myself, (did my AMG's brakes the other day) but also figure if something goes wrong while doing the service the dealer has to take care of it (say if the brake something) while if you brake it... well you are SOL. If you cant afford the services of such a vehicle, then that vehicle might not be for you. There is another thread in the Ferrari forum and he asked me if its necessary to service a F430 at a ferrari dealer. Considering the F1 servo alone is close to 2K yeaa i would want to. As for the CGT im more inclined to do some services due to it being underpinned with a A8, Honestly its just knowing what you can do and when to throw in the towel and go to a dealer.

Affording the service from the dealer is not an issue. Myself and I'm sure many others enjoy working on there own vehicles whatever they may be. It's always fun and challenging doing your own work. What a perfect excuse to get out of the house and have a few cold 1's with friends.