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The Rolls Royce In Development For Ten Years, On Sale For Four - The Silver Seraph
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 มี.ค. 2022
- In today's video I am driving one of the final cars to be produced by Rolls Royce before their takeover by BMW. Powered by a German V12, the Silver Seraph was an apparently "all-new" car, the company's first since 1980.
It featured a level of technology previously unseen, but after that has faded - does the car possess enough to make it still feel truly special?
#RollsRoyce #SilverSeraph
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I used to work in the Rolls Royce factory for a time. Word had it that the interior mirrors in the rear were more of an anti-press device. If you were a famous star, and the press are taking photos with flashes going off. Then the mirrors caused a large light reflection from the flash which would then obscure the face of the person in the rear seat. Not sure how well that actually worked though.
The physics of this seem mysterious to me, to say the least!
Seems like the only way to find this out is to buy one. I definitely am buying one to do this and not because I need to give my girlfriend an excuse as to why I need a 20 year-old luxury car.
If the mirror was angled towards the rear side windows, I suppose this could work. Quite brilliant really, if it worked
@@briananthony4044 - It’s a sun tracker for when you vacuum the carpet and look for change that slipped below the front seats.
Utter nonsense
I recall my late uncle who owned just about every model of Rolls Royce in his life save for a Silver Ghost and a Phantom IV, once regailed to me that in past Rolls Royce parlance that if the Chauffeur had a problem fitting in the (notoriously small) drivers seat then the problem could be easily and simply solved by replacing him with a chauffeur that actually did fit.
love the fact the chauffeur was replaced!
If you had two of them you would be pulling both of them
Thanks for that totally unnecessary brag
@@Chillednfunked love it. Well said
How I hope that’s true 😂😂
Your hard work pays off. Not many can do one-takes, rattle off interesting history at this pace.
Keep up the good work
Hooe you don't mind me tagging on to your comment with this factoid: In an old long wheelbase limousine you might have been sat way into the c pillar so that little mirror in it would have been next to your head, but in this car it's just a funny reference.
I live in Australia and have heard of this model RR and I must say that the owner has maintained the vehicle in an immaculate condition. Th interior looks like it has come out of a showroom.
Are you selling one? Let me know & How much
This model is quite rare here in Australia
I was 13 when they first came out. Nicest car in the world by a mile. My Dad knew someone who knew someone at the dealership. They just handed us the keys and said being her back in a couple hours. It was brand new 50 or so miles on it. Best experience of my life at the time
I was actually on the project team for this pair and have a few interesting design sketches from graham hull and Simon his assistant. I lived through the carve up of the two brands- fascinating time
Not the Paul H who worked with Airmotive?
Lovely cars, designed by Graham Hull then given a slightly smaller engine, a different grill, and a few other changes and sold as the Arnage.
However, the Arnage suffered from having a BMW engine in it and as it was now owned by VW they didn't want the BMW engine in it...so they put the old 6.75L RR unit back in it. Only problem was they didn't adjust the water works and from then on they suffered head gasket failures (£3-£5k to rectify) and subsequently camshaft failures (in the 'T' variant, cost possibly a write-off)
Meanwhile the Seraph only sold in low numbers, thus making it one of the rarest of modern day RR cars.
For me the shape of the Seraph/Arnage is automotive art, I love them.
Nowadays the Seraph is available at silly low prices and IMO one to watch.....
P.S. If you wish to review my 2011 RR Ghost, let me know....
When Rolls had style. This has presence. The latest Phantom is a barge.
Hopefully James sees this comment about your Ghost :D
The problem with the Arnage RR 6.75litre they used had nothing to do with the water works. What happened was VW changed the tooling and those engines did not have a high enough "Nib" which is the height of the cylinder liner above the block. The Nib is very important. Too lower a height, the less the head gasket would work and they all fail around 50 -60 thousand miles. Why VW screwed with the tooling of that engine I have no idea. It worked perfectly as a 6.23 litre from The Cloud, through the Shadow, when it was upgraded from 6.23 to 6.75 through to the Spirit. Only when VW got involved did it fail. Everyone who buys an Arnage will have that failure and the electrics in the Arnage can be described as nothing less than a joke. Be prepared to spend big money constantly fixing the electrics. Fact.
@@EnglishLawyer Thank you for the info Alan.
I am not myself mechanically minded, but I have had a longstanding relationship with Bentley Arnage, have owned both a 4.4 and a 6.75 and reached the conclusion about the 'water works' as I described it in my lay-man terms from everything I had gleaned. It is most interesting to finally find out the true reason.
