Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC)
Power
What owners say
Our take, from owner reports
Owners express strong affection for the Turbo R, calling it a "timeless design" and "such a special car." They praise its presence, the SZ platform, and the fact that it represents the end of an era for full-Crewe Bentleys.
5 problems reported (1 recurrent, 4 isolated) · high confidence
Problems owners report
- RecurrentGeneral maintenance costs higher than anticipated
- IsolatedOil leak on driver's side
- IsolatedBonnet/hood release mechanism can stick on one side
+ 2 more issuesShow fewer
- IsolatedTyres are expensive (example
Five new tyres from 2007 were "fairly pricey")
- IsolatedHard to obtain spare parts
The version owners recommend
1996 model year. Owners specifically praise the updated centre console introduced for 1996, calling it "much improved over the older ones." The 1996 model also received 17-inch wheels that were new for that year.
Competitors to consider
Owners compare it most often with the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit, Bentley Arnage, Bentley Continental GT and Bentley Mulsanne.
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Overall sentiment
Owners express strong affection for the Turbo R, calling it a "timeless design" and "such a special car." They praise its presence, the SZ platform, and the fact that it represents the end of an era for full-Crewe Bentleys. The dominant sentiment is that the car is rewarding to own but requires a realistic budget for maintenance. A few owners note that costs have been higher than anticipated but have decreased each year as deferred work is addressed.
Positioning vs competitors
Owners position the Turbo R as the car that saved the Bentley marque, noting that before it Bentley accounted for only about 4% of group sales and after it nearly half. Some consider the Arnage a future acquisition target, while others feel the Turbo R is more stylish than later models. One owner who chose a Continental GT over a Turbo R later expressed interest in a more updated Mulsanne. The Turbo R is seen as a twin brother of the Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit but with its own distinct character.
Recommended configurations
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus. Owners mention the Wildberry Mica paint with Sandstone hide as a desirable colour combination, and the 1996 model year is consistently praised for its interior updates.
General recommendations
The Turbo R is recommended for buyers who appreciate its special character and are willing to budget for maintenance. Owners advise finding a well-maintained example and keeping up with preventative work. One long-term owner notes that if you are careful finding one, they can be kept on the road without too much fuss, provided you budget a decent amount. The car is not recommended as a daily driver, and owners caution that parts can be expensive and hard to obtain. A 190k-mile example was considered a potential fun weekend cruiser for someone handy, but another owner warned that a single repair bill could reach $20,000.
Remarks
The Turbo R is widely regarded as the car that saved Bentley, transforming the brand from badge-engineering to a performance identity. The SZ platform is praised as "fantastic," and the car is considered one of the last of the "glorious full-Crewe Bentleys" before BMW-sourced engines and running gear appeared in the Arnage and Silver Seraph. A two-door Hooper conversion exists but is extremely rare and not a factory offering. The car is not ULEZ-compatible, which limits its use in some urban areas. Analysis based on approximately 22 substantive owner discussions.
Specifications
Not sold in North America: these versions are from other markets.
6.7 i V8 Turbo
6.8L 8-cylinder · 389 hp · RWD · automatic
Built 1993–1998