Sometimes we reach a point in life where we become tired of the hustle-and-bustle of everyday life, and we crave an escape that offers unsurpassed luxury. If you have reached that point in an automotive sense, maybe you could justify indulging in a car like this 1999 Bentley Arnage. This car offers everything that the discerning motorist could possibly want, but it can also provide staggering performance for a vehicle of this type and size. It needs a new home, and if you are tempted so far, you will find it located in Quincy, Illinois, and listed for sale here on Barn Finds Classifieds. You could park this classic in your driveway for $39,500.
The original owner ordered this Arnage in a shade called Moonbeam Silver, which is a stunning color within the company’s standard color palette. Bentley also offered buyers a bespoke experience, meaning that a person with enough cash to spare could order their Arnage in any color they liked. This was an expensive choice, and few buyers chose to follow that path. When you look at the exterior presentation of the vehicle, it is difficult to find much of which to be critical. The paint still shines beautifully and richly, with no signs of apparent flaws or problems. The panels are laser straight, and the gaps are as tight as you might expect to find in a classic that is effectively handbuilt. The bright trim pieces shine as impressively as the paint, and the glass appears to be flawless. The Bentley rolls on its original alloy wheels, and these show no evidence of damage or staining. The original owner wasn’t afraid to splash their cash when they ordered the Arnage, so it is no surprise to find this one equipped with the optional power sunroof.
For a stereotypical British luxury car, the engine bay of the Arnage features plenty of Germanic technology. What we find is the 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that was developed by BMW. This V8 is backed by a ZF 5-speed automatic transmission, while power steering and enormous 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS are standard features. The Arnage needs good brakes because, at an incredible 6,272lbs, they have a lot of weight to arrest in an emergency. Thankfully, the stopping power that the braking system provides is a long way above what you might expect from most other vehicles, regardless of their size or weight. They also need to cope with some astounding performance levels because this car can spring a surprise or two when the right pedal is depressed. That V8 produces 349hp, and while that might not sound like much when you consider the weight that it has to move, it does its job pretty effectively. This Bentley is no muscle car, but if you point it at a ¼ mile, it can storm through in 14.9 seconds. If a spot of cruising on a German Autobahn takes your fancy, the Arnage can find its way to 149mph. Who says that you can’t effectively combine luxury and performance? This Arnage has a mere 29,000 miles on the clock. More importantly, it has been properly maintained throughout its life. It is in excellent condition and is ready to transport its new owner effortlessly to wherever their heart desires.
The person who said, “you can’t have it all,” must never have sat in a Bentley. This car would not only seem to have it all, but it is all in excellent condition. All upholstered surfaces are finished in supple hand-stitched Gray leather, and even that aspect of a Bentley’s interior has an interesting backstory. The company sources its leather from cattle in areas with no mosquitoes or barbed wire. That ensures that the leather’s finish is flawless, with none of the minor nicks or marks that could spoil its appearance. There are also acres of real walnut veneer, and once again, this is hand-finished by specialists. The presentation is spotless, and the genuine floormats offer protection for the carpet. The list of creature comforts and safety equipment is enormous, with Bentley leaving nothing in the locker when equipping this car. As well as a collection of airbags, there is climate-control air conditioning, power windows, power locks, power seats with heating, cruise control, heated power mirrors, a leather-wrapped wheel that adjusts for height and reach, and a premium stereo with a CD/DVD player and enough speakers to satisfy most people attending your average rock gig.
If those in the front seats are pampered, sitting in the back of an Arnage is not exactly like being a second-class citizen. Once again, there are beautifully supportive leather seats for two occupants, more lashings of walnut trim, power windows, outlets for the ventilation system, LCD screens for the entertainments system mounted in the front headrests, and beautiful walnut tray tables for your champagne glass and your caviar. I can’t spot any wear or problems, and I can imagine that life would be pretty pleasant lazing back with a suited chauffer performing the driving duties for you.
If the original owner had bought this 1999 Bentley Arnage as a long-term investment, you would have to think that they would be pretty depressed today. When it was new, it would have cost that person an eye-watering $203,000. Today, you can park this classic in your driveway for less than 20% of that original figure. As a halo brand, Bentley builds its cars with a firm focus on quality. That means that well-maintained examples can offer their owners years of trouble-free motoring. This car has received that sort of treatment, and it is a low-mileage and unmolested survivor. If you do crave a life of luxury, maybe you need to give this Arnage a closer look.
