Rolls royce for me,smoother,quieter and a much smarter grill,cant beat sitting behind that spirit of ecstasy as you glide down the road.had a bentley,sold it within a year,had me spirit for over 6 years now and still love it.
I bought Terry Wogan's old Turbo R! Loved it. But sold it after a few years before any trouble came along. Chopped it for a Silver Seraph. Very different car but equally desirable - BMW reliability plus 7 series Beemer chassis and V12.
@@Cornishlandcrab Silver Seraph never had the BMW 7 series chassis. It shared it's chassis with the Bentley Arnage, and it's engine bay was modified to accomodate the BMW V12 shared with the E38 BMW 750iL. Arnage/Silver Seraph were the last Bentley/RR to share chassis.
Absolutely love these cars - I am on my fourth Turbo R. A 1997 Bentley Turbo R. Someone below quoted the Torque and horsepower. They are right about it being 385 Horespower - torque, however is 569 ft. lbs…and not 553 ft. lbs…which was in 94/95 with 355 horsepower. There is always someone who chimes in about (sigh) BMW this or Mercedes that….and while it’s true BMW had a hand in Rolls Royce and VW Bentley….but not in this era of Rolls Royce and Bentley. In fact, people always say…my BMW this or my Mercedes that - no, stop, your BMW or Mercedes’ is just that…no one looks twice at your car, or parks it up front, no one cares….it’s like the billion other Porsches (Pronounced Porsha) out there - NO ONE cares. There’s a reason why these cars are special….yes, over time there are some problems with front springs sagging, the Viscous Clutch, head gaskets and such…but, if well maintained…they really are the best car in the world. No a Mercedes or BMW will never compare - EVER, and if you think they do..I’ll call you out because you’ve never owned a Rolls Royce or Bentley then. Sorry - maybe too blunt for some people - I guess today we have to be all nice and hand out participation trophy’s.
Love my 95 Turbo R. The sport option on the gearbox really makes it fly. 5 cows worth of leather inside, beautiful walnut and luxurious carpets make you feel like a king. And if you plant your right foot to the floor, she lifts up her petticoat and takes off, putting many modern luxury limos to shame. Park it next to a brand-new Merc or Beemer, and it always gets the attention of passers-by. Servicing costs are reasonable for such an opulent car. Find a good independent garage that specialises in the marque. And enjoy a car that often outlives their owners.
Wouldn't swap our Turbo R for the world, but it's a but harsh to say the SZ-series was a Shad in Drag. R-R did so much work to improve the platform (especially after the bodywork cracking problems) and it really does show in both the Turbo and the Spirit. By the way, the image you show of the Spirit engine bay is missing the cover on the wiper linkage which stops it chopping your fingers off. Great video though, certainly gets people talking!
I think your opening comments sum up Rolls and Bentley ownership even today. The Bentley has attitude, whereas the Rolls exudes comfort and class on a different level.
Decent examples are still very affordable. As an occasional use classic they aren't expensive to own and they make you feel special. Always buy the best car you can afford, its usually cheaper in the long run. You to own an RR or Bentley at least once. Good luck.
thanks so much for this very fair comparison review. when considering buying my first bentley from this era i was so impressed by its size that i preferred the owner to drive it for me in south london traffic even though i'd frequently driven a silver shadow around dusseldorf. the bentley mulsanne seemed vast compared to the shadow, although the real difference (7 centimetres longer, 8 centimeters wider) was not so significant. it is also less easy to thread through traffic, because while you have a clear view of the front two corners, you can't see the back two (something that endeared the silver shadow to chauffeurs was visibility to all four corners). however, having now driven a 88 turbo r for a few years i can attest that its more lively nature, massive power and superior handling helps to shrink it around you and give you confidence. the pleasure is endless, it just goes on giving. despite what it costs to run and maintain, the turbo r never disappoints. mine has the classic chrome radiator shell and winged B, giving it back some of that imposing RR&B gravitas familiar to spirit owners.