My first Arnage was a 6.75L RR engine and it did indeed have the head gasket go. It also suffered gearbox failure, and water pump failure (5 belts to replace if I remember correctly). Ironically it never had an issue with anything electrical, although I did not have it from new and as such may well have already been 'sorted' by some other unfortunate owner. It was at this point I sold the car having lost all faith in it...
My experience with the 6.75 (Red Label) somewhat put me off owning another one, but two years later, (and two years wiser) I bought a low mileage, fully serviced (an absolute must) 4.4, the one with the BMW engine in it, ran it for 2 years and it never missed a beat. Not one issue.
Ironically this original format Arnage was a Bentley, with a BMW engine, and as the manufacturers plate on the inside of the passenger door proudly exclaimed "MADE BY ROLLS ROYCE MOTORS"....what a mish-mash, but it worked.
2 years later (hoping I am not boring you), when in 2021 I decided I fancied a newer Mulsanne I started once again to search for the 'right for me' car, and thought I had found it when I chanced upon one, a 2016 with barely 6,000 miles on the clock. Travelling half way around the UK to see the car (at a Bentley dealership) I was shocked to find the rear passenger seat missing as it was "having a new motor fitted"..
Not what I expect of a new-ish car with nominal mileage.
Suffice to say I walked away.
Meanwhile a friend of mine DID buy a Mulsanne (2017 model) and he has had a fair few issues with it, all electrical.
Thus I turned my attention to a Rolls Royce instead, opting for the Ghost mostly for its slightly less 'look at me' bodywork, and I have not been disappointed.
Regards,
BtB....
@@BibtheBoulder Thank you for your response. No ,I was not in the slightest bit bored by what you were saying. Quite the contrary. Thank you for your input. Unfortunately there is a lot of ignorance out there on TH-cam land about the reasons the Arnage, Brooklands et al blow head gaskets. Some say it's because of the turbo charger. That's rubbish because the Garret T4 is a low pressure turbo and cannot possibly do any damage. The Americans are particularly susceptible because they hate paying for maintenance and think they can pick up after market parts for a song to fix a RR and even try to install Chevy parts! If you do that, you shouldn't, and can't afford to buy a Bentley or RR. Like you, I have been a RR and Bentley owner for the last 55 years and it is refreshing to actually hear from someone who does, and has owned these beautiful machines rather than the wannabe's who are keyboard warriors spouting all type of crap about vehicles they have never owned and never will because they can't afford them. I particularly like the look of the Ghost but I must say, the Wraith is the sexiest RR ever devised. I just love that "Fastback" look. Unfortunately, here in New Zealand they cost NZ$500,000.00 (a quarter of a million Pounds Sterling). That is a lot of sheep, cheese and milk for us NZ'ers to sell to the UK. LOL. Kind regards.
That Connolly leather is another thing that VW got with the deal... Which they now make in Germany and went into the Phaeton I'm pretty sure.
My father was a chemical engineer, who specialised in leather tanning. He was the global director for Stahl Chemicals (the biggest chemical company nobody has ever heard of... There's a little Stahl in everything as they say) leather and automotive finishing division for the last 15 years of his life.
It was one of his crowning achievements transferring the Connolly recipes to VW (it's not as simple as you'd think) and a few boutique suppliers who were licensed to remanufacture it. The only place you can still get it made today, should you require some for your Rolls or Bentley, is a small tannery in Melbourne (Australia). VW won't sell it to you not attached to a new car.
Some fun facts about leather that few ever think of.
Thank you for posting this. Snippets like this are a real gem...
This is a proper fact, thankyou
Is it true that the leather smell is not part of the tanning process as such but added to make it smell good, as it is just like a perfume. I believe that the Japanese don’t like the smell so at least one manufacturer, I can’t recall which one, actually left out the leather smell for the Japanese market.
@@foxxster3565 The leather smell came from the days when vegetable tanning was the process. Nowadays it is more pf a chemical process that takes place instead of natural ingredients. The downside is that you lose that unique smell, but the upside is a much more controlled process that meets the high physical specifications required by the auto manufacturers.
The smell that emanates from the leather in todays autos is minimal, but it is the Chinese, not the Japanese, that want a totally odour free product, not just the leather, but applicable to all interior materials.
Many in the car industry were bemused at this extremely clinical requirement bearing in mind that the air in most Chinese cities (and by default, their homes) is amongst the worst in the world.
