Absolutely, it had one of the world's best engines ever made from BMW. A masterpiece on wheels. I would say that this car is wholly underrated. Ignore these fools that hate this car!
I own a Seraph. I love it, but it's a BMW with Rolls Royce bodywork and seats. That's it. It's not the last real Rolls; it's the first BMW Rolls Royce.
The last real Crewe Built ROLLS-ROYCE built in Crewe, UK, yet owned by VW/BMW, but operated at Managed by the original Staff with the original RR V8 engine was the last 45 Corniche cars. The Seraph had a BMW engine which made its heart German. RR actually ended being a true RR with the Corniche. RIP RR.
The MECHANICALS were also all 7 Series. THe Platform was also all 7 Series. This was the LEAST "Real" RR, regardless what this fool in the video claims.
“the star that shines twice as bright lives half as long.” ❤️ Wow - that’s just such a romantic statement - but that’s what we do with certain cars - we fall in love. ❤… my husband just bought one of these for me I think cos I was born in Glasgow. Awwh. Now he’s a superstar! ⭐️
Just realized you were talking about the plate number. Do they stay with the car even when changing owners? I live in the US and we keep our plates or get new ones with each vehicle. I have personalized plates on my S-Class and if I sell it or trade it I can have the DMV register that plate to my new vehicle.
@@Long-nd8bq In the UK you can transfer a personal, its called "Cherished", number plate onto a vehicle provided it does not relate to a later year. If it gets transferred off the vehicle the original plate goes on. So regardless of a few plate transferes, the original plate is now back on the car.
Modern Rolls Royce doesn't have that classic, dignified elegance of the true Rolls Royces of yore. Once they started catering to Footballers and Rappers and making them look like army tanks, the brand became vulgar and classless. I assume they had to make these decisions to stay profitable. It's unfortunate.
@@edmundcharles5278That's just modern car design... every manufacturer has to do that now to comply with auto laws related to crash safety and pedestrian safety
I assumed they were catering to rich pimps, drug dealers, and gang members, with those huge donk reehuums and no tires. I can't imagine anyone else that would be seen in such an abomination.
My claim to fame: I once got a ride in the last Seraph, or at least the last one built in Crewe. We rolled up to the final exam party ahead of a few lads in a self made Flintstone mobile....
This car has beautiful lines, grace and elegance, like some earlier cars. The newer Rolls Royces seem to have lost thiis, they look too loadsamoney, in your face, lacking restraint and class, a bit comedic in overstatement, whereas the Seraph has a timeless appeal with good taste.
Totally agree. This Rolls says, “Yeah, I have money. I have class. And I’m not trying too hard to prove that to you.” Current Rolls say “I HAVE MONEY. BY THE WAY, DID I MENTION THAT I HAVE MONEY?!”
@@johnfrei9057Too funny. But you’re right. We have a small car dealership. We bought a Seraph and it sits in the back yard like every other motor - we have to say to customers that we know are into cars we have to tell them cos it definitely doesn’t scream HEY YOU! I’M A ROLLS ROYCE OVER HERE!! TAKE A NUMBER
Absolutely agree with you. Rolls-Royce isn't interested in their traditional clients anymore. They now want new money people, who want to show off their money. No one with any taste or sense of real style would want, for example, the starlight roof. Perhaps I'm biased though. I've owned a 1965 Silver Cloud III, as the second owner, since 1982. Now that's a proper Rolls-Royce.
A truly splendid car in all respects . In navy blue , exquisite . On Classic cars not too expensive though like any thorough bred the veterinary fees are proportionate .
I can understand the seraph been classed in a way as the last R.R. despite its B.M.W.engine or what ever, it's a great looking car and I would have one tomorrow, but I'm happy enough with my Shadow Two ,but for collectors out there crack on and get buying there ain't many of them, a definite investment. My real favourite is the Silver Cloud 1,because it was the first R.R i saw and that was at Harrogate show in 1957, now I'm giving my age away, LOL, it took me over 60 years to get the car i have loved from seeing my first one in 1957 ,they are just BRILLIANT.
British living/yearning for the past is the EXACT reason the Germans bought the ramshackle company. I'm only 6ft tall, though couldn't believe how cramped the interior was in a 2002 Bentley Arnage Red Label. Such an improvised floorpan.
don't forget Bentley (VW) when they took over also found the shell wasn't strong enough and strengthened it substantially during the Bentley period from 2001 onwards, so the Seraphs are still a bit flexible.
Well, Bentley Mulsanne (2010-2020) was the last "real" Rolls-Royce model since it had the venerable V8 engine used in both Bentley and Rolls-Royce from 1952 to 2020. In addition, Mulsanne didn't share the body or chassis with any other vehicles in VW portfolio. Even though Rolls-Royce Phantom had its exclusive body and chassis, but it used BMW V12 engines with displacement increased from six litres to "six and three-quarter litres".
