2008 Bentley Continental

The 2008 Bentley Continental GT is a luxury grand tourer known for its opulent interior, powerful engine, and distinctive styling. The most common configuration features a 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12 engine producing 552 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. A less common engine option for this year is a 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12 engine tuned to produce 600 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque in the Continental GT Speed. Both engines are paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Owners generally praise the car’s luxurious appointments, smooth ride, and effortless performance, while common complaints revolve around high maintenance costs, potential for expensive repairs, and complex electronics.

Engine

6.0L Twin-Turbocharged W12 (552 HP, 479 lb-ft)

• Coil Pack Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Misfires, rough running engine, check engine light. Typically affects individual cylinders, leading to noticeable performance degradation.
  • Solution: Replace the faulty coil pack(s). It’s often recommended to replace all coil packs at once for preventative maintenance.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $400 per coil pack (parts and labor).
  • Recalls: None Found
• Vacuum Leaks
  • Description/Symptoms: Rough idle, poor acceleration, check engine light with lean codes. Vacuum lines can become brittle and crack with age.
  • Solution: Locate and repair or replace damaged vacuum lines.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $500+, depending on the location and complexity of the repair.
  • Recalls: None Found

6.0L Twin-Turbocharged W12 (600 HP, 553 lb-ft) - Continental GT Speed

• Coil Pack Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Misfires, rough running engine, check engine light. Similar to the standard W12, coil packs are prone to failure.
  • Solution: Replace the faulty coil pack(s). Recommended to replace all at once.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $400 per coil pack (parts and labor).
  • Recalls: None Found
• Turbocharger Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Reduced power, whistling sound from the engine bay, check engine light. Turbochargers can fail due to oil starvation or wear and tear.
  • Solution: Diagnose the turbocharger and replace or rebuild as needed.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $3,000 - $8,000+ per turbocharger (parts and labor).
  • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

6-Speed Automatic Transmission

• Valve Body Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Harsh or delayed shifting, slipping between gears, transmission fault codes. The valve body controls the flow of hydraulic fluid within the transmission and can experience wear or failure.
  • Solution: Replace or rebuild the valve body.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $2,000 - $5,000+ (parts and labor).
  • Recalls: None Found
• Torque Converter Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Shuddering or vibration at low speeds, poor acceleration, stalling.
  • Solution: Replace the torque converter.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,500 - $4,000+ (parts and labor).
  • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• Air Suspension Compressor Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: The vehicle sits low or unevenly, the air suspension warning light illuminates, the compressor runs constantly. The compressor is responsible for maintaining air pressure in the suspension system.
  • Solution: Replace the air suspension compressor.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,500 - $3,500+ (parts and labor).
  • Recalls: None Found
• Air Strut Leaks
  • Description/Symptoms: Similar symptoms to compressor failure, the vehicle sits low or unevenly, hissing sound from the suspension. The air struts themselves can develop leaks.
  • Solution: Replace the leaking air strut(s).
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,500 - $4,000+ per strut (parts and labor).
  • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• Battery Drain Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Dead battery, difficulty starting the car, electrical system malfunctions. Complex electronics can lead to parasitic battery drain.
  • Solution: Diagnose and repair the source of the battery drain. This may involve tracing wiring harnesses, replacing faulty modules, or addressing aftermarket accessories.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $1,000+, depending on the complexity of the issue.
  • Recalls: None Found
• Infotainment System Malfunctions
  • Description/Symptoms: The navigation system freezes or crashes, the audio system fails, the display screen is unresponsive.
  • Solution: Software updates, module replacement.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $2,000+, depending on the issue.
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Headlight Condensation
  • Description/Symptoms: Moisture buildup inside the headlight housings.
  • Solution: Reseal the headlight housings or replace the headlights.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $1,000+ (parts and labor).
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Seat Motor Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: The power seats do not adjust properly.
  • Solution: Replace the faulty seat motor(s).
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,500+ (parts and labor).
  • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 2008 Bentley Continental GT, while luxurious and powerful, can present owners with a range of potential issues. Engine problems like coil pack failures and vacuum leaks are relatively common and can cause performance issues. The transmission may experience valve body or torque converter problems, leading to shifting difficulties. The air suspension system is also a known weak point, with compressor and strut failures being relatively frequent. Electrical issues, particularly battery drain, can be challenging to diagnose and repair. Interior components such as seat motors may also fail. Overall, the severity of these issues ranges from minor inconveniences to major mechanical breakdowns, and the cost to repair can be significant, reflecting the vehicle’s status as a high-end luxury car.