Hey, I hope people can help me out here.

I want to know what is the ride quality of the 1999-2000 Arnage like? Since there is no Bentley dealer in El paso or any for sale here, I cant walk up to one and test drive. Next available ones are 11-12 hours away and by the time I make that trip I would rather have my mind somewhat made up to buy or not.
Is it firm but supple like a Mercedes?
More on the sporting side but smooth like a BMW?
Floaty like a Cadillac?
Pure sports sedan ride quality like a Maserati?
Or does it ride more like the 1998-2003 Jaguar XJ8?

I know a Rolls (S.Seraph) is plush in ride quality so about where does the Bentley Arnage lies in there between that Rolls and those mentioned above and a Honda Civic (ride qualiity like a toy red wagon)?



And also is there any good places to order parts online that is located in the US? I do not order stuff from overseas sites due to me just plain not comfortable with the idea of my information somewhere if something happens I'm SOL because it's out of the jurisdiction crap. And a website that display the price, which is priced decent in relative terms for a car like the Arnage and good quality? If a buisness does not display price, makes me think they just pull prices out of their butts or have no clue of what they are doing.

One rule in my car searches is I never buy a car without getting information on it from actual owners who deal with the car everyday and not what some magazine says who probably drove the car when new for a few days and have no clue of long run stuff. Already have idea of insurance, just need info on how the car rides and where to get parts supplies instead of waiting for something to break and scrambling to find something then.

 

Hey-

The ride is fairly firm and well controlled (definitely not Cadillac floaty). I can primarily compare it to Lexuses (430s) and a corniche which isn't that helpful... it's definitely firmer than either obviously. The front end isn't air ride and the rear is. Rides very nicely, fairly sporty... I'd say similar to some 7 series I have been in.

There are two fundamental things (aside from the engine, duh) that distinguish the years you're talking about:
1. Wheel size got bigger in 2000. 18" gives a little less sidewall.
2. In terms of actually driving, the 99 did not have variable assist steering and the 2000 does. The non variable steering is certainly engaging, but is clearly much heavier than you're probably used to. Very direct great feel, but heavy.

Order your parts from flying spares or bentleyparts.com (montague). I have used both, i think they can take paypal if you're really concerned. The prices are (almost always) much cheaper than US dealers and they are great to deal with... There's no way to avoid occasionally having a parts scramble even if you're going with US dealers.

You can easily do most maintenance yourself on the car (if you like DIY). Buy a copy of ASSIST somewhere (the applicable service manual) and you'll have directions. Common problems on these cars are the rear air 'spheres', airbag lights on the 99s, various suspension bits that take a beating with the car's weight (check out on higher mileage red labels because of the much higher weight esp.), and then the little things like the gps flip up mechanism, the radio cover flap, the cup holders and the parking brake handle.

They are great cars and phenomenal values at their current prices. I'd probably prefer the green label b/c of the bmw engine's reliability and some part interchangeability with bmws, but to each their own.

Good luck and let us know what you get.

 

Mine felt like a moving brick - Not something I would do again