In genration prior to this the car looked like it was designed to be Rolls first Bentley being an afterthought. In this generation the Seraph seems to be the car that got the short end of the stick. Just compare the 2:28 shot of Bentley with the 2:40 of the Rolls front and the RR grille can only be described as ill fitting. Hardly suiting for the last word of luxury one expects the RR to be. In my opinion BMW did understand very well what RR should be and did excellent job of that. (As did VW with the Bentley)
Though I like the Bentley's sporty looks, I would prefer a naturally aspirated V12 motor over a twin turbo V8. Not having the extra pressure of the turbos lets the engine last longer. I do like the looks of both the Bentley and the RR from this era.
So cool! We just bought one last night - so this was a treat to watch. It’s being delivered next week. We’re used car dealers in Ontario Canada - but we want to keep the Seraph to ourselves. We paid $13,500 for it. It has 145-Kms - thanks for all the info - we’re so excited about this one.
Yes and if you look at new German ones they are Blingmobiles for people with excessive money and tastes. No Class which was what R.R. defined; understated elegance.
The division of what was Rolls Royce Motors (which included the Bentley trademark) between VW and BMW, after VW unexpectedly submitted the highest bid, was just a masterclass in negotiation skills. Everybody won. Vickers got the highest price in the sale. VW got the factory, all the existing designs and the Bentley trademark. BMW paid a ludicrously small amount to gain the rights to manufacture Rolls Royce at a new factory. And Rolls Royce plc (the aero engine manufacturer) got its preferred bidder to manufacture cars under the RR branding.
The Corniche V is legitimately the last real RR. The Seraph definitely is not as it has the heart of a German. It should have had the 6.75 litre engine, then it would be included. Actually the Spur 1997 is the last genuine Sedan. Basically the Seraph has no home as neither RR or Bentley will even touch it. Even self employed RR Mechanics for the most part won’t touch it.
Rolls Royce used to think they made the best cars in the world, but they didn't. It wasn't until they came under guidence from BMW that they began to improve. But i have to agree that the Seraph is far more of a propper Rolls Royce than todays Tonka toy models.
In a large workshop where I was getting my Volkswagen serviced before the Xmas break I was surprised to see several Porches and RRs also being serviced. I said to my mechanic that it looks like they had a lot of cars to get through before the break. On the hoist beside my car was a Rolls. The mechanic pointed to it and said, with some vehemence, ‘ these things aren’t cars , they’re trucks. A big, heavy, stupid chassis with a big stupid heavy motor that’s needed to haul all this crap. It’s an big , dumb, overbuilt throwback’. He then pointed to a Porsche and ‘ that’s a car!’ . I didn’t ask what he thought of my Volks.
Excellent video of a very much unknown Rolls as most people just see it as an Arnage due to the lifespan. Also, get all that stuff out of your pockets Joe, looks awkward bud.
The point is that the Silver Seraph is just a BMW wearing a tuxedo. The last true Rolls Royce was really a Bentley, the Mulsanne (2010/2020), with a proper L410 6 3/4 (6.75) RR V8.
I opened the 7 star hotel Burj Al Arab in Dubai and we placed the largest order ever for seven of these to shuttle guests to and from the airport. After about five years with 250,000 miles on the clock on each car they languished in the hotel basement fir two years covered in dust as nobody knew what to do with them as the main stealer out there wouldn’t touch them…..too old and too long in the tooth it seemed.
Rolls Royce holdings PLC (The aero engine manufacture) hold the rights to the Rolls Royce trademarks "Spirit of Ecstasy and Rolls-Royce grille shape" NOT Vickers which used them under licence as does BMW now. Vicker were taken over by Rolls Royce holdings plc in 1999.
and, a couple of weeks after getting the car all is going well. The starter battery was replaced by the vendors, We Buy Any Car for More who were very nice people to deal with. I have replaced the auxiliary battery. These cars do not take very well to standing idle, its necessary to keep the batteries up by trickle charge. Car was showing "Change Oxygen Sensors" light. This is not a diagnostic warning but comes on when the car touches 90,000 miles and is set by the Drivers Information Interface. This can be cleared by going into settings without a diagnostic tool. Current work is upgrading the cars technology to Android touch screen, WiFi, MP3 etc with WiFi reversing and security cameras. Some may think this sacrilege, but its something I really want, especially the reversing camera. The car turns heads everywhere. Park it next to a brand new Beamer or Range Rover and it’s the Royce people look at.
Actually the V8 was not a Rolls Royce designed engine. The last Rolls, which had an engine designed by Henry Royce was the Phantom 11. However BMW's DOHC V12 is an engine that Henry would be proud of.
