Bongo Fury

Hi all,

my beloved bongo has recently been diagnosed as being in need of a new rad and associated hoses (front to rear metal coolant pipe, centre metal coolant pipe (to matrix) and heater matrix hose.)

Now I have purchased a replacement rad (non genuine part from ebay) - previous rad changed 4 years ago - don't know if that's good/bad?

However, my preferred garage (specialising in bongos) quoted me earlier today, and to be honest - wasn't expecting the kind of quote he gave me.

Bearing in mind, I am supplying the rad - he quoted me £440.00 (he is supplying coolant hoses/pipes).

Personally thought this to be somewhat excessive (not a figure I came close to guessing TBH).

That said, they (garage) know all there is to know about bongos - but would welcome some feed-back about the quote - not being very mechanical - is the work quite involved in replacing some/all of these hoses/pipes? (ie is the gearbox for instance, in the way etc??)

As always, grateful for any advice.

Cheers All.

I don't think that's so bad. It's probably about 4 hours work. A garage down south can easily charge £50 per hour, so that's £200. Plus the pipes and hoses could be about £150. Plus VAT. Sounds about right.

Thanks Ian - appreciate the feedback, maybe it's not so expensive then.....

Agree with Ian, there is a lot of work involved and you have to know what you're about.

For what it's worth I'm not a believer in supplying parts to a garage doing work. It has happened that a problem occurs and the garage blame the part you supplied and the part supplier blames the garage, or agrees to replace the part but won't pay labour.

Just my view.

OK then - the consensus appears that the quote is about right then thanks peeps.

You could always ask for a detailed itemised quote, and I agree with the point about the customer supplying parts, not a good idea for various reasons.



Good Luck.

It sounds like a reasonable price to expect to pay for peace of mind to replace the most vulnerable parts of the cooling system. Is the £440 figure all-in or have you got to add VAT on top?

No my understanding is that its all included.

Hi All,

Just to let you know; job done - new rad and associated hoses fitted. Appreciate all the feedback - thank you. Now I have got over the cost, realising that everyone thought the garage quote was about right, I guess paying for peace of mind (acknowledging the cooling system on Bongos is the 'Achilles' heel' as pointed out) is everything
Thanks again.

Really glad you're sorted.

Mine's off to ADS tomorrow to have some 'Bongo Naughtiness' sorted out.

Bongo Sully wrote:Hi All,

Just to let you know; job done - new rad and associated hoses fitted. Appreciate all the feedback - thank you. Now I have got over the cost, realising that everyone thought the garage quote was about right, I guess paying for peace of mind (acknowledging the cooling system on Bongos is the 'Achilles' heel' as pointed out) is everything
Thanks again.

Excellent. I think age is probably the issue. I have to remind myself what a newer alternative would cost, and it still wouldn't be a Bongo

Quite right, Mike.

We have a little "Bongo Naughtiness" just now, but its likely to be a very few hundred pounds while a new car can depreciate at £1000/£2000 every year.

And still not be a Bongo.

Trouble is we see a garage bill but depreciation is sort of hidden.