Marin Rolls Royce & Bentley Service
Rolls Royce and Bentley cars are special, they require specialist care and maintenance. Ed Wright's British car repair has comprehensive mechanical and electrical expertise related to all aspects of these automotive legends. Our practical working knowledge spans new, classic, and vintage models. Our mechanics have specialist training and equipment to diagnose, repair, restore and maintain these vehicles. We have decades of hands-on knowledge with Rolls Royce and Bentley.
When Ed Wright established British Motor Mechanics in San Francisco the year was 1960. In 1972, the shop was moved to San Rafael, and renamed British Car Repair. We have been busy maintaining and repairing English cars for nearly 50 years. Clint, grew up locally, attended Stanford University and then returned to run the business. As a second generation family business we have developed close ties with customers and the community and continue to provide the best service possible.
We look forward to meeting you, discussing your car and as always, supplying a written cost estimate for services in advance. We enjoy complete classic car restoration projects. Please ask us for a tour of some of our recent projects.
We look forward to meeting you, discussing your car and as always, supplying a written cost estimate for services in advance. We enjoy complete classic car restoration projects. Please ask us for a tour of some of our recent projects.
Questions: ROLLS ROYCE / Bentley
Rolls-Royce -Pre War
Silver Ghost
Phantom
Wraith
1904-1939
Cars of impeccable rarity and style available in the most limited quantities and often coach for each owner at this stage of the marque's history
Rolls-Royce Phantom II (1929-1935): The flagship model of its era, known for its new chassis design.
Rolls-Royce 25/30 (1936-1938): An update to the 20/25 with an even larger engine.
Rolls-Royce Phantom III (1936-1939): The last large pre-war model, notable for its V12 engine.
Rolls-Royce Wraith (1938-1939): A technologically advanced car for its time, featuring independent front suspension.
Rolls-Royce 25/30 (1936-1938): An update to the 20/25 with an even larger engine.
Rolls-Royce Phantom III (1936-1939): The last large pre-war model, notable for its V12 engine.
Rolls-Royce Wraith (1938-1939): A technologically advanced car for its time, featuring independent front suspension.
Rolls Royce - Post War
Silver Wraith
Silver Dawn
Phantom
Silver Cloud
Silver Shadow
Corniche
Silver Spur
Camargue
Silver Seraph
1946 -2002
Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith (1946-1959): The first post-war model, offered as a chassis for bespoke coachwork.
Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn (1949-1955): The first model offered with a factory-built body, although coachwork was still available as an option.
Rolls-Royce Phantom IV (1950-1956): An extremely exclusive model, produced only for heads of state and royalty.
Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud (1955-1966): A core model that became very popular and saw several iterations (Cloud I, II, and III).
Rolls-Royce Phantom V (1959-1968): A large limousine model often used as official state cars.
Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow (1965-1980): A revolutionary model with a unitary body and chassis, independent suspension, and a high sales volume.
Rolls-Royce Phantom VI (1968-1991): The last Phantom model based on the original chassis design, highly customizable.
Rolls-Royce Corniche (1971-1996): A popular coupé and convertible variant of the Silver Shadow/Silver Spirit line.
Rolls-Royce Camargue (1975-1986): A distinctive coupé styled by Pininfarina.
Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit/Silver Spur (1980-2000): The replacement for the Silver Shadow, serving as the company's core sedan for two decades.
Rolls-Royce Silver Silver Seraph (1998-2002): known for combining traditional British craftsmanship with modern German engineering. It was the first Rolls-Royce model to be powered by a V12 engine since the 1939 Phantom III.
PROBLEM AREAS AND CONCERNS
In terms of the problem areas and concerns for maintenance, we suggest that we have a quiet private conversation in the context of your vehicle. We don't want to tarnish the brands, nor undermine the enthusiasm of any potential Rolls Royce or Bentley owners with anything so tawdry as a list of potential issues.