The claim is that Vickers didn’t want to spend the money, but the whole reason Vickers developed the car was to beef up Rolls-Royce for sale with a more modern product. But the Seraph has never appealed to me because I think aesthetically it’s very compromised. The Rolls-Royce aesthetic is very classic, and the Seraph of course was modern, so the final product was rather conflicted to me. I think the body and platform made a much better Bentley. Even though the Phantom is mostly German, it’s actually closer to what I feel a modern Rolls-Royce should be. Contemporary enough, but unmistakably classic Rolls-Royce.
Just ashame. A beautiful Rolls Royce. I'm driving a 1988 Alfa Romeo Milano! With 200,000 miles! Not kilometers, Miles! My uncle Rich, .. has one. It's amazing.
ONLY THE 2008-2009 XJ WAS GREAT ! THAT 2010 XJ WAS PURE GARBAGE ! LOOKS WISE IT WAS TERRIBLE ! JEREMY CLARKSON SAID THEY TESTED THE 2010 XJ AT NIGHT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS SO UGLY !
We own one. The problem we had is that my wife felt it was too pretentious and made us look like attention seekers. I took it to the dealership and explained our misgivings. They were very helpful and asked if they could have two weeks to make some modifications that would alleviate our concerns. When they brought it up for delivery my wife and I were ecstatic. It now looked exactly like a Toyota Prius right down to the nameplate.
Isn’t that always been the problem when Britain owned an independent car industry, the powers that be didn’t want to invest money in new models to compete with German and Japanese models. It’s just a shame when the U.K. has the talent but not the willingness to take the risks investing in new models.
Actually Vickers didnt hold back anything from the sale to volkswagen, Rolls Royce PLC owned the rights to the name and logo and was only licensed to Vickers for use on the cars so the jet engine maket sold those rights to BMW instead. VW and BMW did a deal where volkswagen sold the spirit of ecstasy to BMW and license building rolls royce models until 2002 in exchange for drivetrain and electrical supplies to continue for bently until they managed to source replacement components
If interested to purchase, it’s almost impossible to get any legitimate mechanic to touch it. As well, many parts are extremely difficult to get. Also you have as not a legitimate RR, you have little to no chance of any appreciation.
One major fraud, it had a BMW engine. Actually it’s not a genuine RR. The main problem is parts are very difficult to get. Even worse, a RR Dealership can’t even work on it, or BMW. Even old school professionals for RR, absolutely won’t touch this car. The Corniche was built during the same time, but all part’s are easily available. I rarely see one of these cars anywhere. Most likely no parts. Even the fake BMW/RR knockoffs only have parts available for 7 year’s. After that, you are basically on your own.
Absolutely correct. My ‘80 Silver Wraith II is serviced by a well-known R-R expert, and I have heard this same discussion in his shop. The Silver Seraph is more like a FrankenRolls.
@@alancrisp1582 rolls-Royce was a manufacturer of fine mechanical running gear which they bought in a body to sell as a complete car. The Seraph does not have Rolls Royce running gear, and therefore it is not a Rolls-Royce in the traditional “real” sense. It’s a nice car (more than I could say for the tasteless machines with interiors of limited craftsmanship that look more Soviet Baroque than British that came after it)and if I could engine swap that BMW V12 with something vaguely reliable (a Merc V12, a Chevy LS, a Ford Triton V10, a ZIL V8) I would own one; in fact I do have a vague desire to own a post Red-Label Arnage which is also closer to being a Real Rolls. That being said I would much rather own a Cloud, Wraith II, Shadow, Spur, or Spirit- in that order of preference more or less. I would much rather own the Rolls than it’s companion Bentley, especially once Bentley got even more sporty with the turbocharged variants. Here in the US the Clouds aren’t worth much, and the remainder are basically worthless, so I have no reason to go for that computerized nightmare with proof that when people look up to German cars they are really looking at Mercedes and the halo they unfairly cast on others.
@@madhanaekanayake2187 Mercedes are extremely reliable; they are expensive to maintain. There is a difference. 174k miles on my current Merc; not one road failure, or failure to drive. Both generations of Merc V12 are quite durable, the first is basically bulletproof- the second has a potential seal failure that can be quite costly to repair but the engine itself can last forever.
I know most purists consider the seraphim to be forgettable. I absolutely adore them. One day I hope to own one. Assuming I could find one in New Zealand.
