I watched this 4 years ago, and decided I was getting a Bongo; hadn't heard of them until a few days earlier. I've had 4 years of joy with my Bongo thanks to this. Cheers.
Excellent photography, musical interludes and general information. You certainly walk the talk, an inspiration to us lesser mortals! (Collecting my first Bongo in 5 days.... )
lovely stuff - stared to panic when the musical interlude appeared, but ended up just wanting a Bongo even more - Hoping to buy one tomorrow - wish me luck
What a great video. I really mean that fantastic. Liked the sing song in the middle u seem like a great couple. I stumbled along this as we are considering a bongo and this is the first video iv watched on them. Off to a good start I'd say. Thanks for uploading 👍
Hi Tim and Mandy. I have to tell you that my wife and I are so enjoying your video's, you both have reminded me how much I love our lesser trodden paths in the UK. After 9 years of living in Australia plus a further 3 back here wondering if we should go back your films have encouraged us both to seek out the wilder places that I first explored as a boy with my late Father. He was a keen mountaineer and gave me that passion with our regular expeditions to North Wales, The Lakes and Scotland. Thank you both for the insperation, we are Bongo shopping this week :) ... Ash and Tracey.
That wee van has given you some glorious times Tim, may the Bongo continue :) Mate what really do we need in life to keep us happy, not much really the humble things are always the best. As life goes on I find this to be true more & more. Cheers Tim & Mandy
Thanks Terry we have had a lot of joy in the old van. Mandy loves it, she will wild camp in a tent but she much prefers the van. It is great for carrying for tripods and stuff and does enable you to spend more time with your camera. Your very right in what you say bro and the van is a bit of a luxury too. I have been told by a few people that we would break even on the van if we sold it so they do tend to hold onto their value. Love your stuff mate :) Tim and Mandy
We will be buying a bongo in the near future - massive thanks to you both for showing the potential of these great little campers. Looking forward to sharing out arrivals and departures with you 👏👏👏👏
Hi Karen thanks for watching, you will love your time with the Bongo. We have just this last week come back from the Isle of Lewis in ours 1600 miles with no probs at all. Hope to see you out and about :) Tim
Great vid. The overheating talk only comes from the fact that most of these are knocking on 20 years old or older. People don't change hoses and that causes leaks/bursts and consequently overheating. There is no design fault. Folks should just check their hoses! Love your DIY conversion too, top job that. :)
Agreed the Bongos are an absolute bargain compared to other campers, we just been all the way unto the isle of Lewis with no issues what so ever, thanks for watching, much appreciated comments :) Tim
Thanks yes its given us some great memories of our wonderful countryside. Our kids are at that age now where they think holidaying with us is embarrassing lol but at least they have done a bit :) Tim and Mandy
Cheers J&K We thought wed chuck in a bit of a jingle haha, The bongo is a joy to have apart from tax, mot and insurance! We try to get out even if its just a one nighter as often as possible, even on paid sites lol, just feels like a break. Thanks guys :) Tim and Mandy
Hi guys loved your review. I've been trying to decide on a campervan and you've sold the bongo for me. Brilliant video so many lovely places you have visited. I'm going to start my search 😊 If I see you on the road I'll be sure to give you a wave 👋
Really enjoyed your videos guys, you seem a really nice chilled out couple. We've been thinking about a Bongo for a while, I think you just swung it for us, cheers, Steve and Kaye :)
Thanks Alan they are a great small camper indeed, we have just come back from Scotland in the snow, no bother for these, you enjoyed the song too! lol :) Tim
every time i think to sell my bongo i watch your video and decide i cant sell him, hes been a gem for years now and no other vehicle comes close as a camper, only a bongo owner realy understands this, thats why we all wave to each other, we all know something no one else knows thats unique about small camper vans.
hi guys I'm just back from doing the north coast 500 today In my vivaro that you gave me inspiration for buy a kit and convert a van into a camper had a great time. thank you guys 😎👍
Dear Tim and Mandy. I will happily wave at you, from my 1979 T2 !! Got it recently after many years umming and ahhing. Looking forwards to many hours fixing it when it breaks :-))) Love your Bongo. It looks great.
Lol yes a wave would be great, we do love the VW's and the T2's are charming, I remember my old art teacher at school owning one, she used it as her main vehicle very cool. Thanks for watching hope you get years of joy from your camper :) Tim and Mandy
Must admit we seriously looked at a Bongo but went for a T4 Westfalia only for its size and flexibility (both seats swivel, rear bench on runners so slide kids forward close to us for travel and that gives a ton of space for kit). Your price / mpg comparisons are about right, we paid £13k vs £8k for a concerted Bongo, mpg is around 20 for our 2.5 5 cylinder petrol, diesels are around low 30. Pop top is a decent size, the van easily swallows up 2 adults and two kids at night. I wave at all Campervan’s...tend to find the stuffiest are the T5.1/6 owners! Prefer the look of the Bongo but with the kids, the practicality and size of the Westy swung it for us 👍
Great comments! We are just doing a transit lwb hightop, we miss the Bongo very much it was our first camper and was a real bargain. Looks like you made the right choice I have to say, VWs keep their value so much better. Ive been using a T25 for the last year (Loved it) did the wild Atlantic way in it without any problems at all. Its just great to gets out in a van, no matter which make or price, thanks for stopping by Tim/Mandy
It's certainly a workhorse then Tim, which has got you round loads already. You'll remember that bongo but maybe not the hole it burnt in your pocket whilst driving it. Loved that rendition there. Beautiful with some images to match it. Digging the mountain scenes at the end also. Fabulous. Mark.
