Bongo Fury

I am about to part cash (£6500) on my first bongo ( 2000, 130k 2l petrol lpg) imported 2008 mid conversion. The exterior paint work is clean and in recent years been redone and I am happy with the drive and everything else, It is going to serviced & cambelt changed before purchase

My question is the arches are rust free and clean but the undercarriage is covered fully in a level of rust,. The seller says he will get it waxoyled to prevent further corrosion. Last mot is clean and no previous issue with rust on previous MOTs.

Therefore should I not be concerned and buy or should I avoid.

Your advise and wisdom needed.

Macintyre UK

I am about to part cash (£6500) on my first bongo ( 2000, 130k 2l petrol lpg) imported 2008 mid conversion. The exterior paint work is clean and in recent years been redone and I am happy with the drive and everything else, It is going to serviced & cambelt changed before purchase

My question is the arches are rust free and clean but the undercarriage is covered fully in a level of rust,. The seller says he will get it waxoyled to prevent further corrosion. Last mot is clean and no previous issue with rust on previous MOTs.

Therefore should I not be concerned and buy or should I avoid.

Your advise and wisdom needed.

Macintyre UK

Well, there is rust and there is RUST.......if it's just a light surface layer, a quick wire brush and a GOOD QUALITY under seal will be fine ne...if there are any patches of proper deep rust and the metal is perforated. Walk away....correction...RUN AWAY

You need to be sure the rust has not got too far into key areas: front cross member under radiator, rear cross member inwards of rear wheel arches, inside rear wheel arches, cills especially at junctions with cross members and area around rear heater pipes (including metal pipe to rear heater) etc. You really need to put on some old clothes and get underneath it with a screwdriver and poke and prod. It helps also to have looked at other Bongos to get an idea of what you can reasonably expect. And maybe get your own estimate for waxoyling and suggest they knock that off the price so you can get it done. That way you can control the job plus if any welding is needed (and sooner or later there's likely to be that need) its much better done before waxoyling adds fire hazard issues/costs.

Good luck, keep us posted

Note to mods: there's a duplicate thread on this which should be locked.

The exterior paint work is clean and in recent years been redone

You need to ask yourself why,running a magnet over the body work in particular the rear wheel arches could tell you why. Personally if I was you, I Would get an experience person to inspect any vehicle that you intend to purchase,its a lot of Money to pay for a bucket of Rust,it has been the case already on this Forum when £5000.00 was paid for a rust bucket.

The exterior paint work is clean and in recent years been redone



You need to ask yourself why,running a magnet over the body work in particular the rear wheel arches could tell you why. Personally if I was you, I Would get an experience person to inspect any vehicle that you intend to purchase,its a lot of Money to pay for a bucket of Rust,it has been the case already on this Forum when £5000.00 was paid for a "Proper" rust bucket.

teenmal wrote:The exterior paint work is clean and in recent years been redone



You need to ask yourself why,running a magnet over the body work in particular the rear wheel arches could tell you why. Personally if I was you, I Would get an experience person to inspect any vehicle that you intend to purchase,its a lot of Money to pay for a bucket of Rust,it has been the case already on this Forum when £5000.00 was paid for a "Proper" rust bucket.

Rita makes a good point about checking wheel arches. I find myself reflecting though that people are paying £5k for rusty VWs all the time and we don't know how many other Bongos are happily trading hands with concealed repairs as that one had (neither MOT station or experienced mechanic buyer spotted them all until restoration was started - some of the repairs looked old enough to have been there for some time). Maybe a little of that 'overpricing' will have to be factored in with Bongos as they become increasingly desired as a VW alternative. But unless you have the right DIY skills like the buyer of that one did you don't want to be wandering into rusty Bongo territory

Thanks for the advice and it's a shame as really keen to get this bongo, but I shoukd heed your advise and avoid

I have limited very limited DIY ,or general auto experience.

Unless the seller can convince me , my search continues

Stuart

MacintyreUK wrote:Thanks for the advice and it's a shame as really keen to get this bongo, but I shoukd heed your advise and avoid

I have limited very limited DIY ,or general auto experience.

Unless the seller can convince me , my search continues

Stuart

Always take old overalls (and a magnet and screwdriver!) and get underneath to have a good look. A cherished Bongo should/would have been undersealed on arrival in uk really and i'm surprised this one was not. I saw many Bongos before buying one. And yes it takes time and costs fuel. But over time i got to know what was good and what was bad and was able to buy wisely. Its harder now as you may have to expect some rust and welding (even if undersealed) but £6500 is a lot of money and you need to know its nothing too serious. And as Rita has said, the big question is why was repainting done/needed.

Thanks Mike

I avoid the rusted bongo and spent a little more on a clear 2000 Montague conversion, very little rust.

Looking forward to the world of bongoing.

Macintyre Uk

Sounds good.

Eastnor Castle end of Sept...

MacintyreUK wrote:Thanks Mike

I avoid the rusted bongo and spent a little more on a clear 2000 Montague conversion, very little rust.

Looking forward to the world of bongoing.

Macintyre Uk

Excellent. Hope you get many happy Bongoing years. Enjoy