If this is the last real Rolls then so is the 4.4 Bentley Arnage. It has a plaque inside the front passenger door clearly stating: "Built by Rolls Royce Motors, Crewe, England"
It was undoubtfully a great car, but back in n its days it still felt like travelling back to the past, it was far from the modern lower-end competition. Nothing (except BMW switches) inside was precise, space was ridiculous in the back. Yes, it was wonderful, but... Yes, it was 1000 times better than the predecessor, but... then came the Phantom and BOOM! Original Phantom still looks up to date, quite simply. The differences in presence are not even close to the differences in interior quality. And that as a driver, as a passenger it was like moving from a non-renovated old Business Class to the lastest Singapore Airlinnes First Class.
Not with an inferior BMW engine. Parts, and especially trying to find a RR genuine mechanic to work on this thing is almost impossible. This thing had too many owners over the short period of production. I call it the John Doe Mobile as it has no home to visit for repairs which is very often. The Corniche is still mostly RR, but not like it’s predecessor.
The most underrated of all Rolls-Royce’s but definitely a fantastic car.
Nonsense. THis was a stretched BMW 7 series, the LEAST "REAL" Rolls of ALL.
@@anastassiosperakis2869 This is definitely not a 7 series.
They're all over-rated.
Not at all. It had a 7 Series engine and some other parts but not a BMW chassis. The chassis was unique to RR and Bentley.
The Bentley version is more appealing especially the Green Label with the 4.4 turbo BNW V8
The 6.75 is too Ancient imho
Absolutely, it had one of the world's best engines ever made from BMW. A masterpiece on wheels. I would say that this car is wholly underrated.
Ignore these fools that hate this car!
I own a Seraph. I love it, but it's a BMW with Rolls Royce bodywork and seats. That's it. It's not the last real Rolls; it's the first BMW Rolls Royce.
And your Real Rolls Royce was a Chevy with proper coachwork....engine and transmission came from GM, for decades. 😂😂😂😂
@@unwoke1652 Indeed. What on earth is a 'real' Rolls Royce?
@@rogerledsham8052 The GM Hydramatic is reliable and is a good company to a big V-8.
I own a 2016 750i.
Are you better than the bloke in the 7 Series? 😂 Admittedly, Its a FANTASTIC RR
The new models are really anything else either...
The last real Crewe Built ROLLS-ROYCE built in Crewe, UK, yet owned by VW/BMW, but operated at Managed by the original Staff with the original RR V8 engine was the last 45 Corniche cars. The Seraph had a BMW engine which made its heart German. RR actually ended being a true RR with the Corniche. RIP RR.
mimimiimiiimi!
Even the Mulsanne has a better claim to being the last RR ever made.
The MECHANICALS were also all 7 Series. THe Platform was also all 7 Series. This was the LEAST "Real" RR, regardless what this fool in the video claims.
Platform wasn't BMW.
@@anastassiosperakis2869 I think the platform was there own design that's all their budget would allow, but I agree with all the rest 💯✌️
Love the Seraph, such an elegant and understated car, with the benefit of BMW's epic V12 .
“the star that shines twice as bright lives half as long.” ❤️ Wow - that’s just such a romantic statement - but that’s what we do with certain cars - we fall in love. ❤… my husband just bought one of these for me I think cos I was born in Glasgow. Awwh. Now he’s a superstar! ⭐️
You've got an excellent husband!
and as of yesterday, I am the new proud owner of T790 UMA! Didn't know about this video though.
Just realized you were talking about the plate number. Do they stay with the car even when changing owners? I live in the US and we keep our plates or get new ones with each vehicle. I have personalized plates on my S-Class and if I sell it or trade it I can have the DMV register that plate to my new vehicle.
@@Long-nd8bq In the UK you can transfer a personal, its called "Cherished", number plate onto a vehicle provided it does not relate to a later year. If it gets transferred off the vehicle the original plate goes on. So regardless of a few plate transferes, the original plate is now back on the car.
Modern Rolls Royce doesn't have that classic, dignified elegance of the true Rolls Royces of yore. Once they started catering to Footballers and Rappers and making them look like army tanks, the brand became vulgar and classless. I assume they had to make these decisions to stay profitable. It's unfortunate.
Couldn't agree with you more. They have lost interest in their traditional clients.
Agree-gone are the graceful flowing lines! The new RR is just another boxy square car!
@@edmundcharles5278That's just modern car design... every manufacturer has to do that now to comply with auto laws related to crash safety and pedestrian safety
Absolutely correct. The Silver Cloud was the last true Rolls-Royce.
I assumed they were catering to rich pimps, drug dealers, and gang members, with those huge donk reehuums and no tires. I can't imagine anyone else that would be seen in such an abomination.
My claim to fame: I once got a ride in the last Seraph, or at least the last one built in Crewe.
We rolled up to the final exam party ahead of a few lads in a self made Flintstone mobile....
LOL, me I drove the unit used for the official photos, dark blue with cream interior. It was crap, why not admitting it.