Thanks Mark, the van has been a real blessing, they are expensive to run but they do tend to hold onto their value better than cars do for some reason. Glad you enjoyed our little song,we do love our music lol Mandy's the singer Mark, hope one day she will sing a song on a vid. The mountain at the end was the North face of the ben, just summited as the sun was setting it was glorious but the worst night I've had in a tent, camping on a rocky slope. Take care my friend :) Tim and Mandy
Hey there Tim-Mandy. Many more memories to come if it's one to hold its value. That;s nice to think. Yeah that mountain scene was epic. I see you're doing it the wild way - what a vibe. All the best both..
Thank you for this review, not only was it informative it was also very entertaining. I also loved the musical interlude but I'm a reggae fan myself (hint hint for next time) ;)
Just in the process of buying a bongo myself and looking for inspiration stumbled on your vid. Had to say, really enjoyed it. Some stunning photography. I'll admit I skipped the singing ;) but the rest of the vid was spot on.. thanks.
Thanks Pete yes wasn't that long ago when a photo album was where you stored your memories now its youtube! We have done a fair bit of work on the Bongo and it needs some attention to the body work now, thanks for watching matey :) Tim and Mandy
I had a Nissan Largo Highway Star that i converted into a camper and loved it, had it for 10yrs but stupidly i let it go last year, now looking for a Bongo to do the same, this video has convinced me i need a Bongo now.
Thanks for watching I'm glad we helped you with your decision there too. Sounded like you really had some good times in your Nissan, let me know how you get on with your Bingo hunt :) Tim and Mandy
Tim/ Mandy you two have been to some really nice places in your bongo van and hopefully you will get to see a lot more nice places in the future, nice video guys enjoyed it all. Atb Glenn.
I hope Mazda are paying you well for this Tim every body in the country are going to want Bongo`s after seeing this lol, same age as me too 21, a brilliant allround vid topping it off with yours and Mandies rendition of the late great Leonard Cohen`s Hallelujah, not forgetting Nina Simone absolutely magic mate. hope your all well, Regards George.
Thanks George hehe I wish they would pay us it might get it through its MOT lol, We really enjoy using the Bongo its relaxing and always feels like a mini holiday even on a one nighter. I know you enjoy your caravan, once a camper always a camper mate! Love the lyrics to Hallelujah so real honest and worshipful too and Nina never fails to make me feel good. Thanks a lot for watching mate really appreciate your comments and friendship :) Tim and Mandy
Had a bongo 4 years now. 3/4 times it’s overheated twice had to have a new head put on They are prone for some reason. But I do luv it the guy in the film hasn’t had that problem yet but he will in time they all do it your looking all over for the water leak and it’s going into the head !!
Loved your video and those lovely moments between you, especially the Cohen song. I’m getting a diesel bongo automatic ‘95 at end of this month July 2019. Any advice considered. Long happy Tripp’s to you both.
Nice little Bongo and cool vid. As you can see I'm a T4 owner, but I'm no badge snob. Far as I'm concerned, of you're out there and you're 'getting it done' then it's all good :) Was on the NC500 around the same time as you last year. Really need to go do it again, for a bit longer next time. From now on I'll give Bongo's a wave as well ;-)
Thanks for your great comments, NC 500 oh I would love to do that again! would you believe it we have sold the bongo as it was a bit on the small side for two week breaks, we have now got....... a VW T25 lol hightop lots more space but very very slow haha so now I have the chance to also wave and salute bongo owners, btw they really are an excellent little van, can't recommend them enough :) Tim and Mandy
Great video :) I've just got an old T4 and any day van/camper is cool to me. I can't wait for some decent weather to get out and test out mine as I've recently converted it. The NC500 is on my list but some shorter journeys from Hull are gonna be needed first lol. Love what your doing and sharing, so keep it up. Thanks Gilly
Tell you what thanks for that review it was excellent lovely happy couple loving life and it may have just swayed my first camper van Covid influenced purchase! Great review Would I fit a surfboard inside? 7ft one? I still haven’t found any to view in person
6:00 ?? what is it you can't sleep above please ? 6:18 how\where is the table mounted? - looks like it allows good access roundabout. Is it used as part of the lower bed?
Hi Dean funnily enough we have been thinking the same thing would save us on tax, insurance and mot but we do use her a lot and get out for a lot of one nighters. Thanks for watching matey :) Tim and Mandy
Absolutely fantastic video. Love your Bongo. Saw it it earlier blogs some time ago. I've just bought an old Berlingo Multispace on a whim to practice camperising! What are the insurance complications of changing a car to a campervan? Good luck with your future adventures.
Thanks hope you enjoy your Berlingo cracking car very versatile. I didn't realise about the insurance when I converted the bongo turned out to be a bit of a pain. I swapped the Bongo for a VW T25 which is older but a fair bit more room, thanks for watching :) Tim
Nice vid. I watched your build video a while back and it's nice to see the hard work paid off. The Bongo looks like the ideal campervan for us but can I ask how easy it is to find spare parts for a 20-25 year old campervan in the UK? Also, are most Bongos generally registered as motor caravans (cheaper insurance)? If not is it easy to re-register them as such?
A friend of mine has just insured one for £200 fully comp which is still classed a a van. Parts are very cheap and ours has been super reliable, we have just swapped ours for a T24 as my parents want to use it and chipped in with the running costs but I cannot recommend the bongos enough :) Tim
I just overhaul the bongo cooling system every so often and no issues, regarding mpg, its pretty good when you consider its also your holiday home, where you cook etc etc....
Thank you for a superb video you guys, great music too. You pretty much answered all my questions, but raised a few more. First is: How is Mandy old enough to have a son that age? ;-) 2nd: Just how is the MPG around town? 3rd: What parts are most prone to rust? 4th: Is there anything in particular to look out for when buying one? 5th: What price are you asking if you are silly enough to sell it? ;-) You have given me reasons to think, not to mention reasons to to try and persuade my wife, thank you again. :-) Be well, Dave.
Hi Dave good questions mate lol (1) Mandy is 40 I know she looks a lot younger (Lucky me) (2) Mpg around town never drops below 25 (3) Its no more prone to rust than anything else but the usual wheel arches etc (4) A good service history, ours was bought from a Bongo specialist who has serviced it for years for the previous owners. BTW the overheating issues are only due to people not checking water before long journeys, ours has an alarm fitted. If you buy one that is not converted you have to factor in a cost of around £2-3000 for a full conversion. (5) We had Ian Taylor a Bongo specialist value ours at £5500 last week, it is very reliable and I prefer driving it to my VW Golf just so much fun to drive. We are undecided about selling or keeping it, we were considering buying a much bigger van and doing a joint conversion with my dad, still unsure. Hope this helps mate, all I can say is we have never had so much fun and good memories as we have had with our Bongo :) Tim and Mandy
Great video! Really helpful. A quick Q: We're thinking of getting a pop-top Bongo and I wondered how you get on with your roof-rack and what kind it is. We would be using it for a couple of surfboards - would the air drag put too much pressure on the front-flipping top? The forums I've looked at recommend racks are mounted on the van rails but then removed when you flip the top. What's your experience been? Many thanks in advance :)
Hi yeh it puts a bit of strain on the motors of the pop top,my motors were only working at about 50% anyway. I really don't know what kind of roof rack it was but Ian Taylor at Longton Bongo specialist would tell you a lot more, he fitted ours.
Many thanks. Most of the time we'll be able to stow my mini-mal inside unless our daughters coming along :) Gonna have a look at some friendees . I'm drawn to a 4 x 4 option, but wonder if the V6 petrols are better mpg. Happy travels!
I've had mine for 2 years now, self built conversion, it has never over heated, mind you I changed my coolent when I bought it and once again a few month ago, when I changed the oil etc... I have a similar conversion as yourself, but with a rock and roll bed :)... I'm looking to live in mine full time with my best friend/companion Lilly (my dog) ! haha.. Is there anyway of getting hold you guys privately via chat ?? or email to exchange ideas or even a meet up on holidays :) cheers.. Eric and the dog lilly :) (At the moment I'm in the north east of UK).....
Mind you, its in the welders at the moment getting new sills on !!!?? too many patch's now... I hope it will survive the operation hahahah.... looking forward from hearing from you... cheers
Nice video! My Grandparents rip had a bongo. I’d buy two of them before a vw!! VW are obviously good but not worth the extra money! Bongo are worth every penny
Great video! I currently drive a 1988 VW Westfalia van and I am thinking of switching to one of these. I love what you did with your on in the inside. Is that all custom or did you buy a kit? Love the video, thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching Rob, before you switch to a bongo you might want to check our vid on why we swapped to a T25. high top! we found the Bongo was a bit cramped on long two week holidays, yes they drive much much better than the T25s but the extra room you get in a T25 high top made us eventually change, anyway its all in our video if you want a look, thanks for watching :) Tim and Mandy
Hi Tim. Have thoroughly enjoyed watching your videos, and am just getting my Bongo the way I want it. I was wondering what movie editing software you use for your videos? I have put a few amateurish videos on UA-cam, and have always reverted to Windows Movie Maker as I don't seem to have the patience to get to grips with some of the others.
Hi Lawrence thanks for your kind comments mate! when it comes to video editing I use my iPhone lol, I find iMovie is perfectly good enough, it has some amazing features and its very very easy to use. If you have an iPhone or iPad it really is a good way forwards :) Tim
Engine wise you want a 2.5 rather than a 2.0 - it’s a lazier less stressed engine in the 2.5 so it’ll run longer. They get rust around the wheel arches. Many are imports from Japan and in Japan they don’t salt the roads and people really look after vehicles. When they get here you want one that has been undersealed to prevent corrosion.
