Bongo Fury

Five years and shed loads

Had mine 4.5 years - bought 13 Dec 05 - early Xmas pressie to me from me only usual service items - filters, glowplugs etc until this this year when I had to have a new head put on it due to a glowplug shearing off when changing it - plug £9 - head £ a bit more than that still thats sods law for you. Would only swap it for a newer one.

Had my first, a 1997 2.5 TD Tin Top for 2 years, pimped her up and did all the servicing myself, usual filters oil change etc, had new cambelt fitted by local garage just for peace of mind and in the 20k miles i did in that time, it never missed a beat apart from a wire broke in the flexable part of the wiring loom from bulkhead to rhs front door. Caused window not to work properly, but a simple electrical repair later and all was fine again. I missed her as soon as i sold her, its been 6 months without and now bought another, i take delivery in about 2 weeks and (touch wood) this one being younger and less mileage (50K) will be just as reliable and problem free as last one?

cozmo1589 wrote:Had my first, a 1997 2.5 TD Tin Top for 2 years, pimped her up and did all the servicing myself, usual filters oil change etc, had new cambelt fitted by local garage just for peace of mind and in the 20k miles i did in that time, it never missed a beat apart from a wire broke in the flexable part of the wiring loom from bulkhead to rhs front door. Caused window not to work properly, but a simple electrical repair later and all was fine again. I missed her as soon as i sold her, its been 6 months without and now bought another, i take delivery in about 2 weeks and (touch wood) this one being younger and less mileage (50K) will be just as reliable and problem free as last one?

Excellent to have you back - there's been a few who couldn't quite kick the habit

5 years ownership for us and about 50k miles. In that time we`ve had the head go, a top hose split and the radiator replaced, numerous over-pressurising problems which seem to have been cured with steelseal, a new rear exhaust, a fuel guage indication problem, the usual consumable servicing items, a ripped tent mesh and it just failed the MOT for the first time for a worn suspension ball joint (which was OK really, just a very fussy garage). Rust is just starting to show on the wheel arches and chassis, the engine is not as responsive as when we first had it so all in all its a tired Freda. Having said that it has started first time every time, is in daily use and still brings a smile to my face. It will be time to say goodbye to it soon as there are a few niggles which are getting worse but it will definitely be replaced with another one as we can`t imagine life without such a versatile vehicle.

3 years about 26,000 miles, 4 new tyres, stainless exaust and that ***** No1 manifold bolt but only the once, used daily as its my only car, just passed MOT with advisor for brake pads and near side drop link. will soon be for sale as not being used for what I bought it for.

3 1/2 years, 40,000 miles.

Changed top coolant hose because it was slightly swollen at the head end, changed coolant.
Put in new starter motor solenoid.
Needed new transmission solenoid pack (£300, including labour).
New front brake pads.
Just changed front and rear ARB bushes and drop links (wow, what a difference to quietness and ride that makes).
4 new tyres.
Exhaust back box and centre section.
Just about to replace radiator and thermostat because both may be 15 years old.

Not bad really -- it's more than my previous car (Fiat Multipla) needed, but I was running the Fiat into the ground rather than carefully maintaining it. The oil and filter changes on the bongo have cost more than the repairs: name-brand motor oil is absurdly expensive and you need it every 3000 miles.

6 years 2 months and 59000 miles and I still love driving her
replaced brake pads all round (twice)
all the belts
Four Hoses
air con recharge (twice)
1 caliper seal
Waterpump and themostat
ATF changed (twice)
Engine bay Temp Sensor
New battery
Stainless Exhaust
k&N air filter
3 coolant changes
18 Oil changes 9 with filter
2 rear wheel arches
Thing thats about it, intend to keep her for a while yet, cheers Nibs

Nibs wrote: 6 years 2 months and 59000 miles and I still love driving her
replaced brake pads all round (twice)
all the belts
Four Hoses
air con recharge (twice)
1 caliper seal
Waterpump and themostat
ATF changed (twice)
Engine bay Temp Sensor
New battery
Stainless Exhaust
k&N air filter
3 coolant changes
18 Oil changes 9 with filter
2 rear wheel arches
Thing thats about it, intend to keep her for a while yet, cheers Nibs

Over 6yrs eh - thats good going Must be love

It Sure Is

Brought my freda as an early 40th birthday pressie, had her 17 Months,

When I first brought under warranty,

1. Set of glow plugs

2. air con re gas

3. Change of wheels tyres ( after juddering on the back end )

4. Zig unit wiring faulty

After warranty.

1. wax oiled

2. service items

I still enjoy her