The owner's guide to exotic European cars.
Service guides, known issues, and ownership resources for Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Aston Martin, and Maserati — with local repair referrals in Simi Valley. Because owning one of these cars shouldn't mean flying blind on service.
Rolls-Royce. Bentley. Aston Martin. Maserati.
These are the European makes that share a service ecosystem — rare enough that most shops won't touch them, complex enough that owner knowledge matters even more than it does on mainstream European brands.
Rolls-Royce
Ghost, Phantom, Wraith, Dawn, Cullinan. BMW-era architecture (2003+) shares drivetrain components with the 7 Series and X5, making independent service more accessible than most owners realize. Air suspension, ZF transmission, and N74 V12 guides covered in full.
Rolls-Royce Guides →Bentley
Continental GT, Flying Spur, Bentayga. W12 and V8 engines. Shares significant VAG Group architecture with Audi and Volkswagen — the Bentayga rides on the MLB Evo platform. What that means for service accessibility and parts cost compared to dealer rates.
Bentley Guides →Aston Martin
DB9, DB11, Vantage, DBS, DBX. VH platform cars (2004–2019) share some components with Ford and Volvo. DB11 onward uses Mercedes-AMG V8 — which means AMG-sourced parts and service protocols for the engine. What each generation means for service practicality.
Aston Martin Guides →Maserati
Ghibli, Quattroporte, GranTurismo, Levante. Ferrari-sourced V8 in GranTurismo. Ghibli and Quattroporte share Chrysler-derived ZF transmissions. Levante shares Jeep Grand Cherokee architecture with a Maserati front clip. What each platform means for service cost and reliability.
Maserati Guides →Known Problems Across the Exotic Cluster
These cars are expensive to repair when something goes wrong. Understanding the failure patterns before they happen — or before you buy — is the most valuable thing an owner can do.
Bentley W12 Oil Consumption and Timing Chain — Continental GT and Flying Spur (2004–2018)
The W12 twin-turbocharged engine in the first and second-generation Continental GT and Flying Spur consumes oil — it's a known characteristic, not a defect, but the rate matters. Cars that aren't checked regularly run low. The timing chain system on the W12 is complex and expensive to service correctly. Pre-2012 cars are most susceptible to timing chain stretch if oil changes are extended. How to monitor oil consumption, what the correct service interval looks like, and what a timing chain service on a W12 involves. Read the guide →
Rolls-Royce N74 V12 Oil Leaks and Air Suspension — Ghost and Phantom (2010–2023)
The BMW N74 6.75L V12 in the Ghost and Phantom shares its basic architecture with the N73 used in BMW's 760i. Oil seepage from valve cover gaskets and the area around the fuel injector seals is common past 50,000 miles. The air suspension system used across all modern Rolls-Royce models follows a similar failure pattern to other air-suspended vehicles — air struts, then compressor. How to identify early oil leaks before they become significant, and what air suspension service looks like on these cars. Read the guide →
Maserati ZF Transmission and Gearshift Module Failures — Ghibli and Quattroporte (2014+)
The third-generation Quattroporte and the Ghibli use ZF 8HP transmissions mated to a Maserati-specific gearshift control module. The ZF unit itself is reliable with correct service; the proprietary shift module that sits on top of it is less so. Symptoms include harsh or delayed shifts, gear selection faults, and warning lights that don't correspond to the actual ZF unit condition. How to diagnose whether the ZF or the Maserati control module is the issue, and what each repair path costs. Read the guide →
Aston Martin DB9 and Vantage Electrical and Coolant System Issues — VH Platform (2004–2018)
The VH platform Aston Martins — DB9, DBS, V8 Vantage, V12 Vantage — have documented patterns around the electrical system (particularly the battery drain from complex body modules) and cooling system maintenance. The 4.7 V8 and 5.9 V12 both require attentive coolant system service; the aluminum-block engines are sensitive to degraded coolant chemistry. Battery conditioning and electrical system health are the most common shop complaints on these cars outside of planned service. Read the guide →
Maserati GranTurismo Ferrari-Sourced V8 — Cam Phasers and Service Intervals
The 4.2 and 4.7 V8 engines in the GranTurismo and GranCabrio are derived from Ferrari's F136 platform — the same basic architecture found in the Ferrari 430. These are excellent engines that reward correct maintenance and punish neglect. Variable valve timing cam phasers are the main wear item, and they're sensitive to oil quality and interval. What the correct service protocol looks like, what the phaser replacement involves when they fail, and what Ferrari-adjacent ownership actually costs at an independent shop. Read the guide →
What These Cars Actually Need — and When
Exotic cars reward correct service more than any other category. The overlap between platforms — W12 VAG architecture in Bentley, AMG V8 in Aston Martin, BMW V12 in Rolls-Royce — means a specialist familiar with these parent engines can service these cars properly without dealer pricing.
Bentley W12 & V8 Service
W12: oil service every 10,000 miles with approved 5W-30 spec. Timing chain inspection at 60,000 miles. Spark plug service at 40,000 miles. V8 twin-turbo (Continental GT V8): shares service protocol with Audi RS5 S-tronic — DSG fluid every 40,000 miles, otherwise similar to W12 schedule.
Bentley Service Guide →Rolls-Royce N74 V12 Service
The N74 shares service intervals with the BMW N73. Oil service every 10,000 miles with 0W-30 or 5W-30 BMW LL-01 spec. Spark plugs at 60,000 miles. Air suspension inspection every service interval. Transmission fluid (6HP and 8HP ZF) every 50,000 miles despite "lifetime" labeling.
