Hello all,
Looking to purchase a Bongo! Any advice appreciated. Also I know probably biased but bow does the bongo compare to the Nissan and Toyota counter parts?
Im most concerned about buying a lemon full of rust issues! I am based in the Cotswolds but also am in reading, Berkshire a lot. If there are any local members around these areas that would be happy to get in touch that would be great!
I have seen on auto trader JCS in Bristol seem to have a lot of stock - any experience with these guys? Feel free to PM any feedback.
Thanks all
Wanting to buy - general advice
-
g8dhe
- Supreme Being
- Posts: 10217
- Joined: Sun Apr 13, 2008 10:06 pm
- Location: Worthing, West Sussex.
- Contact:
Re: Wanting to buy - general advice
Have you read the Buying FAQ on the site ? https://igmaynard.co.uk/buying/
You might want to read this and several other threads regarding "Bristol Bob" (use a search) viewtopic.php?p=665653#p665653
You might want to read this and several other threads regarding "Bristol Bob" (use a search) viewtopic.php?p=665653#p665653
Spherical VisionsRe: Wanting to buy - general advice
Welcome!
Just keep an eye on the usual stuff really. The Bongo is a fairly simple machine, apart from the coolant system on the 2.5td and V6 versions (these need to be bled properly if coolant is disturbed). The dashboard temp gauge should sit at 11 O clock if it moves any further shut the engine down as it may be overheating - the gauge is very slow to react. Get under the front seats and give the hoses and pipes a good check. Anything swollen is a bad sign, the rubber hoses should be in good nick. Steel pipes shouldn't be too rusty.
As for rust in general...given the age, they all do it. Just do your best to minimise it and ensure the underbody is in good shape. Usual places for rust are sills and the arches. These can be replaced easily enough though.
Check the usual things you'd check with any vehicle of that age but add in a check of the auto gearbox oil. That'll give you a good idea if that's in decent nick. Bring the engine up to temp, the box won't engage 4th gear until its warm, then pull in, lift drivers seat and pull the gearbox oil dipstick. If the oil smells burnt there might be issues.
Build quality is decent enough on these but the hard plastics do scratch, it's typical 90s Japanese stuff. That said, you can pull them apart easily to trace wires etc so that's handy.
Great support available out there on this site, as Geoff proves above, and on Facebook groups too. Well worth joining the Bongo Fury club here too.
Best of luck!
Just keep an eye on the usual stuff really. The Bongo is a fairly simple machine, apart from the coolant system on the 2.5td and V6 versions (these need to be bled properly if coolant is disturbed). The dashboard temp gauge should sit at 11 O clock if it moves any further shut the engine down as it may be overheating - the gauge is very slow to react. Get under the front seats and give the hoses and pipes a good check. Anything swollen is a bad sign, the rubber hoses should be in good nick. Steel pipes shouldn't be too rusty.
As for rust in general...given the age, they all do it. Just do your best to minimise it and ensure the underbody is in good shape. Usual places for rust are sills and the arches. These can be replaced easily enough though.
Check the usual things you'd check with any vehicle of that age but add in a check of the auto gearbox oil. That'll give you a good idea if that's in decent nick. Bring the engine up to temp, the box won't engage 4th gear until its warm, then pull in, lift drivers seat and pull the gearbox oil dipstick. If the oil smells burnt there might be issues.
Build quality is decent enough on these but the hard plastics do scratch, it's typical 90s Japanese stuff. That said, you can pull them apart easily to trace wires etc so that's handy.
Great support available out there on this site, as Geoff proves above, and on Facebook groups too. Well worth joining the Bongo Fury club here too.
Best of luck!