Bentley for me, but then I'd have to say that as I've got one ;) The late model ones like mine from 1996 has even more power and torque than mentioned around 8:02, the addition of liquid intercoolers bought it up to 385 BHP and 553 lbf ft of torque. Like you say though it's not a kick in the head, it really is a satisfying surge of power.
It’s the 30 Hours Labour to replace the head gasket that will Blow on the Turbo R that puts me off one, I’ve got a silver spirit 11 and to be honest I prefer the seats and the complete centre console on the Bentley, having said that I absolutely love my silver spirit.
@@Beetlefan I'm not sure it will definitely blow, but it is something I do worry about from time to time. From what I can tell it seems to happen if the car is thrashed without letting it properly warm up first, which is something I never do. I always warm it up before driving in a more spirited fashion, and even then I don't think I've ever fully put my foot to the floor in it.
There was a turbo charged rollsroyce called the flying spur in 94 to 95. It would get to 60 in 7 seconds due to the 2.28 rear diff but it did mean with the 4 speed overdrive it turned less than 1500rpm at 70mph and upto 27mpg
Another great vid, thank you. We have a 1995 Turbo ‘S’ . A turbo R with a few more BHP and sportier suspension. Its here if you ever want to do a comparison, Turbo R v Turbo S…Ross, Cataclean.
I drove a Bentley Mulsanne in the 1985 , it certainly did wafty with a smart turn of Speed when necessary . The Children I taught however , hated it as it made them Car Sick . I enjoyed driving the Dog to the Grandparents house ,while the Parents drove the children in a RR . Big grin on my face and dogs on the seats in the back amused others on the M40 and M21 .
go for best of both worlds as I did and bought a Rolls Royce Flying Spur. RR luxury with Turbo R running gear Until you've driven behind a long bonnet with a spirit of ecstasy on it you cannot imagine how life affirming an experience it is
I have had 3 Spurs & 3 Turbo RL's since 2000.Turbo R all the way ! Not mentioned is when attending a multi marque car show in a Royce the public seem standoffish but are always interested in the Bentley. I think some feel the Royce owner is less approachable ?
Nonsense,i go to loads of shows in the uk and have plenty of people stopping by me for a good old chat.love me car shows either in the silver spirit or me 1968 s type jaguar.infact the car i owned for over 20 years was a mk 3 ford zodiac and that got more attention than the rolls or jag put together.i guess it boils down to what people can relate to in there youth.still miss me old zodiac.should never have sold it.
I seam to buy my cars, mainly based on exterior looks. The only thing i don't like about the RR being the roof, ride height and the chrome mirrors. The Bentley i really don't like those wheels, looks like plastic wheel covers from Halfords. My past cars have included Esprit, '68 Charger and '81 Countach. I would buy the Spirit.
The RR is the more "proper", dignified, quiet and quintessential British luxury, something which the RR is paragon of. The Bentley, well it's a gentleman but with a mean streak. Anger issues. The Bentley has something unquantifiable, the X-factor about it, something which the RR lacks despite having same roots. Turbo R is one of my top-3 favourite Bentleys of all time. I'll choose it over the RR every day of the week, and the Jaguar 420G/MkX which I spotted in the background for the weekends.
I would love to have a drive of a Turbo R but I own an '86 Silver Spirit. If the Spirit of Ecstasy is not standing on the bonnet, It won't be parked in my garage.
Has anyone ever installed a Turbo R engine in a Silver Spirit ? What a cool sleeper that would be....just swap the rocker covers, and most people would have no idea why it's much quicker, haha !!
I agree the Bentley is a driver's car, and more realistic as an everyday drive. Something very enjoyable about what looks like a stately lady on the outside, who can pick up her skirts and give Usain Bolt a run for his money!
*These cars look so similar you'd seriously have some people believe that one of them is simply the facelift of the other* Yet they are Two Entirely Different Brands ((😳))
Ma786sai Dua marvellously sewn together video. Mine is a early 1982 Spirit Mark 1. I always always dreamt of a Rolls-Royce and the Spirits timeless elegance, elan and undefinable quintessential ethereal magic carpet ‘waft’ are what I cherish. The Goddess of travel alighted on its prow leading me ever-forward remains a Angelic symbol that speaks to my own soul.