Hi from Tasmania, Australia :) I have watched your channel for over 3 years now and I love the honest presentation style of your reviews. If you ever come to visit Tasmania I would happily lend you my Silver Spirit and Silver Cloud II to review!
This channel is always so honest with the reviews i give my best wishes
Please edit your comment to say "best wishes"
What have you been smoking loooool
The split between Rolls-Royce and Bentley was definitely NOT part of a deal between BMW and VW/Audi. Bern Pischetsrieder was Chairman of BMW and Ferdinand Piech was Chairman of the Volkswagen Group. Both desperately want Rolls-Royce as the jewel in the crown of their respected empires; not least BMW who were involved as a technical partner in engineering the Seraph/Arnage; providing drive trains as it was expected the venerable 6.75 V8 wouldn't meet upcoming emissions regulations worldwide.
Piech won out and bought the company, the cars and the factory. However Pischetsrieder had a deeper understanding of the history of the British motor industry as a whole and Rolls-Royce.
He knew that when the motor car business was separated and sold off from the aero engine business as part of the government bailout of the group, Tony Benn had arranged for the rights to the Rolls-Royce name, Spirit of Ecstasy and trademarks to be retained by the aero engine maker in Derby. The car company in Crewe continued to use them under licence. Pischetsrieder therefore approached the aero arm in Derby and bought the rights to the Rolls-Royce name etc for use on motor cars. Piech and Crewe knew nothing of this move until the deal was publicly announced and were shocked to find out that Rolls-Royce Motorcars in Crewe had lost the right to use the name, Rolls-Royce.
This left VW with the Crewe factory and all of the rights to Bentley, but without the right to make and sell 'Rolls-Royce' motorcars. A deal was arranged for Crewe to be able to continue to produce the Seraph under the RR name for a 2-3 more years whilst BMW designed and developed the Phantom VII and the Goodwood factory. But it was an outcome that neither VW or Crewe were happy with or wanted.
@LudVan 78 Not a single 109 had a BMW engine, they were all powered by a Daimler Benz or Rolls Royce engines, the prototype used a Rolls Royce Kestrel engine (closely related to the Merlin), those supplied to the Luftwaffe used the Daimler Benz 601 though to 605 engines and the last Spanish license built 109s used the Rolls Royce Merlin (these were used in the 1960s battle of Britain film, which is why the nose's on them don't look right, they don't have the inverted v12 of a 'real' 109). The only wartime BMW Aero engine of any real note is the BMW 801 engine which when it appeared in the FW190 scared the spitfires quiet a lot.
Rolls Royce Aero engines were given the name, grille and badge with the explicit instructions that if the automotive company were to fall into foreign hands they were to remove the license immediately however they were in bed with BMW at the time it actually happened
Thanks for this insightful view of how it all actually transpired.
Very entertaining! The reason why bentley went back to the 6 3/4 liter engine wasn't wholly due to the split between Bentley and Rolls but was due to the customer complaints about the low end torque that the BMW engine just didn't have. Subsequently, Bentley offered a Green Label with the BMW engine and a Red Label with the 6 3/4. Eventually the 6 3/4 was the more popular choice even if not as technically advanced.
I think I’d take the red label…… they are magnificent engines.
This is a Beautiful machine that I first read about in 2001 and So happy that you have this on your channel!!
Fun fact: Back in 2014 I briefly worked with one of the designers for this car, (Steve Harper), and it was quite a joy to say the least. Awesome review as always💙
You’ll have my Arnage soon! Mine was £158,500 when new in 2000. Rear c pillar vanity mirrors. These were optional. My Arnage has the wooden matching door cards like in the seraph. These were an option. Also things like piping on the seat seams. There are different finishes. Mine has no piping for a cleaner look. Mulliner spec brought in diamond stitching on the seat centres and other door cap finishes and badgers dotted about.
That interior is absolutely stunning, green and creme😎
Regarding the mirrors on the C pillar: IMHO they are certainly more usable in a Silver Spirit. I have a 1982 Spirit (lovely two tone metallic blues). When sat in the back, I can just turn my head to check out my bad self! Paid just under 10 grand for an honest car with just over 38k on the clock as of now. Next to no rust, paint not concourse but shiny enough. Wafts along nicely!
As a car enthusiast, I'm disappointed I've never heard of these. I was aware of the Arnage, but Silver Seraph? Thanks for another video broadening our knowledge of cars. One thing that always ground my gears on the Arnage was the fact that the front indicators (or at least I assume that's what are, the outter lights in the front) were slightly longer/higher than the inner light assembly. And having seen this and the Arnage, I think the Bentley's grille actually suits the car a bit more.
same
I myself am also very much and enthusiast that didn't know, and we all droll over the super/hyper cars. We keep up on the trend of the daily drivers, but Rolls isn't really an enthusiast car. Sure there are Enthusiast that like them (most notably James May), but as a whole they are not a drivers car. They are the car you buy to get driven around in, so there for tend to fly a bit under the radar (excluding of course their long running flag ships).
