Bongos Downunder
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- Supreme Being
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Re: Bongos Downunder
always thought there was no taste in Oz this confirms it!!!!!
Be nice to everyone they might be nice back.
Come to the dark side we have chocolate dark chocolate
Come to the dark side we have chocolate dark chocolate
Re: Bongos Downunder
so says a driver of a 14 y.o. van with a reputation for dubious reliabilityaitch wrote:always thought there was no taste in Oz this confirms it!!!!!
you may be right, delicas are very popular, but more likely because of the better 4WD specs, so you can get away from Bongos and other soft roaders
- mikeonb4c
- Supreme Being
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Re: Bongos Downunder
Of course! I think that's the answer to the lack of Bongos. Thyinking about it, if I was going to go out of town in a country with lots of rough terrain, I wouldn't choose a Bongo. A Landcruiser or - if I was trying the 'live in it' approach - something like a Delica would be the right choice.lev8 wrote:so says a driver of a 14 y.o. van with a reputation for dubious reliabilityaitch wrote:always thought there was no taste in Oz this confirms it!!!!!
you may be right, delicas are very popular, but more likely because of the better 4WD specs, so you can get away from Bongos and other soft roaders
Re: Bongos Downunder
Hi everyone,
We are planning our permanent
migration to Australia from the uk.
We would like to take our bongo with us.
Any one got any ideas about companies who
Help with such importations?
I used Algys to import her over from japan originally.
Anyone done this before.... We are heading to Queensland.
HKA
X
We are planning our permanent
migration to Australia from the uk.
We would like to take our bongo with us.
Any one got any ideas about companies who
Help with such importations?
I used Algys to import her over from japan originally.
Anyone done this before.... We are heading to Queensland.
HKA
X
- crazy uncle gray g
- Supreme Being
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- Joined: Tue Mar 14, 2006 8:38 pm
- Location: new forest
Re: Bongos Downunder
Would this be of any assistance to youhollykimalan wrote:Hi everyone,
We are planning our permanent
migration to Australia from the uk.
We would like to take our bongo with us.
Any one got any ideas about companies who
Help with such importations?
I used Algys to import her over from japan originally.
Anyone done this before.... We are heading to Queensland.
HKA
X
http://www.karmanshipping.com/australia/australia.html
Good luck
cheers! party on dudes.
Re: Bongos Downunder
Good luck with that - I'm really envious. We were all set to emigrate to Sydney a few years ago - had spent several months working in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth, and my company was sorting out the move etc. Then my wife managed to get herself pregnant (don't know how ), and the move was off (first pregnancy was difficult and she had to spend a lot of time in hospital). A decision we'll always regret - probably too old to get in nowhollykimalan wrote:Hi everyone,
We are planning our permanent
migration to Australia from the uk.
We would like to take our bongo with us.
Any one got any ideas about companies who
Help with such importations?
I used Algys to import her over from japan originally.
Anyone done this before.... We are heading to Queensland.
HKA
X
Two tonne tin drum
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- Supreme Being
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- Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 10:50 pm
- Location: New Forest
Re: Bongos Downunder
Could the reason why Bongo's are rare in OZ be that they are mainly diesel. On limited experience, one Aussie vehicle purchase, I found most camper or 4wd vehicles were petrol, many with LPG added.
My daughter was at Uni in OZ in 2006 and had to buy a vehicle to get around Geelong and to follow up with a backpackers tour. I went out for a holiday, but ended up checking out what felt like every old wreck in Sydney. The advice I was given was to avoid diesel, which seemed the obvious choice. The reason was that outside the main towns diesel mechanics were few and far between. Any small town could find someone to fix a petrol engine. Only big trucks used diesel so facilities were limited, problems you were stuck.
She ended up with an elderly 7 seat petrol 4wd Pajero/Shogun which made an improvised camper. It never tested the theory since it travelled the outback but never broke down. This was a grey market import and there were a lot around similar.
Campers were limited to VW's, expensive, in short supply and mainly knackered. These had no more ground clearance than the Bongo but managed to travel the outback, just limited to roads. Most Australians live in a very small coastal area after all.
Another maketing opportunity lost by Mazda. The petrol versions, with roo bars would have succeded there really well.