This car has beautiful lines, grace and elegance, like some earlier cars. The newer Rolls Royces seem to have lost thiis, they look too loadsamoney, in your face, lacking restraint and class, a bit comedic in overstatement, whereas the Seraph has a timeless appeal with good taste.
Totally agree. This Rolls says, “Yeah, I have money. I have class. And I’m not trying too hard to prove that to you.” Current Rolls say “I HAVE MONEY. BY THE WAY, DID I MENTION THAT I HAVE MONEY?!”
@@johnfrei9057Too funny. But you’re right. We have a small car dealership. We bought a Seraph and it sits in the back yard like every other motor - we have to say to customers that we know are into cars we have to tell them cos it definitely doesn’t scream HEY YOU! I’M A ROLLS ROYCE OVER HERE!! TAKE A NUMBER
I love the Seraph, think it looks absolutely beautiful. It’s aged gracefully. I adore them actually, all I’m lacking is the money to buy one!
They are not that expensive. You can buy one here in the U.S. for around $30,000. Car auctions have them on a regular basis.
@@fnd111 Agreed. We bought one for much less than that even in Toronto at the dealer auction. Hard to believe it was £150,000 new.
For my money, this is a far better looking car than modern Rollers.
Nice review.
Absolutely agree with you. Rolls-Royce isn't interested in their traditional clients anymore. They now want new money people, who want to show off their money. No one with any taste or sense of real style would want, for example, the starlight roof. Perhaps I'm biased though. I've owned a 1965 Silver Cloud III, as the second owner, since 1982. Now that's a proper Rolls-Royce.
A roller is a decorator's tool. A Royce is a bespoke motor car.
I actually worked on the pre production cars ,the suspension was designed by Lotus engineering
Great video! It’s such a cool understated car while the newer Phantom was/is very showy.
I owned a 1981 RR Silver Wraith! I drove it for 19 years and to me....this was the last of the real RR's.
The Silver Cloud was the last true-looking Rolls-Royce.
Probably the last RR I'd want to own. I'll recognize technology, but I just hate the Phantom - maximum pretentiousness, yech.
A truly splendid car in all respects . In navy blue , exquisite . On Classic cars not too expensive though like any thorough bred the veterinary fees are proportionate .
I can understand the seraph been classed in a way as the last R.R. despite its B.M.W.engine or what ever, it's a great looking car and I would have one tomorrow, but I'm happy enough with my Shadow Two ,but for collectors out there crack on and get buying there ain't many of them, a definite investment.
My real favourite is the Silver Cloud 1,because it was the first R.R i saw and that was at Harrogate show in 1957, now I'm giving my age away, LOL, it took me over 60 years to get the car i have loved from seeing my first one in 1957 ,they are just BRILLIANT.
“The star that shines twice as bright shines half as long.” Got it! ❤
British living/yearning for the past is the EXACT reason the Germans bought the ramshackle company. I'm only 6ft tall, though couldn't believe how cramped the interior was in a 2002 Bentley Arnage Red Label. Such an improvised floorpan.
don't forget Bentley (VW) when they took over also found the shell wasn't strong enough and strengthened it substantially during the Bentley period from 2001 onwards, so the Seraphs are still a bit flexible.
The bentleys also have a Rolls L series 6.75 engine... The rolls has the bimmer motor
Well, Bentley Mulsanne (2010-2020) was the last "real" Rolls-Royce model since it had the venerable V8 engine used in both Bentley and Rolls-Royce from 1952 to 2020. In addition, Mulsanne didn't share the body or chassis with any other vehicles in VW portfolio. Even though Rolls-Royce Phantom had its exclusive body and chassis, but it used BMW V12 engines with displacement increased from six litres to "six and three-quarter litres".
It is not a Rolls-Royce, it's a coach built BMW and that's all it'll ever be.
In genration prior to this the car looked like it was designed to be Rolls first Bentley being an afterthought. In this generation the Seraph seems to be the car that got the short end of the stick. Just compare the 2:28 shot of Bentley with the 2:40 of the Rolls front and the RR grille can only be described as ill fitting. Hardly suiting for the last word of luxury one expects the RR to be. In my opinion BMW did understand very well what RR should be and did excellent job of that. (As did VW with the Bentley)
Though I like the Bentley's sporty looks, I would prefer a naturally aspirated V12 motor over a twin turbo V8. Not having the extra pressure of the turbos lets the engine last longer. I do like the looks of both the Bentley and the RR from this era.
So cool! We just bought one last night - so this was a treat to watch. It’s being delivered next week. We’re used car dealers in Ontario Canada - but we want to keep the Seraph to ourselves. We paid $13,500 for it. It has 145-Kms - thanks for all the info - we’re so excited about this one.
Pfaart....
