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2016 Bentley Flying Spur

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By Research the Car 7 min read

Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of common issues and complaints for the 2016 Bentley Flying Spur, categorized by component and engine/transmission option, and formatted for your website. The 2016 Bentley Flying Spur is a luxury sedan known for its opulent interior, powerful performance, and refined driving experience. The available engine options include a 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 producing 500 horsepower and 487 lb-ft of torque, a more powerful version of the 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 producing 528 horsepower and 502 lb-ft of torque, and a 6.0L twin-turbocharged W12 producing 616 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. All engines are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Owners generally praise the Flying Spur for its luxurious appointments, smooth ride, and powerful engine. Common complaints include high maintenance costs, complex electronics, and occasional issues with the air suspension.

Engine

4.0L Twin-Turbocharged V8

  • Oil Leaks
    • Description/Symptoms: Oil leaks can develop from various locations on the engine, including valve cover gaskets, rear main seal, and turbocharger oil lines. Symptoms include visible oil leaks under the car, burning oil smell, and low oil level.
    • Solution: Identify the source of the leak and replace the affected gasket or seal. Retorque bolts as needed. For turbocharger lines, replacement is typically required.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $2000+ depending on the location and severity of the leak.
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Turbocharger Issues
    • Description/Symptoms: Some owners have reported issues with turbocharger performance, including boost leaks or turbo failure. Symptoms include reduced power, unusual noises from the engine bay, and potential check engine lights.
    • Solution: Diagnose the cause of the turbocharger issue. Repair or replace the turbocharger as needed. Check and replace any leaking hoses.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1500 - $5000+ for turbocharger replacement.
    • Recalls: None Found

4.0L Twin-Turbocharged V8 (Higher Output)

  • Oil Leaks
    • Description/Symptoms: Oil leaks can develop from various locations on the engine, including valve cover gaskets, rear main seal, and turbocharger oil lines. Symptoms include visible oil leaks under the car, burning oil smell, and low oil level.
    • Solution: Identify the source of the leak and replace the affected gasket or seal. Retorque bolts as needed. For turbocharger lines, replacement is typically required.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $2000+ depending on the location and severity of the leak.
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Turbocharger Issues
    • Description/Symptoms: Some owners have reported issues with turbocharger performance, including boost leaks or turbo failure. Symptoms include reduced power, unusual noises from the engine bay, and potential check engine lights.
    • Solution: Diagnose the cause of the turbocharger issue. Repair or replace the turbocharger as needed. Check and replace any leaking hoses.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1500 - $5000+ for turbocharger replacement.
    • Recalls: None Found

6.0L Twin-Turbocharged W12

  • Coolant Leaks
    • Description/Symptoms: Coolant leaks can occur from hoses, the water pump, or the coolant reservoir. Symptoms include a sweet smell, visible leaks, and low coolant levels. Overheating can also occur if left unattended.
    • Solution: Locate and repair the source of the leak by replacing hoses, the water pump, or the coolant reservoir as needed.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $2000+ depending on the source and severity of the leak.
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Oil Leaks
    • Description/Symptoms: Oil leaks can develop from various locations on the engine, including valve cover gaskets, rear main seal, and turbocharger oil lines. Symptoms include visible oil leaks under the car, burning oil smell, and low oil level.
    • Solution: Identify the source of the leak and replace the affected gasket or seal. Retorque bolts as needed. For turbocharger lines, replacement is typically required.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $2000+ depending on the location and severity of the leak.
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Turbocharger Issues
    • Description/Symptoms: Some owners have reported issues with turbocharger performance, including boost leaks or turbo failure. Symptoms include reduced power, unusual noises from the engine bay, and potential check engine lights.
    • Solution: Diagnose the cause of the turbocharger issue. Repair or replace the turbocharger as needed. Check and replace any leaking hoses.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1500 - $5000+ for turbocharger replacement.
    • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

8-Speed Automatic

  • Rough Shifting
    • Description/Symptoms: Some owners report experiencing rough or delayed shifts, particularly between certain gears. The transmission may also clunk when shifting.
    • Solution: Start with a transmission fluid flush and filter replacement. If the issue persists, the valve body may need to be rebuilt or replaced. In severe cases, a transmission replacement might be necessary.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 for a fluid flush, $1000 - $4000+ for valve body work, $5000 - $10000+ for transmission replacement.
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Transmission Slippage
    • Description/Symptoms: Transmission slippage occurs when the transmission struggles to engage gears, resulting in a temporary loss of power or acceleration. This can be accompanied by unusual noises from the transmission.
    • Solution: Investigate the cause of the slippage. Potential solutions include a transmission fluid flush, valve body repair, or replacement of worn clutches and friction materials. In severe cases, a transmission replacement might be necessary.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 for a fluid flush, $1000 - $4000+ for valve body work, $5000 - $10000+ for transmission replacement.
    • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

  • Air Suspension Failure
    • Description/Symptoms: The air suspension system can experience leaks in the air struts or failures in the air compressor. This results in the car sitting unevenly, a rough ride, and potentially an error message on the dashboard.
    • Solution: Diagnose the source of the leak or failure. Replace the affected air strut or air compressor.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1500 - $4000+ per strut, $1000 - $3000+ for the compressor.
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Air Suspension Compressor Failure
    • Description/Symptoms: The compressor may fail due to age, moisture, or overuse, leading to suspension malfunction.
    • Solution: Replace the faulty air compressor.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1000 - $3000
    • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

  • Infotainment System Issues
    • Description/Symptoms: The infotainment system can experience glitches, frozen screens, or complete failures.
    • Solution: Try resetting the system. If the issue persists, the head unit may need to be replaced.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $2000+ depending on the issue and necessary repairs.
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Battery Drain
    • Description/Symptoms: Some owners have reported issues with excessive battery drain, especially if the car is not driven frequently.
    • Solution: Check for parasitic draws on the battery. Replace the battery if it is old or faulty.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $500+ for battery replacement, $100 - $500+ to diagnose and repair parasitic draws.
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Sensor Malfunctions
    • Description/Symptoms: Various sensors, such as those related to the parking system, tire pressure monitoring, or driver assistance features, may malfunction.
    • Solution: Diagnose the faulty sensor and replace it.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $800 per sensor depending on its complexity.
    • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

  • Headlight Issues
    • Description/Symptoms: The LED headlights can experience issues with flickering, dimming, or complete failure.
    • Solution: Replace the headlight assembly.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1000 - $5000+ per headlight assembly.
    • Recalls: None Found

Interior

  • Navigation System Problems
    • Description/Symptoms: The navigation system can be glitchy and slow, or have inaccurate maps
    • Solution: Update the software, or replace the unit if the issue persists
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $0 - $200 to update, or $1000 - $2000+ to replace
    • Recalls: None Found
  • Seat Motor Failure
    • Description/Symptoms: Seat motors may fail.
    • Solution: Replace faulty motor.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1500
    • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 2016 Bentley Flying Spur, while a symbol of luxury and performance, can present owners with a range of issues. Engine-related problems, such as oil leaks and turbocharger failures, are common across the engine options. The transmission can also experience issues like rough shifting. The air suspension is another area of concern, with potential leaks and compressor failures. Electrical issues, particularly with the infotainment system, also arise. These issues range from moderate to severe, with repair costs potentially reaching into the thousands of dollars. Prospective buyers should carefully inspect the vehicle’s service history and consider a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic specializing in Bentley vehicles.

Bentley, Flying Spur
Bentley Flying Spur 2016
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