Ready for my ticket to Bongoland

[Eggman]

Hi folks,
Getting ready to purchase my first Bongo (not my first grey import) and was seeking a couple of those "golden owners tips" if there were any to be had?
I've selected my model: Autotop 2.5 diesel 4x4. Prefered rear conversion with rock n' roll bed. The bad news is, my budget is pretty low (around the 6k mark). I've read enough to hear about the possibilities of issues with the pressurised coollant systems and to have a good poke around the head looking for signs of gasket leaks etc. My restricted budget means I'll generally be looking at pre 2000 models with "higher" milage. My question is, are there any rules of thumb, golden tips along the lines of "You don't want to own one after 120k miles", "The 97 model is particularly prone to chasis rust" or "If the hoses look perished at all, steer well clear" ??? I'm ok when it comes to a spot of DIY so would anyone suggest saving money by doing my own conversion?
Many thanks in advance,
Ben

[wonkanoby]

condition is every thing,never heard of a diesel dying of age or milage only overheating

[the1andonly]

I concur
condition is king, as to layout if you can, buy unconverted and take time to decide on requirements.
look here


http://igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/viewforum.php?f=47

[mikeonb4c]

Welcome. Rust repairs is very much something to factor in these days on older Bongos that have been in the uk for some time. I love the diesel for all that there can be head worries - that torque and load lugging ability is for me the quintessence of Bongoing.