Those are vanity mirrors at the back for a lady to adjust her make-up before alighting from said vehicle.then she gets out and flashes her knickers at every one.😀
Sadly I can only lay claim to allegedly owning a Silver Seraph which was ironically in silver. Years ago I worked for an international hotel chain and used to travel widely across it's Canadian properties as a project manager for upgrades and development projects. I had been given the nick name of "Hawkeye" by one contractor who was notoriously known for his deficiencies. During one particular visit to a hotel where I was scheduled for an inspection every contractor was acting different and reacting to my presence in a very oddly recognizable behavior, leaving me wondering what they knew to which I wasn't privledge. When I asked the owner of a company which worked across the chain for us to lunch he willingly joined me. Over lunch I mentioned every ones strange behavior and seemingly advance knowledge I was on site he laughed out loud and said knowingly "They noticed your new car in the underground hotel parking lot" When I said I didn't have a new car he said "sure you do, let's go have a look then!" I was curious why my car (ironically had a personal plate with SER" which was in the parking lot was perceived as new, we went to check, me thinking they may have pranked it. When we walked the parking lot he said "Wow... nice car very good tastes I could see why he had been so amused. In a reserved parking stall close to the hotel elevator was a new Silver Seraph with the license plate "Hawkeye" I laughed so hard, probably they only thing on the car I could have owned at the time would have been the license plate. For several years we worked together it was our inside joke knowing I didn't own it... he would always make a point of greeting me in front of the crews "Good morning Hawkeye, how was your drive today?" We both got high milage out of that joke about my Silver Seraph which I allegedly owned.
That is a great story
Rather splendid motor car old chap.
I think the RR options list was something like "if you want it, just ask". Don't ask about the cost though, if you have to, you can't afford it after all.
If you compared this car and the Arnage, to every other luxury car of the time period, its incredible how much more luxurious this is.
The Arnage was pretty cool especially the Arnage T). IMO the body style is better suited to Bentley rather than a RR.
Highly recommend the book "Inside the Rolls-Royce & Bentley Styling Department 1971-2001" by Graham Hull, ex chief stylist. Lot of info on the development of Seraph/Arnage and many great anecdotes and a great read.
thank you
I'm enjoying it right now.
This is my favourite Rolls ever, I don't know why but theres just something about them
That is a truly lovely piece of automotive engineering and loved the Meatloaf analagy...Great stuff!
Thanks for the video. This is definitely one of the most forgotten Rolls Royce which there is little content for
I've owned each one of the Rolls Royces and Bentleys you've shown in this video and, I agree, they are all wonderful.
Oh wait, sorry no, that was what I dreamed last night.
Hey Jay, thanks for this. New sub here. We just bought a 99 Seraph last night - 145-Kms. We are quality used car dealers here in Ontario, Canada but we’re wanting to keep this one for ourselves for a while. Thanks again for your efforts and info.
My absolute favorite roller! Thanks James and thanks to the kind owner, this made my day.
When working on the new Conti GT I was told that BMW pulled a fast one and bought the RR marque and TM for a pittance, leaving VW with the plant and designs.
VW did a superb job bringing the old historic factory and line up to date in parallel with the tradition.
These things are majestic, respect to anyone who buys one!
God that's a magnificent car, I just love the old Rolls, Bentleys and Jags, I still kind of want to buy an old Arnage.
Great car. Fabulous review. Really nicely done James. Cheers from Australia.
Props for your continued insightful reviews and tamed delivery.👍🏻
Great video especially as I have just bought a 2000 model Seraph. Apparently, the 2000 model onwards have 100mm extra legroom in the back Must admit an RR has always been on my bucket list as a car. I like the 80's models but wanted something more modern....I liked the Phantom but entry price and mainly size of it too impractical. So, I thought, an Arnage it was. I drove an Arage R and though the ride was a little choppy but not necessarily put me off buying one. Then by chance I stumbled across the Seraph and started to read up on them. I loved the exclusivity of model, and thought that would be a better investment. Must admit, I have driven the car for about 2 weeks now. I can’t believe how smooth it rides and flows around the bends compared to the Bentley, engine and gearbox are sublime, no rattles, no squeaks and that smell of leather as mentioned in the video is unmistakeable. Driving along and seeing the Silver Lady at the top of the grill is surreal. I would recommend anyone to not overlook the Seraph.
