Refurb or Replace - 1997 2.5TD

[cwilliams255]

Hi guys, looking for some advice

I have a 1997 2.5TD AFT with about 120,000KMS on it. It was imported into the UK in 2009 and I have owned since 2016. Mechanically its in good condition and my side conversion is almost new. I recently took out the conversion to fix a problem and removed the rear heater while I was at it (I'd disconnected it ages ago). However in doing so I noticed a fair bit of rust in its place so decided to take it to Bongo Spares as rear arches had seen better days so while kitchen was out it seemed sensible.

They had a look around and the rust is a bit more extensive than first though, ideally it would get new front and rear cross members, new front wings, some repair work to outer sills (only 3 years old!), new arches, new front inner arches, new boot door and attention to A pillar (probably some more too) and they reckon it's somewhere in the £6-7k mark to get this work done!

I have nothing invested in the van except time as it was a wedding gift but would like everything I have bought to be able to fit to new van if I go down that route - that's a towbar, webasto diesel heater, kitchen.

They did show me a couple of new imports they had in but the aftermarket roofs aren't that appealing to me, they were all petrols too which isn't that much of a problem but 4wd has come in useful a couple of times and I'd need to do something about diesel heater. I think I have a couple of main questions

1) If it was your money what would you do?
2) Did Mazda make the 2.5TD worse (more complicated, less reliable) at some point?
3) If I went for a V6 any major service considerations to check for? Will the LSD from my 2.5TD be a straight swap?
4) Did the interior rear panels get revised at any point i.e will I need to re-make some of the kitchen?
5) Are there some good aftermarket roofs out there?

Thanks a lot

[mikeonb4c]

That seems an awful lot of money to do the work. And the rust will come back (as it has on the cills it seems). Removing and replacing a conversion may be adding to the cost mind you if they are having to take it out.

V6 is v liked by owners but cambelt replacement expensive and cam/crank oil seals can develop leaks and are v expensive on labour to replace unless done at the same time as cambelt. All Bongos have to be watched carefully for rust, sadly.

Have you tried anywhere else to get welding done?

[Ian]

You're in Sheffield (like me) so go get a quote from Dore Service Station.

[Bob]

Shows the benefit of putting a rough location in your profile.

[Ian]

Excellent! I'll add them to the Rust Directory

[cwilliams255]

You're in Sheffield (like me) so go get a quote from Dore Service Station.

Yep indeed I am. I’ll go collect it this week and get some more opinions. It has a lot of holes in it now it’s been ‘screw-drivered’ for want of a better term

The one thing I don’t want to do is just prolong the inevitable for a short time at a high cost. Whilst I can’t guarantee the mechanical state of other bongos I know it’s possible to get something pretty much rust free for not a huge amount over the quoted figure

Thanks for the opinions so far

[Flanners]

At that cost I would be stripping out my conversion and added extras and buying a much newer lower mileage unconverted van and fitting them to that ....if you were doing the work yourself fair enough but to pay £7K on such an old Bongo/mileage (that will not rise in value/classic etc) with rust problems it's not financially sound.

[JulesMartin]

Yup I agree with Flanners. cut your loses and use your current vehicle as a doner for your new one.

[Merlot man]

Yup I agree with Flanners. cut your loses and use your current vehicle as a doner for your new one.

+2 from me as well , as much as I love these buses at £ 6-7 k yours seems to have a lot of work to do BUT please get another opinion even though from my experience bongo spares are very honest and fair with their prices .
using the good components from your present to help build the next is not a bad plan at all .
please keep us informed as to your decision as it interests us all
Brian

[cwilliams255]

You're in Sheffield (like me) so go get a quote from Dore Service Station.

Welder is indefinitely unavailable...

[Ian]

Try Dave in Barnsley. But he's very busy:

Bongo Worx Barnsley 07584-134811

[cwilliams255]

Try Dave in Barnsley. But he's very busy:

Bongo Worx Barnsley 07584-134811

The fact you know he’s busy is great because that means he’s still around. I thought he’d disappeared as wasn’t able to get hold of him and company is listed as dissolved, I probably had wrong mobile number.

Having has chance today to compare mine to a fresh import I cannot believe how clean the fresh imports are even after 20 years in Japan! I suspect I’ll end up getting a new van as I want a solid base to keep us bongoing for many years to come but some level of fixing mine may also occur.

Thanks again for your help

[mikeonb4c]

Try Dave in Barnsley. But he's very busy:

Bongo Worx Barnsley 07584-134811

The fact you know he’s busy is great because that means he’s still around. I thought he’d disappeared as wasn’t able to get hold of him and company is listed as dissolved, I probably had wrong mobile number.

Having has chance today to compare mine to a fresh import I cannot believe how clean the fresh imports are even after 20 years in Japan! I suspect I’ll end up getting a new van as I want a solid base to keep us bongoing for many years to come but some level of fixing mine may also occur.

Thanks again for your help

Probably a good strategy. Old Bongos are a labour of love. I've kept my old diesel 2wd for 13+ years cos i'd got it customised as i wanted it, the 2wd early model diesel with flip up rear seats (with untinted windows in my case) is a great load lugging all rounder, and I'm sentimentally attached. But every year it has to have some fresh bit of corrosion cut out and welded, which means its off the road for a week or so while work is being done. Its cost effective compared to buying a 'new' one, but it would be nice to have a simpler life.

I too thought Dave had vanished, so its good to hear he's still operating.

Good luck whatever you decide.

[cwilliams255]

Thought I'd update this

Got in contact with Dave who was happy to take a look but followed up on text and didn't go anywhere - not that it matters at the moment

I ended up buying a new bongo - a 2001 V6 AFT in grey / white with 68000 miles on it. Imported 2018, not been under sealed but very clean and will be getting under sealed soon. Still getting used to it, it seems completely different in character to drive to the diesel, silently building speed without any fuss or noise!

Now for the fun part, its completely stock so got a lot of work to do getting wiring, lighting, heating, solar, towbar, kitchen, bed etc etc moved across. Biggest challenge might be moving across my diesel heater but we'll see. Noticed it has original Mazda Japanese double din stereo (matches the pics in the Japanese manual) just hoping my current single din and cubby hole will fit without the divider.

Old Bongo is going to go on ebay, maybe someone who can weld will pick it up or maybe it'll go for spares

[mikeonb4c]

Sounds like you've made a good decision there and hope you have a lot of fun with it. Envious? Moi?