Bentley Turbo R vs Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit 2 (1992) | A Battle of British Elegance

[@richardstamper5630]

We just sold our 1998 Continental R which has the same running gear as the Turbo R. It's a fine machine but without trying they cost a lot to own/run. We took ours on a 3,000 mile tour through Portugal & Spain and guess what - nothing happened. Even on those European roads people would wave at us which was a perfect surprise. Everywhere it's a conversation and whenever possible we would invite people to sit in it. For those that have never had the chance before, it's a real treat, so unlike anything you can buy today. We scratched that itch with the Bentley but somehow I keep getting drawn to the adverts, maybe another one awaits.

[@TheRacingLines]

Thanks for the comment Richard, I'm not sure I've ever seen a Continental R in person. I do like the shape though, it always reminded me of a bit more classic looking Brooklands Coupé. That sounds like a really special trip. I don't mean to be a bad influence but I fully support you purchasing another! 😉 You only live once!

[@ChicagoItalian]

I’m on my 10th Bentley Turbo R - 1997. Six and three Quarter Liter V8 386 Horsepower and 569 Ft. Lbs of Torque..just magnificent. No, BMW, Mercedes and Audi can’t compare…nothing compares to a Bentley or Rolls Royce.

[@TheRacingLines]

Wow! That is a long line of Bentley's you've had! Do you generally get rid when they hit a certain mileage? I'd love to review another German of the same period but I imagine you're absolutely right in them not being able to compare!

[@ChicagoItalian]

@@TheRacingLines Hi there - hope you’re well. I just got sick of throwing money away, honestly. I am looking for a Bentley Turbo RT and that will be my last one I think…these really are wonderful cars.

[@modfus]

I've always has a special love for the Turbo R - as imperfect as it is, it's unlike anything else.

[@TheRacingLines]

Each comment is making me want one more and more!

[@michaelappleyard6300]

Hi. You mentioned Mike Dunn. I worked for him in the 1970's at Leyland Trucks, before he moved to Ford and then to Rolls! Great engineer and boss.

[@TheRacingLines]

What a great bit of info, thanks for the comment Michael. My Grandad use to run Leyland trucks, I'll have to let him know he was basically driving a Rolls!

[@cormaconcars4224]

Fantastic video! I have owned several Rolls-Royce’s and Bentley's from this era I believe the spirits produced from 190bhp-220bhp, but because the Turbo R is turbocharged that produced over 300bhp. Great video

[@TheRacingLines]

Thanks very much, really appreciate the comment and glad you enjoyed it. Yes you're correct! 220HP from the research I've done since filming. I only had them each for a day so couldn't correct myself. What do you roll around in now if you don't mind me asking?

[@cormaconcars4224]

@ Hiya, thanks for coming back to me! I still roll around in the Rolls-Royce but have a few other cars as well.

[@Grantysgarage]

Great video, very well made, had me creasing at being the only one in the room with broken parts 😂

[@TheRacingLines]

Thanks Grant! The downside of playing rugby is premature aging unfortunately 😂

[@Grantysgarage]

@macswhips my knees would say the same about football lol

[@derekstocker6661]

Well done on this, great video, love these cars and seen here they are total classics. Saw a Bentley Turbo R in Surrey some years back and what stood out was the BTR registration plate! Never seen one before or since!

[@TheRacingLines]

Ah thanks very much for the comment Derek, really appreciate it. Yeah thats a cool plate, probably added to the aristocratic feel too!

[@tarekmirdad]

EXCELLENT VIDEO. I ENJOYED IT ALOT.

[@TheRacingLines]

Ah thanks very much. Appreciate the comment and glad you enjoyed it!

[@mikelewis8037]

I had a 1996 Rolls Silver Spur. Now I own a 1989 Bentley Turbo R. Much prefer the Bentley.

[@TheRacingLines]

Despite it being older! Thats interesting to hear.

[@gustav_a.mozumder2011]

@@TheRacingLines I had the 1989 Bentley Turbo R just before COVID 19 but, had to sell it off to payoff my needs however like @mikelewis8037 I still do have the 1996 Rolls Royce Silver Spur among my collection of cars.

[@mikee6220]

This was an excellent video

[@TheRacingLines]

Thanks Mike, appreciate the comment!

