Rolls-Royce Ghost vs Bentley Flying Spur vs BMW M760Li: which one is the best value for money?

The probability of a Rolls-Royce Ghost customer settling for anything else is remote, because the “smaller” Rolls-Royce saloon essentially has an entire price bracket to itself. But there are some alternatives that offer most of the same attributes with much lower entry points, so we decided to take a look at the Ghost’s value proposition in relation to its competitors.

Martin Pretorius

26 Jan 2023 · 15:01Buying a Car

Super-luxury sedans are as much a statement of success as they are means of transport. In this realm, bigger and more expensive is automatically better, on account of brand reputations and sheer exclusivity. Lots of power is a given in this segment, and on-road presence and kerbside appeal are both “must-have” (though subjective) considerations.

With this in mind, we looked at the latest Rolls-Royce Ghost, and tried to find two alternatives with roughly the same characteristics, to compare their relative value propositions. They’re not all equal in terms of prestige, mind you: the Rolls-Royce is still the most desirable brand between these three. But the other two cars each bring their own appeal, as we’ll shortly see.

Going up against the Ghost, we have the latest (third-generation) Bentley Flying Spur and the BMW M760Li xDrive. Why did we select the big BMW for this comparison? Well, it comes closest to the Ghost in size and mechanical specifications, and neither the new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class nor the new Jaguar XJ has yet been revealed.

Related: The Rolls-Royce Wraith is effectively a “Ghost coupé”. Take a look at the top 4 Wraith features that set it (and the Ghost) apart from the competition.

Facts and figures:

First, let’s look at the key numbers:

	Rolls-Royce Ghost	Bentley Flying Spur	BMW M760Li xDrive Individual
Engine size (cyl/size)	V12, 6.75-litre twin-turbo petrol	W12, 6.0-litre twin-turbo petrol	V12, 6.6-litre twin-turbo petrol
Power/Torque	420 kW/850 Nm	467 kW/900 Nm	430 kW/850 Nm
Kerb Weight	2 490 kg	2 437 kg	2 295 kg
Length (mm)	5 546	5 316	5 260
Airbag count	6	8	6
Load Volume	507 litres	420 litres	515 litres
Top Speed (km/h) *	250	333	250 (opt 305)
Ave Consumption *	15.7 ℓ/100 km	14.8 ℓ/100 km	12.5 ℓ/100 km
Warranty	4 yr/Unlimited distance	3 yr/Unlimited distance	2 yr/Unlimited distance
Price **	POA	~ R 4 285 000	~ R 3 500 000

* Manufacturer's official claimed figures.

** Base price, including carbon tax and VAT, excluding options. Pricing may change without prior notice.

Analysis

Power, performance, and drivetrains

These are very big cars with serious pricetags, so it’s only logical that they’ll all have huge twin-turbocharged engines to produce heaps of power as well. And, in another good example of convergent engineering, they all employ 8-speed automatic transmissions: the ZF 8HP automatic gearbox in the BMW and Rolls-Royce, and an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic in the Bentley. They also all get their power to the tarmac via grippy all-wheel drive systems.

The smallest power unit here belongs to the Bentley, which employs a 6.0-litre W12 (basically two VR6 engines arranged in a V-shape) to produce 467 kW and 900 Nm – enough to send the 2 437 kg Flying Spur from a standstill to 100 km in a claimed 3.8 seconds. Thank that monstrous power plant and AWD system for this rapid acceleration, as well as the highest top speed here at 333 km/h.

While the BMW’s engine’s outputs are middling in terms of this comparison (430 kW and 850 Nm), it’s also the lightest car here at 2 295 kg (!!) As a result, its 0 – 100 km/h sprint is claimed to be dispatched in a Bentley-matching 3.8 seconds, although its top speed is governed to 250 km/h. Ticking some option boxes will raise that speed limiter to 305 km/h, however, so there’s plenty of power for very high-speed cruising.

But, because the Rolls-Royce is the heaviest one with the least power of this trio, it posts slower performance figures. Its 6.65-litre engine is closely-related from the 6.5-litre unit in the BMW M760Li, but it’s reprofiled to optimise low-rev torque at the expense of a little top-end stamina. That doesn’t turn it into a slouch, mind you: the Ghost will still get to 100 km/h in a claimed 4.8 seconds, with the max speed again capped at 250 km/h.

Related: The top 3 things you need to know about the BMW 7 Series.

Economy

Cars with pricetags that start around the R 3.4-million mark generally don’t appeal to people who care about fuel consumption. That’s a good thing, because all three of these cars are thirsty beasts. In each case, the probability of achieving their claimed consumption figures is remote, especially if they’re mostly driven around town.