Hi Adam I'm sure the ones I looked at you couldn't sleep above, I stand corrected if this is not the case, btw we love VW I drive a golf, this video was put together to give people a much cheaper alternative and get out in a camper :) Tim
savedpurplecat Totally agree mate enjoyed watching your conversion and it turns out you are local to me... I thought I recognised it from the video turns out ive been driving past it for ages... I noticed it had a canoe on the roof last time 😆
Look after each other! I know it was a campervan thread ... But; I was intrigued by the way you spoke to each other. ( If it is not creepy to say this; ) Shes v pretty and you seem a great guy .. so very best wishes ! Happy travels.
I watched this 4 years ago, and decided I was getting a Bongo; hadn't heard of them until a few days earlier.
I've had 4 years of joy with my Bongo thanks to this. Cheers.
Absolutely brilliant video. So pleased it all worked out for you both. Fantastic adventures and more to come. Living the dream ;-)
Thanks so much yes we been having some great times in this wee van, very reliable indeed :) Tim
Excellent photography, musical interludes and general information. You certainly walk the talk, an inspiration to us lesser mortals! (Collecting my first Bongo in 5 days.... )
lovely stuff - stared to panic when the musical interlude appeared, but ended up just wanting a Bongo even more - Hoping to buy one tomorrow - wish me luck
What a great video. I really mean that fantastic. Liked the sing song in the middle u seem like a great couple. I stumbled along this as we are considering a bongo and this is the first video iv watched on them. Off to a good start I'd say. Thanks for uploading 👍
Hi Tim and Mandy. I have to tell you that my wife and I are so enjoying your video's, you both have reminded me how much I love our lesser trodden paths in the UK. After 9 years of living in Australia plus a further 3 back here wondering if we should go back your films have encouraged us both to seek out the wilder places that I first explored as a boy with my late Father.
He was a keen mountaineer and gave me that passion with our regular expeditions to North Wales, The Lakes and Scotland.
Thank you both for the insperation, we are Bongo shopping this week :) ... Ash and Tracey.
That wee van has given you some glorious times Tim, may the Bongo continue :)
Mate what really do we need in life to keep us happy, not much really the humble things are always the best.
As life goes on I find this to be true more & more.
Cheers Tim & Mandy
Thanks Terry we have had a lot of joy in the old van. Mandy loves it, she will wild camp in a tent but she much prefers the van. It is great for carrying for tripods and stuff and does enable you to spend more time with your camera. Your very right in what you say bro and the van is a bit of a luxury too. I have been told by a few people that we would break even on the van if we sold it so they do tend to hold onto their value. Love your stuff mate :) Tim and Mandy
Loved the video. Informative and entertaining! What a nice couple to find roaming the highland wilderness!
haha thanks Mike, not been out for a while, hopefully going up to Scotland in a couple of weeks :) Tim
We will be buying a bongo in the near future - massive thanks to you both for showing the potential of these great little campers. Looking forward to sharing out arrivals and departures with you 👏👏👏👏
Hi Karen thanks for watching, you will love your time with the Bongo. We have just this last week come back from the Isle of Lewis in ours 1600 miles with no probs at all. Hope to see you out and about :) Tim
Great vid. The overheating talk only comes from the fact that most of these are knocking on 20 years old or older. People don't change hoses and that causes leaks/bursts and consequently overheating. There is no design fault. Folks should just check their hoses! Love your DIY conversion too, top job that. :)
Agreed the Bongos are an absolute bargain compared to other campers, we just been all the way unto the isle of Lewis with no issues what so ever, thanks for watching, much appreciated comments :) Tim
Looks like you had a great time and been to some amazing places with your family in your bongo. Very enjoyable watch. Here's to many more trips.
Thanks yes its given us some great memories of our wonderful countryside. Our kids are at that age now where they think holidaying with us is embarrassing lol but at least they have done a bit :) Tim and Mandy
brilliant video. had my bongo for 6 months and love it
Great stuff I will check out your channel thanks for watching :) Tim and Mandy
spectacular video, most enjoyable. Many thanks, Jack.
Thanks Jack glad you liked it mate :) Tim/Mandy
Have just bought a Bongo...my first camper van! Your review has inspired me....can’t wait to get out in her!
I'm looking now for one.. how's it been so far?!
Enjoyed your video, great drone shots at the end. Thanks.
Had our Bong 7 years, absolutely love it. Looking for something bigger now though.
These videos just keep getting better and I love the music and the food your cooking I thought I could smell it lol
lol thanks David
Great review! Many thanks for putting this online!
My pleasure Ryan :) Tim
We loved the review and some great memories have been made, the musical interlude took us by surprise.
Pure UA-cam gold !
Regdards
James and Kirsteen
Cheers J&K We thought wed chuck in a bit of a jingle haha, The bongo is a joy to have apart from tax, mot and insurance! We try to get out even if its just a one nighter as often as possible, even on paid sites lol, just feels like a break. Thanks guys :) Tim and Mandy
@@savedpurplecat hi, would you please tell what/how to "check the head?“ Thank you.