My daughter was at Uni in OZ in 2006 and had to buy a vehicle to get around Geelong and to follow up with a backpackers tour. I went out for a holiday, but ended up checking out what felt like every old wreck in Sydney. The advice I was given was to avoid diesel, which seemed the obvious choice. The reason was that outside the main towns diesel mechanics were few and far between. Any small town could find someone to fix a petrol engine. Only big trucks used diesel so facilities were limited, problems you were stuck.
She ended up with an elderly 7 seat petrol 4wd Pajero/Shogun which made an improvised camper. It never tested the theory since it travelled the outback but never broke down. This was a grey market import and there were a lot around similar.
Campers were limited to VW's, expensive, in short supply and mainly knackered. These had no more ground clearance than the Bongo but managed to travel the outback, just limited to roads. Most Australians live in a very small coastal area after all.
Another maketing opportunity lost by Mazda. The petrol versions, with roo bars would have succeded there really well.
The BewilderBeast - V6 Mean Green Tintop with LPG and 321 Away Montague Conversion
Re: Bongos Downunder
Importing vehicles into Australia can be tricky, check out this site http://www.fpi.net.au/pages/cars.htm I would consider the total costs, (don't forget registration stamp duty etc) and hassles before importing as there are vehicles available here already with compliance, drive away. There are some here http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/res ... 819&Nne=15 better to check the price is drive-away.hollykimalan wrote:Hi everyone,
We are planning our permanent
migration to Australia from the uk.
We would like to take our bongo with us.
Any one got any ideas about companies who
Help with such importations?
I used Algys to import her over from japan originally.
Anyone done this before.... We are heading to Queensland.
HKA
X
I would certainly consider bringing one of those camper conversion kits as they seem cheap in the UK and there is nothing like them here, plus one for a mate
You might also consider bringing plenty of Bongo specific spares, such as brake rotors don't forget your mate
Don't believe the rubbish about no diesel service in the bush. There are probably more diesel vehicles in the Aussie bush than in England. Ever heard of tractors? Plus the troopie diesels and land rovers are also popular, whatever you drive there will be problems with parts in the outback.
Diesel is usually dearer than petrol in OZ and since diesel engines are dearer than petrol then it's a no brainer. There are a lot more diesels on offer these days though, unless you plan to do lots of country driving they are probably not worth it.
The bongo should be a suitable vehicle for general touring whether tar or dirt, but remember that the out back is unforgiving and help is a long way away. Roads with river crossings, long deep sand, boulders or bull dust patches should be avoided. In short if you really want to explore the real outback - don't try it in a bongo.
Welcome to the lucky country
I will be visiting the UK in a couple of weeks if you want to avachat PM me
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- Bongolier
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- Location: Deception Bay, North Brisbane,Australia!
Re: Bongos Downunder
Diesel is cheaper than petrol at the moment here in brisbane..
There is unfortunalty not many bongos here in Oz and there are heaps of delicas around..
My thoughts are torn between continuing with the bongos here to convert or go for the delica exceed...Not with an electric roof of course( but have acontact who could hook me up with a high top) but small rear fit outs maybe for the SURF DOODS and sharing the same running gear as the pajero/shogun with low ratio gears then can go on the beech!!!
mm...
I do like the newer shape bongos though. 2004 shape,,sexy as...beat the looks of a delica...
I had my bongo in the U.K for more than one year allowing the option for shipping over here but there was too much involved and too much red tape and costs, so i sold the baby..( feel a little sad about that decision)..
GOOG LUCK Holly and Alan with your emigration...
Good day to LEV 8..
There is unfortunalty not many bongos here in Oz and there are heaps of delicas around..
My thoughts are torn between continuing with the bongos here to convert or go for the delica exceed...Not with an electric roof of course( but have acontact who could hook me up with a high top) but small rear fit outs maybe for the SURF DOODS and sharing the same running gear as the pajero/shogun with low ratio gears then can go on the beech!!!
mm...
I do like the newer shape bongos though. 2004 shape,,sexy as...beat the looks of a delica...
I had my bongo in the U.K for more than one year allowing the option for shipping over here but there was too much involved and too much red tape and costs, so i sold the baby..( feel a little sad about that decision)..
GOOG LUCK Holly and Alan with your emigration...
Good day to LEV 8..
Racing green with extras!!Self build full side conversion which rocks!!!
Re: Bongos Downunder
Q - What do you have do to find some culture in Oz.aitch wrote:always thought there was no taste in Oz this confirms it!!!!!