According to official claims, the BMW M760Li is the least thirsty of this bunch, with an average of 12.5 ℓ/100 km. The more-powerful Bentley is quite a bit thirstier at 14.8 ℓ/100 km, while the big and heavy Rolls-Royce is alleged to consume 15.7 ℓ/100 km. Real-world figures are likely to be at least 15% higher, but at least they all have fairly generous fuel tanks to minimise the inconvenience of refuelling.

Related: What factors influence a car’s fuel efficiency?

Practicality

Given that these cars all cast large shadows, it stands to reason that there will be plenty of passenger- and luggage space. The Rolls-Royce uses of its oversized dimensions to provide really generous rear-seat accommodation, even without the optional extended wheelbase.

Its boot is however the second-most commodious here at 507 litres, lagging slightly behind the BMW’s 515-litre cargo hold, but comfortably leading the Bentley’s 420 litres. But, seeing as these cars are meant to cosset their occupants, the Rolls-Royce simply walks away with the honours for overall opulence. That’s how it should be, given its top-level market positioning, after all.

The BMW has variant-specific trimmings inside and a host of added standard features, but its cabin design still looks like any other 7 Series, and it has less cabin space than the others here. The Bentley’s cabin slots neatly between the BMW and Rolls-Royce, managing to combine much of the Ghost’s old-school elegance with the M760Li’s high-tech appearance, while looking less olde-worlde than the former and more exclusive than the latter.

Related: The top 3 things you need to know about the Bentley Flying Spur.

Equipment and safety

As is proper for a top-tier luxury car, the Rolls-Royce Ghost has just about everything you can think of as standard. The cabin is swathed in leather and real wood, thick carpets line the floor, and the interior decor is discreet and classy. The toy count is no less impressive, with all the modern driver aids; a thundering 1 300W, 18-speaker audio system integrated with the latest infotainment unit; 4-zone climate control; and HD entertainment displays and electric adjustment for the rear seats.

Of course, there are still some option boxes left to tick. You’ll need to pay extra for heated/ventilated seats, for instance, and only the front occupants have seat massagers as standard. There’s also a bewildering array of customisation options, with a myriad of wood trim piece options, a “starlight” headliner, rear picnic tables, rear compartment window blinds, and even a gold-plated Spirit of Ecstasy bonnet mascot on offer. No wonder that one “commissions” a Rolls-Royce, not merely “order” one – a task with which your personal Rolls-Royce Consultant will gladly assist.

The Bentley’s configurator is no less extensive, with a multitude of exterior colours, interior upholstery combinations, veneer finishes, and the “Touring Specification” included as standard. The latter bundles together a head-up display, night vision, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assistance. Options include a refrigerated bottle cooler, parking heater (for very cold climates), and two levels of audio system upgrades.

Even though it carries a much smaller pricetag than either of the others, the BMW M760Li is still loaded with enough goodies to compete head-on with the other two – and then some. It features a 1 400W audio system, BMW’s latest iDrive infotainment interface, comprehensive rear-seat entertainment, heated and ventilated seats all round, electric rear seat adjustment, and the same driver assistance- and convenience goodies as the other two.

Safety credentials are top-notch for all three of them, too: there’s at least 6 airbags as standard (8 in the Bentley), advanced dynamic stability control, and a whole host of enhanced safety aids – some of them integrated with the camera system and real-time traffic monitoring. Strangely, the Rolls-Royce doesn’t feature ISOFIX rear child seat anchors, so it’s probably not ideal for small children.

Related: The top 3 things you need to know about the Rolls-Royce Ghost.

Verdict

Don’t think that awarding third place to the BMW M760Li is indicative of an incapable product. Quite the contrary: the M760Li is a technological tour de force, but it also clearly competes in a lower class than the Bentley and the Rolls-Royce. Even though it has comparable on-paper specifications to the other two, it’s just missing that final bit of mystique that comes with an extra-prestigious badge.

It’s a whole lot less expensive than the others, however, so it offers the best value for buyers with an eye on sensibility as well as luxury. These are not supposed to be sensible cars, though – that market ends about R 2.5-million before we reach even the BMW’s price point. In this realm, exclusivity counts for more than mere statistics, and a high-level badge is part of that allure.

Of the remaining two cars, the Rolls-Royce Ghost will still be the default choice, based purely on opulence, but the Bentley Flying Spur isn’t far behind. It’s also quicker, sleeker-looking, and almost as exclusive, and costs a fair bit less than even a basic Ghost. In conventional terms, this makes the Bentley our winner. It’s not like Rolls-Royce buyers will be the least bit bothered about this, mind you – that sky-high price and ultra-luxurious cabin add enough allure to offset that slight performance deficit.