Our experience has been that any theoretical performance issues are often simply colored by the misgivings of negligent owners and sundry upstart hooligan posers who have most likely subjected their vehicles to errors of omission and certainly have no earthly knowledge of the commitment involved with maintaining a vehicle of this stature and grace. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to a gentle conversation over a cuppa tea. Please remember to bring several personal references and of course, your checkbook.
Seriously, you will not find a more dedicated team in the mutual commitment to securing value for money in the pursuit of the finest in automotive conveyance.
Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn (1949-1955): The first model offered with a factory-built body, although coachwork was still available as an option.
Rolls-Royce Phantom IV (1950-1956): An extremely exclusive model, produced only for heads of state and royalty.
Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud (1955-1966): A core model that became very popular and saw several iterations (Cloud I, II, and III).
Rolls-Royce Phantom V (1959-1968): A large limousine model often used as official state cars.
Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow (1965-1980): A revolutionary model with a unitary body and chassis, independent suspension, and a high sales volume.
Rolls-Royce Phantom VI (1968-1991): The last Phantom model based on the original chassis design, highly customizable.
Rolls-Royce Corniche (1971-1996): A popular coupé and convertible variant of the Silver Shadow/Silver Spirit line.
Rolls-Royce Camargue (1975-1986): A distinctive coupé styled by Pininfarina.
Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit/Silver Spur (1980-2000): The replacement for the Silver Shadow, serving as the company's core sedan for two decades.
Rolls-Royce Silver Silver Seraph (1998-2002): known for combining traditional British craftsmanship with modern German engineering. It was the first Rolls-Royce model to be powered by a V12 engine since the 1939 Phantom III.
PROBLEM AREAS AND CONCERNS
In terms of the problem areas and concerns for maintenance, we suggest that we have a quiet private conversation in the context of your vehicle. We don't want to tarnish the brands, nor undermine the enthusiasm of any potential Rolls Royce or Bentley owners with anything so tawdry as a list of potential issues.
Our experience has been that any theoretical performance issues are often simply colored by the misgivings of negligent owners and sundry upstart hooligan posers who have most likely subjected their vehicles to errors of omission and certainly have no earthly knowledge of the commitment involved with maintaining a vehicle of this stature and grace. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to a gentle conversation over a cuppa tea. Please remember to bring several personal references and of course, your checkbook.
Seriously, you will not find a more dedicated team in the mutual commitment to securing value for money in the pursuit of the finest in automotive conveyance.
For Rolls Royce and Bentley cars we offer a wide range of expert services encompassing the maintenance and repair needs of vintage through contemporary cars . We have specialized training and equipment required, and a long history of solving problems with older cars. We have an edxtensive understanding through long association with Rolls Royce and Bentley.
We can handle anything you require, from routine maintenance to major repairs, overhauls, expedition outfitting, and custom work. Along with our extraordinary staff, we have the very best tools. We have full service documentation for every Rolls Royce and Bentley product from the late 1930's to the present day. We pride ourselves on our extensive experience with these cars and serve all of Marin County and the San Francisco Bay Area, including Mill Valley, Sausalito, San Rafael, Tiburon and Novato.
We can handle anything you require, from routine maintenance to major repairs, overhauls, expedition outfitting, and custom work. Along with our extraordinary staff, we have the very best tools. We have full service documentation for every Rolls Royce and Bentley product from the late 1930's to the present day. We pride ourselves on our extensive experience with these cars and serve all of Marin County and the San Francisco Bay Area, including Mill Valley, Sausalito, San Rafael, Tiburon and Novato.
• Re-fabrication of vintage parts
• Unique engineering challenges
• Specialist diagnostic and repairs
• Unique transmission issues
• Timing chain tensioner issues
• Track performance
• Clutch wear issues
• Unique engineering challenges
• Specialist diagnostic and repairs
• Unique transmission issues
• Timing chain tensioner issues
• Track performance
• Clutch wear issues
• Refurbish, Repair, tune or rebuild an engine
• Lotus performance diagnostics
• Suspension and rige optimization
• Air conditioning
• Oil leaks and gaskets
• Door lock and latch malfunctions
• Carbon Build up
• Lotus performance diagnostics
• Suspension and rige optimization
• Air conditioning
• Oil leaks and gaskets
• Door lock and latch malfunctions
• Carbon Build up
1: Do I need a Rolls Royce or Bentley Specialist ?