[@jonathanchastain610]

I love both of these vehicles. So refined, so quiet, so elegant, so British! I'd personally take the Bentley, but I could manage to make do with the Rolls if necessary (ha ha). I also prefer the Bentley's grill and headlights, though yhe Rolls doesn't look bad. Anyway, as an American who loves all things U.K. I thoroughly enjoyed this video. Thank you.

[@TheRacingLines]

I agree Jonathan, I would persevere with the Rolls if I had too! 😉 Thanks very much for the comment, really appreciate it. We appear to be in the minority preferring the Bentley front end from what the comments have said!

[@BomberFletch31]

KZbin recommended this video to me. Love this review. Subscribed. A very kind owner of a Silver Spirit recently let me sit in his car at Cars and Coffee. It's no exaggeration to say that that was by far the most comfortable car seat I have ever sat in. I was very surprised at how soft the seat was. It was just like an armchair. I think if I were in the market for an SZ series, I think I'd get the Rolls-Royce, because nothing wafts like a Rolls-Royce - not even a Bentley. That said, I do like the ability to drive quickly if I wanted to, so I think the rare-as-hen's-teeth Rolls-Royce Flying Spur would be the best of both worlds. I've yet to see a proper, detailed review of one, however. It'd be interesting to see what it's really like.

[@JoshMcCallion]

I’m going to have to buy one!

[@TheRacingLines]

We need a few more views first!

[@lillywilliams_]

I think I would be more suited to the Rolls Royce I like the idea of driving a boat down the road ❤

[@TheRacingLines]

See...you do like boats 😁

[@johnetherington782]

I'd love to be able to own a Bentley Turbo R but wouldn't like to drive it into the Yorkshire Dales which are not too far away. Too many narrow roads! Come to that, wouldn't want to park it up on the Asda car park either......

[@TheRacingLines]

I know what you mean, shopping would be a nightmare, I'm fairly certain it's too long for normal parking spaces. I have to say though, it didn't feel too huge. A few scary moments but visibility was good enough to not scrape the Derbyshire brambles or smash a wing mirror!

[@SentimentCarsWatches]

Amusing review! I enjoyed this comparison a lot. Like the SZ series in general a lot. I had a 1986 Silver Spur, but felt like it is more for older people. Now I have a 1989 Turbo RL. More appealing and respectable history, more sport, more Bentley-boy-like! Ps. if you use a microphone, you will be more clear and the noises on the background are less noticeable 😉

[@TheRacingLines]

Thanks for the comment, really appreciate it! How does the Silver Spur drive then I've never been lucky enough to drive one. I know what you mean on the mic front! I was using a mic but perhaps I'll go for a lapel mic in the future!

[@jamesbutler6253]

Surely that is the TP mode on the radio.

[@TheRacingLines]

I thought that was for traffic reports? This was going off every time I went over a certain speed

[@Allmentux]

​@@TheRacingLines the noise above a certain speed could be the one which chimes at 120kph. That was mandatory for the middle east back then (and maybe still today)

[@tsproductions4208]

I've often compared the both of them, and in the beginning of the video you said that the Bentley has much better looking headlights and that the silver spirit has an uglier grill, and funny thing is I always thought the exact opposite when comparing the both. Theyr'e quite similar except for the better looking headlights and grill on the silver spirit is what I thought haha. And that's because I like the understated elegance of that silver spirit's front, it's what fits the entire car much better than that aggressive and with the plastic around the headlights of the Turbo R much cheaper looking front of the Bentley. The Bentley's grill somehow doesn't fit my taste in this range of cars, that's why I'd go for the Spirit when only buying one of them. Fantastic video though! Keep up the good work

[@TheRacingLines]

Haha that is a brilliant comment! I wonder if because I'm used to reviewing newer cars, the sheer size of the Rolls grill and the headlights seem bulky in my head compared with all the xenon headlights and LEDS there are these days. Thanks for the comment, really appreciate it!

[@SentimentCarsWatches]

You must be well over 50! Haha

[@tsproductions4208]

@@SentimentCarsWatches actually not 😏 But interesting, how come you think that?

[@SentimentCarsWatches]

@@tsproductions4208 all the people I know with them are well over 50 :-)

[@nimedave]

I had a 96 Turbo RL which was the same spec as the test car. Lovely old thing but in the 1st year it cost me £14k in repairs. The mileage was less than 38k but it needed the dreaded head gaskets done and the suspension spheres were shot. I converted it to normal struts and springs instead. A central locking actuator went as well and that part alone was about £300. Very cheap cars to buy but incredibly easy to spend the same again just to keep it on the road.

