Hi all

Well after approx 4 weeks of ownership of a 2005 54k mile CGT i have to admit to being quite disappointed with Bentley ownership so far for the following reasons:-

• There is an annoying squeek / creak from the rear interior somewhere
• The drivers (RHD) door panel rattles unless i put arm weight on it when driving
• The TV doesnt have any signal and several auto tunes has not found any so it must have a fault
• The phone system (Nokia style handset in armrest) rings and connects but there is no sound from the speakers at all
• The rear quarter window seal gets trapped when the window goes up after door closing
• The doors were badly adjusted and the lines of the car were not good enough. Cant believe rich owners prior to me allowed this to be the case - Sorted by me in 5 mins
• There is suspension kickback when going over speed humps and at 54k miles i am shocked and annoyed
• Not the car's fault as such but one of my split rim wheels seperated when the bolts started vibrating loose. 9 were lost and the car nearly killed me
• The steering has a shimmy at 55mph, possibly linked to suspension or just tyre balance so can be fixed
• The door mirror adjustment just stopped working
• The manuals are rubbish, no helpful info about basic maintenance like bulbs etc and have since learnt its a major job to change a bulb - WTF

In truth whilst the car sounds very muscular and all my friends, colleagues and neighbours love it i have to say i have driven more exciting cars from Porsche and Mercedes actually. The CGT feels heavy and the ride quality is better in a Merc SL55 than the Bentley which is quite surprising.

So far its been an expensive but dissatisfying experience that I am really in two minds whether to stick with it or move on so soon after purchase. I expected far better than this.

Am i alone or have others had similar disappointment of the CGT ownership?

Thanks

Carl

 

I bought mine about the same time as you, 05 GT 60k

So far I am working through a list.

The boot latch didn't function properly found a broken wire in the boot loom, not great design to be honest but now fixed.

The wheels are badly corroded, it needs a really good clean and there has been some learning over the various functions as I don't have a manual.

I think fundamentally I have found the problem in that quite a few owners just don't care and chop them in when they have had enough. I have no idea why the previous owner didn't sort the wheels earlier would have been much easier. I have every bill from new and some of the stuff is unbelievable that has been bought. The bluetooth is annoying and I have fitted a mediabridge which is a bit of a compromise.

I am thoroughly delighted with it, it is fast, comfortable and mine is rattle free, but not perfect. It creates quite a stir wherever it goes and is a dream to drive IMHO. Just need to find time to give it a good clean. The boot and bonnet areas look like they have never been cleaned. There are a couple of rusty fastners in the engine bay.

My list of things to get is getting longer though

Better mats
Mulliner gear **** (thing of beauty)
Jewel filler cap
New Nav cd
Owners manual - Missed 2 on the bay
Locking wheel nut
TPMS module
part shares in shell

WIth the OP's wheels I can almost guarantee they were refurbed and they didn't loctite the bolts properly. Most people I have spoken to are scared to death of refurbing them.

One of the bills refers to realigning the doors due to rubbing of the door strips, common?

The TV in an '05 is analogue and that doesn't really exist any more? On the BMW's there used to be a hybrid you could fit that would deliver digital.

What phone are you pairing?

Anything I can do to help, I have a TVR as well and trust me that is a real challenge to get right!

 

Hi, thanks for the comments, never thought about the TV being analogue, that explains a lot.

The wheels were returned so I can't blame the car as such.

Disappointed by the squeaks and rattles, those are very unexpected and the need for suspension arms at 54k miles is just crap full stop.

I'm not trying to pair a phone, its an old Nokia fitted into a cradle in the arm rest. It dials and connects but I can't hear it ring or anyone talking, they can't hear me either. Its been suggested that the privacy handset could be at fault.

I guess my feelings are a sum of all the issues, some fixable and others that I just don't feel are justifiable in such a car.

The handbook / service manual are poor, they offer no help with general maintenance items that every other manual I have ever seen does.

I mean, what car co makes a car where you have to have the engine out (or at least take parts off the front end to get any sort of access) to do a simple task of changing a bulb? Simply ridiculous

Just my 2 cents

Carl

 

Will tackle some of these...

• There is an annoying squeek / creak from the rear interior somewhere

Have someone else drive the car as you diagnose it. Could be something simple.

• The drivers (RHD) door panel rattles unless i put arm weight on it when driving

Yup, the problem is the way the door panel on the old cars are fastened. You need to install new door panel fasteners as had the same problem in the 2006 GT.

• The phone system (Nokia style handset in armrest) rings and connects but there is no sound from the speakers at all

The phone system is a POS compared to modern units. Alot has changed since 2003/04 when that system was designed. This is what happens with old cars and fast-moving tech. You can buy an updated system for $2k+, but a Dice MediaBridge solves that and much more.

• The doors were badly adjusted and the lines of the car were not good enough. Cant believe rich owners prior to me allowed this to be the case - Sorted by me in 5 mins

So you bought a car that probably was not properly maintained, that says a lot about why you are having many problems.

• There is suspension kickback when going over speed humps and at 54k miles i am shocked and annoyed

Probably time for new suspension bits/bushings, as that mileage is about right for it needing service if you plan to properly maintain the vehicle.

• The steering has a shimmy at 55mph, possibly linked to suspension or just tyre balance so can be fixed

Again, the suspension probably needs to be attended to, though I have a feeling it may relate to the bad rims. Another thing may be you need to top-off the tire pressure, as I found the heavy car can flatten the tires a bit if your pressure is on the low side.


* The manuals are rubbish, no helpful info about basic maintenance like bulbs etc and have since learnt its a major job to change a bulb - WTF

Because they expect the yearly factory service to attend to these items. Sounds to me like you need the factory service DVD as you want to DIY.

* So far its been an expensive but dissatisfying experience that I am really in two minds whether to stick with it or move on so soon after purchase. I expected far better than this.

Was the car fully up to date with factory servicing?


* Am i alone or have others had similar disappointment of the CGT ownership?

The Bentley, especially the early models, have problems at normal intervals. Some of these situations were sorted with design changes on newer models. The older cars like yours have known situations, which the factory did redesign bits to avoid these pitfalls. Don't dare buy an old Roller, as then you'll really learn about the nightmare of ongoing servicing.

I can't help but wonder if the highly devalued from original MSRP on the older cars are now bringing in new blood to Bentley, but with lower entry price means there may be other symptoms due to service neglect too. Older Ferrari and other cars suffer the same fate as people see a 'cheap Ferrari' and buy them without realizing what they have gotten themselves into. So you are not alone per se.

Am very curious which Bentley dealer sold you the car? Was it fully up to date in servicing?

 

I'm sorry to hear you're having these problems with a 'new' car :-/ Unfortunately I can't offer any guidance as I don't have one - but I have been researching getting into a CGT for a while. Were these issues apparent when you test drove / purchased the car?

 

A long list but not silly for a 9 year old car that may not have been that well maintained.
It is really a handbuilt supercar, and not a mass produced German car.

I had a couple of your issues and dealt with them (none of them cheap mind you) as follows;

• The drivers (RHD) door panel rattles unless i put arm weight on it when driving - The dealer found that the weight of the door panel and PO leaning on door for 9 years, had snapped a bracket off that held the door panel in place. He fabricated a new one and $400 later all fixed.
• The steering has a shimmy at 55mph, possibly linked to suspension or just tyre balance so can be fixed - Had this identically. Dealer rotated tyres on Rims and did a Radial Balance, $130 later all good.
• There is suspension kickback when going over speed humps and at 54k miles i am shocked and annoyed - I had upper lower. inner outer and every bush replaced in front suspension. This is a very heavy car and 9 years is too much for the rubber bushes. $4,000 for this one.
• Lastly I spent $2,000 on paintless dent removal, chips touched up and cut and polish at a proper panel beater. Car went from looking a bit tired to close to brand new - and still looks great over a year later. This made the biggest difference in my mind.

I paid 25% of new price for a handbuilt Supercar - so don't consider the above too bad.

 

Hi guys

Thanks for the comments and advice on fixes. The car was actually purchased from a Porsche indy who sells many 911's etc but also high end stuff like the CGT and Ferrari's etc. Service wise its all upto date and correct, Bentley main dealer except the last that was a Rolls & Bentley specialist, they performed a major service inc plugs etc, all as per Bentley requirements.

Can new door clips be purchased from Bentley, if so how much and what p/no?

The suspension is disappointing given its 4 weeks in my ownership, will discuss this with the dealer as i dont think i should have to pay for that so soon after buying. I put it down to the wheel fault actually but after repair the shimmy still exists although the tyre rotation could be a thing because the dealer actually swapped a rear to the front before i collected, and its got Dunlop on the front and Pirelli on the rear.

Anyone know the fuse location for the mirrors, they just stopped dipping and folding when using the **** in the console, it worked on collection.

I will ask my brother to sit in with me for the squeak, it sound like its in the rear headliner area but cant be sure yet?

Dont get me wrong this car brings some looks and comments, second only to Italian Exotica i dare say, Im just surpried that its not better but my views could be tainted by some unfortunate experiences so far.

Its in excellent cosmetic shape (except for an aftermarket lip spoiler peeling on one side) and doesnt like 8.5 years old but i take on board the comments and perhaps i expected too much from her?

Thanks

Carl

 

Hi Carl,

I hope you could get the problems fixed.

I have a 04 . My expectation is not that high so I'm alright with any flaws it might have. The only "big" problem I had so far is car not driving straight. It turned out to be faulty tie rods.

Older cars will take some work to bring it up to spec but I feel like this car can last me a long time. It surely beats any other new cars you might find at the price range.

 

Carl,

I think you would have been much happier if you got, say, a 3-year old Bentley as opposed to an 8-year old one. I agree with Digger11 - any car will have it's own share of problems after turning 8. In fact, I admire your courage for getting an 8-year car because this is around the time when all the expensive things start going south.

I also don't know about the ride quality compared to an SL55. Are you comparing your car to an 8-year old SL55? I am asking because those cars have atrocious problems with air suspensions. Also don't forget than an SL55 weights 700Lbs less than your CGT, which is probably why CGT feels heavier to you. On a flip side, try driving an SL55 when a few inches of snow are on the ground. Your CGT will do it without an issue though.

If you want a Bentley with a little more excitement, test drive a Supersports. I guarantee it will put a smile on your face.

Last thing I wanted to mention is the shimmy. Before looking at suspension, take your car to a professional tire shop and have them check for bent rims. This is the #1 cause for a shimmy. Unbalanced/damaged tires (which you already listed) are #2.

I've only had my car for 9 months, but there hasn't been a moment when I was disappointed with it.

 

i have to say i have a 2005 gt and for the most part love love the car...the guy i bought it from really babyed the car it has 26,000 miles and looks like a new car and for the most part if you did not know the slight body change you would think it was...yes it does have a some quirks and sometimes a sound coming from who knows where but i love it and is a show stopper...listen if your going to buy a 9 year old car no matter what kind of car it is things will comeup this being a bentley can cost some dough but hey how many guys can you say drive one of these bad boys.....

 

The 2005 was nicely in the price bracket i wanted, a 2011 car is way too expensive for me unfortunately. Here in the UK, a 3 year old example is more than the equivalent of $100k and around $125k for a SS whereas the 2005 was $55k.

I agree with you that the SL was a reliability nightmare, mine was in the end but it never creaked, squeaked, rattled etc. and always gave a sense of driving something special whereas the CGT is doing all the bad and not so much of the good for me at the moment. Dont get me wrong the growl from the W12 is seductive and it draws a lot of attention but i think, probably because of the little issues, it could have given me more of a sense of occasion.

I am going to take the time to get everything right, and also recognise that its 8.5 years old and i appreciate all of the comments on here.

Will be asking my Bentley dealer for some door clips, some help with my phone system (currently stuck on mute i think) and a diagnosis of the bushes. Im disappointed to find that the so called specialist who did the work, really doesnt know much at all about these cars after spending time on the phone with him today so its likely he didnt diagnose the suspension wear when it had its major service a few months back. Main dealer only from here on in.

Cosmetically it looks half its age, admirers are stunned when i say its nearly 9 years old, just wish it had been cared for mechanically that way also.

Thanks again everyone

Carl

 

Mines a 2005, does it have the b/t module in the left hand armrest, mine has the privacy handset in the righthand one. When in 2005 did the B/T come in?