A $20k car until it hit barn finds then the price doubled. It’s stunning except for the magenta carpeting.
Absurd Asks on BF appear to be a thing now.
These change hands for $20-25. Maybe 30 for a newer one.
So I googled 1999 Bentley Arnage and the first site that popped up was Carfax. They list a number of Arnages ranging in price from $23,850 for a 1999 with 113K miles and another 1999 with 34,000 miles at $39,800. The newer ones are more in the range of $55k-$75k. This car appears flawless and well maintained.
It also begs the question – What else could I buy for $40K? IN my area I can find a Tesla 3 with 54,000 miles for $44k (yawn); a 2018 640i with 29,000 for $48k (unconscionably ugly); or a 2017 Jeep Wrangler Sahara with 35,000 miles for $38,255 (and I thought the Beemer was ugly).
As the French say, “Chacun a son gout.”
Check the big auctions. Plenty of data out there.
There’s nothing more expensive than a cheap Bentley.
Please pass the Grey Poupon.
This actually looks like a very good quality Bentley worth a premium for. Low miles and it looks to have had very good care but I would definitely be looking for records to verify. I’m not sure that the carpet color would have been my first choice, but I like the way it ties to the piping. At least whoever ordered it had balls enough to move Beyond the usual sea of boring Gray that so many in our world have been conditioned to find acceptable. Kudos to whoever decided to shake it up a bit. GLWTS.
The back end must have been the model for an early Hyundai Sonata. At least I think that was the one. Looks almost identical in that photo
You’re probably thinking of the larger Hyundai XG300/350, which debuted the same year as the Arnage:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_XG#Third_generation_(XG;_1998)
¨Hyundai Sonata¨? oh, the blasphemy of it all, albeit excellent Korean quality, performance and reliability!
Commenters- Barn Finds is a for profit enterprise. For the privilege of observing their work, self editing of price points should be doable. Let the buying public vote with their wallets.
No need to hate on the Bentley. They are beautiful cars in their own right. You have to remember these weren’t built for a blue collar salary. I do think it’s appropriate to shed light on the ownership costs so those who want to step up do so with their eyes open. Same as any other high line or exotic.
not bad, but im a two door guy, always on the lookout for a 03-05 Merc CL-55/CL-63 myself
Almost impossible to not look like a dbag driving one of these.
Unfortunately you are right Mimo. There are certain cars, extremely expensive ones , wich attract unsavory types.
Full on snark here: These have the same aesthetic appeal to me as a Checker Marathon. If I was the late Merv Griffin I’ll bet I’d be all in on this :)
Full Disclosure: Late 1978 at a gas station in LA a newish Bentley pulls in next to my weatherbeaten ’64 Tempest convertible. Out of the passenger side jumps a young man with tousled hair and tennis togs. Lumbering out of the drivers side was Merv Griffin in tennis togs. Off to the club I’d say :)
What is the deal on the Merv Griffin references? Was he a Barn Finds regular prior to his passing or just a car buff? His name seems to pop up regularly on this site.
I disagree with Dangerous Dave in this instance. With such low miles, and apparent top drawer maintenance, I can’t see this costing more to maintain than any other luxury auto, at least for the next 100K miles. Possible exception would be insurance. Which by the way is out of sight on high performance vehicles so sought after here.
Lots of hating going on here against a beautiful well maintained hand made car. The reason these trade at so low a price ( compared to new) is that most people who want Bentleys and Rolls Royce’s buy them new. So there is very little used market for them. That does not mean they are any less of a car. To the smart buyer, a well maintained low mile mileage car is a great opportunity to own something that otherwise would be out of reach. Not for everyone that’s for sure, but they were never meant to be.
A 1999 Arnage IS the one to buy because it has the BMW engine. 2000+ have a factory defective head gasket that WILL leak! It’s just a matter of time! Bentley never admitted the flaw! The average cost to replace the HG is $12,000-$15,000 if done by someone who KNOWS these cars. I searched for 3 years to find my 99 with 37,000 miles. Service records are EXTRRAORDINARILY important. Yes, you can buy these cheaply, BUT usually, there is a reason they are cheap!!!!!!!!!!
Richard you are absolutely correct. 1999 was the best year until 2006/7? but that’s a whole other price point. As with any exotic, regular documented maintenance is a must! Anyone who’s never had the privilege of driving one of these magnificent vehicles can’t accurately make any assumptions.
Hope you enjoy yours for many years to come! My ‘99 served me well!
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