Bentley's largest sedan today is the Flying Spur, and at just shy of 210 inches long, it's bigger than most full-size sedans. Not that long ago, however, the British marque offered an even bigger sedan, one aimed squarely at the Rolls-Royce Phantom. Today, it's become a surprising bargain on the used market.Bentley That sedan is the Bentley Mulsanne, which, like the Arnage it replaced, takes its name from a famous section of the circuit that hosts the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in this case, the legendary Mulsanne Straight. Bentley's former flagship stretches nearly 220 inches from bumper to bumper, and that's before stepping up to the even longer extended-wheelbase version.It's the sort of car whose sheer size, towering grille, and unapologetic presence can make most vehicles disappear into the background. Even your neighbor's Mercedes-Benz S-Class or BMW 7 Series.The article focuses on the 2011 Bentley Mulsanne, the first model year of the second-generation Mulsanne. However, most of the information also applies to later years. All pricing and market data were accurate at the time of writing but are subject to change. Designed to Go Toe-to-Toe With The Phantom BentleyToday, the Rolls-Royce Phantom stands alone as the undisputed king of ultra-luxury sedans, but last decade Bentley mounted a credible challenge with the second-generation Mulsanne, which was sold in the US from the 2011 through 2020 model years.Like the Phantom, the Mulsanne exuded a deeply hand-crafted quality and a level of luxury defined by near-limitless customization, craftsmanship, and an almost obsessive attention to detail, but it carried a starting price almost $100,000 lower than the Rolls. The Mulsanne was also positioned as the driver's choice, with Bentley even introducing a sportier Mulsanne Speed for the 2015 model year. Key Facts To Know Approximately 7,300 built over entire run Hand-crafted nature meant each required at least 400 hours to complete Was final Bentley model to use iconic L-series V8 engine Each Mulsanne was painstakingly hand-built at Bentley’s Crewe facility, taking around 400 hours to complete, and even longer in highly bespoke configurations. The slow build time meant Bentley only churned out Mulsannes at the rate of 800 per year.Bentley Nearly a quarter of the time was devoted solely to achieving the car's deep, mirror-like exterior paint finish, while the cabin required even more intensive craftsmanship. Inside, artisans hand-trimmed acres of leather, matched wood veneers across panels, and fitted precision metal switchgear, creating a cabin that feels more like a bespoke lounge than an automobile interior.But the Mulsanne wasn't only about old-world charm. The car still delivered the modern conveniences expected of a contemporary ultra-luxury sedan. Equipment included Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, and a premium audio system with up to 20 speakers (14 in standard form), along with a personalized keyless entry system and comprehensive memory functions.Bentley These extended beyond the driver’s seat to include mirror positions, steering column adjustment, and even multimedia preferences and rear-seat comfort features such as electrically operated side and rear window blinds. Depending on specification, buyers could also get rear-seat entertainment screens, and extensive connectivity and comfort controls tailored for chauffeur-driven use.Note that early versions didn't feature a touchscreen infotainment system. They did, however, include a digital display, with all inputs handled via physical controls and a rotary dial interface. A mid-cycle refresh for the 2016 model year, known as the Mulsanne II, finally introduced a touchscreen display, along with revised front and rear styling, updated tail lights, and the addition of the Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase, which stretched the sedan to nearly 230 inches in length.Potential buyers should note that many Mulsannes were ordered with only two individual seats in the rear, with an extended center column filling in for the standard bench's central seat. A Legendary V8 Under The Hood Bentley What lies under the hood is every bit as splendid as the rest of the car. The Mulsanne was powered exclusively by a V8 that represented the final evolution of Bentley’s long-running L-series engine, originally developed in the 1950s when Bentley was still under Rolls-Royce ownership.First introduced in 1959 for the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud and Bentley S2, it grew over the decades into a twin-turbo 6.75-liter mill that in final form produced 537 hp and 811 lb-ft of torque. That output was for the Mulsanne Speed, but the regular Mulsanne's numbers weren't far below.What’s most impressive about the engine is that peak torque arrives at just 1,750 rpm, giving the Mulsanne an effortless, near-limitless shove whenever it’s called upon. As a result, you don’t drive it like most cars, not even its contemporary stablemates. Just feathering the throttle is enough in most situations. That’s perfectly fine for a car where the priority is comfort above all else, and comfort it delivers in spades.Bentley Although its physical size is imposing at first glance, it’s actually smaller than most full-size pickups. It’s also relatively agile and easy to place, with steering light enough to be managed with one finger, making it almost impossible to be stressed in a Mulsanne.In 2005, Mercedes found drivers’ heart rates dropped by five to seven beats per minute in the S-Class. In the Mulsanne, you might start checking whether you still have a pulse, because it’s one of the most serene and stress-free places to be. It’s also more calming than many contemporary luxury cars, as the screen still plays second fiddle to the physical controls, and that alone feels almost refreshing in 2026."The Mulsanne has a rather large and intimidating exterior, leading to slight discomfort when you first slide in behind the wheel. But looks can be deceiving, as a Mulsanne is actually 10 inches shorter than a Ford F-150, and four inches narrower. It's just the price and rarity that's intimidating, but not to worry.” – Gerhard Horn, CarBuzz Senior Editor How Much To Pay Today Bentley The 2011 Bentley Mulsanne carried a base MSRP of $285,000, but once taxes, destination charges, and the options most original buyers inevitably selected were factored in, it's safe to assume many examples left the showroom with stickers comfortably north of $300,000.Today, the depreciation curve has done its work. A look at the CarBuzz Marketplace and other popular classifieds shows used Mulsanne prices starting around $50,000, while 2011 models currently average just under $64,000 – with prices trending lower.Perhaps more surprising is that most examples on the market don't have mileage figures that should send buyers running for the hills. A quick search turned up a 2011 model with just under 49,000 miles listed for $58,000, while another with a little over 27,000 miles was advertised for slightly less than $64,000.Later model years naturally command a premium. For the 2016 Mulsanne II facelift, average asking prices climb to just under $90,000. Interestingly, opting for the sportier Mulsanne Speed, which arrived for the 2015 model year, doesn't appear to add much of a premium. Reliability And Ownership Realities Bentley Just because a Mulsanne has depreciated to the point where it costs the same as the average new car doesn't automatically make it a smart buy. There's a reason these cars lose value so quickly: repair, maintenance, and insurance costs remain firmly rooted in the six-figure luxury segment they came from. Reliability data is limited due to the model's rarity, but based on owner data from Kelley Blue Book, there's little in the way of widespread catastrophic issues, including for the initial 2011 model year.Still, any neglected example can quickly turn into an expensive proposition. The bigger concern isn't necessarily reliability, it's ownership costs. The Mulsanne was Bentley's hand-built flagship, and many repairs require specialist knowledge, equipment, and parts. If you don't have a Bentley dealer nearby, it's worth locating an independent shop experienced with high-end British luxury cars before you buy. A pre-purchase inspection is also one expense you definitely shouldn't skip, as deferred maintenance on a $300,000 sedan can easily exceed the car's current market value. Cheap To Buy, Costly To Keep Bentley The Mulsanne remains one of the most surprising bargains in the luxury car world. For the price of a new family crossover, you get a hand-built flagship with a legendary V8, a cabin that feels more like a private lounge, and a ride so serene that it can make everyday traffic seem a little less stressful. It also delivers the kind of presence few modern cars can match, turning heads wherever it goes. Just don't forget that a cheap Mulsanne is still a Bentley flagship underneath, and it will happily remind you of that fact every time it visits the shop.