Hi guys loved your review.
I've been trying to decide on a campervan and you've sold the bongo for me.
Brilliant video so many lovely places you have visited.
I'm going to start my search 😊
If I see you on the road I'll be sure to give you a wave 👋
Thanks...great story. Thinking of getting one next year...for busking tour. 😊🎸🐘
Really enjoyed your videos guys, you seem a really nice chilled out couple. We've been thinking about a Bongo for a while, I think you just swung it for us, cheers, Steve and Kaye :)
Thanks Steve and Kaye very kind of you to say, we hope you get to make some timeless memories in your Bongo :) Tim and Mandy
Interesting and informative film Tim & Mandy, well done to you both.
Thanks Mike hope your keeping well my friend :) Tim and Mandy
Great video we’re thinking of buying a bongo that’s how I stumbled on the video. Liked the music as well ;’j
Thanks Alan they are a great small camper indeed, we have just come back from Scotland in the snow, no bother for these, you enjoyed the song too! lol :) Tim
My Shogun has died and I going to see a Bongo tomorrow and guess what! Thank you for such an uplifting video, you lucky people.
Love it! I am thinking about buying a Bongo, but probably a 2 litre petrol!
every time i think to sell my bongo i watch your video and decide i cant sell him, hes been a gem for years now and no other vehicle comes close as a camper, only a bongo owner realy understands this, thats why we all wave to each other, we all know something no one else knows thats unique about small camper vans.
hi guys I'm just back from doing the north coast 500 today In my vivaro that you gave me inspiration for buy a kit and convert a van into a camper had a great time. thank you guys 😎👍
WOW thats good timing Kenny! are you putting a vid up?
savedpurplecat I will be putting a video on UA-cam soon . once again thank you both 😎👍
Great video. Informative and fun!
excellent video getting the train tomorrow to pick up my first campervan 1999 ATF 2 litre petrol Bongo very excited loads of adventures planned!
Good times my friend, Give us a wave when you see us :) Tim
Ahh great video- thank you. It put a smile on my face :-)
Glad you enjoyed it!
Really enjoyed the review and the well made video
Thirsty, HA! I love this. OMG the fish and chips box! US needs this van besides just 1995 ones & the box o food. Good tunes.
I wish I could find a Bondo here in the states. Love it.
Lol I bet the Bongo would look tiny compared to the campers in the States! thanks for watching matey :) Tim
Yes now they are here ohooopppo
I was gonna buy a Ford Freda last year , but it needed a full conversion, enjoyable vid guys , Enjoyed the music at the end.
Thanks Dylan what camper have you got?
Dear Tim and Mandy. I will happily wave at you, from my 1979 T2 !! Got it recently after many years umming and ahhing. Looking forwards to many hours fixing it when it breaks :-))) Love your Bongo. It looks great.
Lol yes a wave would be great, we do love the VW's and the T2's are charming, I remember my old art teacher at school owning one, she used it as her main vehicle very cool. Thanks for watching hope you get years of joy from your camper :) Tim and Mandy
Must admit we seriously looked at a Bongo but went for a T4 Westfalia only for its size and flexibility (both seats swivel, rear bench on runners so slide kids forward close to us for travel and that gives a ton of space for kit). Your price / mpg comparisons are about right, we paid £13k vs £8k for a concerted Bongo, mpg is around 20 for our 2.5 5 cylinder petrol, diesels are around low 30. Pop top is a decent size, the van easily swallows up 2 adults and two kids at night. I wave at all Campervan’s...tend to find the stuffiest are the T5.1/6 owners! Prefer the look of the Bongo but with the kids, the practicality and size of the Westy swung it for us 👍
Great comments! We are just doing a transit lwb hightop, we miss the Bongo very much it was our first camper and was a real bargain. Looks like you made the right choice I have to say, VWs keep their value so much better. Ive been using a T25 for the last year (Loved it) did the wild Atlantic way in it without any problems at all. Its just great to gets out in a van, no matter which make or price, thanks for stopping by Tim/Mandy
What a lovely video .Thanks guys
Just have to applaud the unexpected musical performance right there in the middle. Hallelujah!
It's certainly a workhorse then Tim, which has got you round loads already. You'll remember that bongo but maybe not the hole it burnt in your pocket whilst driving it. Loved that rendition there. Beautiful with some images to match it. Digging the mountain scenes at the end also. Fabulous. Mark.
Thanks Mark, the van has been a real blessing, they are expensive to run but they do tend to hold onto their value better than cars do for some reason. Glad you enjoyed our little song,we do love our music lol Mandy's the singer Mark, hope one day she will sing a song on a vid. The mountain at the end was the North face of the ben, just summited as the sun was setting it was glorious but the worst night I've had in a tent, camping on a rocky slope. Take care my friend :) Tim and Mandy
Hey there Tim-Mandy. Many more memories to come if it's one to hold its value. That;s nice to think. Yeah that mountain scene was epic. I see you're doing it the wild way - what a vibe. All the best both..
Brilliant. Thank you.
