Total cost of ownership

[booms]

Hi all,

Very close to buying a Bongo, I've been through the forum but wanted to check a few details.

Has anyone ever kept a spreadsheet of all their actual costs they've incurred with their Bongo? It would be useful to try to get a precise feel.

It seems like depreciation is more or less zero, insurance and car tax are nothing special, the fuel economy isn't great (though I can't really find much evidence that other similarly sized campervans are really any different).

It seems like for zero deprecation, you instead get significant repair costs, as well I'd imagine upkeep of the conversion (leisure battery failing? Roof leaks?)

Our plan is to take the Bongo on a 10,000 mile trip through Europe, and it seems like parts and experience of Bongos will be in short supply there.

Would it be sensible to look at something else like a VW? I've seen people claim that the depreciation on those is even better? Does that bring their Total Cost of Ownership lower? Sorry if mentioning VW's here is prohibited!

[TheLongRoad]

For your budget, (was is about £10k you mentioned in an earlier post?) the VW vans also suffering rust https://www.autotrader.co.uk/motorhome- ... 000&page=2 and will have similar 'old vechicle' related costs. Plus as you say VWs hold there price - even with high mileage like the one in the example. Parts for both are available by internet. Most of the suppliers of Bongo bits will ship them out to EU if you pay postage. A problem with owners forums like this is that people tend to post and ask about problems - rather than post about how infrequent theirs has broken down or cost money. Just trying to put 'significant repair costs' into perspective.

[g8dhe]

Yes I've kept a spreadsheet of all travel costs and servicing costs since taking ownership back in May 2008 but it will only apply to a V6 version the diesel and 2l engines will have significantly different costs in MpG & servicing terms especially for when it comes to cam belt changes etc. But your welcome to a copy to date if its likely to apply let me know and I'll PM you the Excel spreadsheet.

[booms]

Hi Geoff,

That's really helpful, I'd really like to see some real numbers even if there a few issues with comparability. I'll send you a PM now.

TheLongRoad - do you happen to have even a rough guess at what you've spent over the years?

[TheLongRoad]

Only had my 2.0 ltr petrol for twelve months. About £150 for parts (oil change, some hoses, new anti freeze, fitting a LCA etc) Do all the work myself. I get about 30 mpg. Really don't think the Bongo is that expensive, any vehicle has the potential to have a problem that costs pounds to fix. Just take care purchasing whatever you decide to get. With your budget you should be able to get a reasonable example Bongo from a specialist importer - check to forum for recommendations. Take care with the eBay type adverts.

[Joe_anne123]

I may have been lucky but in 3 years of ownership, my Bongo costs have been insurance, tax, fuel, MOT and servicing. My front windscreen washer motor needed replacing and also an internal light. So this last year (excluding fuel), it has cost me £650. Fuel has cost about the same again.

[mountainmummy]

Hi
We've had our 2.5 diesel for 8 years and for the first seven all we spent above normal servicing is:

£100 coolant pipe replacement
£60 diesel line replacement
£200(ish) cam belt change.
£100 jammed brake caliper

Last Mot we spent £800 getting all suspension related advisorys done but I'm certain we paid well over the odds for this at what was our usual bongo garage (we've now changed our garage to our local mechanic after a disagreement with the Bongo garage - disappointing after using them for 7 years).

So over 8 years the Bongo has cost us under £160 per year. We have owned it since import however so know it's been regularly serviced etc. We are also likely to need to get the wheel arches done soon as they have the first signs of rust and no doubt we will need to replace other pipes etc.

The Bongo has also never broken down on us but we don't use it as much as we used to now the kids are bigger.

Our main car has cost us thousands over the years we've owned it and breaks down regularly (usually just before we're about to take it on holiday) but that serves us right for buying a Renault.

[mikeonb4c]

Well said mountainmummy and my experience has been the same

[Katka]

I suspect, there's not very much difference overall between less young 'vans' running costs. Technology / design was appropriate for their age. What you need to take into account is the risk of a serious (expensive) failure. On that you're in the hands of the gods.... and Jap or German if you choose VW engineering.

For what it's worth, our '99 petrol V6 has cost next to nothing other than fuel and oil in the 3 years we've had it. Did have to do an 'emergency' change of leads when in Slovakia which set me back somewhat, but (as a fan of LPG) if you buy an petrol engined 'van and expect to do 10000 miles in Europe, seriously consider an LPG converted van or have a conversion done. You'll almost recoup the outlay on that trip alone. France excepted LPG is 50% that of petrol and some places about 40%. Our UK fuel cost per mile is now 15p (petrol would be very roughly 25p), in Germany for instance it would be nearer 12p/mile.
There is a fact sheet available and lots of info and opinion about LPG available to consider but certainly for us it's substantially reduced the cost of running our 'van.