Best review of this car I have ever seen. Bravo!
Another Great video,the variety on this chanell is Great and as always Jay does great commentary , Great Stuff
Well done sir! The quality and delivery of your reviews is spot on - I always look forward to watching an instalment.
Love your song analogy...absolutely hilarious my guy....your the best, funniest, and impotantly honest your Tuber....your never sucking up to the car manufacturer
Thanks!
Thankyou. The back up information is as usual excellent.
I owned a Bentley Arnage. I only payed $22k for it. It was an incredible car, especially for the money.
Purely from memory but as I recall when VW bought the company BMW pulled a fast one on them by doing a separate deal to licence them Rolls Royce name. Rolls Royce the name belonged and belongs to the aero engine manufacturer in Derby. Thus the two marques went their separate ways.
BMW bought the rights to use the badge and the name from RR plc, which essentially left VW stumped and the two were forced to come to an agreement. VW essentially turned everything they had in to rejuvenating Bentley and BMW setup RR Motor Cars Inc, which technically is a totally different and separate company to the prior Rolls Royce car company. In all but name obviously.
@@rare6499 Well there you go, my memory isn’t bad is it! Arguably it’s all turned out rather well with Bentley being a huge success in its own right with the Conti GT in particular and Rolls forging a separate identity with a very much more luxurious approach less favoured by footballers.
@@paulowen9271 turned out very well for both marques I think for sure!
That wood is sooo lovely…
Very interesting and well narrated video, what a wonderful car, the main problem with the resale prices being low is that the bargain is the buy, the running and maintenance are another matter.
Thanks for this, I am sure many RR fans will be interested in this resume of a great car.
I regularly drive a Rolls Royce Phantom and Ghost. They’re not mine, but I feel privileged to be allowed to drive such lovely vehicles. Though in my humble opinion, the Phantom is lovely to be driven in, the Ghost is a better driver’s car.
I am most interested by your comment as I currently have a 2011 Ghost and have been contemplating 'upgrading' to an approx 2016 Phantom. My biggest concerns regarding the Phantom are the attention it draws compared to the relatively 'under the radar' Ghost, and the ability to sell it on once I am ready to do so as you do seem to see older ones on Autotrader for month after month...
My only gripe with the Ghost is the poor turning circle, which I assume the Phantom is also blighted by....?
@@BibtheBoulder I find the Ghost better to drive as it feels smaller than the Phantom. Plus the Ghost has more power and less weight. It’s my preference out of the two. Greatest respect to you for being in the enviable position to purchase one of these cars.
@@BibtheBoulder Phantom (current) does have rear steering compared to the 2011 Ghost. A 2016 Phantom doesn’t - but I will say this, a 2016 Phantom SII is an absolute future classic. I work at Goodwood, I used to love watching Phantom VII going down the production line - of which it had its own dedicated line that was slower paced than Ghost series cars.
@@rare6499 Thank you for your reply rare. I still find myself poring over the ads for the Phantom. They have a 'presence' unique amongst cars, and I am hugely drawn to owning one, if only for a short (couple of years) time..and I agree with your sentiments.
@@andydavies858 Thank you for your reply Andy. For what it's worth, never a day goes by I don't fully reflect on how lucky I am to own such an iconic vehicle.
Re JayEmm's comment on the brakes: "They all do that, sir !". RR/Bentley always prized (and taught in their driving school) the 'Chauffeur Stop' - coming to a halt so imperceptively the passengers don't realize it. To aid in that, they used a brake booster driven by 2 hydraulic pumps on the engine, rather than the usual, and simpler and cheaper, vacuum booster. This hydraulic booster offers a variable level of boost, rather than the constant level provided by the vacuum booster. So, lightly stepping on the brakes gives very little braking power, pressing harder rapidly increases the boost and thus braking. Takes some getting used to, and feels like brake failure at first !
I've been attempting to get this 'Chauffeur Stop' right on my Arnage: basically you slowly relax the brake pressure as the vehicle slows, coming almost off the brake as it stops. It's hard to get right !
Thanks J, looked sumptuous!
Good you liked this & the zippy Yaris, there is no fixed template for being able to enjoy a car!
Certainly the last elegant and understated Rolls Royce.
Nice video. Awesome car. Thanks for showcasing it. I love these old luxury cars before the suspension got race stupid.