Yes and if you look at new German ones they are Blingmobiles for people with excessive money and tastes. No Class which was what R.R. defined; understated elegance.
The RR designers for the Cloud and Spirit actually like the new Goodwood Rolls-Royce cars, so your argument is invalid.
Agree - a lot of bling!
Glad to see you again wafting about around Killingworth. Even passing Weetslade Country Park.
Beautiful part of the country!
A seraph is an angelic spirit and, hence, immortal.
Rolls royce will be and always be a class of its own
This is beautiful rolls should be like this again and make convertible like this to like corniche model
What a beautiful thought provoking little film - channeling old Top Gear with the famous three a bit there - good stuff - subbed and liked
Thanks Nelson!
2:35 anyone else see Allegro Vanden Plas? I'll get me coat
Stunning in its understatement, the designer was very successful. I admire the need to keep with the times. No criticism here.
Nice one Joe. This is still a fabulous car
Agreed! -Joe
Great review 👌
The division of what was Rolls Royce Motors (which included the Bentley trademark) between VW and BMW, after VW unexpectedly submitted the highest bid, was just a masterclass in negotiation skills. Everybody won. Vickers got the highest price in the sale. VW got the factory, all the existing designs and the Bentley trademark. BMW paid a ludicrously small amount to gain the rights to manufacture Rolls Royce at a new factory. And Rolls Royce plc (the aero engine manufacturer) got its preferred bidder to manufacture cars under the RR branding.
It was an utter disgrace selling this brand which meant so much to any engineer in the UK.
@@chrischadwick3079 Anyone from the UK could have bought RR as well. But no one did, so complaining until the end of time won't help anyone!
@@chrischadwick3079 Grow up!
The Corniche V is legitimately the last real RR. The Seraph definitely is not as it has the heart of a German. It should have had the 6.75 litre engine, then it would be included. Actually the Spur 1997 is the last genuine Sedan. Basically the Seraph has no home as neither RR or Bentley will even touch it. Even self employed RR Mechanics for the most part won’t touch it.
Rolls Royce used to think they made the best cars in the world, but they didn't.
It wasn't until they came under guidence from BMW that they began to improve.
But i have to agree that the Seraph is far more of a propper Rolls Royce than todays
Tonka toy models.
Tonka Toys! YES.
I think the current Rolls Royce cars are fabulous and are more worthy of the name than the Seraph or the Spirit.
Any one made BEFORE Rolls became BMW is a true Rolls Royce IMO
In a large workshop where I was getting my Volkswagen serviced before the Xmas break I was surprised to see several Porches and RRs also being serviced. I said to my mechanic that it looks like they had a lot of cars to get through before the break. On the hoist beside my car was a Rolls. The mechanic pointed to it and said, with some vehemence, ‘ these things aren’t cars , they’re trucks. A big, heavy, stupid chassis with a big stupid heavy motor that’s needed to haul all this crap. It’s an big , dumb, overbuilt throwback’. He then pointed to a Porsche and ‘ that’s a car!’ . I didn’t ask what he thought of my Volks.
I really rather like the Seraph. Apart from the rear end. It just looks so bulbous and melted.
Oh wow! I love these!! Beautiful cars…….
Beautiful car and excellent video🚘🚙🚗⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👍👍👍👍👍👋👋👋👋
Excellent video of a very much unknown Rolls as most people just see it as an Arnage due to the lifespan. Also, get all that stuff out of your pockets Joe, looks awkward bud.
The last Rolls-Royce to be co-developed with Bentley, and the last Rolls-Royce to be built at Crewe
Can probably never afford one but I like to see them
You can afford it, they are not that expensive, but repairs and maintenance can really get you..
Silver shadow was the nicest went down hill after that
Fab review of an underrated car. Loved it.
Very good video. Great history discussion!
Thank you!
The point is that the Silver Seraph is just a BMW wearing a tuxedo. The last true Rolls Royce was really a Bentley, the Mulsanne (2010/2020), with a proper L410 6 3/4 (6.75) RR V8.
The last RR were the SZ models. 100% RR.
Modern Rollers look like Cornflakes boxes with oversized wheels.
Impressive tribute to an icon. Thanks for the video.
From a past 2001 BMW E38 w/M-Sport package and with the TV/SatNav (740i) owner.
The most beautiful (for me) Rolls Royce ever.
I opened the 7 star hotel Burj Al Arab in Dubai and we placed the largest order ever for seven of these to shuttle guests to and from the airport. After about five years with 250,000 miles on the clock on each car they languished in the hotel basement fir two years covered in dust as nobody knew what to do with them as the main stealer out there wouldn’t touch them…..too old and too long in the tooth it seemed.
@@alancrisp1582 you imagine backwards and forwards to the airports with hundreds of guests over ten years - job done !!!
