Bongo Fury

Hi

I'm just looking for opinions about what to do with my Bongo.

It's just been declared 'finished' following a broken cam belt and smashed rockers! However, the rest of its condition is not too bad.

So, should I collect it from the garage and try to sell some parts myself before scrapping or, let the garage have it for £100 (that's all they'll offer) and use it for spares? I even wondered about a bit of an 'amazing spaces' project!

I'd hugely appreciate any opinions and thought following this sad news

Thanks

Sorry to hear this sad news.

Your Bongo will sell for much more as a runner if you can get it repaired, is it with a Bongo Friendly/knowledgeable garage? Many garages just don't want to (or know how to) work on them but don't like to tell you this.

Breaking it at home and selling all the parts on e bay will produce a lot more than £100 but it depends on how much space you have and time available for removing said parts. Also partner's view on a part dismantled vehicle as decoration.

If selling as a non-runner I'd ask Bongo Spares and Ian Taylor what they would pay you.

Hope that helps a bit.

Stick it on EBay ...Spares or Repairs.

rita wrote:Stick it on EBay ...Spares or Repairs.

I agree. For someone with the skills inclination and time, restoring a Bongo would be an attractive project and something they might pay more than £100 to get their hands on. Out of interest, what overall condition is it in, what year, what engine type, lifting roof or tintop etc?

It's a 1995 2.5TD with AFT. Green /silver paint.

It's actually in great condition, having had new rear arches 18 months ago and regular servicing. There's a tow bar, climate (regassed 2 summers ago), privacy glass and a load more. It's been great; never missed a beat until now!

A different dealer have just offered me £250 and will collect. I was hoping for more to cover the costs incurred transporting it about recently!

Thanks for all the feedback so far

Plenty of people have the head replaced, unless its caused damage to the pistons or cylinders.

alexknill wrote:Hi

I even wondered about a bit of an 'amazing spaces' project!

Thanks

Bongo shed, sorry man cave nice idea.

g8dhe wrote:Plenty of people have the head replaced, unless its caused damage to the pistons or cylinders.

Or possible crank shaft/con rod damage, but with the head off you can check rotation, top of pistons, and pistons come right up to TDC.

If the head is off make sure you protect the bores with oil/grease to keep rust at bay and prevent pistons seizing.

Whereabouts are you roughly, as you could do with an opinion from a Bongo specialist as to likely cost of repair plus maybe a view on its condition with respect to bodywork corrosion etc as this inform whether it was worth you getting it fixed. Even £250 sounds stupidly cheap to be letting it go if its a smart one. Great shame you can't fund fixing and keeping it, assuming to love owning one. Out of interest, how did the cambelt come to break. Was it overdue for being changed?

Wetherby, West Yorkshire.

Bob wrote:Wetherby, West Yorkshire.

That's interesting, i can't see that (location)against his posts when using my smartphone, unlike with the old webware. Have to say that apart from looking a bit more modern, i find the new webware more irritating than the old stuff.

Hmmm might George at Bongospares be willing to help?

Mine's the same, Mike.

No locations shown on my phone but ok on the tablet.

Worth noting that Bongo Spares also repair vehicles so it might well be worth getting it recovered to them and hearing George's opinion.

About 50 miles so worth asking if he can collect it.

It was George at Bongospares who offered the £250!

If the rest of the vehicle is in good condition and you can afford to, get it fixed. If you cant afford to fix it put it on an auction site ebay etc with plenty of pictures and a good description of the vehicle.

alexknill wrote:It was George at Bongospares who offered the £250!

Had a bad feeling you might say that! He won't be that interested in fixing for you then i guess, though you could still ask?