Generation-specific owner insights from 68+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy one?7
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2003–2010
6
recall campaigns
structure
most-complained area
Our take, from owner reports
Owner sentiment for the 2003-2010 Continental is sharply divided.
23 problems reported (3 very frequent, 2 recurrent, 18 isolated) · high confidence
With replacement costs reported around 10,000 dollars and one report of a 35,000 dollar repair.
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus. The strongest partial signal favors later first-generation cars, with owners stating that later gen-1 models are better regarding how many repairs require the engine to come out, and one owner reporting zero issues on a 2010 Supersports over 12,000 miles. The 2005 model year draws the most specific criticism, with one owner describing a 2005 as nothing but problems and another arguing that later models are known to be more reliable than that specific year.
Owners compare it most often with the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG, Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG (W204) and Porsche Cayman.
Is a 2003–2010 Continental right for you?
Get an answer for your year, mileage and budget.
Owner sentiment for the 2003-2010 Continental is sharply divided. A vocal group of long-term owners describes the car as a joy to own and drive, with some reporting years of trouble-free service and only routine maintenance, while a similarly large group warns that running costs are severe and unpredictable, with annual upkeep commonly cited between 3,000 and 8,000 dollars and major repairs reaching five figures. Praise centers on the W12's power, the interior quality, the touring comfort, and the distinctive presence of the car; criticism centers on labor-intensive repairs, expensive air suspension and vacuum line failures, and the fact that repair bills can exceed the car's residual value. Later first-generation cars (roughly 2008-2010) are repeatedly described by owners as needing fewer engine-out repairs than earlier examples, though this is a partial signal rather than a firm consensus.
Owners position the Continental as a unique personal-luxury grand tourer rather than a sports car, with one owner explicitly comparing it to the big personal-luxury coupes of the 1960s and 1970s and calling it the closest modern equivalent. Against Porsches, Mercedes AMG models, and Aston Martins, owners frame the Bentley as more distinctive and more comfortable but far more expensive and risky to maintain, with several commenters steering shoppers toward an E55, a Boxster or Cayman, a DB9, or an LS430 as more sensible fun. The W12 and transmission are frequently described as fundamentally strong, which owners contrast with the car's fragile ancillary systems. A recurring theme is that the Continental offers presence and straight-line comfort that cheaper rivals cannot match, but that the cost of keeping it on the road is the trade-off.
Owners recommend prioritizing full service records, garage-kept history, and low mileage over any particular trim, and advise a pre-purchase inspection at a Bentley dealer followed by all non-warranty work at an independent specialist, with the dealer reserved for keys and batteries. Several owners advise budgeting for known wear items at purchase, specifically air struts, vacuum lines, rear high-mount brake light, and oxygen sensors. One owner recommends avoiding cars without documented maintenance because deferred expensive work becomes the buyer's problem. No consensus exists on a preferred engine or trim within this generation.
This generation suits buyers who genuinely want the car, can absorb sudden four- and five-figure repair bills without strain, and have a competent independent specialist nearby; owners repeatedly warn that anyone for whom repair cost is a deciding factor should pass. Buyers should insist on a full service history, a pre-purchase inspection, and a diagnostic scan, and should verify that major items such as vacuum lines, suspension, and the convertible top have already been addressed. Owners suggest keeping a substantial reserve, with figures ranging from a few thousand dollars a year up to a 20,000 dollar repair fund plus annual budget. Convertible shoppers are warned specifically about top and top-motor costs, and one owner advises the coupe over the soft top for that reason. Several owners note that cars that have sat unused for long periods can present more problems than higher-mileage cars that were driven regularly.
Owners repeatedly note that many underhood components are shared Volkswagen, Bosch, or Continental parts and can be sourced far cheaper than Bentley-branded equivalents, and that used control modules and switches are inexpensive from breakers. One owner who worked as an engineer on the GT sunroof program describes how a planned solar-panel trickle-charging lamella vent was cancelled in favor of a conventional sunroof, and notes the main battery is the larger of the two on the left side of the trunk. A customized 2007 GTC drew heavy criticism from owners who felt the modifications conflicted with the car's character. Several owners describe the car as a strong straight-line tourer rather than a cornering machine, and one notes the rear seats are impractical for passengers with legs. Analysis based on approximately 68 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1 | 1 | structure |
| 2007 | 2 | 2 | engine and engine cooling |
| 2006 | 3 | 2 | unknown or other |
| 2005 | 1 | 1 | engine |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
2009 · service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotorcampaign 13V484000
Bentley Motors, Inc. (Bentley) is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2011 Continental GT, GTC, and Flying Spur vehicles, manufactured from July 2006 through June 2010 and equipped with carbon ceramic brake discs. In the affected vehicles, the stainless steel screws that secure the brake rotors may fail after being exposed to salty conditions.
2007 · service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotorcampaign 13V484000
Bentley Motors, Inc. (Bentley) is recalling certain model year 2007 through 2011 Continental GT, GTC, and Flying Spur vehicles, manufactured from July 2006 through June 2010 and equipped with carbon ceramic brake discs. In the affected vehicles, the stainless steel screws that secure the brake rotors may fail after being exposed to salty conditions.
2007 · fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection systemcampaign 08V217000
BENTLEY IS RECALLING 13,420 MY 2004-2008 CONTINENTAL GT, CONTINENTAL GT SPEED, CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR, AND CONTINENTAL GTC VEHICLES. THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR ROAD SALT TO CORRODE THE OUTER SURFACE OF THE FUEL FILTER. THIS COULD LEAD TO THE FILTER HOUSING BECOMING POROUS WITH A CORRESPONDING FUEL LEAK.
2006 · air bagscampaign 08V072000
BENTLEY IS RECALLING 4 MY 2004 AND 2006 CONTINENTAL GT AND CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR VEHICLES. THE REPLACEMENT AIR BAG TRIMMED COVERS HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH TETHERS OF AN INCORRECT LENGTH.
2006 · fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection systemcampaign 08V217000
BENTLEY IS RECALLING 13,420 MY 2004-2008 CONTINENTAL GT, CONTINENTAL GT SPEED, CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR, AND CONTINENTAL GTC VEHICLES. THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR ROAD SALT TO CORRODE THE OUTER SURFACE OF THE FUEL FILTER. THIS COULD LEAD TO THE FILTER HOUSING BECOMING POROUS WITH A CORRESPONDING FUEL LEAK.
2005 · fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection systemcampaign 08V217000
BENTLEY IS RECALLING 13,420 MY 2004-2008 CONTINENTAL GT, CONTINENTAL GT SPEED, CONTINENTAL FLYING SPUR, AND CONTINENTAL GTC VEHICLES. THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR ROAD SALT TO CORRODE THE OUTER SURFACE OF THE FUEL FILTER. THIS COULD LEAD TO THE FILTER HOUSING BECOMING POROUS WITH A CORRESPONDING FUEL LEAK.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.