It may not be much larger than a Silver Shadow, but it's still about 3 inches longer, and 3 inches wider, and It makes it a lot harder getting in my garage compared to my old Silver Shadow!
Interesting comparison between two of british finest cars ever built top video and aren't they the most luxurious cars ever bult wood and leather equals luxury
Fun fact, the last few of those Rolls Royce’s had turbos from Bentley and even the center console mounted gear shift from Bentley. We’re talking the last maybe 100 cars made.
Not that I am going to purchase any of them. But if I had to I would definitely go for the Rolls Royce, because the extra comfort will be enjoyed all the time, while the extra performance of the Bentley will only be enjoyed on few and rare occasions. No I just wonder if the Silver Spirit is actually more comfortable than the Citroën C4 e. Hmm 🤔
I'd chose the W140 S500 every time over either of these. Even giving away 1.75 litres to a Turbo R and being normally aspirated, the Mercedes 32v engine produces as much power. As for ride quality and reliability, again no contest. Like most British cars, the customer was used as a guinea pig by RR. Paying huge amounts of money to trial models until they got it as good as possible with the Turbo R. The Germans put a huge development budget aside and get it right the first time.
Rolls royce for me,smoother,quieter and a much smarter grill,cant beat sitting behind that spirit of ecstasy as you glide down the road.had a bentley,sold it within a year,had me spirit for over 6 years now and still love it.
Turbo R is undoubtedly one of the best car's the UK have ever produced, what a wonderful machine ❤️
I bought Terry Wogan's old Turbo R! Loved it. But sold it after a few years before any trouble came along. Chopped it for a Silver Seraph. Very different car but equally desirable - BMW reliability plus 7 series Beemer chassis and V12.
@@Cornishlandcrab Silver Seraph never had the BMW 7 series chassis. It shared it's chassis with the Bentley Arnage, and it's engine bay was modified to accomodate the BMW V12 shared with the E38 BMW 750iL. Arnage/Silver Seraph were the last Bentley/RR to share chassis.
Absolutely love these cars - I am on my fourth Turbo R. A 1997 Bentley Turbo R. Someone below quoted the Torque and horsepower. They are right about it being 385 Horespower - torque, however is 569 ft. lbs…and not 553 ft. lbs…which was in 94/95 with 355 horsepower. There is always someone who chimes in about (sigh) BMW this or Mercedes that….and while it’s true BMW had a hand in Rolls Royce and VW Bentley….but not in this era of Rolls Royce and Bentley. In fact, people always say…my BMW this or my Mercedes that - no, stop, your BMW or Mercedes’ is just that…no one looks twice at your car, or parks it up front, no one cares….it’s like the billion other Porsches (Pronounced Porsha) out there - NO ONE cares. There’s a reason why these cars are special….yes, over time there are some problems with front springs sagging, the Viscous Clutch, head gaskets and such…but, if well maintained…they really are the best car in the world. No a Mercedes or BMW will never compare - EVER, and if you think they do..I’ll call you out because you’ve never owned a Rolls Royce or Bentley then. Sorry - maybe too blunt for some people - I guess today we have to be all nice and hand out participation trophy’s.
🤨"well I like them Both",I'm sure they're smooth handling",
Love my 95 Turbo R. The sport option on the gearbox really makes it fly. 5 cows worth of leather inside, beautiful walnut and luxurious carpets make you feel like a king. And if you plant your right foot to the floor, she lifts up her petticoat and takes off, putting many modern luxury limos to shame. Park it next to a brand-new Merc or Beemer, and it always gets the attention of passers-by. Servicing costs are reasonable for such an opulent car. Find a good independent garage that specialises in the marque. And enjoy a car that often outlives their owners.
I bought a 1981 silver spur from my dad ive been driving it 10 years haven't had a single problem with it service is cheaper than you think
Agreed . I bought an '89 Turbo R 4 years ago and have been very pleased with it . Shopping for an '80 Wraith or Seraph this spring .