Thank you for this review, not only was it informative it was also very entertaining.
I also loved the musical interlude but I'm a reggae fan myself (hint hint for next time) ;)
haha I will tell Mandy you put a special request in lol Thanks for watching :) Tim and Mandy
And you guys sing also? Thanks for sharing. I would have thought the van was new, it looks great. Always enjoy your videos....
Cheers Allen lol we try! yeh its a real fun van :) Tim and Mandy
Thanks very much for insights retiring few months this is my future too old for camping 😊
That sounds grand, hope you enjoy your retirement :) Tim
brilliant video...loved the Leonard song
Thank you sir :) Tim
Just in the process of buying a bongo myself and looking for inspiration stumbled on your vid. Had to say, really enjoyed it. Some stunning photography. I'll admit I skipped the singing ;) but the rest of the vid was spot on.. thanks.
Thanks Edward hope you get a real bargain mate, good time of the year to buy a camper :) Tim
Great choice of Freedom and Music
Thanks bro :) Tim/Mandy
These videos are fantastic....love them!....but....I'm coming to have to buy a bongo now!
haha thanks for watching :) Tim
Loved it, ,would love a bongo to,,,purely for astrophotography...Great sound track . ❤
Great memories T&M, I must admit that was an impressive amount of work that into that van. Think you would be nuts if you ever sold it!
Thanks Pete yes wasn't that long ago when a photo album was where you stored your memories now its youtube! We have done a fair bit of work on the Bongo and it needs some attention to the body work now, thanks for watching matey :) Tim and Mandy
I had a Nissan Largo Highway Star that i converted into a camper and loved it, had it for 10yrs but stupidly i let it go last year, now looking for a Bongo to do the same, this video has convinced me i need a Bongo now.
Thanks for watching I'm glad we helped you with your decision there too. Sounded like you really had some good times in your Nissan, let me know how you get on with your Bingo hunt :) Tim and Mandy
Will do.
Bongo banjo at the end love it.....
Love your video! Nice couple!! Hallelujah!
Amen Hallelujah :)
Tim/ Mandy you two have been to some really nice places in your bongo van and hopefully you will get to see a lot more nice places in the future, nice video guys enjoyed it all. Atb Glenn.
Thanks Glen its been a joy to use and it keeps Mandy happy :) Tim and Mandy
great video love to have a camper thanks for sharing
Thanks Paul yes mate I could see you cooking up some amazing food in a van, love that spit roast you use mate very cool :) Tim and Mandy
Bongo's all the way!
Of course I would say that ;-)
Great video and still love your conversion.
Cheers Matt hope all is well my friend? :) Tim and Mandy
I hope Mazda are paying you well for this Tim every body in the country are going to want Bongo`s after seeing this lol, same age as me too 21, a brilliant allround vid topping it off with yours and Mandies rendition of the late great Leonard Cohen`s Hallelujah, not forgetting Nina Simone absolutely magic mate. hope your all well, Regards George.
Thanks George hehe I wish they would pay us it might get it through its MOT lol, We really enjoy using the Bongo its relaxing and always feels like a mini holiday even on a one nighter. I know you enjoy your caravan, once a camper always a camper mate! Love the lyrics to Hallelujah so real honest and worshipful too and Nina never fails to make me feel good. Thanks a lot for watching mate really appreciate your comments and friendship :) Tim and Mandy
Brilliant video!
Thanks Carl :) Tim
Had a bongo 4 years now. 3/4 times it’s overheated twice had to have a new head put on They are prone for some reason. But I do luv it the guy in the film hasn’t had that problem yet but he will in time they all do it your looking all over for the water leak and it’s going into the head !!
Great vid and insight into Bongo life :)
Thanks Mate :) Tim
Playing catch up lovely to see you both .Super video may god watch over you two in all your ventures . xxx Darren Amanda.
Thanks Daz and thanks for dropping in buddy, bless you guys on your plans this year :) Tim and Mandy
Yea we just traded in caravan for a motor home .So will be doing a lot more this year. Hope to catch up very soon xxx Darren Amanda.
Hey if you ever want to meet up in vans let me know
gotta love dem bongo's
great real life review and entertaining
Thanks Job :) Tim/Mandy
Отличный вэн. Вы классные!)
Enjoyed watching you enjoying your camper. Didn't hear you playing any Bongos though :-)
Loved your video and those lovely moments between you, especially the Cohen song. I’m getting a diesel bongo automatic ‘95 at end of this month July 2019. Any advice considered. Long happy Tripp’s to you both.
nice video
thanks ...
interior 0:52
overheating 2:25
hills 3:50
diesel 2.5 4:40
price 5:20
bed 6:00
poptop 6:40
rear rack\box 7:10
song 8:00
mornings 10:50
roof bars 11:05
4wd 11:15
swivel seat
Nice little Bongo and cool vid. As you can see I'm a T4 owner, but I'm no badge snob. Far as I'm concerned, of you're out there and you're 'getting it done' then it's all good :) Was on the NC500 around the same time as you last year. Really need to go do it again, for a bit longer next time. From now on I'll give Bongo's a wave as well ;-)
Thanks for your great comments, NC 500 oh I would love to do that again! would you believe it we have sold the bongo as it was a bit on the small side for two week breaks, we have now got....... a VW T25 lol hightop lots more space but very very slow haha so now I have the chance to also wave and salute bongo owners, btw they really are an excellent little van, can't recommend them enough :) Tim and Mandy
You guys are the cutest couple!
