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Potential Bongo Owner near Edinburgh

Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2018 1:30 pm
by 71notout
Hi folks,

I have registered on here (as I tend to do whenever looking to buy a particular make of car) as my wife and I are contemplating buying our first Bongo.

I have had a hankering for one for a good few years, we have hired a couple of larger motorhomes over the past couple of years and having a Bongo to jump in for the odd weekend away sounds great.

I am currently trying to sell my existing toy/wallet drain/hobby (delete as appropriate) - a 1991 Eunos Roadster that I bought as a fresh import from Japan 3 years ago and she has only done 3k miles since and I have spent a fortune on her.

But the time has come to sell, so when she goes, this will hopefully free up some cash to help fund the Bongo purchase.

I am currently doing my homework, obviously I know about rust issues, but the coolant issues were new to me (lots of people fitting coolant alarms?) - not sure if it affects mainly the petrol or diesel ones or both?

I am also looking for decent places to buy - either private or dealer.

I see Calder Campers are close by, I remember when Calder were doing Japanese Imports of MR2, Supra, Impreza, etc. and I wasn't impressed by the quality but that was many years ago si i'm sure things will have improved since then.

Any other recommendations are much appreciated.

Hope to spend a fair bit of time around these parts.

Cheers,
Steven

Re: Potential Bongo Owner near Edinburgh

Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2018 2:20 pm
by TheLongRoad
Welcome. Ours was a conversion done by Direct Campers in Kilmarnock (we bought it secondhand from a ScotMotorhomes - Perth) The conversion seems a good quality and we've had no problems with the 2.0ltr petrol. I think most coolant issues are with the V6 engines (both petrol and diesels) but as with all 'older' vehicles they can all be a problem if not looked after. The 2.0 ltr petrol seems more robust but you might find it a bit lacking power. I just get into holiday mode and relax. Direct Campers do a try before you buy, so coukld be worth taking one away for a weekend to try out. Hope you find a good one.

Re: Potential Bongo Owner near Edinburgh

Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 12:19 pm
by tootsmcfruits
Welcome to the forum!

I bought mine from Campers Scotland and I'm not sure I'd do it again to be honest. I wasn't the happiest with the service received.

It's definitely worth trying before you buy for sure, maybe a weekend away in one to make sure it's what you're looking for. And shop around - that's the mistake I made, I should have gone to a few more companies/local bongos before buying just to make sure I was getting a good deal. Good luck in your search! :D

Re: Potential Bongo Owner near Edinburgh

Posted: Thu Jun 14, 2018 7:31 pm
by 71notout
Thanks folks.

I am talking to a guy called Stuart Coates in Middlesborough (I think) who seems to import and sell on a regular basis and gets decent rep on the Facebook group...

I followed a Bongo with a Bongo Fury sticker on the back window last night, coming off the A720 at Hillend - I was in my Saab so would have been insignificant to them :D

Re: Potential Bongo Owner near Edinburgh

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2018 8:27 pm
by 71notout
Update time!

I have agreed to buy a 2002 V6 Petrol Bongo, fresh import, from Stuart.

I am getting the timing belt(s), water pump and cam and crank oil seals done as part of the deal to hopefully ward off any mechanical woes for a good while.

Should get it in 4 weeks or so - can't wait!

It is silver, with xenons and will be running on graphite CX5 19" alloys.

Re: Potential Bongo Owner near Edinburgh

Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2018 8:49 pm
by Bob
Sounds splendid. :D

Good to have you aboard. 8)

Re: Potential Bongo Owner near Edinburgh

Posted: Fri Nov 30, 2018 1:08 pm
by MountainGoat
Fresh import. I hope that you have made sure that your Bongo has been undersealed. Remember they do not underseal vehicles in Japan as they do not use salt on the roads over there. Without undersealing your Bongo will soon start rusting in the British winter.

Re: Potential Bongo Owner near Edinburgh

Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2018 1:48 am
by 71notout
MountainGoat wrote: Fri Nov 30, 2018 1:08 pm Fresh import. I hope that you have made sure that your Bongo has been undersealed. Remember they do not underseal vehicles in Japan as they do not use salt on the roads over there. Without undersealing your Bongo will soon start rusting in the British winter.
Don't worry, before the Bongo, I owned a 1991 Eunos Roadster (MX5) so know all about Mazda & they're woeful rust protection!

Bongo has been fully waxoyled, inner wings & doors treated & cavities injected, etc.

Re: Potential Bongo Owner near Edinburgh

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2019 9:58 pm
by Flanners
The Mk 2/2.5's don't fare too well either and it's starting to hit the Mk3's in a big way too..sills and wings/arches....woeful protection/paint :shock: