Used supercars guide: buying a Bentley Arnage T

The Bentley Arnage was the flagship Bentley saloon until the new Mulsanne arrived in 2009, and it's now yours from £20-29k. Tempted? Then find all you need to know before buying below.

Talk me through the Bentley Arnage's life-span

Twinned with the Rolls Silver Seraph from launch in 1998 (in the days when Vickers still owned both firms), the Arnage used a BMW V8 and Seraph a V12 from the same source. But soon after, worried that BMW would pull the plug on Bentley’s engine supply, new owners VW dusted off the old Bentley V8 to create the 400bhp Red Label.

That was only a stopgap, because in 2002 the vastly improved Arnage T arrived. The 6.75-litre capacity remained, but two small turbos replaced one, and a more sophisticated Bosch ECU boosted economy while improving output to 450bhp.

What's the Bentley Arnage like to drive?

If 450bhp doesn’t sound like much these days, the 645lb ft of torque more than compensates for both that, and also for the presence of only four gears in the auto ’box. With nothing so unseemly as paddles to spoil proceedings, you plonk it in Drive, brush the right pedal and float away.

The Arnage does do fast when required, but the seats are flatter than the radiator grille and your spider sense starts tingling at the hint of a corner approaching because the thing weighs as much as a double-decker GT86 and handles in a similar fashion. But not every lottery winner wanted to race around, and even those that did had room in the garage for something a little more cultured. Today, too, it’s the perfect anti-supercar, and horrific depreciation means you can bag one for as little as £20k.

Buying tips: Bentley Arnage T

You no longer need be a lottery winner to buy one, but might be praying for those six numbers if something big goes pop:

Inspection – A full service history is vital, but don’t just settle for that. Have any potential purchase inspected by a member of the Rolls-Royce and Bentley Specialists Association (www.rrbsa.co.uk).
Spares – Flying Spares is a brilliant source of new and used bits for all post-war Bentley and Rolls cars, including the Arnage. Find them at www.flyingpsares.com
Head gaskets – The Arnage T’s twin Garrett turbochargers are pretty reliable, as is the four-speed auto ’box used until a six-speed ZF arrived with the ’07 facelift. But head gaskets can blow, leading to a £3.5k bill for repair at a specialist.
Leather – Modern water-based hides aren’t as tough as the old stuff and the condition of a car’s leather trim can give a clue to how well the car was maintained. If it hasn’t been regularly cared for and is beyond saving, you’ll need the help of a specialist trimmer. Try Rob O’Rourke at www.coachtrimmers.com
Niggles – Suspension rattles can often be down to worn bottom ball joints (£76 plus fitting from Flying Spares), or anti-roll bar links (£217 each). Steering racks can leak, requiring a rebuild, but often any untidy feel through the wheel can be fixed with a replacement solenoid valve.
Newer model – From 2007 the Arnage T made 493bhp and a massive 738lb ft of torque, but prices are £50k plus. Spot them by their new quad light set-up.