Wouldn't swap our Turbo R for the world, but it's a but harsh to say the SZ-series was a Shad in Drag. R-R did so much work to improve the platform (especially after the bodywork cracking problems) and it really does show in both the Turbo and the Spirit. By the way, the image you show of the Spirit engine bay is missing the cover on the wiper linkage which stops it chopping your fingers off. Great video though, certainly gets people talking!
I've not owned a Bentley, but owned a silver shadow and a silver spirit. Both were fantastic cars 🚗 👌
Rolls-Royce all day! A Royce has a greater sense of occasion than any other car.
I would be thrilled with either, but the heart wants what it wants and it's the Rolls.
God I love these old Rolls and Bentley Turbo R videos you guys do.
Thanks Richard!
Or battle of the money pits.
I remember when they said "A Roll Royce never breaks"
I miss wafting.
I used to do it in a 5.3 V12 Jaguar XJS.....
Same coachwork colour as the RR, ( Dorchester Grey, on the XJS).
We do love an XJS!
Has to be the Rolls Royce. I just prefer the less sporty luxury focused styling. I like the Bentley but I prefer the Rolls Royce
I think your opening comments sum up Rolls and Bentley ownership even today. The Bentley has attitude, whereas the Rolls exudes comfort and class on a different level.
I don't think I could choose between them, IF I was lucky enough to be in that position. They both have their merits, and both have their flaws.
Decent examples are still very affordable. As an occasional use classic they aren't expensive to own and they make you feel special.
Always buy the best car you can afford, its usually cheaper in the long run. You to own an RR or Bentley at least once. Good luck.
"Buy the best you can afford, it's cheaper in the long run" - we agree!
thanks so much for this very fair comparison review. when considering buying my first bentley from this era i was so impressed by its size that i preferred the owner to drive it for me in south london traffic even though i'd frequently driven a silver shadow around dusseldorf. the bentley mulsanne seemed vast compared to the shadow, although the real difference (7 centimetres longer, 8 centimeters wider) was not so significant. it is also less easy to thread through traffic, because while you have a clear view of the front two corners, you can't see the back two (something that endeared the silver shadow to chauffeurs was visibility to all four corners). however, having now driven a 88 turbo r for a few years i can attest that its more lively nature, massive power and superior handling helps to shrink it around you and give you confidence. the pleasure is endless, it just goes on giving. despite what it costs to run and maintain, the turbo r never disappoints. mine has the classic chrome radiator shell and winged B, giving it back some of that imposing RR&B gravitas familiar to spirit owners.
Bentley for me, but then I'd have to say that as I've got one ;) The late model ones like mine from 1996 has even more power and torque than mentioned around 8:02, the addition of liquid intercoolers bought it up to 385 BHP and 553 lbf ft of torque. Like you say though it's not a kick in the head, it really is a satisfying surge of power.
Ooh, we like the sound of another 55BHP! Enjoy it, Ben!
It’s the 30 Hours Labour to replace the head gasket that will Blow on the Turbo R that puts me off one, I’ve got a silver spirit 11 and to be honest I prefer the seats and the complete centre console on the Bentley, having said that I absolutely love my silver spirit.
@@Beetlefan I'm not sure it will definitely blow, but it is something I do worry about from time to time. From what I can tell it seems to happen if the car is thrashed without letting it properly warm up first, which is something I never do. I always warm it up before driving in a more spirited fashion, and even then I don't think I've ever fully put my foot to the floor in it.
My first Bentley was an 88 Turbo R. Oh the memories.
There was a turbo charged rollsroyce called the flying spur in 94 to 95. It would get to 60 in 7 seconds due to the 2.28 rear diff but it did mean with the 4 speed overdrive it turned less than 1500rpm at 70mph and upto 27mpg
My wedding car was identical spec to your Turbo R there, age, colours, coachlines and badging. Great to see one again.
Flying Lady with Turbo performance. The Flying Spur is the answer. Not having the Flying Lady showing you the way is a big downer.