The mirrors in the back seating compartment are for passenger use. These mirrors were an option on the Bentley Arnage, a 2009 R model which i own.
It is widely held that the Arnage is a driver's sporty version while the Silver Seraph is the passenger car. The Arnage front center console houses the shift lever, manually selectable by the driver, six speed on the 2007-2009 models.
The 07-09 range of Arnage's offered improved engine performance and remedy the prior flaws of cam bearing burnouts and head gasket blowouts. Beginning in 2006, an upgraded the transmission was replaced to a six speed over the prior five speed automatic. 2009 was the last year of production for the Arnage line.
The 6.75 liter V8 produces 450 HP at 4,100 RPM and 645 lb-ft of torque at 1,800 RPM. 0-60 MPH in 5.5 seconds, max speed 168 MPH. Gross vehicle weight rating, 6,757 lbs. Twin turbos.
Lovely car. The mirror thing is (was) apparently an RR trademark. I discovered this when somebody was looking at my wedding pics and suddenly said "Oh, you're in a Rolls Royce"... it was a for hire wedding Silver Shadow and one of the cylinders was misfiring.
Great car, but the Arnage and in particular the twin turbo 450BHP T variant is so much more of a drivers car and has fantastic turned aluminium dash…… and generally a few £ cheaper like for like than the RR. That’s why I bought one😎👍
They like BMW and Mercedes,one for pure drive( Bentley) other for pure comfort ( Rolls Royce)
Would love to see a video of it in addition to your Aston video.
Only problem is the 'T' is VERY prone to camshaft failures which can effectively write the car off....
@@BibtheBoulder The camshaft on my 2005 T went at 64000 MLS, £9500.00 to fix. Fortunately that was at a previous owners expense.
@@johnbentley7007 ...and Bentley have been well aware of all of these issues for many years yet washed their hands of any responsibility...Shameful.
The best car in the world that you’ll have the utter privilege of pouring money into to keep it on the road. I’ve been in a few of these pre 2000 rollers and Bentleys. All were absolutely crap to drive and a quick flick through the service receipts from all was ridiculous. The service costs are extortionate as are parts prices.
The sort of driver who would be happier in a Golf R. By all means, stay away from Rolls Royce.
@@StarHorseLover2012 So let me ask you something. Would you rather this Rolls or a W140 Mercedes S600. I’d take the S600 all day long. Far better to drive, better to be drive in,better build quality and just an all round better car. That’s the best built car of that time not these overpriced underdeveloped thrown together lumps of shite that basically evaporate within minutes of you buying the thing. Pure crap.
@@Quattro_Joe It's rather like saying you prefer Pamela Anderson to Grace Kelly because she has bigger boobs. They're just in a different class.
@@StarHorseLover2012 Nonsense pal. The Roller thinks it’s in a different class. But they’re just so badly put together and so poor to drive that I can’t get my head around any sort of appeal to own one. We have a 95 Bentley Continental S stored in my job. It’s owned by a billionaire from new and is one of 38 (I think) made. He hasn’t driven it in over 20 years it’s only covered 18k. He hated driving it after he bought an AMG CL. He said it just didn’t compare to it and regrets buying it over a mid 90’s S500 coupe as he reckons he would’ve just enjoyed it more as the Bentley needed something fixed every other day.
Love these vids, reminds me of 90s top gear when i was a kid, keep it up!
I remember this car being launched in the 90's. Been my favourite Rolls Royce sedan ever since. Not because it's the best one but the nostalgia it evokes in me. I have to say though that boot looks a touch too long!
Yes I thought that too. It made the cabin look quite small and I was wondering about leg room. A mistake made with a lot of American cans too. Perhaps it was sized around X number of golf bags. Imagine going off to golf with 3 mates and not having enough room for everyone's bag.
Great content … actually this car has been on my radar for a while, you have convinced me more …….. stylish, effortless beauty !
Same here
I would save yourself thousands and buy one of the original Arnage (with the 4.4L BMW engine). Even fewer of those than the Seraph, and way cheaper to run....
@@BibtheBoulder BUT it’s not a RR is it ?
@@conner.9262 Well, ironically you are wrong. I have owned a 4.4L Bentley Arnage and on the inside of the passenger door the manufacturers plate says "MADE BY ROLLS ROYCE MOTORS"
@@BibtheBoulder Yes it’s true, they do look very similar… But …. Ok then it does NOT have a flying lady ? I think the RR looks a slimmer car, anyway it’s all about preference and bang for your buck !
Nice channel partner intro montage! Easy to digest than your regular Nord Shark headphones twaddle.
