Newbie - so many questions

[Quinny]

Hello everyone

I am hoping to join the wonderful world of Bongos, but have so many questions that I seem to be going round in circles. Firstly I have been given details of two Bongos currently still on the water and due to arrive in March, that I can put a refundable deposit on to reserve. The first is a 2002 petrol 2.0 litre with about 58,000 miles the other a 2.5 V6 2001 with very low miles of approx 45,000 miles converted from kilometres, and am not sure which would be best to go for, the lower miles but higher engine or the newer higher miles with smaller engine. The other thing I am concerned about is that I am a lady driver with absolutely zilch knowledge of mechanics and maintenance and my OH does not even drive and he has even less knowledge than me if that's possible!!! Am I going to be able to look after an ageing Bongo and give it the care it deserves and if so what things would I need to keep my eye on. I am so desperate to own a Bongo, but don't want to make the wrong choice.

Any assistance would be great fully appreciated.

[mikeonb4c]

The v6 is much more powerful and for pretty much the same mpg, so if you're carrying a load or wanting to go easily up and down hills then its the better bet. But its more expensive to maintain and more complex. I assume both of them are tintops with no lifting roof? Where are you based roughly as having a bongo specialist garage near you is a big plus.

[Quinny]

The v6 is much more powerful and for pretty much the same mpg, so if you're carrying a load or wanting to go easily up and down hills then its the better bet. But its more expensive to maintain and more complex. I assume both of them are tintops with no lifting roof? Where are you based roughly as having a bongo specialist garage near you is a big plus.

Thank you, the maintenance was what was worrying me, but I was tempted by the extra power and low mileage. We are based in Southampton.

[Gasy]

For maintenance you have some good bongo specialist garages
At your end of the country
I'd go for the v6 me self for power and speed
But the 2ltr is perfectly acceptable and will be cheaper on maintenance for the engine service
I would not worry about mileage there both low for age
The 2 ltr will only struggle if loaded up or towing
If your ok with a nice relaxed drive the 2ltr would be good
And welcome

[mikeonb4c]

2 litre should be fine with the lighter weight of a tintop and as Gasy says if you're not heavily loaded or towing or in a rush, and it should be less of a worry on maintenance. V6 is the daddy though for smooth power. I'm a diesel man myself and wouldn't change.

[Bob]

Hi Gill, and a warm welcome to BF.

That is a difficult choice. I'm with Mike, it all depends on your intended use.

If you a regularly going to carry a good bit of weight or tow the V6 wins easily. However if its mostly the two of you for days out/weekends away the simpler 2ltr will fit the bill.

Not very helpful, but others will have some views.

[Quinny]

Thank you for your advice. I did forget to say that we will be having a lift up roof (sorry not sure of the technical term is) and will be having a conversion, although again can't decide between back or side conversion. We are leaning more towards the rear conversion as we would like a wider bed, but then there is more storage in the side conversion and here we go round in circles again. We are hoping to use it mainly for weekends away but eventually to take it to Scotland, so I guess the 2litre would be ok for the most part. There will normally be 2 adults and a big black lab but possibly on occasions there will be a 3rd adult. With this info do you still think the 2 litre would be ok.

[the1andonly]

I wouldn't dare enter into which petrol engine as i have a 4x4 diesel aft
Any additional roof space is very useful if you can physically use it.

what i will comment on is type of conversion
don't do it
until you've looked at a few in the flesh and walked around them.
Use it unconverted first.
we are on our 3rd variant dont jump. read all the options and opinions
the one thing is totally off our list is a side conversion. we are not small (or light), which is why 2 up in the roof aft is also off the list

[Bob]

Like Gasy I like plenty of power, I'm not a boy racer but underpowered vehicles are vrey frustrating. The roof and conversion will weigh a bit.

But removing the middle seat saves a load of weight.

As for rear or side conversion I would try and get along to a few Meets and talk to owners. Bongo owners like to chat and will give genuine advice on how their set up works for them.

Also quite possible to use an unnconverted Bongo for camping and see how you get on with it before commiting.

[Quinny]

Like Gasy I like plenty of power, I'm not a boy racer but underpowered vehicles are vrey frustrating. The roof and conversion will weigh a bit.

But removing the middle seat saves a load of weight.

As for rear or side conversion I would try and get along to a few Meets and talk to owners. Bongo owners like to chat and will give genuine advice on how their set up works for them.

Also quite possible to use an unnconverted Bongo for camping and see how you get on with it before commiting.

To meet people who have had Bongos for a while and are experienced would be really useful. I don't suppose you have any meets anywhere near the Southampton area?

[Bob]

45 Miles will bring you to the Golden Swan, Meet is only about four weeks off and if Bongy hasn't arrived the pub does very good B&B.

Details in the 'Fancy Meetin Up...' section.

Do bear in mind if you come for just the day that most of us are off site from about 10.00 until later in the afternoon.

You're most welcome to join in with whatever is going on,ie walk somewhere for a pub lunch, but we have known peeps come to a Meet at lunchtime then post a complaint that there was no one on site.

If you don't want to stay over I'd look to arrive about 09.00 or after 16.00 and chat for an hour or so, but best to stay.

[Quinny]

45 Miles will bring you to the Golden Swan, Meet is only about four weeks off and if Bongy hasn't arrived the pub does very good B&B.

Details in the 'Fancy Meetin Up...' section.

Do bear in mind if you come for just the day that most of us are off site from about 10.00 until later in the afternoon.

You're most welcome to join in with whatever is going on,ie walk somewhere for a pub lunch, but we have known peeps come to a Meet at lunchtime then post a complaint that there was no one on site.

If you don't want to stay over I'd look to arrive about 09.00 or after 16.00 and chat for an hour or so, but best to stay.

Thank you for that we will definitely see if we can make it. The Bongos we are looking at are currently on the water and won't arrive until mid March, I think, but we could certainly drive over we are always up for a walk and a pub lunch.

[Bob]

Tents welcome, too, just book with Jillygumbo.

[Bongolia]

As others have already said there is very little difference in fuel consumptiin costs between each engine types. As to performance there is a difference betweeen the 2.0 ltr and the other two.
I own a 2.0ltr and it does perform OK but it needs to be coaxed by this I mean you have to "drive" it by using revs and gearbox. Its a small engine for a heavy van and its torque comes in at around 4300 rpm and maximum rpm is 5500 so it sounds very busy when you push it up hills.
A more comfortable drive would be had from the V6 engine,more relaxing and a good deal more powerful than the 2.0 ltr.
As to general V6 servicing costs there should not be a great deal of difference all you have is an additional two spark plugs and a bit more oil etc. Costs for services involving belt changes and the like may incur greater costs but they are not required that often.
The main point I would make is that whatever you decide on you need to get a complete service,thats a major manufacturers spec high mileage service carried out by a competant garage at the outset irrespective of the mileage or the service record, there are services and "services".
Often on here, reading between the lines,you will see problems that could probably have been avoided had proper servicing been carried out.
Japanese petrol vehicles, V6 and 2.0ltr, have a lot of emmission control stuff on them and all these need to be cleaned and set up at specific mileages so an understanding by the mechanic of these systems is a must.
After that initial expense and a clean bill of health the running costs, even though the V6's deeper components are more difficult to access, should not be much different between any of the engine types and cost of ownership about the same.
Anyhow whatever engine you decide on you will have a vehicle that is unique and as I have said before is unmatched by any other vehicle out there in its class for versatility and comfort.
Good luck.

[Gasy]

Pop top roofs are heavy
Conversions are heavy
Hills in Scotland are big
I'd be looking for a v6 or a diesel