Bongo diesel engine

I'm thinking of buying a Bongo for conversion to a camper or day van.
I can't seem to find out much about the engine & autobox - what are they like for reliability, especially higher mileage models (over say 70k).
I'm concerned that a fresh import will be a totally unknown quantity, having no traceable Uk history, so I could end up with a lemon.

Hi,

You can get service history with an import from some importers, but it's going to be Japanese ! At least you can check the stamps though.

From what I can see, the engine is used by lots of others, the Ford pickup as well as the Bongo and Freda. I think it's made under licence from Isuzu, so it's probably in their vehicles as well. The impression is that it's a pretty safe bet - I'd expect 100k+ easily with regular servicing. Auto boxes usually go on for 100k+ miles provided the fluid is checked and they aren't abused - a bongo isn't really the sort of vehicle you'll be doing drag starts in, especially with a diesel engine.

I now have ours serviced at a local (non-mazda) garage - I know the folks there and they had no problem getting parts from the local autofactor. Very reasonable as well - I think it was £137 for full service with oil, air and fuel filters changed if it's of interest.

cheers

Brian

Hi,

You can get service history with an import from some importers, but it's going to be Japanese ! At least you can check the stamps though.

From what I can see, the engine is used by lots of others, the Ford pickup as well as the Bongo and Freda. I think it's made under licence from Isuzu, so it's probably in their vehicles as well. The impression is that it's a pretty safe bet - I'd expect 100k+ easily with regular servicing. Auto boxes usually go on for 100k+ miles provided the fluid is checked and they aren't abused - a bongo isn't really the sort of vehicle you'll be doing drag starts in, especially with a diesel engine.

I now have ours serviced at a local (non-mazda) garage - I know the folks there and they had no problem getting parts from the local autofactor. Very reasonable as well - I think it was £137 for full service with oil, air and fuel filters changed if it's of interest.

cheers

Brian

Thanks for that.
If you don't mind me asking, what mpg do you get and does your use much oil?
They seem quite thirsty for the size of vehicle even before the extra weight of a conversion - I guess its the autobox.
Any idea what 2wd manual does per gallon?

Thanks
Ian

Hi Ian,

Doesn't use any oil at all as far as I can see. The longest we've left between services is just over 6000 miles and it still showed full the week before I took it in.

If I drive trying to get economy it does around 35mpg. That's going on mixed motorway/A roads from Yorkshire to the Lakes or Scotland.

Generally it's around 30, but I don't accelerate quickly and it's rarely in the 2500-3500 rev range. We've never had as low as 25mpg - the missus is a bit heavier on the gas but even she can't get 25mpg.

I think the gearing is different on later models, ours is a 99. When I bought ours, we had the choice of 4wd or 2wd, and I did ask if there was any difference - they told me the average was 25-30 on both types.

I don't think they are exceptionally thirsty - I know the new VW T5 sounds economical, but motorhomes of this size are all about 25-30mpg in real life. They are quite a bit heavier than the car-derived mpvs - I think they are just under 2 ton ?

You can get manual versions, I've seen one, but I don't know how much better they are. Personally the auto box is so smooth, it's well worth it.

cheers

Brian

Hi Ian,

Personally the auto box is so smooth, it's well worth it.

cheers

Brian

Thanks again, Brain. I'm going to see some at Wellhouse in Huddersfield on friday.
The autobox would be welcome as I do a lot of town driving.
Once I find one, all I then have to do is convince my employer to keep paying me the car allowance*, pay me the petrol mileage rate to cover the extra fuel and then sell the Rover!
* shouldn't be too difficult as they paid for 17 nights in a hotel so far in April at a cost of nearly £1000 whilst Ive been working in Scotland.
(Normally, they won't pay the car allowance if the vehicle is not a car and is over 3 years old when purchased.)