How cold is the air conditioning?

[mikeonb4c]

The Bongo is almost uniquely versatile, but you have to want (and be prepared to pay for, though the low purchase price can be used as an offset argument for the MPG issues though 32mpg on the open road for a useful 2 ton brick aint bad) that versatility, as it is otherwise all too easy to see it as no more than a collection of imperfections. The buoyant resale price of Bongos seems to suggest its attractions are being more widely appreicated.

Drive and handling. Now thats an interesting one. Clearly its not great in high winds - how could it be? But I find it beautifully balanced and surprisingly agile for what it is (a friend following me in his Jag down twisty roads the other week and remarked how surprised he was at the way I moved down the lanes, and I'm no speed merchant). The centre mounted engine must help I guess. But I like driving vehicles that have character, and present their own challenges, and the Bongo is a beautiful sweet and sour mix of good handling, need to treat with respect, and challenges such as high winds. I never get bored with driving it.

PS - excellent post again Jon 41 and thanks v much. I agree about overcooling. I think I'd want a Mason alarm if I fitted manual rad fan control so I could keep an eye on engine temp and poss. overcooling.

Just to check, are we talking about rad fans or the scavenger fan as I'd thought it was the latter that came on when key was put in ignition position with aircon button pressed in. If so, thats great as I already have a manual over-ride on that, and I think engine overcooling would not be an issue.

yes mikeonb4c i'm talking about the radiator cooling fans not the scavenger fan.
Looks like I might have to find an auto-electrician who's clued up on Bongos. Might be difficult

I believe Mike and Mike at Wheelquick, Wigan have a v. clued uo one that they use. Not far for you - worth giving them a call?

Or else Adrian at Jap Autos, Bury (Bongo specialist) might be able to ID one for you?

[kelv]

It's not as cold as on any other car that I have driven.
Which adds weight to my belief that the Bongo does everything that other cars do, but only half as good

Camper ............... does it Ok but too small
People carrier............does it OK but MPG is poor
Saloon Car..............does it OK but handling / speed and MPG are all poor
Braking ability.........It has some, but not as good as a modern car
Air con................yes it has it but it's no as cold as other cars
Lights .............yes, they do the job, only just.


I guess, being kind, the only thing you can say about the Bongo is that it's OK............ just.

I respect you point of view, You own a Bongo, and you hold your opinion of it as you see fit. I hold a different opinion than you about my bongo, and I guess that is what makes the world interesting.

You voiced your view on here as it is your right, but I would not have done if I agreed with you. No point arguing the toss.

I would not compare a 15 year old design not meant for this country with a 3 year old design. In fact I would not compare a 5 year old car with a 2 year old one which was the same make and model as the cars have moved on so fast its untrue. Its like comparing apples and pears.

Which is of course the way a forum is supposed to work.
You are entitled to your opinon, as I am to mine.
It's a shame other folks don't quite get the ethos of that.
If everone agreed it wouldnt be much of a forum,,,,,,,,,,,,,, thanks for your mature response
Long may you enjoy your aircon !

[kelv]

Bongos are not up to par compared with modern vehicles.

Sell it and get one then. Simples

Amusing picture Mike.

Not quite sure on how you logically move from "Bongos are not up to par wth modern vehicles
to
"sell it and get one then" ?

Does the fact that something is different to something else always mean that you need to get rid of it and get the other option ?

Strange view that one, and a bit of a quantum leap, but of course you are quite entitled to it

[bub devlin]

I describe a good condition, unmodified Bongo, just like many others.
Personal opinion as to what each thinks of it.
Which brings us back to the original question " How cold is the air conditioning"
Well, I am confident to advise that the air con is not as cold or efficient as in modern cars.
My air con is working 100% well, like many other aspects of the Bongo. It doesn't cool as effectively as the five other cars of less than 3 years old that I have compared it with. Comparisons carried out with similar sized and glass to space ratio vehicles as well.
A good example of the Bongo not being "up to par" just like you say.

Kelv.
You have eloquently expressed your disappointment with a vehicle which is well maintained. (A desirable quality for anyone wishing to purchase from you, should you wish to sell it.)

Now speaking for myself, i dislike the cold.
Air conditioning is not a concern for me when considering a vehicle.

Amusing picture Mike.

Not quite sure on how you logically move from "Bongos are not up to par wth modern vehicles
to
"sell it and get one then" ?

Does the fact that something is different to something else always mean that you need to get rid of it and get the other option ?