Lol Cheers Eric! thanks for watching mate :) Tim
no, its repugnant.
Great video :) I've just got an old T4 and any day van/camper is cool to me. I can't wait for some decent weather to get out and test out mine as I've recently converted it. The NC500 is on my list but some shorter journeys from Hull are gonna be needed first lol. Love what your doing and sharing, so keep it up.
Thanks Gilly
Tell you what thanks for that review it was excellent lovely happy couple loving life and it may have just swayed my first camper van Covid influenced purchase! Great review
Would I fit a surfboard inside? 7ft one? I still haven’t found any to view in person
6:00 ?? what is it you can't sleep above please ?
6:18 how\where is the table mounted? - looks like it allows good access roundabout. Is it used as part of the lower bed?
I envy you so much. I stupidly sold my Bongo (Basil!) last year as I couldn't afford to run 2 cars. Sold my Bongo,but kept my Yaris.....big mistake!!!
Hi Dean funnily enough we have been thinking the same thing would save us on tax, insurance and mot but we do use her a lot and get out for a lot of one nighters. Thanks for watching matey :) Tim and Mandy
I felt like I went on an adventure thanks for sharing your video of good times.
God bless you .
Thats great to hear my friend you made my day, God bless you :) Tim and Mandy
Fab thanks
Brilliant
Absolutely fantastic video. Love your Bongo. Saw it it earlier blogs some time ago. I've just bought an old Berlingo Multispace on a whim to practice camperising! What are the insurance complications of changing a car to a campervan? Good luck with your future adventures.
Thanks hope you enjoy your Berlingo cracking car very versatile. I didn't realise about the insurance when I converted the bongo turned out to be a bit of a pain. I swapped the Bongo for a VW T25 which is older but a fair bit more room, thanks for watching :) Tim
Hi, Just wondering what back-rack & box this is? Hoping to pick a bongo up tomorrow all being well! Thanks
Great video as ever - hope to give you a bongo wave one day!
Thanks Deran will look forward to that wave brother :) Tim and Mandy
Shared the link on the Mazda Bongo owners facebook page, they liked it!
Nice vid. I watched your build video a while back and it's nice to see the hard work paid off. The Bongo looks like the ideal campervan for us but can I ask how easy it is to find spare parts for a 20-25 year old campervan in the UK? Also, are most Bongos generally registered as motor caravans (cheaper insurance)? If not is it easy to re-register them as such?
A friend of mine has just insured one for £200 fully comp which is still classed a a van. Parts are very cheap and ours has been super reliable, we have just swapped ours for a T24 as my parents want to use it and chipped in with the running costs but I cannot recommend the bongos enough :) Tim
I just overhaul the bongo cooling system every so often and no issues, regarding mpg, its pretty good when you consider its also your holiday home, where you cook etc etc....
Thank you for a superb video you guys, great music too. You pretty much answered all my questions, but raised a few more.
First is: How is Mandy old enough to have a son that age? ;-)
2nd: Just how is the MPG around town?
3rd: What parts are most prone to rust?
4th: Is there anything in particular to look out for when buying one?
5th: What price are you asking if you are silly enough to sell it? ;-)
You have given me reasons to think, not to mention reasons to to try and persuade my wife, thank you again. :-)
Be well,
Dave.
Hi Dave good questions mate lol (1) Mandy is 40 I know she looks a lot younger (Lucky me) (2) Mpg around town never drops below 25 (3) Its no more prone to rust than anything else but the usual wheel arches etc (4) A good service history, ours was bought from a Bongo specialist who has serviced it for years for the previous owners. BTW the overheating issues are only due to people not checking water before long journeys, ours has an alarm fitted. If you buy one that is not converted you have to factor in a cost of around £2-3000 for a full conversion. (5) We had Ian Taylor a Bongo specialist value ours at £5500 last week, it is very reliable and I prefer driving it to my VW Golf just so much fun to drive. We are undecided about selling or keeping it, we were considering buying a much bigger van and doing a joint conversion with my dad, still unsure. Hope this helps mate, all I can say is we have never had so much fun and good memories as we have had with our Bongo :) Tim and Mandy
Great reply, thank you.
Be well,
Dave.
Tim & Mandy, fantastic film, I say Bongo all the way :-)
Hi Gerry thanks for watching mate :) Tim and Mandy
Great video! Really helpful. A quick Q: We're thinking of getting a pop-top Bongo and I wondered how you get on with your roof-rack and what kind it is. We would be using it for a couple of surfboards - would the air drag put too much pressure on the front-flipping top? The forums I've looked at recommend racks are mounted on the van rails but then removed when you flip the top. What's your experience been? Many thanks in advance :)
Hi yeh it puts a bit of strain on the motors of the pop top,my motors were only working at about 50% anyway. I really don't know what kind of roof rack it was but Ian Taylor at Longton Bongo specialist would tell you a lot more, he fitted ours.