We recommend that you only have reputable Rolls Royce and Bentley specialists take care of your vehicle. There are uprated components and unique settings involved. Don’t put your Lotus in the hands of someone who does not fully understand the mechanics and special needs of this car. Your vehicle maintenance should only be performed by people specially trained with the skills and knowledge to give your car expert attention and care.
2: How do I check on Reputation
Check on the reputation of the shop on Google, Yelp and Facebook before agreeing to have repair or maintenance work performed on your Lotus. Talk to people if it's a significant plan of work. Ask friends and professional colleagues about which shop and mechanics they entrusted their Rolls Royce / Bentley maintenance to. Utilize online resources like Yelp to see what people are saying about repair shops in your area. Then choose the best one based on your research.
3: What is scheduled Maintenance for Rolls Royce and Bentley?
Regular tune-ups are an important part of your Rolls Royce and Bentley maintenance. Schedule these at set time intervals between performances of maintenance. Mileage can vary and is not always the best indicator when a tune-up is needed. A combination of mileage, the type of use and time passage is best. Depending on the age of the car, 3- 5,000 miles is a considerable maintenance period, but if you only cover this in 6 months or more, it may be advisable to to take the car in for a check-up.
4: What documents do I need to keep?
Whenever you receive any type of Rolls Royce and Bentley maintenance, request a list of services performed on the car. Ask for the products used to do each of the services. The products should include brand names, specifications and other identifying information. Put the Lotus maintenance records in the glove box or an other safe and clean place. If there is a problem with the vehicle, you will be glad to have these types of records at your fingertips.
5: Should I expect Free Diagnosis
We offer a preliminary inspection and Diagnosis. Some more complex issues may require considerable work to identify the problem. These will be discussed in advance, if we need to charge for them. Following the tips outlined here, along with those provided in your Lotus owner’s manual will ensure that your Rolls Royce and Bentley continues to runs well. If you need repair or maintenance work done on your vehicle in Marin County or the San Francisco Bay Area please consider us. We’re friendly, prompt, and offer fair prices that are far below the dealer's. Give us a call or drop us an email, we are here for you.
6: How should I winterize my Rolls Royce or BentleyCar ?
In the early fall months, have your Rolls Royce and Bentley winterized by a specialty shop like Ed. Wright’s British Car Repair. Winterizing reduces the wear on the engine during the colder months. Additionally, have the fluids changed and topped off at the end of winter before warmer spring and summer weather temperatures start. This type of maintenance keeps the Lotus operating under optimum mechanical conditions.
7: What should I check myself?
Inspect your tires monthly for even wear-and-tear. Uneven wear on the tires can indicate the need to have the Lotus tires balanced and aligned. Avoid roads and parking lots with pot holes and speed bumps. Familiarize yourself with how to check your oil. It is a basic but vital component of a combustion engine and especially if you have an older car, should be checked from time to time. You can do this in a couple minutes when re-fueling. Note the color should be a light caramel brown. If it's low, or a dark color there may be an issue. If your oil needs topping up, you can ask for help at a service station. If you do it yourself, be sure not to over-fill. You can always give us a call if you are in doubt.
8: What are common issues with Rolls Royce and Bentley Cars ?
1. FAILED ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING PUMPS
Electric power steering pumps can be prone to failure. If your power steering pump has to be replaced it is a good idea to check out the cooling fan and other related parts while the vehicle is being services, as access is a considerable cost in these small engine bays.
2. TRANSMISSION ISSUES - FLUID REPLACEMENT
Problems with the automatic transmission come down to the manufacturers saying that their transmissions do not need fluid changes. This is a big problem because not changing the transmission fluid will cause it to fail early. Changing the transmission fluid every 30,000 to 40,000 miles will save thousands of dollars in repairs. The CVT transmissions installed before 2008 should have regular oil changes; however the 5 speed automatic transmissions used on most Minis are much more reliable.