A - Just leave your milk out in the sun.
Re: Bongos Downunder
Got a nephew in Adelaide named Martin Ootes ,Wife two kids one into cycle racing if you hear ofkev&caz wrote:Hi all,
Caz and I are in Adelaide Australia at the moment visiting our daughter and grandkids.
We have been here a week and as yet have not spoted one Bongo. So they are very rare over here. We travel up to Sydney in a couple of weeks time I will look out for Bongos when we get there. Then we are going up to Cairns for a week so I will be on the look out for them I where all the surfer dudes hang out so I will post any sightings.
G'day
Kev
Sophie give a cheer Gooday Probably knows me as Battersea dogs home
Re: Bongos Downunder
i assume OZ is like NZ ,Here people will only buy a van if its got TOYOTA on it,Mazdas are seen as a non entity and everyone will tell you that the engines are crap.There are a few places that rent out bongos ,i saw one by aucl
kland airport,they had the largest selection of crap i have ever seen dont ever be tempted to rent one from there .
In NZ i see a bongo friendee every other day there are a few in the mount and one in katikati where i live.I cant believe theyve never taken off here as they are ideal for everything here.
kland airport,they had the largest selection of crap i have ever seen dont ever be tempted to rent one from there .
In NZ i see a bongo friendee every other day there are a few in the mount and one in katikati where i live.I cant believe theyve never taken off here as they are ideal for everything here.
- mikeonb4c
- Supreme Being
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Re: Bongos Downunder
stevedon wrote:i assume OZ is like NZ ,Here people will only buy a van if its got TOYOTA on it,Mazdas are seen as a non entity and everyone will tell you that the engines are crap.There are a few places that rent out bongos ,i saw one by aucl
kland airport,they had the largest selection of crap i have ever seen dont ever be tempted to rent one from there .
In NZ i see a bongo friendee every other day there are a few in the mount and one in katikati where i live.I cant believe theyve never taken off here as they are ideal for everything here.
Shhhhhhh! Its hard enough to get good ones in the UK without getting the Kiwis all interested and snapping them up
But seriously, I would love to drive a Bongo all round NZ cos I can see the two of them getting on just perfectly. Hope you are getting the most out yours in that lovely land.
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- Bongolier
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- Location: Deception Bay, North Brisbane,Australia!
Re: Bongos Downunder
I cannot beleive it either, why they havent taken off is strange as Oz is Big for camping etc..
most Ozies are set in thier ways i guess and cannot see quality of these motors...
ITs all about the Toyotas here..blah blah..
Like i have said before OZ is about 10 years behind of England and Europe..
I cannot even find any drop links for my bongo here..not even vectra links..tish..
most Ozies are set in thier ways i guess and cannot see quality of these motors...
ITs all about the Toyotas here..blah blah..
Like i have said before OZ is about 10 years behind of England and Europe..
I cannot even find any drop links for my bongo here..not even vectra links..tish..
Racing green with extras!!Self build full side conversion which rocks!!!
- mikeonb4c
- Supreme Being
- Posts: 22875
- Joined: Sun Nov 05, 2006 10:49 pm
- Location: Living with Mango Bongo in the North West but with a tendency to roam
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Re: Bongos Downunder
I remember when I was thinking about having a 'grey import' in the form of a Bongo. Everyone (local garage etc.) said don't do it as spares and servicing wil be impossible. If it hadn't of been for discovering this club, and the fact that there was a good community of people running these things and abe to knock the myths into touch, then I know I wouldn't have had a courage to risk getting one. It may be that that a similar thing applies in Oz i.e. if you were thinking of an imported Delica then you'd soon find there was a healthy community of them and no problem with parts, advice etc. But a Bongo.........and so it goes on, until someone gets started with a Bongo and cracks through the obstacles.chiefster1976 wrote:I cannot beleive it either, why they havent taken off is strange as Oz is Big for camping etc..
most Ozies are set in thier ways i guess and cannot see quality of these motors...
ITs all about the Toyotas here..blah blah..
Like i have said before OZ is about 10 years behind of England and Europe..
I cannot even find any drop links for my bongo here..not even vectra links..tish..
I'm guessing, but is the 4WD Delica maybe a bit more suited for Oz camping / beachcombing due to its off-road ability? Also (minor point) maybe a bit cooler as it doesn't have a warm hump (engine cover) inside the cab?