Has anyone any experience or knowledge of the Mazda Bongo campervan please? Thinking about selling our 2nd car and getting a small campervan for quick getaways/weekends but also need to use as an everyday vehicle. Just the 2 adults now.
We've also looked at Romahome and VW T4s. Not seen any in the flesh yet but there's a Mazda Bongo conversion place not too far from us so any advice on what to look out for
would be greatly appreciated.
pretty thirst on fuel to ues as an everyday car though they are nice to drive... bongofury is the place to go to find out about them, though beware some people on there are looking through rose tinted spectacles on there ....
I would recommend looking at a Renault Traffic/Vauxhall Vivaro LWB. I'm helping my bro convert one just now. Wider and longer than a T4/5 inside and you can get the 1.9 diesel to save on fuel. He has fitted a side long bed that slides out to a dbl bed. It's got room for winsdurfer's space below the seat, rear entry.
It has 3ft at the seat end after the bed so plenty of room for units, batteries etc. Not too high either for a day car.
I've had 2 Bongos, both diesels, and got about 26mpg overall. However, I don't hang about and many reckon they get about 30 if doing around 60mph. The main advantage of the diesel is the ability to run on a diesel/cooking oil mix (I used a 50/50 mix for most of the year).
TBH, there isn't much difference in fuel consumption between the diesel or the 2 petrol versions. The 2.5 V6 is the most thirsty, but is very smooth and nippy. The 2 litre petrol has to work hard, so is not as economical as you would initially think. LPG is the way to go for both petrol versions, as it's a lot cheaper than petrol, but the fuel consumption on gas is slightly worse than on petrol.
As they are nearly all automatics, the fuel consumption around town is below 20mpg (I reckon mine was 16-18mpg).
Check the rear wheel arches for rust - even the smallest surface bubble means they are shot - they rust happily from the inside Anti-roll bar bushes and drop links are a regular problem, but they are cheap to fix. Also make sure that the cambelt has been changed as they can spend months sitting in the docks in Japan. Rust on the inner cills can also be a problem, but is also a cheap and easy fix.
Discount Trucks in Newbury is highly recommended by many Bongofury members, so might be worth a look
That's great, thanks for the info. I'll check out Discount Trucks and also pay 321 Away a visit which is the website I've been looking at - they're only up the road from us.
I've been looking at vehicles 2000 and newer and also Romahomes; any advice on the latter?
Quote: Originally posted by Jimathy2 on 23/2/2013
Be aware that the 2.5 TD early 95>01 have overheating issues as well as cracked heads as a result of overheating.
Like any car forum, people mainly post about their problems - there are thousands of Bongos/Fredas out there that have never had a problem, including the two I had. However, if you change the coolant, it is essential that the system is bled properly - something that lots of garages have no idea how to do There are 3 instruction videos on YouTube.
We had a bongo for 4 years. Sold it last year only because we now have a grandson and wanted more room so now have caravan. We loved the bongo. Took us through Europe doing 3000 + miles each journey and all over the UK. Never overheated once and drove like a dream and never so much as a shudder even after sitting for weeks on end during the winter. Like previous poster said you only ever read about problems on forums. if the Bongo is serviced regulalry and looked after they are extremely relialble. Look at my blog, link above for photos,
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Mazda Bongo
Anti-roll bar bushes and drop links are a regular problem, but they are cheap to fix. Also make sure that the cambelt has been changed as they can spend months sitting in the docks in Japan. Rust on the inner cills can also be a problem, but is also a cheap and easy fix.
