Newbie, on the lookout for first Bongo

[alan6144]

Hello All,

I am starting to look for our first Bongo. Have enquired about a few private sales and come dealer sales too. Main issue is that I am in Northern Ireland, so arranging a trip to view examples is tricky (and expensive at short notice). Ideally looking for a petrol (or LPG) Bongo and use it as a camper, not an everyday vehicle. Budget is probably up to about £12 or 13k, but for that I would want an excellent quality full side conversion with elevating roof.

Would love to hear your advice on whether to buy a new import from a dealer. Have enquired with JAL, and the lead time on conversions seems to be several months, meaning no Bongo for this summer. I realise that there are plenty of already finished conversions for sale in my price range, but I need to avoid having to look at a lot of different examples, as this is too difficult due to the travel requirements.

I would want to have 4 forward facing seats with 3 point belts, so am restricted to a mid conversion or a side conversion. The choice is fairly endless and I am sure there will be varied opinions.

Anyone in NI who can offer advice on insurance and those sort of issues would also be great to hear from.

Alan

[Glenda]

Good luck. I'm also on lookout to replace our Bongo of 10 years. The supply seems to be drying up. I'll keep on searching but can't offer any pointers as yet.

[cmm303]

Hello All,

I am starting to look for our first Bongo.
....

Alan

Welcome to the forum and hopefully to Bongo ownership.
In case you haven't found it already, there is a generic FAQ on buying a Bongo here
Hopefully others will be along regarding your specific situation.

Chris

[Northern Bongolow]

this member - - - leon, and his mrs are really nice and very knowledgeable about bongos, ive met them several times over the years. hes even been on tele with his bongo doing a things to know about bongos.
send them a message or if your struggling maybe ian at bongo headquarters could contact him for you to get in touch.

http://igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/memb ... ile&u=9295

[haydn callow]

Are you anywhere around Coleraine/Articlave/Castlerock ??

[Merlot man]

Hello Alan
I'm based in co Clare so not a lot of help to you but I did find this one in co Antrim ,might be worth a look ?
Either way best of luck with your search
Brian

[alan6144]

Hi

Not that near Castlerock, but nowhere is very far in Northern Ireland.

Do you know which insurance companies will cover Bongos at a reasonable cost in this part of the world? Tried one of the online price comparison sites and got nothing back.

Alan

[haydn callow]

Pm me a phone number and I will ask a friend to contact you.

[Merlot man]

this is the one I was on about
https://www.donedeal.ie/campers-for-sal ... m/14901414
you could talk to them about insurance as well
im insured with richardsons through the the motor caravan club of Ireland , ask for Bill lupton in the club
http://motorcaravanclub.com/
I don't know if he will cover vans with an address from the north but worth a try , cover includes use as a daily driver as well as towing etc ,a very good policy for 363 euro
hope this is of some help
Brian