Are 2.5 Petrol Pop Tops rare and why?

[PJ_Bristol]

Hi guys,

I am looking to buy a Bongo, I really want petrol because of the inner city zones and I really want a pop top. I am assuming 2.5 is better than 2.0?

I have one in mind that is 2.5 and pop top. The seller who I trust, has said that it is fairly rare for a 2.5 to have a pop top and that the pops tend to be on the diesels. I would like to know if that is other people's experience, and if this is the case then why? Am I missing the reason why there are less, like petrols not having enough power to take the extra weight of the pop roof?

Any views/input appreciated

Peter

[Ian]

Peter, your dealer is talking bo****ks. Plenty of petrols with AFT, maybe not as many as the diesels, but I would not consider them rare.

[g8dhe]

Indeed, nothing rare about them! He is a salesman and is trying to sell what he has rather than have you want, walk away because his aim is to sell what he has not what you want.

[Bob]

Have to agree with Ian and Geoff.

There's likely more diesels out there, so you will more easily find one with an AFT, but the V6 pop-top isn't rare.

As for is the V6 better than the 2 ltr - it depends what you want. V6 Very powerful and smooth, 2 ltr much simpler to maintain, adequate power rather than startling, but a Bongo isn't a sports car.

If you are looking at a dealer be very careful, there is/was a very dodgey one round here known as ‘Bristol Bob’, with several other identities. It’s not me, honest.

If it’s ADS or one of the established one’s I’m sure you’ll be fine, but don’t be pressured into accepting what they have because it’s ‘rare’.

[PJ_Bristol]

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the replies. I definitely would like the extra power of a 2.5. I should've said he is a private seller and he seems like a genuie guy, so maybe he got his facts wrong. Good to know he is wrong though and that there are plenty of pops out there !

The van I am looking at is 1996, has 134k km on the clock, it is in good nick with just the odd spot of rust here and there. It has had a recent service at ADS and they vouched that the seller was conscientious with his decisions on what work to have done. Over the last few years it has had new suspension and new ECU for the gearbox. The interior is designed perfectly for how I want it - basic rear conversion and the whole lot removeable - which I think it quite unique. It is on for £6500. My only hesitance is the mileage, but ADS said that's average for the age. I am thinking of selling my car and using it as my sole vehicle, so it needs to be right. Do you guys have any thoughts?

Peter

[g8dhe]

That sounds like a good bargain then, however mine is 1998 and has needed a lot of rust work, including both rear arches, cills front and rear cross-members, this is about average for vehicles of that era no matter what engine. I would at least check what rust work has been undertaken, because I would be very surprised if it hasn't needed some by now, so there should be plenty of bills giving the details. Otherwise check for any blemishes and be very aware that Bongo's rust from the inside to the outside as they have no protection at manufacture on the body work as in Japan they don't use salt on the roads (volcanic ash instead). Also check the state and last change of the cam belt, its an expensive job on the V6 due to the access to the front of the engine, usually around the £600 pound mark, best to do the cam seals and also the water pump at the same time as component costs are negligible compared to the time costs of gaining access to the front!
Mine is also my sole vehicle for the last 12 years and we have covered over 247,000 Kms in that time!

[PJ_Bristol]

Just realised I said 134k KM - it is actually 134k MILES

Before the guy had it, it was bought and then sold by a welder, so I think he did quite a lot of welding on it. It has been welded around both the back wheels, on the outside and I think the arches too (i hope I am explaining that right)

Still feel like a bargain?

[Bob]

Sorry, can't advise on price, I certainly wouldn’t worry about the mileage, good advice to check when the cam belt was changed, and (you’ve likely done) a check on MoT history.

[g8dhe]

Well that's a good sign if welding has been done! It would be a very rare beast not to have required some in its time
It does sound a good machine to have a look at certainly.