A car like the Rolls-Royce Phantom VII rarely feels second-hand and you don't need the courage of a superhero to take the plunge. We tell you what to look for
The arrival, next year, of the Rolls-Royce Phantom VIII means that soon, the only Phantom VII you'll be able to purchase will be a 'pre-owned' one. They could be a relative bargain, given the new VIII's expected £400,000 price ticket.
Prices at all years vary hugely according to specification but, generally speaking, 2015/16-reg Phantom VII Series 2s hover around £220,000. Thereafter, prices decline to around £170,000 for the first S2 cars of 2012 with about 20,000 miles on the clock. Changes over the Series 1 include a restyled front end with active LED headlights, an eight-speed automatic gearbox and an improved infotainment system.
See Rolls-Royce Phantom for sale on PistonHeads
From the Phantom VII's launch in 2003 until 2012, the Series 1 reigned supreme. Again, specification affects prices massively but they tend to range from a high of £170,000 for the best 2008 to 2012-reg cars (there was a facelift in 2009), passing through £120,000 for tidy 2006-2007 cars and £100,000 for 2004-2007 cars, to a low of around £75,000 for the first S1s or less-than-pristine examples.
The idea of a Phantom, complete with 6.75-litre V12 doling out a highly waftable 453bhp and 531lbft, for £100,000 is surely appealing. Granted, for the same money, you could have a far younger Bentley Mulsanne (typically a 2012-reg car) also with a 6.75 V12 or, if you don't mind 'slumming' it, an even younger Mercedes-AMG S63 L or a BMW M760Li xDrive V12, both 2017-reg.
Ooh, that Mercedes... perhaps we had better move on.
The Phantom VII S1 has a six-speed automatic gearbox and air suspension. It has an aluminium body, too, but it still weighs 2500kg. Don't look for a rev counter: it doesn't have one. Instead, a dial shows the driver how much power is in reserve. Don't try to open the back doors in the usual way, either: they're hinged at the rear rather than the front. If you can't see the Spirit of Ecstasy mascot, it's because it automatically retracts into the grille to avoid it being stolen or causing injury in an accident.
Those who earn their living selling them say that buying, owning and running a Phantom isn't as terrifying as it might seem. They would say that, but the fact is that most Phantoms have led spoilt and unstressed lives. If it has full Rolls-Royce service history, you can be sure it has wanted for nothing. Being largely based on the BMW 7 Series means Phantom reliability is virtually assured.
That said, take nothing for granted in your inspection. As you'll read in 'Buyer beware' (right), some potential pitfalls could cost you dearly. Fortunately, there's a solid network of independent specialists and quality aftermarket parts to help you pick up the pieces for a reasonable cost.
Find a nice S1 with a good provenance for under £100,000, and although it'll continue to depreciate, it should one day find its level somewhere north of most ageing V12 limos, buoyed by rising values for old Rollers and the brand's magic.
How to get one in your garage:
Duane Starman, Starman's Rolls-Royce and Bentley specialist - "I've worked on Rolls-Royce cars for over 30 years, ever since I was apprenticed to a Nottingham main dealer. They're fantastic pieces of engineering and the Phantom VII is no exception. People think it's expensive to run and, yes, one will cost more to maintain than a Vauxhall Corsa, but you can save money using specialists (like me) and shopping for quality aftermarket parts. The car shares lots of parts with the BMW 7 Series and any decent specialist will be able to marry up the Rolls part with the BMW and save you money."
Buyer beware:
Engine - Check for radiator leaks on pre-2008 cars that have done around 50k miles.
Inspect the seals on the ends of the coolant pipe that lies in the 'V' of the cylinders and runs from the water pump to the block. Check for oil leaks from the rocker cover gaskets. Listen for poor running on early cars, which could be caused by failing injectors.
Batteries - It has two batteries. Regular short journeys (not uncommon) can exhaust them, so give them a health check.
Brakes and suspension - It's a heavy car and ball joint bushes can wear prematurely. Air suspension bellows can develop leaks, which puts a strain on the pumps, causing them to fail in time. Check the ride height is correct. Fortunately, it's possible to have them overhauled by a company such as Arnott Air Suspension Products. Brakes take a pounding so check pads and discs. A recall was launched in October 2010 for cars built between January 2003 and November 2009 about a possible reduction in brake servo assistance.
Body - Corrosion is unknown but some exterior alloy parts can go off-colour. There have been occasional issues with door locks trying and failing to lock. A warning should flash on the dashboard.
Interior - The plastic trims on the seat base can be dislodged and broken by rear passengers as they exit but replacements are available.
Also worth knowing:
If seals fail on the coolant pipe running from the water pump to the block, you can fix it the official way at a cost of up to £9000. However, flyingspares.com stocks a collapsible coolant pipe that can be fitted in a day. Parts and labour: around £2000.
How much to spend:
£75,000-£89,995
Launch to 2006-reg cars with over 75k-130k miles and partial RR history.
£90,000-£104,995
Proper 06 and 07-reg cars, including a 2006 one with 47k miles and full RR service history for £99,995.
£105,000-£114,995
More 2006-reg cars with full RR service history and low mileage, including a one-owner 06-reg with 12k miles for £107,995.
£115,000-£124,995
More 2008-reg cars, including a 70k-miler for £119,990 and a 44k-miler for £124,900.
£125,000-£149,995
Phantom coupés at 08 and 09-reg, plus low-mileage 07 and 08-reg saloons.
One we found:
ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM, 2008/08-REG, 82K MILES, £100,000
If you're going to buy one for the long- term, buy the best you can afford, like this: one owner, full RR service history, from the main dealer that originally sold it. Downside? Barbara Cartland would have loved the interior...
John Evans
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Rolls-Royce Phantom review
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Rolls-Royce Ghost review
