Newbie from Ireland

[Purple Haze]

Hi,we have just bought our first Mazda bongo 2.5 diesel 4wd Manual from Scotland,we have done a lot of camping on my motorbike tours in the past and its time for a roof as it never stops raining here in Ireland hopefully I can put up a tidy up tread as I’m on the middle of fixing our bongo up..

[mikeonb4c]

Welcome. Looks like a nice example. Main thing to go sniffing for is rust as it'll likely have some and soonest spotted soonest sorted! Keep us posted on your tidy up thread. Love the forum name - I'm a big Hendrix fan

[Purple Haze]

Thanks mick on the welcome,don’t tak to me about rust that’s why I’m tidying it up as I took the bumper of and found loads of rust,I thought I’d better start now or they will be nothing left,hopefully I’ll get a few pics of what’s I’m doing as I bought a new roof top and tent to match the rest of the bongo..

[Bob]

Welcome aboard.

Bongo does look nice.

[mikeonb4c]

Thanks mick on the welcome,don’t tak to me about rust that’s why I’m tidying it up as I took the bumper of and found loads of rust,I thought I’d better start now or they will be nothing left,hopefully I’ll get a few pics of what’s I’m doing as I bought a new roof top and tent to match the rest of the bongo..

All i can say is they're a lot more worth (investing in and) saving than yer average car. See it as an unavoidable new hobby interest, with dividends

[Alkers]

Welcome welcome, where abouts in the country are you?
There's a few of us on here - I have a progress thread over on boards.ie https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthr ... p=98009028
Needs an update!

[Purple Haze]

Thanks mick on the welcome,don’t tak to me about rust that’s why I’m tidying it up as I took the bumper of and found loads of rust,I thought I’d better start now or they will be nothing left,hopefully I’ll get a few pics of what’s I’m doing as I bought a new roof top and tent to match the rest of the bongo..

All i can say is they're a lot more worth (investing in and) saving than yer average car. See it as an unavoidable new hobby interest, with dividends

Lol I keep telling myself it’s going to be worth it at the end,it’s hard to stay motivated when keep handing out money and no fun yet in return,but I know it’s going to be worth it at the end

[Purple Haze]

Welcome aboard.

Bongo does look nice.

Thanks bob on the welcome

[Purple Haze]

Welcome welcome, where abouts in the country are you?
There's a few of us on here - I have a progress thread over on boards.ie https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthr ... p=98009028
Needs an update!

Hey Alkers,good to know I’m not alone over here,I’m from Donegal,we’re in Ireland you from?

[mikeonb4c]

Thanks mick on the welcome,don’t tak to me about rust that’s why I’m tidying it up as I took the bumper of and found loads of rust,I thought I’d better start now or they will be nothing left,hopefully I’ll get a few pics of what’s I’m doing as I bought a new roof top and tent to match the rest of the bongo..

All i can say is they're a lot more worth (investing in and) saving than yer average car. See it as an unavoidable new hobby interest, with dividends

Lol I keep telling myself it’s going to be worth it at the end,it’s hard to stay motivated when keep handing out money and no fun yet in return,but I know it’s going to be worth it at the end

It will cost (if i total up my welding over the years it may be £2k and thats with arches still original and diy fibreglass resin/cloth repair) but i remind myself the Bongo cost me £3700 over 12 years ago and its been (and still is) a fantastic vehicle for all occasions. No other equivalent car could have provided the same ownership experience. Be sure to include metal coolant pipes to rear heater and metal gearbox fluid->radiator pipes in replacement schedule as they're highly likely to be corroded. Also, cross member that radiator sits on unless its already been done. Back of front wheel arches was a surprise find on mine also, hidden behind arch liners.

[Purple Haze]

All i can say is they're a lot more worth (investing in and) saving than yer average car. See it as an unavoidable new hobby interest, with dividends

Lol I keep telling myself it’s going to be worth it at the end,it’s hard to stay motivated when keep handing out money and no fun yet in return,but I know it’s going to be worth it at the end

It will cost (if i total up my welding over the years it may be £2k and thats with arches still original and diy fibreglass resin/cloth repair) but i remind myself the Bongo cost me £3700 over 12 years ago and its been (and still is) a fantastic vehicle for all occasions. No other equivalent car could have provided the same ownership experience. Be sure to include metal coolant pipes to rear heater and metal gearbox fluid->radiator pipes in replacement schedule as they're highly likely to be corroded. Also, cross member that radiator sits on unless its already been done. Back of front wheel arches was a surprise find on mine also, hidden behind arch liners.

Thanks on the advice mick,just stripped the back of the bongo today,and I wish I didn’t bother could you recommend a place to buy two back quarters panels. there to far gone to fix,back pockets are gone to.

[mikeonb4c]

Hmmm. Sounds dodgy that but better you found it than not - sounds like inner wings rusted through. Bongo Spares would be good people to talk with as a start.

[Flanners]

Not a good situation.

Looks in fine fettle from the photos, when were they taken? Did you purchase private or from the Trade?

[Purple Haze]

Not a good situation.

Looks in fine fettle from the photos, when were they taken? Did you purchase private or from the Trade?

Hi,The pics were taking about a week ago,when I said quarter panels,I mean wheel arches,I bought it private,

[Merlot man]

Hello purple haze , welcome to the madness
I'm from donegal myself but living now in co Clare .
Rust is the killer so best deal with it sooner rather than later .
The rear arches they use seem to be from a sprinter or Vito but bongo spares are your best bet .
Check your inner and outer sills as well !
Would it be an idea to get some cuts from a breaker to do some of the repairs , I have got bits from a but in laois and the front metal work on it is fairly good , also pat touhy , mr bongo , in Galway could be worth a call he may have a breaker or two
They are a great bus but getting on now and the English and Scottish salted roads are a killer
Best of luck with the project , it will be worth it honest
Pm me on here if I can be of any help
Brian