Strange view that one, and a bit of a quantum leap, but of course you are quite entitled to it

It's fair to say that after certain comparison with other similar vehicles in class, your conclusion on the Bongo is less favourable.
An alternative might be the preferable answer, but due to the currant economic climate (no pun intended. ) not viable for you.
The other option would be modifying what you have to suite as many have done on this forum, posting the results and findings.
An ingenious, proactive and more positive action in my view!

The replies solicited are what one would expect bearing in mind the general disillusioned nature of your posts.
The logical move in any undesirable situation would be simply to move on.

The true test of character would be to improve what you already have!

[kelv]

Hi Bub
Purely observations and opinions really ...........
Certain members may not like those observations or opinions because they have an "insular" view of the car they own and wish to see no wrong in it.
The same way as people sometimes fail to see the wart on a loved ones nose

Improve it ?
Sell it ?
Or just live with it?
Which shall it be, life is full of possibilities


The Bongo is what it is, and like many things it's not perfect.
BUT, if it was perfect, perfection would be cheap at Bongo prices wouldn't it !

[bub devlin]

Liquid Nitrogen may be the answer to your air conditioning lacklustre.. And the wart problem.

[Gaza69]

my aircon is broken.

tried one of the halford things for £40squid, used up the whole can before i realised the small and very low pitched hissing coming from under the aircon filter, behind the air intake thing??

anyone know of a good aircon servier in wolverhampton area?

its broken....................

[mikeonb4c]

Hi Bub
Purely observations and opinions really ...........
Certain members may not like those observations or opinions because they have an "insular" view of the car they own and wish to see no wrong in it.
The same way as people sometimes fail to see the wart on a loved ones nose

Improve it ?
Sell it ?
Or just live with it?
Which shall it be, life is full of possibilities


The Bongo is what it is, and like many things it's not perfect.
BUT, if it was perfect, perfection would be cheap at Bongo prices wouldn't it !

kelv. Without wanting to be awkward, what has concerned me about your posting is that what you give as an opinion is nevertheless something that may be read by people considering getting a Bongo. So I'm moved to post a reply for the benefit of new readers, when you suggest (as I seem to recall you did on another thread) that there is a common feeling that the brakes on a Bongo are poor. As far as I am aware, there is no such common feeling. I may however be wrong, and I invite you to bring before the readers of this forum the evidence that supports your claim.

I've just returned from a couple of days with a fully loaded Bongo towing a heavy trailer up and down the Derbyshire Peaks. The brakes have behaved faultlessly. The handling was excellent. Also, to my slight surprise, the aircon wasn't bad either. And of course the high up seating position meant we could see over all those dry stone walls and enjoy superb views. For the money I paid, this car has proved to be a superb investment and a joy to drive on the open road and in town (now in its 3rd successful and trouble free seaon - long may it continue)

[kelv]

[quote="mikeonb4c[/quote][/quote]

kelv. Without wanting to be awkward, what has concerned me about your posting is that what you give as an opinion is nevertheless something that may be read by people considering getting a Bongo. So I'm moved to post a reply for the benefit of new readers, when you suggest (as I seem to recall you did on another thread) that there is a common feeling that the brakes on a Bongo are poor. As far as I am aware, there is no such common feeling. I may however be wrong, and I invite you to bring before the readers of this forum the evidence that supports your claim. [MikeonB4cQuoted. ]

People have different views Mike, and I politely decline your invitation to provide evidence to back up my post. Without wanting to be awkward, I feel that the request in itself was rather a condescending one. I would never ask you to provide "proof" to back up the value of your opinions.
New readers who are considering getting a Bongo are presumably over 18 years old and grown up enough to form an opinion, your input of course may help form that opinion, as may mine, and others.
That's why a forum containing different views is useful.
You obviously enjoy many many aspects of your Bongo, and that is the view you choose to express a great deal of the time.
That's great.
I express a slightly different viewpoint sometmes based upon my experiences etc.
That should be OK as well.

( not sure if we aren't drifting off topic a little so won't add to any further replies from you on this matter)

[STANIMA]

Kelv,

When yous tellin us not cool like da other cars
Am i takin it as perilous 4 Mars bars?
I want it cool enough to chill when my girl is HOT!
But ii i understand your rhyme it acting like its really not.
I got a dog see, it rides with me & used to B Police force
Don't want to see it suffer due course.
If you reply to me that realy would be quite nice.
I want my Halfords vent scent blowin out Vanilla ICE...

Peace.

Stan.

[kelv]

Kelv,

When yous tellin us not cool like da other cars
Am i takin it as perilous 4 Mars bars?
I want it cool enough to chill when my girl is HOT!
But ii i understand your rhyme it acting like its really not.
I got a dog see, it rides with me & used to B Police force
Don't want to see it suffer due course.
If you reply to me that realy would be quite nice.
I want my Halfords vent scent blowin out Vanilla ICE...