Most amazing car! Thanks for the video! Regards from Austria
Time has been very kind to this car. It’s the kind of thing I’d love to run as my family car, but the dog wouldn’t enjoy the boot much.
I have always really liked the Silver Seraph. To my mind they they have the same bearing as the Silver Clouds, which the Silver Spirits and Silver Spurs didn't quite achieve (although I liked them as well, especially the later models with their improved bumper design. Which makes me realize how much a seemingly small thing as bumper design can affect the look of a car. For example, the "chrome bumper" Silver Shadows look really good, but the ones that had to have safety bumpers really were diminished aesthetically. But I digress.) Back to the Silver Seraph, the interiors are simply stunning, and are the best Rolls-Royce has put in their cars. Compared to the current Rolls-Royce, these look much more user-friendly, much more manageable for the owner driver. If I was given the choice, I think I'd be happier with the Silver Seraph than than the current models (even though the current line-up is rather impressive).
Great video, I enjoyed hearing about this RR. Weirdly I found myself in a 1998 RR Silver Seraph (previously owned by the Amir of Qatar) a couple of weeks ago but I didnt know much about it :P
Your musical analogy about the ownership of old Rolls-Royce cars, would be more properly rendered as "You can pick one up for a minute waltz, but running costs are Götterdämmerung" :)
Oh, by the way, about that options catalogue ... the Rolls-Royce options catalogue is, I assure you, utterly colossal, and contains items that most people would not consider even existed, let alone thought of as automotive fitments. If you throw enough money at Rolls-Royce, they will provide your car with personalised features ranging from the decadent to the deranged. The truly extravagant (and extremely rich) purchaser of a Rolls-Royce can easily increase the price tag of his chariot by 30% over the base price.
The model that is *truly* scary to own and run, of course, unless your name is Jeff Bezos, is the latest incarnation of the Phantom. This behemoth carries a £500,000 base price (yes, half a million quid!) and the options catalogue will take that figure north of £600,000 with ease. Specify your Phantom to possess Louisiana brothel levels of decadence, and you could be looking at close to £700K. Maintenance costs for a fully loaded Phantom are on a par with those of an aircraft carrier. :)
Though if money *really* is no object, you could splash out on having your own Rolls-Royce Boat Tail built to order. Three customers have ordered these. How much did they pay for this? In US dollars, $28 million a pop. Call it £22 million in sterling or thereabouts. Not too long ago, you could buy a bona fide ocean going naval warship for that money.
Big up yourself my gee....your the best Car you tuber by miles....I absolutely love your commentaries
I have just bought an old Brooklands and also bought some Bentley umbrellas. Just to have it fixed as the Rolls has at 07:34. Madly in love with it.
Always loved the Silver Seraph, beautiful car, even with the carry over switchgear etc.
With these fuel prices you need 155k just drive it around for a week
Hi JayEmm, my dad has a 1971 Rover P5B. This car reminds me of it. Ours is completely original and I was wondering if it would interest you since it really is like this car. And it has a lovely smell! Thank you :)
Heads up, he has an email address in his "About" section on his TH-cam page where he accepts cars for review.
Would love to see a him review all P5B, I love those cars!
@@IntergalacticBinman Thank you, I have emailed him! And thank you, it is a very special car to me and would love to see some classic luxury on the channel. They are getting rare now :)) 👍
@@IntergalacticBinman Love your Sunbeam Tiger by the way! Those are really rare, Ford V8 right?
@@freddieparrydrums unfortunately not my own, simply wishful thinking! But yes, it is a ford V8.
The opening analogy on naming was bang on hahahaha
As a kid I was told that the colour of the RR letters changed from red to black once Mr Rolls and Mr Royce died. Has there been a resurrection, or was I misinformed?
Lovely to see, thanks 👍
In my opinion, the Silver Seraph is a very beautiful luxury car of the old school. At the same time, it is so modern that you have most of the comforts you want, and the engine is wonderful with its 12 cylinders. It oozes "old money", and you feel like a king in the back seat.
If you change the stereo system and the GPS-screen, you get both hands-free, spotify and modern navigation with a rear view camera.
Enjoyed that. Thanks, James.
Absolutely beautiful.
Awesome James, thank you.
There was a time you could wear a top hat in a RR. The lack of head room in the front is shocking, perhaps the sunroof is too blame?
Nice review!!! Classy car!
Love it or loath it
That example is in spectacular condition, 👍👍 up to Steve.
thank you again James... lovely vid
New to the channel, I like your style. Good review but you forgot to mention how many gallons to the mile it does?