3. TEA TRAYS
A loose or ill-fitted fold-out tea tray can be a consternation and erstwhile frustration. This problem may be more evident when the engine is idling. This is not major repair, but advise do not ignore it or you could end up with a ear-full in a moment of in-opportune embarrassment.
4. WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT LEAKS
If your Rolls Royce or Bentley has over 50,000 miles you should consider replacing the water pump and thermostat. This can save hours of labor if you replace them before finding a leak.
5. VARIABLE VALVE TIMING ISSUES
Performance issue can come up when the oil is not changed enough. The VVT requires a good flow of oil to operate the system. When the oil is not changed, sludge builds up and blocks the tiny passages.
6. RADIATOR SUPPORTS
We suggest changing the oil to allow the detergent in the oil clean the oily supply passages. To prevent the problem, change the oil as soon as it gets dirty, even if it's after a couple of thousand miles. If the passages are not blocked completely this might solve the problem.
7. DAMAGED RADIATOR SUPPORTS
The front radiator support is made of plastic and it supports the radiator, fan, and condenser. It sits very low, and it doesn't take much to damage the support. Just a moderate impact on a high curb can cause a lot of damage. The lower coolant hose sits even lower and if this is hit it can also cause a lot of damage, so be sure to take care when parking your car.
8. CLUTCH FAILURE
Early clutch failures seem to be related mainly to hard use.
Electric power steering pumps can be prone to failure. If your power steering pump has to be replaced it is a good idea to check out the cooling fan and other related parts while the vehicle is being services, as access is a considerable cost in these small engine bays.
2. TRANSMISSION ISSUES - FLUID REPLACEMENT
Problems with the automatic transmission come down to the manufacturers saying that their transmissions do not need fluid changes. This is a big problem because not changing the transmission fluid will cause it to fail early. Changing the transmission fluid every 30,000 to 40,000 miles will save thousands of dollars in repairs. The CVT transmissions installed before 2008 should have regular oil changes; however the 5 speed automatic transmissions used on most Minis are much more reliable.
3. TEA TRAYS
A loose or ill-fitted fold-out tea tray can be a consternation and erstwhile frustration. This problem may be more evident when the engine is idling. This is not major repair, but advise do not ignore it or you could end up with a ear-full in a moment of in-opportune embarrassment.
4. WATER PUMP AND THERMOSTAT LEAKS
If your Rolls Royce or Bentley has over 50,000 miles you should consider replacing the water pump and thermostat. This can save hours of labor if you replace them before finding a leak.
5. VARIABLE VALVE TIMING ISSUES
Performance issue can come up when the oil is not changed enough. The VVT requires a good flow of oil to operate the system. When the oil is not changed, sludge builds up and blocks the tiny passages.
6. RADIATOR SUPPORTS
We suggest changing the oil to allow the detergent in the oil clean the oily supply passages. To prevent the problem, change the oil as soon as it gets dirty, even if it's after a couple of thousand miles. If the passages are not blocked completely this might solve the problem.
7. DAMAGED RADIATOR SUPPORTS
The front radiator support is made of plastic and it supports the radiator, fan, and condenser. It sits very low, and it doesn't take much to damage the support. Just a moderate impact on a high curb can cause a lot of damage. The lower coolant hose sits even lower and if this is hit it can also cause a lot of damage, so be sure to take care when parking your car.
8. CLUTCH FAILURE
Early clutch failures seem to be related mainly to hard use.
RESOURCES
We have broad experience with most makes of British automobile.
Particularly, with the marques listed below, our experience runs deep, in many cases where we have factory training, certifications and specialized equipment required.
Click on your brand of auto below for more information
Particularly, with the marques listed below, our experience runs deep, in many cases where we have factory training, certifications and specialized equipment required.
Click on your brand of auto below for more information