I just want to see these in person let alone be in one and have one lol
Another great vid, thank you. We have a 1995 Turbo ‘S’ . A turbo R with a few more BHP and sportier suspension. Its here if you ever want to do a comparison, Turbo R v Turbo S…Ross, Cataclean.
Turbo R vs Turbo S vs Turbo RT would be great
@@Suprahampton We are up for it, Turbo S ia available!
Great review and comparison, both cars are great and greatly desirable. Good show!
Turbo R🎉 what a car😊 thanks a lot for this video
Glad you liked it!
I'll Take One Of Each -- Thank You Kindly.
I drove a Bentley Mulsanne in the 1985 , it certainly did wafty with a smart turn of Speed when necessary . The Children I taught however , hated it as it made them Car Sick .
I enjoyed driving the Dog to the Grandparents house ,while the Parents drove the children in a RR .
Big grin on my face and dogs on the seats in the back amused others on the M40 and M21 .
As a kid i was like "whats the difference between the two"
Now it makes sense
go for best of both worlds as I did and bought a Rolls Royce Flying Spur. RR luxury with Turbo R running gear
Until you've driven behind a long bonnet with a spirit of ecstasy on it you cannot imagine how life affirming an experience it is
I have had 3 Spurs & 3 Turbo RL's since 2000.Turbo R all the way ! Not mentioned is when attending a multi marque car show in a Royce the public seem standoffish but are always interested in the Bentley. I think some feel the Royce owner is less approachable ?
I’ve never noticed that with with my Spirit, everyone seems to love it and it is still a head turner
Nonsense,i go to loads of shows in the uk and have plenty of people stopping by me for a good old chat.love me car shows either in the silver spirit or me 1968 s type jaguar.infact the car i owned for over 20 years was a mk 3 ford zodiac and that got more attention than the rolls or jag put together.i guess it boils down to what people can relate to in there youth.still miss me old zodiac.should never have sold it.
Weird thing is my 82 Silver Spirit triggers off road rage among people that drive new Range Rovers.
Outstanding video. Thank you.
Thanks for watching, Tony!
Love these video's - another vote for the Bentley from me
Thanks Neil!
I didn't know about the restyling techniques employed, I guess other manufacturers do the same from time to time?
I'd love to see a video on that 420G parked behind, compared with its contemporary RR!
Next video: fitting a whistle and trumpet to the Bentley's Turbo wategate. Whoarstututu!
I seam to buy my cars, mainly based on exterior looks. The only thing i don't like about the RR being the roof, ride height and the chrome mirrors. The Bentley i really don't like those wheels, looks like plastic wheel covers from Halfords. My past cars have included Esprit, '68 Charger and '81 Countach. I would buy the Spirit.
The last true Rolls and Bentley as VW and BMW later never
could resume to their finish.
For me, the Silver Spirit. But both cars are very nice.
I wonder if the Bentley engineering team can make me 50% stiffer😬(Getting old you know.)
I’d probably still have the 420G in the background though. Such lovely cars.
The Bentley for me for the better performance and sharper handling.
That's why we love it!
The RR is the more "proper", dignified, quiet and quintessential British luxury, something which the RR is paragon of. The Bentley, well it's a gentleman but with a mean streak. Anger issues. The Bentley has something unquantifiable, the X-factor about it, something which the RR lacks despite having same roots. Turbo R is one of my top-3 favourite Bentleys of all time. I'll choose it over the RR every day of the week, and the Jaguar 420G/MkX which I spotted in the background for the weekends.
Great video, info delivered nice and quickly 👏
Thanks Frank!
I would love to have a drive of a Turbo R but I own an '86 Silver Spirit. If the Spirit of Ecstasy is not standing on the bonnet, It won't be parked in my garage.
I choose both, thankyou.
Has anyone ever installed a Turbo R engine in a Silver Spirit ? What a cool sleeper that would be....just swap the rocker covers, and most people would have no idea why it's much quicker, haha !!
