2015 Bentley Flying Spur
The 2015 Bentley Flying Spur represents the pinnacle of luxury sedans, offering a blend of handcrafted elegance and exhilarating performance. It was available with two engine options: a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 producing 500 horsepower and 487 lb-ft of torque, and a 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12 generating 616 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque in the standard version and 626 hp and 605 lb-ft of torque in the W12 S version. Both engines were paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Owners often praise the Flying Spur for its opulent interior, smooth ride, and powerful engines. Common complaints tend to center around high maintenance costs, occasional electrical glitches, and the sheer size of the vehicle, which can make it challenging to maneuver in tight spaces.
Engine
4.0L Twin-Turbocharged V8
- Turbocharger Failure
- Description/Symptoms: Whining noise from the engine bay, reduced power, check engine light. Potential oil leaks from the turbocharger seals.
- Solution: Replacement of the faulty turbocharger(s).
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $5,000 - $8,000+
- Recalls: None Found
6.0L Twin-Turbocharged W12
- Oil Leaks
- Description/Symptoms: Oil drips under the car, burning oil smell, low oil level warning. Can be from valve cover gaskets, rear main seal, or turbocharger oil lines.
- Solution: Replacement of the leaking gasket or seal.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,000 - $5,000+ depending on location of the leak.
- Recalls: None Found
- Ignition Coil Failure
- Description/Symptoms: Misfires, rough idling, check engine light.
- Solution: Replacement of the faulty ignition coil(s). Due to the number of coils and labor to access them, it is often recommended to replace all coils at the same time.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $2,000+ depending on how many coils are replaced.
- Recalls: None Found
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic (ZF 8HP90)
- Harsh Shifting
- Description/Symptoms: Noticeable clunking or jerking during gear changes, especially at lower speeds.
- Solution: Software update or transmission service including fluid and filter change. In severe cases, valve body replacement or transmission rebuild might be necessary.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $6,000+ depending on severity of the issue.
- Recalls: None Found
- Torque Converter Failure
- Description/Symptoms: Shuddering at low speeds, usually during acceleration, and/or transmission slipping.
- Solution: Replacement of torque converter.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $3,000 - $5,000+
- Recalls: None Found
Suspension
- Air Suspension Compressor Failure
- Description/Symptoms: Vehicle sitting lower than normal, especially overnight. “Suspension Fault” message on the dashboard. The air suspension compressor may be excessively noisy or completely inoperative.
- Solution: Replacement of the air suspension compressor.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $2,000 - $4,000+
- Recalls: None Found
- Air Strut Leaks
- Description/Symptoms: Similar symptoms to compressor failure, but often isolated to one corner of the vehicle. Hissing sound may be audible near the affected strut.
- Solution: Replacement of the leaking air strut(s).
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $2,500 - $5,000+ per strut.
- Recalls: None Found
Electrical
- Infotainment System Malfunctions
- Description/Symptoms: Freezing, crashing, slow response, or complete failure of the infotainment screen. Navigation system errors, Bluetooth connectivity problems, and audio system glitches.
- Solution: Software update, infotainment system reset, or replacement of the infotainment unit.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $5,000+ depending on the issue.
- Recalls: None Found
- Battery Drain
- Description/Symptoms: Car battery draining overnight or within a few days of inactivity. Difficulty starting the engine.
- Solution: Diagnosis and repair of parasitic drain. This may involve replacing a faulty module or component that is not shutting down properly.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $2,000+ depending on the source of the drain.
- Recalls: None Found
Exterior
- Parking Sensor Failure
- Description/Symptoms: Parking sensors not functioning properly, giving false alerts, or not detecting objects.
- Solution: Replacement of the faulty parking sensor(s).
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $1,000+ depending on the number of sensors and the labor involved.
- Recalls: None Found
Interior
- Seat Motor Failure
- Description/Symptoms: Power seats not moving in one or more directions.
- Solution: Replacement of the faulty seat motor or seat control module.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $2,000+
- Recalls: None Found
- Sunroof Issues
- Description/Symptoms: Sunroof getting stuck, making excessive noise, or failing to close completely.
- Solution: Lubrication of the sunroof tracks, repair or replacement of the sunroof motor or mechanism.
- Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $2,000+
- Recalls: None Found
Summary
The 2015 Bentley Flying Spur offers unparalleled luxury and performance, but potential owners should be aware of the common issues. While some problems are relatively minor, others, particularly those related to the air suspension, engine, and transmission, can be quite expensive to repair. Electrical gremlins can also be a nuisance. Overall, owning a Flying Spur requires a willingness to invest in proper maintenance and be prepared for potential repairs that are commensurate with the vehicle’s high-end nature. The severity of these issues range from minor inconveniences to potentially major repairs.