Verdict
B
Luxury Saloon · UK · 1998-2009
Bentley Arnage
Bentley Arnage — spec data and generation history.
Years
1998-2009
Generations
1
Segment
Luxury Saloon
Predecessor to the Mulsanne — Crewe-built saloon from the Vickers / Rolls-Royce era, sold alongside the Rolls Silver Seraph until 2002. Launched with a BMW-supplied 4.4 V8 (Green Label) in 1998, then the legacy 6.75 V8 returned in 1999 (Red Label) when VW took over and sales fell off the BMW unit. T (2002), R (2002), RL (long-wheelbase), Final Series (2009) follow-ups. 6.75 ML (twin-turbo, 500 bhp) was the run-out. The last hand-built body-on-frame British luxury saloon — direct descendant of the 1980 Mulsanne.
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
1998-2009
Mk1
→
6.75 ML — 500 bhp, 0-62 in 5.5s.
Verdict
B
BHP
500
0–60
5.5 s
Top
179 mph
MPG
14.0 mpg
Used
£18,000-£75,000
- + Last hand-built body-on-frame British luxury saloon
- + 6.75 V8 — direct line to 1959 S-Type
- − 6.75 V8 head gaskets
- − GM 4-speed auto dated
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
1998-2009
- 6.75 V8 head gasket failures
- GM 4L80E auto needs servicing
- Air suspension leaks
- Walnut veneer cracking
- Green Label BMW-engined cars unloved (rare upside)
Rivals
Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph · Bentley Mulsanne · Mercedes S-Class · Rolls-Royce Phantom