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Buying/running a V6 Bongo

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 7:49 pm
by Gungadon
Hi MikeonB4C

Fuel consumption as quoted is based on average over a range of different journeys. Actual consumption was approx 22mpg around town and 26mpg on long runs of at least 100 miles. I also use Redex in the fuel but have not noticed any real advantage in mpg as a result although I hope the engine internals are a little cleaner ! Can you suggest any worthwhile methods of improving the mpg ?

Well done BV. Hope you are as happy with your V6 as we are with ours.
Regards to all -
Gungadon :D

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 8:00 pm
by francophile1947
Best method of improving consumption is a light right foot.

Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2007 6:18 pm
by Bumbly1
BV, one saving you may not have considered is the V6 service intervals, iirc it requires one every 15,000kms as opposed to 5,000kms for the diesel

Posted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:37 am
by Bongo Virgin
Thanks B

I did factor that in when considering the purchase. I decided that on balance the general running costs would be broadly similar....certainly not different enough to make it a real concern.

We do want to do a bit of European touring and that is when the fuel prices will make a difference but as that is going to be relatively rare I am not too worried.

It is a lifestyle purchase for us anyway so I am happy with the decision...and i like the feel of the V6 too! :-)

Thanks

Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 10:15 am
by Themmings
Also looking at one of these and had a few other questions:

I note the service intervals are 5k for Diesel and 15k for the Petrol model. Can anybody tell me if the 'or 12 months - whichever comes sooner' applies to the Bongo's.

Can anybody tell me what the difference is in service cost between the 2.5 diesel and the 2.5V6 Petrol?

Finally, anybody got any experience of insurance cost between Diesel and V6?

Thanks, Tim

Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 11:15 am
by Bumbly1
Themmings wrote:Also looking at one of these and had a few other questions:

I note the service intervals are 5k for Diesel and 15k for the Petrol model. Can anybody tell me if the 'or 12 months - whichever comes sooner' applies to the Bongo's.

Can anybody tell me what the difference is in service cost between the 2.5 diesel and the 2.5V6 Petrol?

Finally, anybody got any experience of insurance cost between Diesel and V6?

Thanks, Tim
The service intervals are kms and if you do less annually then I would suggest it is prudent to have it serviced anyway - diesel or petrol.

Cant help on service costs, try one of the garages on the members list?

As for insurance, ask Lifesure for alternative quotes., address will be found with a search on the forum.

Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 8:30 pm
by O Oh Bongo!
For your info. - Contrary to previous posts; no camper conversion mandatory if pre Sept 1997 and post Jan 2000 as model reports DO EXIST.I have just imported Feb 2000 2.5td auto free top (hens teeth come to mind)and had an SVA undertaken last week!

Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 5:15 pm
by neil/di

I have it!

Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 8:41 pm
by Bongo Virgin
Well, we eventually took the plunge and bought the V6 W Reg' Bongo.

Thanks for everyones input along the way. It is a great motor which is a pleasure to drive. We have a basic rear conversion which I am adding to to make the most out of the space and to allow as much a spossible to be stored.

The engine is smooth and refined and fuel efficiency is perfectly acceptable. We are aiming to head to the Alps for a bit of Mountain Biking in the summer and have had a nice few days on Exmoor already.

Roll on the summer.

Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 9:16 pm
by Rog
How do you tell a 2.5 V6 petrol engine Bongo from the 2.0 litre version?

Rog

Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 9:27 pm
by trevd01
Hers a smart alec answer:

Count the spark plugs!

Sorry couldn't resist that one :twisted:

More seriously, I have only today heard of a member of the forum with a 2.0 petrol, Powerslide from Cyprus.

Niel of the fabulous home conversion also has an Aero, but I think it may be a 2.5 V6.

Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 9:35 pm
by Rog
Your spark plug counting explanation implies that the 2.0 litre is not a V6 :o) Is that indeed the case?

I was hoping for a sensible engine designation number kind of explanation, or type no on the name plate on the door, but I am not above counting spark plugs if needs be.

Rog

Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 9:48 pm
by trevd01
The 2.0 petrol is a 4 cyl. Codes for late petrols: RS-V are 2.0, RF-V are 2.5 AFAIK

But in the members area there is a document with full specs of all the models.

Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 10:09 pm
by Rog
Thank god for that....the one we are buying is a V6 cos I lifted the engine cover and had a gander. It also had a V6 badge on the back.

Even though it's not going to be ours for a week or two, there are already a set of RX8 wheels heading our way from fleabay, which should be gleamingly polished somtime within my lifetime...(The ones on my old 1275 turbo mini took 60 hours each, but were almost opticaly perfect!)

No store bought bling for us!

Rog

Posted: Sun Jun 24, 2007 10:16 pm
by mikeonb4c
Enjoy the new motor Bongo Virgin. If I had the £ I'd be v tempted - teh V6 sounds like a lovely motor to drive. Out of interest, any feel for what MPG is like on cross country cruising?

Enjoy the Alps

Mike 8)