Rolls-Royce Service Guide →Aston Martin V8 and V12 Service
VH platform: oil service every 7,500 miles with 5W-40 Mobil 1 or equivalent. Coolant system flush every 3 years. Battery conditioning critical — deep discharge kills the complex electrical system. DB11 AMG V8: follows AMG M177 service protocol including spark plugs at 40,000 miles.
Aston Martin Service Guide →Maserati V6 and V8 Service
Ghibli and Quattroporte V6: 6,000-mile oil service intervals, spark plugs at 30,000 miles — these engines are sensitive to extended intervals. GranTurismo V8: 5W-40 synthetic every 7,500 miles, cam phaser inspection at 60,000 miles. ZF transmission service every 50,000 miles on all models.
Maserati Service Guide →Air Suspension — Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Aston DBX
All three brands use proprietary air suspension systems that follow similar failure patterns: struts first, then compressor. Independent shop service is viable because the air suspension components are largely sourced from Bosch, Continental, and other Tier 1 suppliers — not brand-exclusive parts. Service intervals and what correct suspension diagnosis requires.
Air Suspension Guide →Brake Service — Exotic-Specific Considerations
Carbon-ceramic brakes (PCCB equivalents) on Bentley, Aston Martin, and high-spec Rolls-Royce require specific pad compounds and inspection protocols. Fluid service every 2 years regardless of mileage. What the difference between standard iron and carbon-ceramic service looks like, and what shops get wrong when they approach these systems without exotic experience.
Brake Service Guide →From the Blog
Technical write-ups and ownership cost breakdowns for exotic European cars — written for owners who want honest information, not dealer-speak.
Used Continental GT Buyer's Guide: W12 vs. V8 — Which Powertrain Is the Better Used Buy in 2026
The W12 is the iconic choice with higher fuel and maintenance costs. The V8 twin-turbo is more reliable, cheaper to run, and nearly as fast. How to evaluate condition on either, what the service history should show, and what to budget for annual ownership after the purchase.
Read PostWhat Maserati Ghibli Ownership Actually Costs Per Year — Service, Repairs, and the ZF Transmission Reality
The Ghibli has attractive used prices and a reputation that's partially deserved. What a realistic annual ownership cost looks like with correct service, what deferred maintenance costs to catch up, and which model years represent the best value proposition in the current market.
Read PostAston Martin DB9 Electrical Health: Why Battery Conditioning Is the Most Important Thing You're Not Doing
VH platform Astons have complex electrical architectures that are sensitive to battery voltage drops. A single deep discharge can trigger cascading module faults. What a battery conditioning protocol looks like, what it costs, and why this matters more than any other preventive service on these cars if they sit for weeks at a time.
Read PostExotic European Car Owner FAQ
Can a non-dealer shop really service a Rolls-Royce or Bentley properly?
Yes, for the vast majority of service work. Modern Rolls-Royce (Ghost, Phantom, Wraith, Cullinan) uses BMW N74 V12 and ZF transmission architecture — an independent shop familiar with BMW engines and ZF gearboxes can service these components correctly. Bentley's W12 and V8 share VAG Group architecture with Audi and Volkswagen. The main limitation for independent shops is proprietary diagnostic software: Rolls-Royce requires SPIRIT and Bentley requires ODIS for module programming. For routine service, inspection, and most repairs, a shop with the right diagnostic capability and experience can do the work at a fraction of dealer rates.
Is the Maserati Ghibli reliable enough to own long-term?
With consistent correct service, yes — but "consistent correct service" is more demanding than most owners anticipate. The V6 engine requires 6,000-mile oil change intervals, not the 10,000-mile intervals common on German competitors. The ZF transmission needs fluid service every 50,000 miles despite "lifetime" labeling. The gearshift module is the main proprietary weak point. Ghiblis with documented service history are solid ownership propositions. Ghiblis with ambiguous or deferred maintenance history have catching-up to do that can run $3,000–$6,000 before the car is properly current.
What's the real difference between a DB9 and a DB11 from a service standpoint?
The DB9 (2004–2016) uses Aston's proprietary VH platform with a Ford-Cologne-derived 5.9 V12. Service is doable at independent shops, but parts availability is more limited and some components are Aston-specific. The DB11 (2017+) uses a 4.0 AMG twin-turbo V8 (same engine as the AMG C63 and GT) in the V8 variant, and a new in-house 5.2 twin-turbo V12 in the V12. The AMG-engined DB11 V8 has significantly better parts availability and more service infrastructure behind it. From an ownership cost perspective, the DB11 V8 is the more practical choice despite the higher purchase price.
How often do these cars actually need to be serviced?
More often than most owners expect. Rolls-Royce and Bentley: annual service or every 10,000 miles, whichever comes first. Aston Martin VH platform: every 7,500 miles or annually, plus specialized brake and cooling system service on schedule. Maserati: every 6,000 miles on V6 models — shorter than most European competitors. All of these cars also need brake fluid service every 2 years, coolant service every 3 years, and transmission fluid service every 40,000–50,000 miles regardless of what the manufacturer claims about "lifetime fill." Deferred service is the most common cause of expensive repairs on every one of these platforms.
Ready to book exotic European car service in Simi Valley?
We've covered the research. When you're ready for the actual work — diagnostics, service, or an honest pre-purchase inspection on a Rolls, Bentley, Aston, or Maserati — we refer Simi Valley owners to the shop we trust.
Service provided by German Auto Doctor · 521 E Los Angeles Ave, Simi Valley CA 93065 · Mon–Fri 8–6, Sat 9–2