[@ChicagoItalian]

if you buy a 15k Rolls Royce or Bentley…at least 15K in deferred maintenance…yes, speaking from experience.

[@TheRacingLines]

Wow! That is not a nice bill to receive in the first year! Do you still have yours?

[@TheRacingLines]

That is a real hit. I guess factoring in maintenance costs in important when figuring out your budget prior to purchase!

[@nimedave]

@ No I sold it fairly soon after that. I now have a Phantom and Ghost which is another world of pain entirely :)

[@mahatmacoat7215]

So tell me....what model and year is the most reliable and least expensive to service?

[@TheRacingLines]

I have no idea! 😂 If you know, please let us know!

[@gustav_a.mozumder2011]

@ The 1992 model year.

[@hamishcruden7623]

Wonderful Video...

[@TheRacingLines]

Ah thanks very much Hamish, really appreciate the comment!

[@paulus894]

They are both beautiful cars to drive, and I also have them both 💯👍🏻💯👍🏻💯👍🏻💯👍🏻💯👍🏻

[@TheRacingLines]

Ah what a fantastic choice you have in the morning Paul!

[@bentleyspotting]

Nice video. They are fun cars to drive!

[@TheRacingLines]

Ah thanks very much! Yeah they really are, I was taken aback by how much I enjoyed the days filming. I half knew they would be special but I didn't expect to want one!

[@JSDesign.Hongkong]

Please be advised that the reason the Turbo R feels like it “has more turbo” is because the Silver Spirit II engine is naturally aspirated and is not turbocharged; it produces 221 net hp/398 lb ft torque. Turbo R’s engine 316 net hp/455 lb ft torque. If given the chance, by all means take both out onto high speed motorways for another comparison review. Apart from the last irritating bit in the Turbo R, haha, this video is a refreshing run in both cars that engaged this experienced enthusiast effectively and enjoyably.

[@TheRacingLines]

Thanks for clarifying the power output! I would love to have given them a proper blast but had to be careful in them! Thanks very much for the comment, I really appreciate it and glad to hear you enjoyed it.

[@Millennial_Manc]

I wonder if the dual zone ventilation being upper and lower instead of driver and passenger is unique to RR and Bentley. Mercedes were almost all dual zone driver / passenger by the late 80s, even without air con options.

[@TheRacingLines]

Sorry can you explain that in a little more detail so I can understand?

[@Millennial_Manc]

@ The ventilation in those cars have two temperature wheels - one for your feet and one for your face. All occupants have the same temperature. Other high end cars had a separate temperature for the driver and for the passenger instead but no separate temperature for feet and face level.

[@ChrisPatrick-q6k]

Guilded

[@TheRacingLines]

Me or the car? 😉

[@ivanfernyhough3851]

I had a 1992 bentley mulsanne s.kept it for a year and couldnt bond with it.i then had and still have a 1989 rolls royce silver spirit and i much prefer it.have had it for nearly 10 years now.i think the none adaptive suspension i have is much smoother than the bentley.i also much prefer the rolls royce lights grill and fabulous spirit of ectacy on the front.rolls for me every time.

[@TheRacingLines]

Interesting about the Mulsanne. I've never driven one of those. Did it feel a lot different to the Rolls? I know what you mean about front end, from the comments, it seems a lot of people disagree with me preferring the Bentley!

[@ChicagoItalian]

Horsepower is 320-330 horsepower. 296 Horsepower is for the Solex. Carburetor.

[@TheRacingLines]

Got you, thanks for clarifying that. Appreciate the comment!

[@r0dnee]

I have a 1981 silver spur my dad has a 1997 turbo RL

[@TheRacingLines]

What a line up. How does the Silver Spur compare?

[@r0dnee]

@TheRacingLines believe it or not its pretty sound motor I abused flying spares to keep it alive the RL is roughly the same car all be it with more power a much better interior and rarity

[@giuliopedrali4794]

I prefer the Rolls-Royce, is the original from my Italian point of view, Bentley was the oldies pre 1930 Bentleys, always the Continental and the more sporty Bentley of the XXI century

[@TheRacingLines]

I know what you mean with that, Rolls Royce still seems to be in a class of its own

[@JakePurches-Base2music]

Great video - very interesting. But please get a better voice mic. Far too much rumble on the audio.

