Bongo Fury

cwilliams255 wrote: Mon Aug 03, 2020 11:32 pm I inherited a 1997 2.5TD 4Wd AFT when my dad moved to France (MoT seemed like a faff) and at first I thought what is this heap of purple crap

Then I got in it and loved it, alright it was a little noisy but it was comfy and good to drive. I ripped out the dated conversion put in a new one I spent a year building and it was great taking us (2 adults) on holiday through France and Spain - once you get used to managing the space, several weeks away are fine.

Then, in the snow it was great, I live on a road 20-25 gradient, 90 degree bend at the bottom, aside from sliding down on the ice, I was up and down no issues, even pulling neighbours up the road - putting a bit smile on my face

No reliability issues in 3 years but rust did start to take over so I bought another one in better base condition (it hadn’t spent most of its U.K. life on the Scottish cost like the old one!!). It has to be said the chap that bought mine has done a great job fixing up the rust (he’s a mechanic)

The only thing that is sometimes a negative is that the conversion parts market isn’t as prolific as VW - it’s so easy to get an underbody water tank for them for example, finding one for a bongo much harder

We don’t have children and my wife is a little skeptical about bongo practicality when we do but with our awning I think it will be just fine

Muzorewa wrote: Tue Aug 04, 2020 6:29 am Read THIS

Then grab a coffee and read
THIS done with two adults and two younglings, then
THIS and
THIS done with two adults and one not-so-youngling

Diesels do have a reputation for cooking the head but that’s normally due to incorrect maintenance and subsequent incorrect bleeding of the cooling system. ALL Bongos are prone to rust, but so are VWs and panel vans, so if you think a Bongo can work for you, and it most certainly can for two adults and a kid, choose one carefully then get out there and enjoy it!

Bongolia wrote: Tue Aug 04, 2020 10:20 am

evobongo wrote: Mon Aug 03, 2020 3:09 pm

Bongolia wrote: Mon Aug 03, 2020 2:54 pm

Versatility, reliability not an issue here either once you get it sorted.

Define 'sorted' ?

Muz post says it all.
A good major service, belts,afreeze, gear oils etc.
Problem is with second hand is you never know what previous owners have done. So best to clear the decks and start clean. I came from a VW T25, owned it for 15years, It was not the most reliable especially in hot weather , kept both but found when I went away or for weekend hops I took the Bongo so sold the VW no regrets.

BongoBongo123 wrote: Tue Aug 04, 2020 1:19 pm That which returned when I typed "Automatic camper van" into Google.

BernieBongo1955 wrote: Tue Aug 04, 2020 4:40 pm Hi Bongonauts,
Just wanted to have a great camper, smooth V6, power door and blinds. Not prepared to pay VW prices and also the amazing support of Bongo Fury. The key is to get the very best you can afford, underseal with yearly checks for dreaded tin worm. Regular maintenance via a Bongo technician, not forgetting the coolant alarm! . The adventure begins
N. B Nearly forgot, Bongo dimensions!!! No need to sweat on B roads, just smile and enjoy

evobongo wrote: Tue Aug 04, 2020 12:34 pm

Muzorewa wrote: Tue Aug 04, 2020 6:29 am Read THIS

Then grab a coffee and read
THIS done with two adults and two younglings, then
THIS and
THIS done with two adults and one not-so-youngling

Diesels do have a reputation for cooking the head but that’s normally due to incorrect maintenance and subsequent incorrect bleeding of the cooling system. ALL Bongos are prone to rust, but so are VWs and panel vans, so if you think a Bongo can work for you, and it most certainly can for two adults and a kid, choose one carefully then get out there and enjoy it!

Just read part 1 - wow what a fabulous story!

What mileage are you on now ?!

Muzorewa wrote: Wed Aug 05, 2020 12:33 pm

evobongo wrote: Tue Aug 04, 2020 12:34 pm

Muzorewa wrote: Tue Aug 04, 2020 6:29 am Read THIS

Then grab a coffee and read
THIS done with two adults and two younglings, then
THIS and
THIS done with two adults and one not-so-youngling

Diesels do have a reputation for cooking the head but that’s normally due to incorrect maintenance and subsequent incorrect bleeding of the cooling system. ALL Bongos are prone to rust, but so are VWs and panel vans, so if you think a Bongo can work for you, and it most certainly can for two adults and a kid, choose one carefully then get out there and enjoy it!

Just read part 1 - wow what a fabulous story!

What mileage are you on now ?!

Only 417,000, in the first years we had the van we were knocking in over 50k a year but lately Bongy is semi-retired!

Mandrew wrote: Mon Aug 10, 2020 4:16 pm We got ours as we'd become tired of putting up a tent...!

We've had Barry (fresh import 2l petrol with aft) for just over 5 years now and he's the best thing we've ever bought. We're a family of 4 and he's taken us all over the UK on weekends/days away, for the kids' triathlons, trampoline comps, etc. and we've driven round France, Spain, Portugal and Holland for our last few summer holidays. This year we'd planned a trip to the Swiss alps - now put back to next.

As a 2l petrol he's not the quickest in the bongo line up but he got us up (and down) the 'hills' in Southern France/Andorra. It's the only vehicle I've ever really taken proper care of, we service him every year without fail and he hasn't missed a beat.

Space wise we don't have an issue, he's comfy for the four of use, super east to drive and for trips away it teaches you to travel light. There's so much rubbish you don't need to take. Ensure you have a good set of 'essentials' for cooking, eating, sleeping and making sure the beer's cold. Our biggest space takers (other than the kids) are chairs - I'm of the mind that if you're comfortable you're happy so we do pretty much always take these. After that it's clutter - it also means you can just get up and go without having to think about which bits to pack.

We love it.

evobongo wrote: Mon Aug 10, 2020 4:43 pm

Mandrew wrote: Mon Aug 10, 2020 4:16 pm We got ours as we'd become tired of putting up a tent...!

We've had Barry (fresh import 2l petrol with aft) for just over 5 years now and he's the best thing we've ever bought. We're a family of 4 and he's taken us all over the UK on weekends/days away, for the kids' triathlons, trampoline comps, etc. and we've driven round France, Spain, Portugal and Holland for our last few summer holidays. This year we'd planned a trip to the Swiss alps - now put back to next.

As a 2l petrol he's not the quickest in the bongo line up but he got us up (and down) the 'hills' in Southern France/Andorra. It's the only vehicle I've ever really taken proper care of, we service him every year without fail and he hasn't missed a beat.

Space wise we don't have an issue, he's comfy for the four of use, super east to drive and for trips away it teaches you to travel light. There's so much rubbish you don't need to take. Ensure you have a good set of 'essentials' for cooking, eating, sleeping and making sure the beer's cold. Our biggest space takers (other than the kids) are chairs - I'm of the mind that if you're comfortable you're happy so we do pretty much always take these. After that it's clutter - it also means you can just get up and go without having to think about which bits to pack.

We love it.

Thanks Mandrew, great reply.
I agree, less is more and all we really need are comfy chairs, a comfy bed (being a parent sleep is minimal anyway) and food.

Do you regret getting the petrol ?