Bentley Continental Review (1991 to 2003)

Quick Summary

The Bentley Continental offers a lot of car for a modest amount of money. If you're not planning on putting huge mileages on it, an early Conti R can work out cheaper to run than something like a new Citroen C6, which is quite something when you pause to think about it. I know what I'd rather be driving and it's not French.

Overall:

Models Covered2 door coupe (6.75 litre petrol [Continental R, Continental S, Continental T, Mulliner, Le Mans])

CONTINENTAL CRUISING

CONTINENTAL CRUISINGThe big Bentley Continental was most notable for being the first Bentley for over forty years that diverged markedly from Rolls-Royce in terms of body shape and kick-started a trend for ever more sporting Bentley models. Just starting to pique the interest of speculators who see the car as a key link between Bentleys past and present, the Continental coupe, in its various guises, has been criminally undervalued. Now is the time to buy to beat the market.
Used Bentley Continental for sale

History of the Continental

First shown in prototype form at the 1984 Geneva Show masquerading under the title Rolls-Royce Project 90, the Continental first made production in 1991 when the Continental R thundered into the pages of the enthusiast press. Constructed from the Turbo R platform, the Conti's 'official' launch was at the 1991 Geneva Show where it wowed the crowds, the Sultan of Brunei reportedly demanding the show car from Bentley's stand.Designed by Ken Greenley and John Heffernan, the Continental R's shape disguised its massive bulk effectively and despite being hugely space inefficient, rapidly became an aspirational pick amongst the luxury set. In 1994, the Continental S performance model was launched, the turbocharged engine now fitted with an intercooler to boost power. The real barnstormer came in 1996 with the launch of the Continental T, a car with for some time the most torque of any production vehicle. In 1999 Mulliner editions of the R and the T were launched which offered more luxurious fittings and, in the case of the Continental T, stiffer suspension. Development work on the next generation Continental GT saw the 'old' Continental quietly pensioned off in 2003.
Used Bentley Continental for sale

Bentley Continental Road Test

Under the bonnet, you'll find a 6.75 litre V8 engine in normally aspirated and turbocharged forms, depending on your model choice. Despite the prodigious body weight, this unit still manages to shift this huge Gentleman's Conveyance at a surprisingly rapid pace. It's rather undignified to drive the car like this of course but for raising eyebrows amongst your fellow road users, you can't beat it.Most of the time, you'll be content to glide from county to county, much as the standard four-speed automatic gearbox slides imperceptibly from ratio to ratio. You can hear the engine all right, but it sounds a bit like a thunderstorm happening fifty miles away. Handling is a little soft, even on the Mulliner equipped Continental T. Rapid changes of direction are manoeuvres the Bentley gently frowns upon and it's worth bearing in mind that when you fling 2,422kg of car from lock to lock that this car was built before the development of stability control!
Used Bentley Continental for sale

Buying a Bentley Continental

To avoid potential problems, try and buy from a Rolls Royce & Bentley official dealer. Otherwise get a detailed expert inspection carried out. Insist on a full Rolls Royce-approved service before you buy because running costs are huge.
Used Bentley Continental for sale

Bentley Continental Typical Pricing

Baseline for an early Bentley Continental R is £37,500 which will net you a car showing 70-80,000 miles on a 1991 plate. The older the Continental you pick, the flatter the depreciation curve will be and if you play your cards right, it might even be possible to pick one to coincide with the inevitable market upswing. Later models are going to hit you very hard in the pocket with a 2000 V plated car costing around £62,000 with values currently enjoying a £500 haircut every month in this price bracket. Opt for a Continental T and £56,000 will buy a very well looked after 99S plater.
Used Bentley Continental for sale

Bentley Continental Parts

(based on an M-reg Continental R – approx ex-Vat) A full exhaust system (excluding catalyst) is around £1,200 and an exchange gearbox around £1,500. Front and rear brake pads are around £113 and £74 per set respectively. A starter motor is around £480, a radiator (exchange) around £268, an alternator around £675 and a front headlamp lens around £67.
Used Bentley Continental for sale