pmb600

Omg, I just read this article. It says that only 30 Diamond Series were being sent to the US and they have had two different ones on display at the mall here over the past two months. Damn, I would have expected most of them to go to dealerships in Cali or Florida.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=109517

NeverColdCall

Ohhhh sweet ... I love the Arnage ... now THAT is a Bentley!!!!!

reelestates

Yes, Merc builds a car and or truck, van, etc... for every price point. Mercs can be found as Cabs all over the world... S-Classes w/ fabric interiors are used as high end cabs in France... much like Lincolns & Sedan deVilles in NYC. I really have not seen many Bentley Cabs???

All that being said, the heritage & legacy that Merc & the S-class has is IMO the world leader in luxury sedans. While the FS is fairly exclusive and the S has really become old hat in 6 months there is no denying the build & value in the S-Class. IMO- it is the best luxury sedan at any price, period. Therefore, I find myself very content to be fortunate enough to drive an S and have no desire for anything more except for a S65. Can I justify the $190K??? That why I don't have one right now.

NOTE- If I were to consider a Bentley I would not accept any affiliation or cross polination with VW/Audi... that just kills the Bentley legacy for me.

absent

Cross pollination is becoming the fact of life for small manufacturers,since the costs of development of new models is becoming outrageously costly.
My wife tested extensively (a full week) an Arnage T and decided on FS because of the latter car's better adaptability for daily use in Chicago climate,better handling,room and comfort.Price difference was not an issue,since the Arnage with the discount offered was only $10k more then her Mulliner FS.
There are no completely bespoke ultra luxury cars anymore,they all use all kinds of components from "relatives/owners",Ferrari is probably the only small company doing everything themselves.(See National Geographic Special)

Uygar

Yes, Bentley Arnage and Azure is made in Crewe but the Continental Series GT, GTC, Flying Spur is based on Phaeton and produced in Germany the Glass factory. I talked this with Bentley marketing a few weeks ago. The best way to understand this; the VIN code if it starts with W it is Germany, if S it is England. I am not living in US, I am from Turkey. So I had chatted with Bentley's Turkish marketing department.

You could find detailed information about Flying Spur production
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bentley...pur_%282005%29

Uygar

Also do you know that in Europe we don't have 550 models. S 550, SL 550, E 550, CLS 550... We have 500 instead, S500, SL 500 I don't know why but it must be about marketing thing. But the US style is better because it is actually 5.5lt not 5.0lt

ClayJ

The new cars are built with their new mechanicals in Germany.

All Bentley's interior finish are done at Crewe.

Just to clear that up....

AMGBENZ

Absent your wife's Flying Spur is sweet, The Mulliner package and color combo are outstanding, Its funny because I built that exact interior on the Bentley Config 2 weeks ago. Do you think that interior would go on a white FS?

How do you like the way it drives, I have been a hardcore AMG Benz fan since my first 1997 C36 AMG, Can you drive this car fast in sport mode, is the engine impressive like AMG or disconected? I am trying to get an idea if you can have fun driving the FS in Sport mode, is the engine responsive like an AMG engine or just a luxo style setup even in sport mode.

You seem to like the S600 or S65 more what is your biggest complaint about the Flying Spur, is it the looks, quality, performance, or something else?

How does your wife like her Flying Spur? Any complaints

Thanks,

AMGBENZ
2006 SL55 AMG with 030 Performance Package
2005 Range Rover Westminster

Uygar

ok thanks

ClayJ

No problem, Uygar.

And welcome to the forums.

jimand7

Becasue there is not a sport package option on the s600 it would cost me roughly 15000 to put it on my CL 600. poeple said to put on an aftermarket kit but that can really depreciate the car.
personally if I would get the s65 over spur. but spur over s600.

absent

My wife absolutely loves it,much more then either S65 or Arnage and thats the most important thing here,since it's her car.
Personally,car feels a little bit lazy in throttle response,feels like on/off in power delivery,very similar to my old S600.The S65 feels much more responsive and much easier to drive for me but Bentley is a more practical package overall .(in Chicago weather in particular)
Besides,for really nasty conditions she has her RR Sport SC.

aschb

Flying Spur is a fine car. One of our friends got a FS few weeks ago. He didn't want to have the same car as my S600.