[booms]

Thanks all for the replies, I think LPG is definitely worth looking at!

Reassuring to hear everyone's experience.

[Alkers]

My van costs me about €1,800 per year to run for standard running costs but about half of that is fuel and that only includes routine servicing.
On top of that I've had a few additional bills such as for welding, undersealing, droplinks and brake discs and one split coolant hose but in four year's of ownership it's nothing crazy compared to any second-hand vehicle.
The elephant in the room is the continuous tinkering and improvements that you end up doing, which aren't required to keep the van roadworthy but are part and parcel with owning a vehicle like these: Coolant alarm, interior LEDs, Leisure Battery & loom, new stereo, upgraded speakers, alloy wheels, replacement interior trim parts from bongo spares, new paint job, improved split charge relay, new foglights etc etc etc and that's before you even look at the camping stuff, awnings, BBQs, blackout blinds, sleeping bags etc etc etc
All in (including the purchase price), I've spent about €15k on mine over four years which I think is decent value for what it is.

[john]

Just bought our Bongo V6 AFT 1997 model unconverted from friend that originally imported it, 94k miles, bodywork solid and good (waxoiled when imported 2010) paint needs tidying here and there- may go in for a full repaint and I'm now doing research on fitting out to camper having extensive previous experience in narrowboat builds.
As a registered crinkly the van use is focused at Mrs mentor, dog Poppy and lastly me .
Forum members views on the following would be greatly appreciated:

Solar power and inverter - thinking about a 300watt PV panel and ??? leisure battery capacity and Victron controller/inverter/charger

Drive away awning/tent- thinking about Outwell Pro Air Milestone- any other recommends?

LPG conversion- probably going to do 8k miles PA, is it worth it at 2019 fuel prices??

Rear or side kitchen or even a rear slide out?

Rear seating??? remove back set of seats and use the existing mid seats facing forward or backward??

Swivel front seats ?? are they worth it?

Water heater- any recommends

Q. what sort of % saving is made by being able to register the vehicle to Camper, is it only insurance or does road tax reduce too?

[g8dhe]

First put a Leisure battery in, normally 100-120 AmpHr will fit, with Split Charge Relay and swap loom (to move existing circuits across to LB without the Ignition being on).
Next Solar panel a 100 Watt is plenty for most people.
Inverter well if you want to waste power, most devices can be found in much more efficient designs at 12 volts these days.
If you need mains power or electrical heating then EHU installation so you can plug in at campsites.
Registering as a Motorcaravan reduces the insurance costs dramatically, it has no effect on VED as it has no effect on Emissions!
Driveway awnings, depends on how your going to use it, if staying on a site for a period then handy, if touring a pain in the neck (storage and wet packing).
LPG yes if you are going to to the mileage and the locations your visiting have LPG available, otherwise costly and more to go wrong and service.

[winchman]

Paid £1200 for mine
New Exhaust £80
Cambelt, water pump Radiator new coolant About £250ish?
Set of alloys with tyres £120
Reversing camera £40
Fancy stereo £100
Kitchen in boot £100
Oil and filters £40ish
Full length Galv roof rack about £30
Ran it for 5 years and sold it for £2500 so it was basically free. On of the best vehicles I have had

[john]

First put a Leisure battery in, normally 100-120 AmpHr will fit, with Split Charge Relay and swap loom (to move existing circuits across to LB without the Ignition being on).
Next Solar panel a 100 Watt is plenty for most people.
Inverter well if you want to waste power, most devices can be found in much more efficient designs at 12 volts these days.
If you need mains power or electrical heating then EHU installation so you can plug in at campsites.
Registering as a Motorcaravan reduces the insurance costs dramatically, it has no effect on VED as it has no effect on Emissions!
Driveway awnings, depends on how your going to use it, if staying on a site for a period then handy, if touring a pain in the neck (storage and wet packing).
LPG yes if you are going to to the mileage and the locations your visiting have LPG available, otherwise costly and more to go wrong and service.

Thanks that's all pretty helpful and helps confirm my initial thoughts
I'm just weighing up the minimum requirements for a built in bed and kitchen and what if any official test might be put on my conversion,
What I've concluded so far is; the conversion is subject to a self certification to the DVLA, the thrust of the legislation is that the van is converted to live in and that it's no longer a goods vehicle (although as an MPV it never was really), the only time it may be called into question is if pulled by the police or MOT station as not being as described in the DVLA document- surely neither of these are likely to pull me over having a single burner hob fixed in situ with a second one stored in a cupboard- this is what I prefer to fit. the AFT can if necessary count as the bed I think?? anyone ??