Turbo R or bust! Love driving my 93 :) But please spell Rolls-Royce with a hyphen ;) Claude Johnson "the hyphen in the name" will thank you for it!
I agree the Bentley is a driver's car, and more realistic as an everyday drive. Something very enjoyable about what looks like a stately lady on the outside, who can pick up her skirts and give Usain Bolt a run for his money!
You can't beat something the size and weight of a church that scares Porsches!
They are both lovely cars, just depends on your driving style I guess.
Let's be honest: they are more alike then a Golf TDI and a Golf GTI...
Two amazing cars
Great review Joe
Looking forward to a review on the Mark 10/420 G I can see lurking in the background sometime.
Lack of rev counter in the Rolls Royce, so like the Bentley interior but the Rolls looks smarter on the outside.
*These cars look so similar you'd seriously have some people believe that one of them is simply the facelift of the other* Yet they are Two Entirely Different Brands ((😳))
bentley for me
I'd choose the run out Turbo RT if I could afford one
Fabulous cars. I’ve owned both.
Which did you prefer, James?
@@ClassicsWorldUK I feel in love with my Bentley. It was really engaging
There are many other cars that can do what a Turbo R does...
But there's no other car than can give the impression that a RR has..
I'll take either
Ma786sai Dua marvellously sewn together video. Mine is a early 1982 Spirit Mark 1. I always always dreamt of a Rolls-Royce and the Spirits timeless elegance, elan and undefinable quintessential ethereal magic carpet ‘waft’ are what I cherish. The Goddess of travel alighted on its prow leading me ever-forward remains a Angelic symbol that speaks to my own soul.
It may not be much larger than a Silver Shadow, but it's still about 3 inches longer, and 3 inches wider, and It makes it a lot harder getting in my garage compared to my old Silver Shadow!
Interesting comparison between two of british finest cars ever built top video and aren't they the most luxurious cars ever bult wood and leather equals luxury
Fun fact, the last few of those Rolls Royce’s had turbos from Bentley and even the center console mounted gear shift from Bentley. We’re talking the last maybe 100 cars made.
So ultra rare then?
imo one of the best bentley car was the continental T
Not that I am going to purchase any of them. But if I had to I would definitely go for the Rolls Royce, because the extra comfort will be enjoyed all the time, while the extra performance of the Bentley will only be enjoyed on few and rare occasions. No I just wonder if the Silver Spirit is actually more comfortable than the Citroën C4 e. Hmm 🤔
Excellent 👌
Use regular? If you have an oil well .!
Both are still very affordable. Which ever one you choose, buy the best you can find for your budget.
I always prefer the silver shadow myself much better looking car always been my favourite
The Rolls-Royce would look great with the Bentley's headlamps.
And the Bentley centre console
At 3:15, that freaked me out.
Im torn between the two.Maybe I would have both🤭
That's a good plan, Paul!
I'd chose the W140 S500 every time over either of these.
Even giving away 1.75 litres to a Turbo R and being normally aspirated, the Mercedes 32v engine produces as much power. As for ride quality and reliability, again no contest.
Like most British cars, the customer was used as a guinea pig by RR. Paying huge amounts of money to trial models until they got it as good as possible with the Turbo R.
The Germans put a huge development budget aside and get it right the first time.
Why not get both.....
Because that's like having 2 marriages.
WOW
Rolls-Royce is Rolls-Royce
Take a Rolls-Royce flying spur
Bentley continental r mulliner
Silver Spur is serious.
Bentley turbo r
Only car I have ever owned that never got on the road... Regrets.
The British when asked by Germans why there saloon costs twice as much as a luxury German saloon...
“Because we’re British.”
Buying one of these is manifest evidence of self-sabotage
Nah.
Send mi car dem come
Just buy an Lexus LS 430 for a few grand and you have a smoother car than both of those cars..
i put my bentley in the scrapage sceem against my ford mondeo .
Today Rolls are UGLY. Bentley Mulsanne looks much better.
The Shadow was a horribly ugly car
The Silver Spirit looks too American with it's headlights
Where do you find car parts? Dn me on ig