There is a major problem with FS: the size of the car.

You need a driver whereever you go. Parking the car at the airport? Forget it in busy times. You need 2 parking spaces for an FS.

Parking lot? You are already worry to enter and maybe unable to leave...

Even the S600 requires much concentration when parking. I know, that's no problem in US or Canada. But here in Europe it's a major problem in your daily life.

ClayJ

According to the latest issue of Winding Road (Jan 07) Bentley uses its own version of the VW W12 in the Continentals, and it is hand-assembled in Crewe as well.

I became seriously interested in the CFS when I realized that I would still want the European luxury performance sedan in inclement road conditions.

Yes, MBZ does the R, the GL, the G, and the ML -- but none of these are an S-Class....

And I just don't think that an S550 4-Matic is going to have the luxury or the varoom of a CFS....

absent

Unless you settle for S550 4matic.
Even a regular ,plain vanilla S550 runs circles around Arnage, in refinement,comfort,handling and performance.

AMGBENZ

absent "Unless you settle for S550 4matic.
Even a regular ,plain vanilla S550 runs circles around Arnage, in refinement,comfort,handling and performance.
Today 12:09 PM"

How about S550 4 matic vs Flying Spur

Chucky300

388BHP V8 vs 550bhp W12?
Surely you arent comparing these 2.

AMGBENZ

Quote:
Originally Posted by AMGBENZ
absent "Unless you settle for S550 4matic.
Even a regular ,plain vanilla S550 runs circles around Arnage, in refinement,comfort,handling and performance.
Today 12:09 PM"

How about S550 4 matic vs Flying Spur


388BHP V8 vs 550bhp W12?
Surely you arent comparing these 2.

Not in 1/4 mile or 0-60 but overall what is the better built car
I like the Flying Spur I just want to make sure the FS is a well built car that can still be fun to drive not just living room with wheels. I know mercedes builds great cars what about Bentley?

ddskier

If you can afford the Flying Spur, go with the '07 S65 AMG. You'll toast 99% of what's on the road including the Flying Spur, and be in complete luxary while doing it.

ClayJ

I looked seriously at the Arnage T - didn't do it, haven't done it (yet). And it was for all of the obvious reasons....

The CFS is a great car, period. That's where I ended up with the "Bentley Question".

My choice in a MBZ S-Class is the S65. My choice in an AWD or 4WD European Luxury Performance Sedan is the CFS.

I have looked at the Audi's - still do from time-to-time -- but I haven't done one of those, either (yet ).

There is not a favorable comparison to be made between the S550 4-Matic and the CFS. To some degree it is an apples-to-oranges comparison -- but IMO the S550 4-Matic is not in the same league as the CFS.

NeverColdCall

Ok I may not be a big fan of the Continental or FS but come on, the Arnage is a *real* Bentley ... I love my S550 but wouldn't even begin to compare the two.

medici78

I was in Dresden earlier this year and when we drove by the Glass factory, what did we see in the windows complete and ready for shipping? I'll let you guys figure it out.

absent

Spend a week driving Arnage and you will find new love of your S550.
FS is the ultimate all weather ultra luxury sedan bar none.
However,If I lived in a warmer climate my personal choice would definitely be the S65.(my wife on the other hand ,who spend more time in all three cars would still pick the Bentley)

absent

Do you think that Brits make better assembly workers then Germans?

NeverColdCall

I'm with you on the S65, over any Bentley. That's going to be my next car, and not all that far away since I only did a 2-yr lease. I quite regret not getting one now but I'm loving the S550 anyway and it won't be long till it's time for the S65.