[@paulecrosby2006]

Stop turning the wheel while Stationery!

[@aarons3695]

If you really want to zero in on the very best of the breed there were around 134 Rolls-Royce Flying Spurs in 1995. These were the long wheelbase Silver Spur body and trim with the Bentley Turbo R drive train and suspension.

[@TheRacingLines]

Oooo! Just had a google, beautiful looking things. I'll have to try and get my hands on one in the future. Thanks very much for the comment!

[@stefaneinz]

The Rolls Royce delivers about 240hp, not 300! "Adequate" as Rolls Royce would say :),

[@TheRacingLines]

Ah bugger! Thank you, I'll pin this comment so people know the true figures! Adequate indeed though. Plenty enough power to waft you to the dinner parties!

[@badbusdriver7160]

10+ years ago, if asked, I'd have taken the Bentley over the Rolls in a shot but today I'm not so sure. Yes, the Turbo R has more poke, but the Silver Spirit has plenty for the way you'd realistically be driving either under most circumstances.

[@TheRacingLines]

Yeah I think you're probably spot on with that. I do honestly prefer the design of the Bentley even though the differences are so small!

[@peterriggall8409]

Something a bit different. I hope the roads are not salted. 😬

[@TheRacingLines]

Thankfully it was summer!

[@peterriggall8409]

@@TheRacingLines Oh sorry. Seems your comments came up attached to another video I had just watched. Hence my comment seemed a bit weird. Enjoyed your video. Great comparison. 👍

[@TheRacingLines]

Understood. I did wonder! Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for the comment, really appreciate it 👍

[@olanrewajujoel584]

Practically the same vehicle but different badges.

[@chrisdorrell1]

The RR grill is NOT ugly are you completely of your rocker. The bentlys is bland. I love both cars but you are completely wrong. I own/drive a Rolls SS .

[@TheRacingLines]

You're not the first to disagree with me Chris. In the eye of the beholder and all that! In my defence I do say they're both great looking cars at the start of the video! How long have you had yours for?

[@mategombas771]

Citroen suspension

[@TheRacingLines]

They were ahead of the game in the 60's!

[@jeep7]

انت لست سائق جيد فلم تسند ظهرك جيدا على المقعد وتثبت ايضا تتحدث وتحرك يدك اتمنى ان تكون ثابتا وتتحدث ويديك على المقود فالسيارات الفارهه لاتقاد بهذه الطريقه المستعجله ..

[@TheRacingLines]

أستخدم ترجمة جوجل للرد. آمل أن يكون هذا منطقيًا. شكرًا على التعليق. سأحرص على تقديم المزيد من الثبات في المرة القادمة! I hope that makes sense 😂 Google translate helped me out!

[@giuliopedrali4794]

Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit is my favourite cars of all times, i like also British sports cars of 30s and 70 80s, Alfa Romeo like Alfasud / 33, NSU, SAAB, american classic cars and Edwardian era and Brass era cars of beginning of 1900, but the Silver Spirit maybe is the more complete of all

[@TheRacingLines]

Wow you really are going back. I'm yet to delve into the world of early 1900 cars but would love to drive a few. I have to say, I love an old Alfa though, they just have this special something

[@giuliopedrali4794]

@TheRacingLines My true passion now is american brass cars era cars of 1900 1915, i try to make models in 1:20 scale in brass and wood like the originals

[@katmac532000]

What ill informed tripe this reviewer spouts

[@TheRacingLines]

Tried my best 😂 settle down

[@josj15]

UK looks boring af

[@TheRacingLines]

😂I'll admit the review is a bit slow but I'm working on it! Plus, I'm from a sleepy little town in the midlands. There are some lively places in the UK trust me

[@tsproductions4208]

@@josj15 I think the setting is quite nice and fits the cars particularly well. Driving on a German Autobahn, if you’re looking left and right- that’s boring, all along the drive. Greetings from GER

[@DM-hp7ct]

Your comment is as boring af

[@badbusdriver7160]

If you are looking for a video in order to judge and review how the UK "looks", why are you choosing to do so via a car comparison video covering only a few square miles (out of circa 97,000)? The fact that you have done just that marks you out as an imbecile

[@Millennial_Manc]

You saw a representative cross-section of the entire UK there and it’s really boring. Never come here. Please.