Many thanks. Most of the time we'll be able to stow my mini-mal inside unless our daughters coming along :) Gonna have a look at some friendees . I'm drawn to a 4 x 4 option, but wonder if the V6 petrols are better mpg. Happy travels!
Brilliant..
Thanks Shaun :) Tim and Mandy
^___^!!!! I loved the jam at the end!!!!!
Lol thanks it had to be done :)
I've had mine for 2 years now, self built conversion, it has never over heated, mind you I changed my coolent when I bought it and once again a few month ago, when I changed the oil etc... I have a similar conversion as yourself, but with a rock and roll bed :)... I'm looking to live in mine full time with my best friend/companion Lilly (my dog) ! haha.. Is there anyway of getting hold you guys privately via chat ?? or email to exchange ideas or even a meet up on holidays :) cheers.. Eric and the dog lilly :) (At the moment I'm in the north east of UK).....
Mind you, its in the welders at the moment getting new sills on !!!?? too many patch's now... I hope it will survive the operation hahahah.... looking forward from hearing from you... cheers
Have you a swivel seat ??? were did you get it from ???
Hi Eric send me a PM with your mobile number mate would love to talk to you :) Tim and Mandy
Forgot the company mate its on our video on Mazda Bongo Conversion thanks :) Tim and Mandy
Yes mate send me PM via youtube :)
Nice video! My Grandparents rip had a bongo. I’d buy two of them before a vw!! VW are obviously good but not worth the extra money! Bongo are worth every penny
We had amazing memories in our Bongo, engine wise it never let us down once, VWs can be more troublesome lol, thanks for watching :) Tim and Mandy
Great video! I currently drive a 1988 VW Westfalia van and I am thinking of switching to one of these. I love what you did with your on in the inside. Is that all custom or did you buy a kit? Love the video, thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching Rob, before you switch to a bongo you might want to check our vid on why we swapped to a T25. high top! we found the Bongo was a bit cramped on long two week holidays, yes they drive much much better than the T25s but the extra room you get in a T25 high top made us eventually change, anyway its all in our video if you want a look, thanks for watching :) Tim and Mandy
Hi Tim. Have thoroughly enjoyed watching your videos, and am just getting my Bongo the way I want it. I was wondering what movie editing software you use for your videos? I have put a few amateurish videos on UA-cam, and have always reverted to Windows Movie Maker as I don't seem to have the patience to get to grips with some of the others.
Hi Lawrence thanks for your kind comments mate! when it comes to video editing I use my iPhone lol, I find iMovie is perfectly good enough, it has some amazing features and its very very easy to use. If you have an iPhone or iPad it really is a good way forwards :) Tim
Алилуйя. Очень понравилось . Хочу так. 👍🤗
Cool. vid..my sons sell these but i never thought about camping with them...wooow better speak nice to them, yea:) nomad granny in the making.. xn
cool guys
Nice video guys 😬
Thanks for sharing
ATB Mike
#StayCornish 😬
Thanks Mike hope your well matey? :) Tim and Mandy
Have you also considered a Mistsubishi Delica ?
Yes it looks a real mean machine that one! we went for the bongo because it has more space inside and a pop top, thanks for watching :) Tim
what's the name of the instrument your mrs is using?
Nice video, I am really looking to buy one, is there a production year to avoid, engine or specific thing to look after ? Thanks in advance
Engine wise you want a 2.5 rather than a 2.0 - it’s a lazier less stressed engine in the 2.5 so it’ll run longer. They get rust around the wheel arches. Many are imports from Japan and in Japan they don’t salt the roads and people really look after vehicles. When they get here you want one that has been undersealed to prevent corrosion.
daniel curtis thank you very much for the feedback
What t5 pop tops have you been looking at? I've never seen one that didn't have a drop down bed. Sure I aren't the first person to mention this lol.
Hi Adam I'm sure the ones I looked at you couldn't sleep above, I stand corrected if this is not the case, btw we love VW I drive a golf, this video was put together to give people a much cheaper alternative and get out in a camper :) Tim
savedpurplecat Totally agree mate enjoyed watching your conversion and it turns out you are local to me... I thought I recognised it from the video turns out ive been driving past it for ages... I noticed it had a canoe on the roof last time 😆
Lol thats amazing, why don't you call in for a brew? would be great to chat campers :)
savedpurplecat May well take you up on that mate 👍
wheres the waterfall at 14 minutes located?
Its at the top of Glen Nevis in the valley
I enjoyed that ! Nice couple ....
Cheers Max thanks for watching :) Tim and Mandy
Look after each other! I know it was a campervan thread ... But; I was intrigued by the way you spoke to each other. ( If it is not creepy to say this; ) Shes v pretty and you seem a great guy .. so very best wishes ! Happy travels.
Thanks Max thats kind of you to say, yeh we are best mates lol might sound a daft thing to say but its true :) Tim and Mandy
Loving the Bongo :)
Thanks Paul they are cheap and great fun too :) Tim