2012 update

July 2012: There is little to report, as it would appear that most of the serious gremlins have been sorted. Perhaps, therefore, an overview is now appropriate. I have now covered 16,000 miles in 4 years. Fuel consumption (miles per gallon) has been:
200813.1
200915.9
201014.9
201114.7
2012 (to July)16.3
Overall14.7   This reflects a higher mileage in 2008 than in subsequent years.

The engine burns about a quart of oil between changes.

The new tyres fitted in early 2008 were replaced in July, having served a trifle over 16,000 miles. That is fair life, given the mass of the car. The front tyres had worn more on their inner edges than elsewhere, suggesting that the tracking needs adjustment. Unfortunately, my local ATS was unable to do this, so it will have to await my next visit to Exeter.

The RH front suspension strut (replaced in 2009) has developed a creak. The effect is akin to pigeons nesting in the wheel arch. The diagnosis is that the noise is internal to the strut and the remedy is another replacement. I am not best pleased, but have decided to bite the bullet and have a new one fitted in due course (not done yet, partly because of issues with the struts currently available and partly because the creak disappeared for a while after an encounter with a particularly vicious speed bump; perhaps it just needs a good thump from time to time).

October 2012

Bentley has been busy. A tour of Northern Spain with Western Region in September was followed in short order by a marathon drive from Devon to Crewe and back (500 miles in the day) for one of their factory tours. I can recommend the tour to anyone. We were particularly fortunate in that the Embiricos Bentley was on loan to the factory for display at the time. Needless to say, it has been restored to a very high standard. I recall seeing it some 40 years ago in a poor state at the back of a workshop in the Midlands, awaiting attention, so it was good to see it again in better than new (probably) condition.

At the last service Paul identified yet another hydraulic component as suspect, so Bentley is currently in Exeter having its height valve replaced. This gizmo directs LHM to or from the rear suspension to maintain a constant ride height, regardless of the number of gold bricks or concrete blocks carried in lieu of passengers. Unfortunately, the pipes' unions had seized, so new pipes have to be obtained; these are in short supply, but we think we have found some.

Every time I say that the hydraulic "issues" have finally been bottomed out, something else goes squidge: so I shall not be rash enough to say anything more this time.

October 2012