farewell Oldest Bongo 1995-2006

[another bongo]

Well, my bongo is terminally ill with the dreaded rust disease and too many other ailments so may soon be no more. .... I am very sad as I've had many trips both here and abroad, towing and solo. Who ever has the next oldest bongo, LOOK AFTER IT ! as I have not done and I'm sorry His birthday is 8/5/1995. 21 .. a young age to go....

[Northern Bongolow]

i feel your pain as the owner of a 95 myself for quite sometime, they do become more than just another motor. as with most things you have loved and lost, look back with happy eyes not sad ones.

[Bob]

A very sad day.

RIP.

[Dr Fingers]

Sad for you. Ruby is 21 in September, and has just had attention from my friendly (but not cheap) welder.

Derek

[cmm303]

That's so sad.
... and a timely reminder for a 20 year old.

[BongoBongo123]

One thing I can say after a big engine bill is the body work on ours is very good indeed. Thankfully. Sorry to hear about a rusty Bongo off to the scrap yard. Much can be done if you have decent body work to start with. If you have the inclination and time, sorting it as it appears is the way to go to stop it getting hold.

Here is an idea. Get another one !

Fact is there are things to keep on top of (as with any 20 y.o. vehicle) and if you can at all make repairing small rust patches and exposed areas a hobby of sorts it can pay you back in longevity. I quite enjoy tackling that kind of thing (luckily) and keep a watchful eye every few months giving it a good eye up and spotting places where it starts. Nipping brown or bubbly spots in the bud is the way to go.

I suppose for some a Bongo can be cheap enough to be disposable, if you get 3-4 years out of it without problems and you pick a tin top one up cheap/get lucky you can still get your moneys worth. Not made of money here so as far as campers go it is this Bongo or no camper really so I try to do my best keeping rust at bay and preserving the vehicle.

All the best in your future road adventures.

[another bongo]

Thanks for all the advice, Bongo isn't going to the scrap yard yet.. still going and a few months MOT. But Advisory list from last time long as your arm!, so time to look for another I think? First bongo was a newer v6 with no real problems. Unfortunately it had to be sold for other reasons and was sorely missed. This one is diesel and was bought on a whim with no checks as it was a very low price ( saw me coming I reckon? ) Now, lesson learned, taking my time and no.3 will be thoroughly checked and maintained. Can't be bongo-less I love 'em

[BongoBongo123]

Might be at least worth checking with a decent mechanic what the costs would be as a "job lot" of work. If they can tackle the lot of it they might give you a better pricing. Ultimately a personal decision to scrap sell or repair. You kind of get to know your own one and how much you are willing to pay to get it sorted vs a new second hand one.

[mikeonb4c]

Might be at least worth checking with a decent mechanic what the costs would be as a "job lot" of work. If they can tackle the lot of it they might give you a better pricing. Ultimately a personal decision to scrap sell or repair. You kind of get to know your own one and how much you are willing to pay to get it sorted vs a new second hand one.

Yes it would be interesting to see what's on the advisory list.

[another bongo]

Got someone looking at it , says there's hope. Its all wheel arches the rear the worst and some chassis corrosion. Rocker cover gasket , and lots of minor things which won't fail mot but are annoying... Electric wlndow wiring, radio speaker wiring, all fixable but time cnsuming . and sourcing another is harder than I thought and needs to cost lot more I guess? My bongo still a great drive regardless of the problems so better the devil you know ! Will be off road a while but is getting the TLC it deserves

[BongoBongo123]

Sounds good to me. Windows, you have air con right ? Radio ? Over rated I'd say. Just buy a transistor radio and fling it in the front for a few weeks. Sort the windows another time maybe, focus on the major stuff. The Bongo's you want are going to cost more for sure. Good luck.

[mikeonb4c]

Got someone looking at it , says there's hope. Its all wheel arches the rear the worst and some chassis corrosion. Rocker cover gasket , and lots of minor things which won't fail mot but are annoying... Electric wlndow wiring, radio speaker wiring, all fixable but time cnsuming . and sourcing another is harder than I thought and needs to cost lot more I guess? My bongo still a great drive regardless of the problems so better the devil you know ! Will be off road a while but is getting the TLC it deserves

Great news. I've been looking at Bongo adverts too and concluding that working with the one you know might be better than taking on a fresh and unknown one, when we know they must all be succumbing to rust if they are a similar age. Good luck - keep us posted.