I am considering another campervan option, I used to have a VW one a few years ago, but now mainly looking for more modern one, must be petrol and automatic, pop top and nicely side converted.
The 2 which top of my choice is the Bongo and Hiace Regius. I don’t want massive motorhome, as solo travelling.
The Bongo I know a bit more about, but the Toyota Reguis, not as much.
Is the Reguis a good camper, my main concern is the servicing and obtaining parts, is it difficult, the Bongo network seems a bit more wide spread.
I know nothing about the Regius but I have a Bongo. Spares for the Bongo are widely available and there is an excellent knowledge base as they are quite a popular vehicle. I would not choose a petrol one though. The 2.0 petrol is completely pointless, it is less powerful than the diesel and has much worse fuel economy, it is very underpowered for that vehicle. The 2.5 V6 has good performance but is extremely thirsty, don't expect more than 20 mpg average. I really would go for the diesel model if possible and unless you need AWD, I would choose the RWD version. As a camper the Bongo is a very good choice for a solo traveller, the best ones being the ones with the side conversion. If staying anywhere for more than a couple of nights, I would recommend a drive-away awning. The Bongo can also be used as an everyday vehicle, it is very pleasant and easy to drive and not so big that small lanes are much of a problem, it is about the same length and width as a large-ish estate car.
I would agree with Martin734. I had a Bongo for several years and it was my only vehicle. Mine wasn't camper converted although I did have plans to do so, and would have done it if it hadn't been stolen. Mine was a diesel auto with 4WD, and it was a lovely vehicle to drive. It fitted in a normal supermarket parking bay as it was no longer or wider than the Volvo V70 I replaced it with. There is a great owners club for the Bongo too.
Many thanks for the replies, the size of the Bongo is very apt for me, though I am not keen on Diesels, I have never owned one (have driven them before), though the V6 sounds interesting, though I gather a more complex engine. I have heard mixed review on the 2.0L eco petrol engine in regards to power.
Why not diesels? The diesel Bongo is by far the best one to go for. It produces 120 bhp, 230 lb-ft of torque and should average 30+ mpg. The worst engine is the 2.0 petrol. It produces 105 bhp, 120 lb-ft of torque and an average of about 25 mpg. The 2.5 V6 has the most power at 160 bhp, but much less torque than the diesel at 156 lb-ft and the fuel consumption is quite poor at an average of around 20 mpg.
I owned my VW van for about 14 years, I plan long ownership of the next one. The thing, which concerns me about Diesels (especially older ones), is the what will be the emission laws be in 5-10 years time.
The only thing I can think of is that more cities are going to be introducing low emission zones. These are just as likely to affect petrol vehicles as much as diesels, same as the LEZ and ULEZ in London. New emissions laws are not likely to affect older cars as you can't suddenly make 100's of 1000's of vehicles illegal. Emissions laws for new vehicles, petrol and diesel, are likely to get tighter before they are phased out, but it is almost impossible to pass laws that are retroactive.
I haven't had a petrol vehicle for many years now. My last 4 have all been diesels including the Bongo I had. I switched from a petrol Toyota Spacecruiser to a diesel Bongo and immediately halved my fuel consumption. I now have a diesel X Trail, and wouldn't swap it for a petrol one as the fuel consumption is so much higher.
Quote: Originally posted by martin734 on 21/10/2021
...... New emissions laws are not likely to affect older cars as you can't suddenly make 100's of 1000's of vehicles illegal. .....
They can and have all but done exactly that in London by stealth! Even if a resident inside the ULEZ with a 'dirty' vehicle you HAVE to pay £12.50 a day to use your vehicle! Now I suspect that even if you just park your vehicle on the street and not drive it past any of the ANPR enforcement cameras, the mobile ANPR camera cars that patrol the streets (already checking for insurance, road tax and permits to park in that area) will get you, and it will be a penalty fine if you haven't voluntarily paid the fee for that day!
London's Mayor Khan is a ruthless revenue raiser with a vengeance and sees motorists as easy money (he's NOT really interested in air quality, does little else to improve it - it's the easy cash he's after!)! - You wouldn't believe how many different types of money raising 'Zones' there are inside the M25! ..... a pal with a (pre Euro 3 standard) Diesel Land Rover can't/won't drive to me because of the £100/day fee for bringing his car into the LEZ (which extends to virtually the M25), AND the £12.5 ULEZ fee goes on top of the LEZ fee, £112.50/day!
I'm now just yards outside the newly expanded ULEZ, the next expansion will get me. Thankfully changed my diesel car for a new petrol one in 2017, so a little bit of grace for a few years hopefully, but you virtually can't give away an old diesel vehicle in London, no one wants the daily fees! Where London leads, other Cities and Towns follow, so acquiring a diesel vehicle may not be wise if you expect to visit/drive through any Cities or larger Towns, even their wider suburbs! Complying with the latest Euro emission standards will buy you time, but the goalpost are always moving and Diesel is the very dirtiest of words in Emission Zones! I loved my Diesels, and would happily have another if it were not for the witch hunt to eradicate them!
Quote: Originally posted by martin734 on 21/10/2021
...... New emissions laws are not likely to affect older cars as you can't suddenly make 100's of 1000's of vehicles illegal. .....
