Are these generally reliable? is there anything to look out for?

The silly name?

There are some nicer Bongos than a mazda.

I’ve had mine for four years and been all over the EU and the UK and it’s not missed a beat, just passed it’s mot no probs, like anything they need regular servicing,
Loads of nice extras like A/C C/L leccy windows, built in blinds and curtains and stuff which make life easier, a few extras like a leisure battery is handy too
I got mine from a dealer on import rather than doing it myself which makes life easier as well,
2WD is better than 4WD as there’s less to go wrong and their a bit better on juice, and split fold rear seats are better than a rear bench seat for getting bikes in
Gutted now as I really need to sell it as my new job is too many miles for the commute so if you want a good one at a fair price, give me a shout
and the pop top is ace!

Check out the Bongo Fury forum, http://www.bongofury.co.uk/

Mine has been good so far, had it since February this year. Only does 25mpg which is not so good.

@khani

What is the maximum number of people it will carry, normally?

A standard Bongo will carry 8 people but only has six 3 point belts, middle rears are lap belts.

We’ve had ours for 2 years now, had two longish (3 weeks and a month) trips to the continent, plus loads of travel round the UK, with no unusual problems.
Not much to add to what Simon and Khani say- bongofury membership is the best money you’ll spend- loads of backup on the forum, plenty of tech sheets covering fixes and modifications. I’d recommend either buying a vehicle off the forum and/or co-opting a local member to have a look at the van with you- they’re pretty helpful in that way.
One must do is to fit a coolant alarm to cover the eventuality of sudden loss of coolant- you’re engine’ll be toast before the normal temp gauge responds if this occurs.

Oh, and our mechanic, who specialises in Bongo’s only charges £25 an hour- a refreshing change from the cost of servicing late model cars.

Mine carries eight, only the middle passengers have lap belts (on mine) the two outside passengers have proper belts on the middle and rear seats, registered as a PLG mpv not a camper so it’s the same price as a car on ferries
Bongo fury is great, I’m a member and they are a good bunch of peeps

And here’s mine if were doing photos,

I got some custom made stainless steel roof bars which bolt into the roof which are dead handy for canoes and stuff too
Simon….. Nice bongo 8)

Cheers 8) Did you de-sticker your’s yourself? I’m thinking of removing the decals from mine, apart from the grey stripe..

Shame you’ve got to sell yours, I use my Bongo to get to work most days but it’s only a 12 mile round trip so diesel costs aren’t that horrendous.

Had it destickerd when I got it and they colour coded the roof,
Don’t work in a hospital any more and gone on to visiting support
Gutted to sell but too many miles daily now 30 miles each way and up to 100 miles a day in-between 🙁

I’d love one of these – are they good as campers?

Anyone got pics of the inside when the beds are ready, so to speak…?

[/quote]good one at a fair price, give me a shout

tell me more? how much, mileage, where etc annetandianv at btinternet dot com

I have seen one that seems pretty good value (or maybe too good to be true)£5000 67,000 miles, decent condition 12 mths mot.

what do you reckon?

Due to age it all depends on condition, there’s a few clocked ones out there as well
At work at mo, I’ll mail you some details in a bit

what sort of ballpark insurance premiums are to be expected?

@fadda, some Mazda photos of the interior….

Thats’s the standard seats in those pics, although mine has split rear seat which fold out of the way for a more useable load space.

Loads of companies camper conversions, and there’s many different ways to do it.

Mine costs about £350 to insure, that’s with business use as well though as I’m a support worker

There is some overheating issue – a mate of mine with one had it and it blew a head gasket and warped the head

Just something to check when buying one – I am sure bongofury has all the details