Bentley Arnage (1998 to 2009)

The Arnage replaced the Turbo R in 1998 and shared its new bodyshell with the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph, the two differing mainly in grille, bonnet and detailing. It was the last Bentley saloon designed before the company passed to Volkswagen, and it had an awkward start. Launch cars used a BMW-sourced 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, but when Volkswagen bought Bentley and BMW took the Rolls-Royce name, Bentley reinstated its own 6.75-litre V8. That engine, reworked with twin turbochargers and modern management, carried the car through to its final run-out in 2009.

The result is a car of two characters. Early BMW-engined cars feel lighter and more eager to rev. The 6.75-litre cars deliver enormous low-speed torque and, in later Arnage T form, real pace for a car weighing over 2.5 tonnes. Suspension parts borrowed from the BMW 7 Series give a smoother ride than the Turbo R, though some found it less sharp.

The Arnage is a strong, well-built and handsome car, but complex and heavy. Its reputation rests on maintenance: service history, the condition of the suspension, brakes and subframes, and known engine issues all need checking with care.

• Years: 1998 to early 2009.
• Body styles: four-door saloon; long-wheelbase RL from 2001 (about 250mm longer); small numbers of coachbuilt and limited editions.
• Engines: BMW 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, about 350bhp (Green Label, 1998 to 2000, and run-out Birkin); Bentley 6.75-litre V8 from the Red Label (1999 onward), later with twin Garrett T3 turbos, then low-inertia Mitsubishi turbos from the 2007 model year.
• Outputs: Red Label and later R around 400bhp; Arnage T 450bhp from 2002, rising to 500bhp from the 2007 model year (PistonHeads, Classics World). One source gives 450bhp for the R and 500bhp for the T from 2002, which conflicts with the others.
• Gearboxes: five-speed ZF automatic on BMW-engined cars; four-speed GM 4L80E on 6.75-litre cars until the 2007 model year; six-speed ZF thereafter.
• Production: no reliable total found. Limited editions include the Le Mans (153), Diamond Series (59) and Blue Train (36).

• 1998: Arnage launched with BMW V8 engine.
• 1999 to 2000: Red Label introduced with the 6.75-litre V8; BMW cars continue briefly as the Green Label. Both have a stiffened shell and uprated brakes.
• 2001: long-wheelbase RL; Le Mans limited edition; BMW-engined Birkin run-out.
• 2002: Arnage R (replacing Red Label) and Arnage T, with twin Garrett turbos and Bosch Motronic management.
• 2005 model year: facelift with revised front end, new dashboard and satellite navigation, revised rear suspension, Euro 4 engine.
• 2007 model year: Mitsubishi turbos, six-speed ZF gearbox, stability control, revised camshaft and roller tappets, revised differential.
• 2008 to 2009: Final Series run-out, combining the T engine with softer R suspension.

Bodywork and structure

• The shell is generally rust-resistant, but check the sills, rear wheelarches, rear spring seats and rear suspension mounts, mostly on early cars.
• Use a torch inside the front arches to look at the double-skinned inner wing panels behind the springs, where water can get behind the arch liner.
• Look for mismatched paint or panel gaps from accident repair, kerbed wheels and scuffed bumpers.
• The windscreen is thinner than on earlier Bentleys and must be removed for some dashboard work, so check it is undamaged and properly refitted.
• Sunroofs reduce headroom and the panel can rust. On Final Series cars the retractable mascot was subject to a corrosion recall; ask whether it has been done.

Engine

• 6.75-litre head gaskets: sources disagree. Classics World quotes a specialist saying they tend to fail between 60,000 and 80,000 miles, Drives Today attributes failures to a gasket supplier used until around 2001 to 2002, and PistonHeads says failure is not common on the Arnage T. Ask for proof of replacement.
• Pre-2007 T and R: PistonHeads reports camshaft damage, usually between 40,000 and 70,000 miles, with a misfire as the first sign. Treat any misfire seriously.
• BMW V8: no known head gasket issue, but check turbo health and service history.
• Look for evidence of overheating, such as snapped belts or leaking hoses, and listen for piston knock.
• The car needs 98 RON fuel; lower grades can trigger the engine warning light.
• Check that a Red Label really is one, as badges are easily swapped.

Gearbox and drivetrain

• Check for slow or rough shifts, slipping, and kickdown response. Gearbox oil and filter changes are often neglected; ask for records.
• Differential oil needs regular changes.
• Rear exhaust clamps crack and fall off; they are hard to replace once broken.

Suspension, steering and brakes

• Worn bushes and drop links cause clonks; expect wear on a car this heavy.
• Rear gas spheres fail more often on pre-2007 cars, where they sit underneath. A very hard ride may only mean a flat auxiliary battery, which makes the car default to firm settings, so check the battery first.
• Inspect front and rear subframes for rot; new ones are no longer available from Bentley.
• Brake pipes corrode, and the original rear routing needs the subframe dropped to replace. Check discs for wear and warping (judder when braking from speed) and ask when pads were last changed.
• ABS warnings usually mean a wheel sensor; a brake pressure warning can indicate failing accumulators.

Electrics and interior

• Two batteries: one for starting and one for ancillaries. A flat ancillary battery causes warning lights and odd faults.
• Electric window regulators are unreliable. Check seat memory, and confirm heater temperature and airflow are correct on every setting, as actuator repairs need the dashboard out.
• Plastic switches shared with BMW are a weak point.
• Check leather for cracks (early cars used thinner hide), veneer for lifting lacquer, headlining for sagging and boot carpets for wear.

Identity and paperwork

• Confirm engine type, model (Green Label, Red Label, R, T, RL) and any limited edition status from the chassis number and records. Facelift conversion kits exist to make early cars look later.
• Check whether an LPG conversion has been fitted, and if so who installed it.
• A full main dealer or specialist history is essential; oil changes more frequent than the factory interval suggest a careful owner.

Bentley dealers and a well-established network of independent specialists support the Arnage, and many parts can be sourced through marque specialists. Some items, including subframes, door trims and bumpers, are harder to find. PistonHeads describes an expert inspection before purchase as essential. The Bentley Drivers Club (https://www.bdcl.org) is the long-established club for Bentley owners, and the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts' Club (https://rrec.org.uk) also covers Crewe-built Bentleys of this period.

• Is it BMW or 6.75-litre powered, and which version and model year exactly?
• Has the head gasket been replaced, and is there an invoice?
• On a pre-2007 R or T, has there been any misfire or camshaft work?
• When were the gearbox oil and filter, differential oil and auxiliary battery last changed?
• Have the subframes and brake pipes been inspected or replaced, and are there photographs?