V6 petrol vs diesel - long term pros and cons

[New S Wales 2010]

Hi guys

Time to replace my Bongo and thinking of a V6 petrol this time instead of diesel. Aware of the fuel issues ( maybe a lot worse round town, or if you have a lead foot, but probably not far behind the diesel on longer runs ? )

My main concern is lifespan of the engine. Plenty of photos on Bongo Fury of diesels reaching 250,000 kms and more. Is this realistic for a petrol engine ? What's the most anyone has got out of a V6 currently ?

Otherwise any pros and cons on servicing costs ( besides the famously expensive cam belt ) ?

Any advice and comments appreciated.

[haydn callow]

much cheaper on LPG !!

[mikeWalsall]

I have joined the Bongo Fury Forum to get info on me 'maybe' getting a Bongo ... my main criteria (along with price) it as to be a V6..

At the moment I have a 2.4 four cylinder DOHC 16v Toyota Emina running petrol / LPG and would not contemplate another diesel vehicle.. I still have a (unused for 6 years) Omega CDX 2.5 BMW six cylinder TD)..

LPG is brilliant .. I pay 66p a litre .. maybe the clean burning LPG engine may out live a diesel (??) ...

I change my fully synthetic oil once a year and it comes out virtually as clean as it went in .. always a transparent very light brown colour ..

Iridium spark plugs last four years .. even then the old ones still looked like brand new...

I use Flash lube ... top up every few months and use around £10 of petrol every couple of months ..

I've never had emission problems .... no engine .. coolant ..over heating issues ..

Like you I would like to get a comparison on the 2.5 L RF-V V6 power plant ..

[Ron Miel]

I have joined the Bongo Fury Forum to get info on me 'maybe' getting a Bongo ... my main criteria (along with price) it as to be a V6..

At the moment I have a 2.4 four cylinder DOHC 16v Toyota Emina running petrol / LPG and would not contemplate another diesel vehicle.. I still have a (unused for 6 years) Omega CDX 2.5 BMW six cylinder TD)..

LPG is brilliant .. I pay 66p a litre .. maybe the clean burning LPG engine may out live a diesel (??) ...

I change my fully synthetic oil once a year and it comes out virtually as clean as it went in .. always a transparent very light brown colour ..

Iridium spark plugs last four years .. even then the old ones still looked like brand new...

I use Flash lube ... top up every few months and use around £10 of petrol every couple of months ..

I've never had emission problems .... no engine .. coolant ..over heating issues ..

Like you I would like to get a comparison on the 2.5 L RF-V V6 power plant ..

Ditto in all respects your Toyota Emina/LPG. Also runs sweet as a nut. Can only claim 105,000 km though but plenty of heavy footed driving in 40,000 km since we bought it, anyway. Only about 18-19 mpg but at LPG prices, it's hard to beat for a camper with all the lifestyle it gives us - as well as comfortable everyday motoring.

Took 20 months to pay for the initial costs, and since then it's all been profit relative to either equivalent petrol or diesel.

Easily my best ever motor, even though I had some pretty classy company car wheels, over the years and before retirement. Obviously, it's a matter of horses for courses but, for our particular needs, rack my brain all I can but I can't think of anything I would rather be driving now.

[mikeWalsall]

I also think LPG is better phycologically ...

To visit my daughter is a 400 mile+ round trip .... I would find it financially and mentally difficult to be putting 60 litres of £80 of petrol in at a time...

Where as I have now absorbed the LPG conversions costs ... I find it better in my mind and wallet to fill up with 60 litres of LPG for around £40

I suppose if I had a diesel version I would 'maybe' have gone the WVO / SVO / Bio route ..(??)

[bongodonkey]

Our bongo is our first (may he live for long) and it's LPG. Once we part I will be getting another V6 and LPG conversion.

Having been to a few meets, one of the main comments is how smooth the engine is and the return using LPG. The only disadvantage that I've come across so far is that the bongo V6 is a dog round town and will eat up fuel. Apart from that it's learning to spot and remember where you last saw LPG filling stations. I've got the free leaflets from Shell and BP and a not so good app for me phone!

Also if you compare the servicing sheets (on the forum) between the petrol V6 and diesel the V6 has a better schedule (IMHO:)!
My annual MOT/service this year came to £120 after 10,000 kms. Or if I had the time and tools probably less than half if I did it myself.
Passed with flying colours and we then did 4,000 kms in 15 days touring a wee bit of France - never missed a beat. Cost me approx £550 in fuel rather than almost £900 in petrol. I've just found a shell garage selling at 69.9p = £37 for a full tank of gas giving approx motorway range of 330 kms at 3000 rpm (70 to 75mph) full camper load. Don't get better than that!

I feel that as long as you treat the vehicle with a bit of respect (dinner once in a while), it will last. Bongo's were built for the most highly competitive domestic market in the world; Japan. Generally they are solid and totally reliable. Just look at the average age over here and just what we put them through. The bongos just keep on asking for more.

If you look at the dealers forecourts now, more and more V6 engines are coming across. The golden rule is get a coolant alarm fitted for about £70. A new engine costs £2k if the head cooks!

Until I came across bongo's I was a car snob - thankfully I saw the light. Ours is 11 years old and will easily last another 10 years. Admittedly a wee bit of luck always helps, but the advice and kindness from BF members will always see you through!

My habit has gotten so bad that I want another - the long haired bank manager sadly said NO.

Long term pros with LPG is the out right saving in fuel and that the gas is gentler on the engines (my oil after a year was spotless).
As the V6 is, in relative terms in the UK not as prolific as the diesels and the data isn't as large on the longevity of engines etc. I don't know enough about the engine (929 engine from Jap domestic market!?!), but the noises on BF is that the engine is groovy as long as you look after it!

Dunno - just watch this space or take the V6 plunge and go for it!

[Timnz]

V6 has soft valve stems... high mileage ones will become smokey.. mazda recommend 15,000km oil change intervals, it should be way less than this for longevity of the engine..
We have lots of the V6 engines here in 929 and other people movers, and the V6 is thirsty and smokey when old, even some with only 150k on the clock are smoking a bit.