Rolls Royce holdings PLC (The aero engine manufacture) hold the rights to the Rolls Royce trademarks "Spirit of Ecstasy and Rolls-Royce grille shape" NOT Vickers which used them under licence as does BMW now. Vicker were taken over by Rolls Royce holdings plc in 1999.
The last Rolls Royce car developed by Vickers was this the Seraph despite it using a BMW engine.
This was such a pleasure to watch , think i found a new fave program 👍
Thanks for watching!
and, a couple of weeks after getting the car all is going well. The starter battery was replaced by the vendors, We Buy Any Car for More who were very nice people to deal with. I have replaced the auxiliary battery. These cars do not take very well to standing idle, its necessary to keep the batteries up by trickle charge. Car was showing "Change Oxygen Sensors" light. This is not a diagnostic warning but comes on when the car touches 90,000 miles and is set by the Drivers Information Interface. This can be cleared by going into settings without a diagnostic tool. Current work is upgrading the cars technology to Android touch screen, WiFi, MP3 etc with WiFi reversing and security cameras. Some may think this sacrilege, but its something I really want, especially the reversing camera.
The car turns heads everywhere. Park it next to a brand new Beamer or Range Rover and it’s the Royce people look at.
Glad it's in good hands, enjoy it! -Joe
This beauty looks so much better than today’s Rollers. Also . . . “Git off my lawn!” 😆
Actually the V8 was not a Rolls Royce designed engine. The last Rolls, which had an engine designed by Henry Royce was the Phantom 11.
However BMW's DOHC V12 is an engine that Henry would be proud of.
The claim is that Vickers didn’t want to spend the money, but the whole reason Vickers developed the car was to beef up Rolls-Royce for sale with a more modern product.
But the Seraph has never appealed to me because I think aesthetically it’s very compromised. The Rolls-Royce aesthetic is very classic, and the Seraph of course was modern, so the final product was rather conflicted to me. I think the body and platform made a much better Bentley.
Even though the Phantom is mostly German, it’s actually closer to what I feel a modern Rolls-Royce should be. Contemporary enough, but unmistakably classic Rolls-Royce.
Just ashame. A beautiful Rolls Royce. I'm driving a 1988 Alfa Romeo Milano! With 200,000 miles! Not kilometers, Miles! My uncle Rich, .. has one. It's amazing.
For me the silver shadow will always be the best rolls Royce
I'm a fan of the Silver Cloud. I've owned a Cloud III since 1982.
@@alancrisp1582 Exactly. Any good mechanic can look after it.
Nice looking car. Only bit I don't like is the blue dashboard top and steering wheel. Doesn't match the Cream of the rest of the car
This car in blue, white, or dark red would be fire.
Ah, yes: Mister Miller and his post-but-no-remote accent. A fitting pair to the Roller. Cheers.
Very nice car, but to me, an XJ beats it in most ways.
ONLY THE 2008-2009 XJ WAS GREAT ! THAT 2010 XJ WAS PURE GARBAGE !
LOOKS WISE IT WAS TERRIBLE !
JEREMY CLARKSON SAID THEY TESTED THE 2010 XJ AT NIGHT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS SO UGLY !
I want one before I leave this earth
Stay alive...greetings from Jamaica 🇯🇲
We own one. The problem we had is that my wife felt it was too pretentious and made us look like attention seekers. I took it to the dealership and explained our misgivings. They were very helpful and asked if they could have two weeks to make some modifications that would alleviate our concerns. When they brought it up for delivery my wife and I were ecstatic. It now looked exactly like a Toyota Prius right down to the nameplate.
RR lost it's charm the day bmw took over.
The last true Bentley was the Mulsanne with its 6.75 L Series V8 discontinued at the turn of this decade.
For me the Crew badge is what tells me it’s the last true RR. Regardless of the BMW improvements.
Isn’t that always been the problem when Britain owned an independent car industry, the powers that be didn’t want to invest money in new models to compete with German and Japanese models. It’s just a shame when the U.K. has the talent but not the willingness to take the risks investing in new models.
Actually Vickers didnt hold back anything from the sale to volkswagen, Rolls Royce PLC owned the rights to the name and logo and was only licensed to Vickers for use on the cars so the jet engine maket sold those rights to BMW instead. VW and BMW did a deal where volkswagen sold the spirit of ecstasy to BMW and license building rolls royce models until 2002 in exchange for drivetrain and electrical supplies to continue for bently until they managed to source replacement components
As it appens, umble Millionaire and celebrity cigar smoking jogger, Sir Jimmy Savile, had the Corniche version.
@@alancrisp1582
Who's blaming Rolls-Royce for anything
That was Uriah Eap'esque comment!
