2008 Bentley Continental Flying Spur

Finished in Dark Sapphire with a Magnolia and Nautic interior, ‘FJ08 HXL’ sits on a set of magnificent split-rim, 20-inch alloy wheels and matching Pirelli P-Zero tyres - not that it’s ‘all show and no go’ because that impressive countenance is supported by a peerless service history and a long MoT.

The seller had an Arnage before this, so he knows his Bentleys. He’s had this 2008 Flying Spur since 2021 and says “it’s a great bit of kit”.

He summed it up by saying modestly that it’s been “unremarkable” because it hasn’t let him down and has just got on with the job of providing top-tier transport without fuss or worry.

Which is about as good as it gets, isn’t it?

The Dark Sapphire coachwork looks in good shape with tight and consistent shutlines and neat alignment along the swagelines. There’s also an absence of the sort of dents, dinks, and other minor damage that betrays a careless owner plus a helluva shine to the paintwork.

It all adds up to an impressive package.

And that’s before we consider the 20-inch, split-rim alloy wheels which aren’t only in a very good condition but are swathed in a matching set of Pirelli P-Zero tyres.

We will never get tired of telling you that experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.

What little chrome there is is excellent, as are the badges, lamp lenses, and glazing. Even the vulnerable bits like the door mirrors and the four extremities look excellent.

Flaws, therefore, are few. There is some lacquer loss from the rims on a couple of the wheels plus a little damage to one of the doors. That’s it.

The quilted hide interior is finished in two-tone Magnolia and Nautic with the Bentley emblem on the headrests. It also features dark-stained burr walnut on the dashboard and doors plus a matching hide and wood steering wheel in addition to lashings of chrome.

The result is nothing short of magnificent – and when you factor in its condition, we don’t think you’ll find more anything more sumptuous or lavish for so little money.

The front seats, which are electrically adjustable and heated, are as lovely to sit in as they are striking to look at. Hugely comfortable, they’re just as suitable for track-day shenanigans as they are multi-day inter-continental touring.

The driver’s side does show some very gentle rumpling to the outer edge but the passenger’s seat is very good with little visible wear and the rear seats are even better with a (very good) carpet for those in the back to bury their toes in while they fiddle with their own dedicated air-conditioning system and brace of cupholders hidden in the armrest.

As for the driver, the instruments are a model of legibility and the controls add tactility to their flawless ergonomics. Alloy pedals and flappy paddles add a dash of sportiness to an otherwise traditional ambience, and the Breitling clock throws in a little eye candy because, well, why not?

There’s a leather-lined sunroof, too, and the headlining is as gorgeous as everything else.

The boot is clean and tidy and plays home to the space-saver spare wheel, tool kit, and warning triangle plus a CTEK battery trickle charger.

As you can see, the six-litre, twin-turbo, W12 fires into life immediately and idles nicely with no warning lights illuminated on the dashboard. It also revs every bit as well as it should and makes a mighty sound into the bargain.

Mind you, given what you’re about to read, that reliability shouldn’t be a surprise:

• 16.02.2010 and 10,508 miles – service by Bentley Leicester
• 17.01.2011 and 16,202 miles – service by Bentley Leicester
• 12.01.2012 and 22,288 miles – service by Bentley Leicester
• 04.01.2013 and 24,694 miles – service by Bentley Leicester
• 18.12.2013 and 27,596 miles – service by Bentley Leicester
• 16.12.2014 and 34,781 miles – service by Bentley Leicester
• 05.01.2016 and 45,479 miles – service by Bentley Leicester
• 12.01.2017 and 52,697 miles – service by Bentley Leicester
• 12.04.2018 and 55,587 miles – service by Bentley Leicester
• February 2021 and 56,915 miles – service by Colbrook, independent Rolls-Royce and Bentley specialists
• 20.05.2021 and 57,091 miles – front brake discs and pads plus fresh brake fluid by Specialist cars (South West) Ltd
• 29.04.2022 and 61,068 miles – service by Specialist cars (South West) Ltd plus two new Pirelli tyres
• 27.04.2023 and 65,258 miles – service by Specialist cars (South West) Ltd

That’s not a bad service and maintenance record, is it?

The underside looks good and the engine bay is clean, which means all you need to do is to continue to shower them both with TLC.

The Bentley’s MoT certificate is valid until April 2024 and it was gained, like so many previously, with no advisories.

The service history that’s shown above is backed by a full suite of invoices.

The recent Vehicle History Check is clear and the Bentley comes with two key fobs.

We’ve previously expressed our admiration for the Bentley Continental GT and we feel exactly the same about the Flying Spur: it’s the car of a lifetime as long as you buy the right example.

But, while there are plenty of cheap, high-mileage cars out there, there are no bargains; few cars can bankrupt an unwary owner as fast as a full-fat Bentley and most of the cars we see are cheap for a variety of very good reasons...

Not this one, which is a low-mileage, pampered example that has been well looked after and serviced by people who know what they’re doing. As such, it’s exactly the sort of vehicle you want to buy if you’ve always promised yourself something with a W12 engine under the bonnet.

And what’s it going to cost you? Well, the car’s first owner probably paid north of £120,000 for it fifteen years ago during which time we calculate it will have lost the thick end of £105,000… as our estimate of £15,000 - £18,000 reflects.

That would have been bad news for him but very, very good news for you because it’s highly unlikely that the price of good cars like this is going to fall significantly in the medium-to-long term.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at the Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.