Peace.

Stan.

I aint got time to make no rhyme
But that post made me laugh
Oh, yes not half.


The aircon should chill your dog OK, but just not as cool as some modern units.
As for the mars bars,,,,,,,, buy a fridge

[Doone]

Gaza69 said:

My aircon is broken... anyone know of a good aircon servicer in wolverhampton area?

Other people have asked for recommendations for a garage in Wolverhampton before, SEE THIS LINK, hope it helps.

[mikeonb4c]

[quote="mikeonb4c

[/quote]

kelv. Without wanting to be awkward, what has concerned me about your posting is that what you give as an opinion is nevertheless something that may be read by people considering getting a Bongo. So I'm moved to post a reply for the benefit of new readers, when you suggest (as I seem to recall you did on another thread) that there is a common feeling that the brakes on a Bongo are poor. As far as I am aware, there is no such common feeling. I may however be wrong, and I invite you to bring before the readers of this forum the evidence that supports your claim. [MikeonB4cQuoted. ]

People have different views Mike, and I politely decline your invitation to provide evidence to back up my post. Without wanting to be awkward, I feel that the request in itself was rather a condescending one. I would never ask you to provide "proof" to back up the value of your opinions.
New readers who are considering getting a Bongo are presumably over 18 years old and grown up enough to form an opinion, your input of course may help form that opinion, as may mine, and others.
That's why a forum containing different views is useful.
You obviously enjoy many many aspects of your Bongo, and that is the view you choose to express a great deal of the time.
That's great.
I express a slightly different viewpoint sometmes based upon my experiences etc.
That should be OK as well.

( not sure if we aren't drifting off topic a little so won't add to any further replies from you on this matter)[/quote]

libel - to misrepresent damagingly

You said:

Now, before all the rose tinteds jump on the bandwagon, it's a well cited fact on this forum that the Bongo brakes are "average".

Without wanting to be unduly awkward (again) and as I understand it, the law of libel exists to remind us that we are all of us subject to limitations on the extent to which we may express opinions in public, should they be potentially damaging to a person or party. Accordingly, I have invited you to produce your supporting evidence in respect of the above statement. You have declined. You should now withdraw your original statement.

Apologies Doone et al - I know this is wilfully off thread.

[kelv]

[quote="mikeonb4c

kelv. Without wanting to be awkward, what has concerned me about your posting is that what you give as an opinion is nevertheless something that may be read by people considering getting a Bongo. So I'm moved to post a reply for the benefit of new readers, when you suggest (as I seem to recall you did on another thread) that there is a common feeling that the brakes on a Bongo are poor. As far as I am aware, there is no such common feeling. I may however be wrong, and I invite you to bring before the readers of this forum the evidence that supports your claim. [MikeonB4cQuoted. ]

People have different views Mike, and I politely decline your invitation to provide evidence to back up my post. Without wanting to be awkward, I feel that the request in itself was rather a condescending one. I would never ask you to provide "proof" to back up the value of your opinions.
New readers who are considering getting a Bongo are presumably over 18 years old and grown up enough to form an opinion, your input of course may help form that opinion, as may mine, and others.
That's why a forum containing different views is useful.
You obviously enjoy many many aspects of your Bongo, and that is the view you choose to express a great deal of the time.
That's great.
I express a slightly different viewpoint sometmes based upon my experiences etc.
That should be OK as well.

( not sure if we aren't drifting off topic a little so won't add to any further replies from you on this matter)[/quote]

libel - to misrepresent damagingly

You said:

Now, before all the rose tinteds jump on the bandwagon, it's a well cited fact on this forum that the Bongo brakes are "average".

Without wanting to be unduly awkward (again) and as I understand it, the law of libel exists to remind us that we are all of us subject to limitations on the extent to which we may express opinions in public, should they be potentially damaging to a person or party. Accordingly, I have invited you to produce your supporting evidence in respect of the above statement. You have declined. You should now withdraw your original statement.

Apologies Doone et al - I know this is wilfully off thread. [/quote]

Yes it's massively off thread Mike, this topic is about AIRCON ............................................. ?



For the sake of a quick get back onto topic for the good of the board.......................
OK Mike, the statement can be withdrawn. ( but you best get a mod to withdraw it because I havent got the button )
Doesn't bother me in the slightest.
Goading is against the rules of the forum, you wouldn't ever indulge in that would you Mike ?

[Ian]

Shut up Kelv you wazzock. Thread locked.