They can and have all but done exactly that in London by stealth! Even if a resident inside the ULEZ with a 'dirty' vehicle you HAVE to pay £12.50 a day to use your vehicle! Now I suspect that even if you just park your vehicle on the street and not drive it past any of the ANPR enforcement cameras, the mobile ANPR camera cars that patrol the streets (already checking for insurance, road tax and permits to park in that area) will get you, and it will be a penalty fine if you haven't voluntarily paid the fee for that day!
London's Mayor Khan is a ruthless revenue raiser with a vengeance and sees motorists as easy money (he's NOT really interested in air quality, does little else to improve it - it's the easy cash he's after!)! - You wouldn't believe how many different types of money raising 'Zones' there are inside the M25! ..... a pal with a (pre Euro 3 standard) Diesel Land Rover can't/won't drive to me because of the £100/day fee for bringing his car into the LEZ (which extends to virtually the M25), AND the £12.5 ULEZ fee goes on top of the LEZ fee, £112.50/day!
I'm now just yards outside the newly expanded ULEZ, the next expansion will get me. Thankfully changed my diesel car for a new petrol one in 2017, so a little bit of grace for a few years hopefully, but you virtually can't give away an old diesel vehicle in London, no one wants the daily fees! Where London leads, other Cities and Towns follow, so acquiring a diesel vehicle may not be wise if you expect to visit/drive through any Cities or larger Towns, even their wider suburbs! Complying with the latest Euro emission standards will buy you time, but the goalpost are always moving and Diesel is the very dirtiest of words in Emission Zones! I loved my Diesels, and would happily have another if it were not for the witch hunt to eradicate them!
Maybe I have missed something in the legislation then, could you show me where it is illegal to drive an older diesel vehicle in London? I only thought that that there was a charge for doing so, not that it was illegal. I also clearly mentioned that other cities are likely to introduce LEZ's like London has and that these are equally likely to affect older petrol vehicles as well. I stand by my statement that they are very unlikely to introduce emissions laws that make older diesels illegal.
I do notice something strange about the ULEZ though. My 2002 TD4 Freelander is ULEZ and LEZ compliant, no fee to pay, but my 2002 Honda ST1100 motorcycle is not. My 1997 Mazda Bongo, unsurprisingly is not compliant either, neither is my 1990 Defender 130. So a 19 year old diesel 4X4 is compliant where a 19 year old petrol motorcycle is not.
Quote: Originally posted by martin734 on 22/10/2021
I do notice something strange about the ULEZ though. My 2002 TD4 Freelander is ULEZ and LEZ compliant, no fee to pay, but my 2002 Honda ST1100 motorcycle is not. My 1997 Mazda Bongo, unsurprisingly is not compliant either, neither is my 1990 Defender 130. So a 19 year old diesel 4X4 is compliant where a 19 year old petrol motorcycle is not.
Very strange!
I still have no intention of changing my diesel X Trail which doesn't comply as it is Euro 4. However, I never drive into London I always go by train if I want to visit, and I rarely drive through any other cities either. I am also of the opinion that these charges are little to do with emissions and mainly to do with raising money.
I am also curious about what emission levels were like in London when I grew up there. If they are bad today with today's cars with all their emission control gadgetry, what on earth must they have been like when it was seen as perfectly normal for any diesel vehicle to belch out clouds of smoke when it pulled away? Today's diesel vehicles are infinitely cleaner than they were back then. Even my 13 year old Nissan X Trail.
We don’t take the MH into big towns or cities because of the difficulties with finding parking, and use the P&R instead. Much less stressful.
Our vehicle is short enough to use a standard car parking space but we can’t go under the gantry into a multi-storey like a campervan can.
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 23/10/2021
We don’t take the MH into big towns or cities because of the difficulties with finding parking, and use the P&R instead. Much less stressful.
Our vehicle is short enough to use a standard car parking space but we can’t go under the gantry into a multi-storey like a campervan can.
There were one or two multi-storey car parks I couldn't use with my Bongo when I had it, due to the elevating roof. That sometimes made it a couple of inches too high to go under the entry barrier.
Parking a car in many cities is bad enough now, so I don't know how anyone with a motorhome would get on.
Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 23/10/2021
We don’t take the MH into big towns or cities because of the difficulties with finding parking, and use the P&R instead. Much less stressful.
Our vehicle is short enough to use a standard car parking space but we can’t go under the gantry into a multi-storey like a campervan can.
There were one or two multi-storey car parks I couldn't use with my Bongo when I had it, due to the elevating roof. That sometimes made it a couple of inches too high to go under the entry barrier.
Parking a car in many cities is bad enough now, so I don't know how anyone with a motorhome would get on.
If at all possible, the only vehicle I take into a town is my motorcycle. Parking is usually fairly easy and free. I certainly don't like driving my Defender in town. It's too long, too high, the clutch and steering are too heavy and the fuel consumption is eye watering. My Bongo and Freelander are better. Although it is quite seldom that I go into town centres at all, certainly not if I can avoid it.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Mazda Bongo or Toyota Hiace Regius
I also clearly mentioned that other cities are likely to introduce LEZ's like London has and that these are equally likely to affect older petrol vehicles as well. I stand by my statement that they are very unlikely to introduce emissions laws that make older diesels illegal.
via mobile 23/10/2021 at 10:39am