When new, for me there would have been no contest - Bentley all the way - but the trouble with performance cars is that something always comes along to make it feel old - the advantage of the Seraph is that it was never designed to be dynamic, just competent while emphasising luxury - and that i tend to find lasts far longer than sporty!!
A fun episode, love it!
The small mirors in the back were a feature in the Cloud One and Cloud Three that we own here in the states. I've seen them in a few others. Back in the day, Rolls made the cars, but some other company somewhere made the bodies, so it depended on the body maker as to whether it had those little mirrors. I think it must have been a brand item of Rolls for several decades.
Proper car, would love to drive one.
Very impressive review James. I have never thought about Rollers as not really my thing (have an AM Vantage so am more on your page) but you’ve piqued my interest with this one - which I never even knew existed. Got to say it definitely hits the “cool” spot and could join AM on its own fridge ;) As usual just looked up a few on Autotrader and they are stupidly cheap for what you get. Hmmm 🤔
10:20 - "sprung" - fluid based... Generally, as in the old Citroën system, the fluid bounces against a gas enclosed behind a membrane, because a fluid does not compress, So in the Citroën goddesses, the hydraulic section relays the up-down wheel motion to the membrane over the gas-chamber while the amount of fluid in the lines regulates car height. And it's the gas that provides the spring effect. Maybe "hydro-pneumatic" is the best adjective here.
Hence the notation on screen
I am slightly laughing at myself for writing this, but I prefer oleo-pneumatic as a more precise description.
The old Austin Maxi had “ Hydramatic” suspension using actual water ( probably an antifreeze mixture) and rubber.
The Citroën, and therefore RR suspension used LHS at first ( on early DS/lD’s and all Shadows ) This is hygroscopic and needs regular changing to avoid internal corrosion. LHM ( minerale) was introduced on all Spirits in 1980 and Citroën’s post 1967, which was in my experience totally
trouble free.
@@paulrchapman1 - well, I'm smiling about your addition. You added depth that I wasn't aware of. Thank you. I have to reciprocate, though. As "hydro" derives from the Greek word for "water", you are perfect, in that sense. As we also see hydr in hydraulic, where oils are used, my reference was that. Still, the actual "spring" of the Citroëns is provided by the gas (nitrogen?) In the green balls in the individual wheel suspension. The fluid is (almost) not compressible and replaces mechanical moving parts, I guess. Plus it is used to control car height and work between the wheels. It may mimic the front-to-back leveling mechanism of the 2CV, actually. The older Minis did the front-to-back with their fluid too, AFAIK.
@@paulrchapman1 - incidentally, the pump-pressurized system in the Citroëns also provides the brake-assist power. The first time I hit the brake in my then new Citroën, I was surprised by the power assist that was as immediate as the big army lorry's. Did the Shadow also use that?
I recently saw an Arnage at an upmarket used car dealer and sat in the front passenger seat.
I'm 6'4" and no more than average build - both the door opening and the space you had sitting were not bigger than in my Saab 9-5.
I like the Silver Seraph's/Arnage's shape very much (especially before that ghastly re-design of the front) and the interior with it's avalanche of wood and leather is a nice place to be... but I actually thought: " Hmmm...for all that money, they might as well have built a larger car...".
So good. Love it
Wow, that Brooklands is beautiful, I so want one|
“Twelve cylinders and twenty four valves” surely 48 valves ? A very entertaining video of a beautiful car.
The Silver Seraph used the BMW M73 V12 which ran single overhead cams per bank and two valves per cylinder - therefore it did have 24 valves not 48.
You can buy seraphs for 18-20k GBP in Hong Kong and arnages from 10k upto 35k for an Arnage T all with low miles good condition much cheaper than uk
Another banger of an episode my dude!
Truss..... absolutely agree my guy
1:30 The Black Pop Tart.
I’m currently looking at pulling trigger on its counter brand the Bentley Arnage M2, I just love the luxury of the cars except that they are the 6.3/4 LT v8’s Iv wanted one since gods knows when. But jay I really like your character as a pure car guy which I can associate with.. keep em coming these videos are a delight and your opinions are fair
Informative
I really want this car it’s so nice and elegant not as recognizable as a rolls Royce but I love the shape
Hi,after having just seen this vid you.re welcome to test drive my bentley arnage for your channel
Just beautiful.
Love the Seraph
4:13 a sign of great confidence.
What a lovely car, however.
the c-pillar mirror is for checking (the lack of) your nose hair ;-)