If interested to purchase, it’s almost impossible to get any legitimate mechanic to touch it. As well, many parts are extremely difficult to get. Also you have as not a legitimate RR, you have little to no chance of any appreciation.
Even local dealerships don’t like to work on seraph and arnage
One major fraud, it had a BMW engine. Actually it’s not a genuine RR. The main problem is parts are very difficult to get. Even worse, a RR Dealership can’t even work on it, or BMW. Even old school professionals for RR, absolutely won’t touch this car. The Corniche was built during the same time, but all part’s are easily available. I rarely see one of these cars anywhere. Most likely no parts. Even the fake BMW/RR knockoffs only have parts available for 7 year’s. After that, you are basically on your own.
Absolutely correct. My ‘80 Silver Wraith II is serviced by a well-known R-R expert, and I have heard this same discussion in his shop. The Silver Seraph is more like a FrankenRolls.
Rolls were going Bankrupt.
I agree, that's the one I want
Interesting, thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for watching!
The last tasteful RR,before all the vulgar BMW versions.....
Spot on comment. Vulgar cars for vulgar people.
The last real rolls was the Spirit. Full stop.
@@alancrisp1582 rolls-Royce was a manufacturer of fine mechanical running gear which they bought in a body to sell as a complete car. The Seraph does not have Rolls Royce running gear, and therefore it is not a Rolls-Royce in the traditional “real” sense.
It’s a nice car (more than I could say for the tasteless machines with interiors of limited craftsmanship that look more Soviet Baroque than British that came after it)and if I could engine swap that BMW V12 with something vaguely reliable (a Merc V12, a Chevy LS, a Ford Triton V10, a ZIL V8) I would own one; in fact I do have a vague desire to own a post Red-Label Arnage which is also closer to being a Real Rolls.
That being said I would much rather own a Cloud, Wraith II, Shadow, Spur, or Spirit- in that order of preference more or less. I would much rather own the Rolls than it’s companion Bentley, especially once Bentley got even more sporty with the turbocharged variants. Here in the US the Clouds aren’t worth much, and the remainder are basically worthless, so I have no reason to go for that computerized nightmare with proof that when people look up to German cars they are really looking at Mercedes and the halo they unfairly cast on others.
SILVER SPUR IV ! 1997-99
@@jacobgreenmanedlion1863 Yeah right, Mercedes V12 is reliable. Good one... 🤣🤣🤣
@@jacobgreenmanedlion1863 Mercedes is one of the most unreliable cars. Worse than BMW!!
@@madhanaekanayake2187 Mercedes are extremely reliable; they are expensive to maintain. There is a difference. 174k miles on my current Merc; not one road failure, or failure to drive.
Both generations of Merc V12 are quite durable, the first is basically bulletproof- the second has a potential seal failure that can be quite costly to repair but the engine itself can last forever.
The Silver Spur was the last real Rolls Royce, These are a nice enough car but the quality is nowhere near its predecessors.
The Silver Shadow was the real Rolls-Royce. The Silver Spur looked like a Lincoln Continental made English
I know most purists consider the seraphim to be forgettable. I absolutely adore them. One day I hope to own one. Assuming I could find one in New Zealand.
Nice car but the Bentley wore the body better
That is a big BMW. It's not a Rolls-Royce.
Rolls-Royce cars were not always built in Crewe. Before 1946 they were built in Derby.
If this is the last real Rolls then so is the 4.4 Bentley Arnage. It has a plaque inside the front passenger door clearly stating: "Built by Rolls Royce Motors, Crewe, England"
I want to get one what are the price for these
I think the last real Rolls was the Silver Shadow. And once again, It was briefly resurrected in Phantom VII.
It was undoubtfully a great car, but back in n its days it still felt like travelling back to the past, it was far from the modern lower-end competition. Nothing (except BMW switches) inside was precise, space was ridiculous in the back. Yes, it was wonderful, but... Yes, it was 1000 times better than the predecessor, but... then came the Phantom and BOOM! Original Phantom still looks up to date, quite simply. The differences in presence are not even close to the differences in interior quality. And that as a driver, as a passenger it was like moving from a non-renovated old Business Class to the lastest Singapore Airlinnes First Class.
Can't unsee the BMW steering wheel
How can it simultaneously be the last "real" Rolls but also the last real Bentley?
Not with an inferior BMW engine. Parts, and especially trying to find a RR genuine mechanic to work on this thing is almost impossible. This thing had too many owners over the short period of production. I call it the John Doe Mobile as it has no home to visit for repairs which is very often. The Corniche is still mostly RR, but not like it’s predecessor.
Beautiful interior in the Silver Seraph just too bad about the BMW engine 🤦♂️
Rolls Royce has not had an elegant design since the Silver Cloud!
The last beautiful Rolls-Royce.