who manufactures the diesel bongo engines?

[bongoben]

At max torque (2000 rpm) 30 Kgf = approx. 82.6 hp.

[FREDA MIND]

who cares, there great motors that go pretty well for big ole buses
i think the power output is more than enough for the vehicle, your right guys ,the torque makes the difference.
she pulls like a train.!!
mind you my right foot eases off when i see that fuel guage droping!!!!
thanks for the great input as always buddies
ricky

[mikeonb4c]

The Ford Ranger (except for the US market model) is just a rebadged Mazda B2500 made in Thailand, just as the Freda is just a rebadged Bongo made in Japan.

None of the bits used are "Ford" as such, it's just that Ford have a (big) share in Mazda and badge some Mazda as Fords in markets where they think it will sell more metal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_B-Se ... rnational)

Interesting to know that. Now I realise just how misleading it is when we refer to the Bongo engine as a 'reworked Ford Ranger' engine. In reality of course it matters little what it is called - Ford engine, Mazda engine w.h.y. - as lawyers and legal dodges could make it OK to call it anything that give it market appeal. What matters is who designed and built it, and to what standards and with what quality control, by which workforce etc. In the age of global brands and manufacturing, it is rarely if ever safe to assume a brand name is a guarantee of good design, quality or performance. Hey ho

On which score, I'm v. curious about Renaults involvement with Nissan........

[scanner]

On which score, I'm v. curious about Renaults involvement with Nissan........

Yep - the correct answer is that the Ranger engine is just a reworked Mazda engine.

Renault now own Nissan and the Nissan Micra/Note and Renault Clio/Modus are all basically the same car.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renault_Modus

Likewise - The Fiat Croma is a Vauxhall Vectra/Signum Saab 9/5 (if it has a petrol engine) and a Vauxhall Vectra/Signum Saab 9/5 is a Fiat Croma (if it has a diesel engine).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opel_Signum

The new Ford Ka is a Fiat Panda/500 (whatever engine it has)

http://www.autocar.co.uk/blogs/autocarc ... /7847.aspx

and the Vauxhall Corsa is a Fiat Punto (if it has a diesel engine).

http://www.motortrader.com/industry-new ... ne-up.html

That article lists even more cars with mixed parentage.




Confused??? - you will be.

[mikeonb4c]

Historically, for me:

Nissan = durable, reliable long lasting stuff
Renault = attractive stuff, well priced, not same build/engineering durability

Can I assume any more that Nissan retains its historically legendary durability?

[scanner]

Historically, for me:

Nissan = durable, reliable long lasting stuff
Renault = attractive stuff, well priced, not same build/engineering durability

Can I assume any more that Nissan retains its historically legendary durability?

The worst ever engine fitted to Renault Master vans was the 3 litre - an engine "borrowed" from Nissan as a stop gap until the new 2.5 litre Renault engine was ready.

Nissan reliability is frequently as mythical as "german" reliability.

[mikeonb4c]

Nissan reliability is frequently as mythical as "german" reliability.

Hmmm. I'm not so sure though that you'd get so many agreeing (at least historically) that:

Nissan reliability is no better than Renault reliablility.

...at least not amongst the minicab drivers who bought Nissan Bluebirds

But in any case, returning to my earlier post, what really matters I guess is where, and under whose supervision, design/parts procurement/manufacture took place.

[scanner]

Nissan reliability is no better than Renault reliablility.

Where does/did that come from?

[mikeonb4c]

Nissan reliability is no better than Renault reliablility.

Where does/did that come from?

Sorry scanner - it was a 'pretend quote', intended to emphasise where the debate really lay (i.e. that Renault had bought Nissan as opposed to BMW buying them)

[francophile1947]

...at least not amongst the minicab drivers who bought Nissan Bluebirds .

Trouble is Mike, they haven't made Bluebirds for ages
It's interesting to note that even Honda are having reliability problems nowadays - something to to with a great design by the engineers, but built down to the accountants budget, using much cheaper components that they would have before the recession

[scanner]

...at least not amongst the minicab drivers who bought Nissan Bluebirds .

Trouble is Mike, they haven't made Bluebirds for ages
It's interesting to note that even Honda are having reliability problems nowadays - something to to with a great design by the engineers, but built down to the accountants budget, using much cheaper components that they would have before the recession

I also remember 120Y Violets that rusted faster than a Lancia Beta.

Then there was the wonderful Alfa-Romeo Arna - all the design flair of Japan and built in the former Alfa-Sud factory.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo_Arna

The Arna was however not an economic success, and production ceased after only four years, most likely due to the bizarre fact that the Arna exhibited the worst qualities of each of its parents. While customers would expect an Italian-Japanese vehicle to feature Italian styling and lithe driving dynamics coupled to robust Japanese mechanical and electronic systems, the idiosyncratic Arna was the complete reverse. It carried on some electrical issues[1] and tempestuous mechanicals common to Alfa Romeo married to a Nissan body of questionable build and frumpy styling, with insipid handling common to Japanese cars of the time.[2] This mis-match of technical strengths served to kill the sales of the Arna very rapidly. The Arna is listed as number 26 in the Richard Porter book, "Crap Cars".

[francophile1947]

I also remember 120Y Violets that rusted faster than a Lancia Beta.

Well at least Fiat could blame it on cheap Russian steel - what was Datsun's excuse?

[dandywarhol]

You need to get out more scanner........................................

[scanner]

Too cold and wet...............