Bongo Newbies

Anything non-technical about the Mazda Bongo Friendee van

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Budbean
Apprentice Bongonaut
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2017 10:05 pm
Location: South Wales

Bongo Newbies

Post by Budbean » Wed Jul 05, 2017 10:21 pm

Hi all,

My partner and I were lucky enough to receive a Bongo as a pre wedding present last week! So chuffed as i've always had my eye on getting one.

I'm sure i'll be asking a lot more questions in the near future but have just one for the time being.

If you received a Bongo, what would be the first things you would do as an owner? I'm looking for key tips, checks, home servicing etc to make sure she stays in tip top condition.

Thanks in advance!
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the1andonly
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Joined: Sat Nov 10, 2012 8:17 pm
Location: Northampton

Re: Bongo Newbies

Post by the1andonly » Wed Jul 05, 2017 11:24 pm

1st thing is to give it a name
they don't exist in your heart without a name.
mine/ ours is called tootles

you'll get what seems a more sensible answer eventually
but look at how many name their friends.
Merlot man
Bongolier
Posts: 386
Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2016 4:06 pm
Location: Co Clare, Ireland

Re: Bongo Newbies

Post by Merlot man » Wed Jul 05, 2017 11:37 pm

Hello budben , what a great present :lol:
Best advice is to get the coolant system FULLY checked by a bongo friendly garage / mechanic and consider fitting a coolant alarm , Haydn callow on here sells a popular one .
Check rust on rear arches and front crossmember .
But most importantly ....... Enjoy the beast :lol:
Brian
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cmm303
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Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2013 8:10 pm
Location: Chippenham, Wiltshire

Re: Bongo Newbies

Post by cmm303 » Thu Jul 06, 2017 11:32 am

Check if cambelt is due for change.

If you have a trusted Bongo specialist within easy reach you can do worse than book it in for a service and ask to be taken around it, on and off the ramps. A specialist knows all the likely issues and should be able to give an honest view on its general health remarkably quickly - no guarantees of course. Hopefully they'll be able to say "perfect" but possibly they'll be pointing out the good bits, quality of any repairs and things that may need attention with an indication of urgency. Adam at ADS did this for me. With it on ramps, he just walked down one side, up the other and within minutes could immediately rattle off so much of the good bad and ugly. I found it an excellent shortcut to home-servicing in view of my lack of experience and a great expectation setter.

Set up bongo with a credit card - they like to be spoilt
It is helpful for location related advice to add your rough location to your info on the forum.

And definitely get out and enjoy :lol:
Chris with BertieB
'96 White unconverted AFT 2.5L Diesel 4WD
Budbean
Apprentice Bongonaut
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2017 10:05 pm
Location: South Wales

Re: Bongo Newbies

Post by Budbean » Sun Jul 09, 2017 12:26 pm

Thanks for the replies.

I've been away this week so haven't done much bongo bonding. I'm sure a name will jump out when I get to know it :)

Rust wise, it looks very clean on the body but need to have a good look underneath. I think it may have a coolant alarm already fitted too. Will definitely get in touch with a local specialist for them to show me around it. We are based in Swansea so was thinking about taking it to http://www.targetmini.co.uk/import/index.html if anyone is familiar with them?

Not sure about the credit card haha but will be using the bongo for my day to day car too, so selling my focus might release some funds to spruce her up/keep her going.

Thanks for the tips, looking forward to getting out and about in it!
Bob
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Joined: Wed Oct 17, 2007 12:54 pm
Location: North Somerset

Re: Bongo Newbies

Post by Bob » Sun Jul 09, 2017 7:05 pm

Just home ourselves, welcome to the Forum. :D
pauldeb
Junior Bongonaut
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Joined: Fri Jul 14, 2017 4:17 am

Re: Bongo Newbies

Post by pauldeb » Wed Jul 19, 2017 11:18 am

What a nice present?! Congrats and enjoy your new Bongo!
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