Prezafab

.. In York

Only one experience last year. Got a quote for Haldex service, DSG service and an intermediate service. I asked in advance if I could bring it in first thing and wait for 3 hours. Took them 5 and when I went to pay the bill they had only done 2 out of 3 tasks...

I think more and more Yeti owners are going to keep their cars in fine fettle. There is a late model one advertised on a well known car website today for £21299. I asked my other half to guess the price (she loves her older Yeti in a similar spec) and she said £15k...

Good work. I said that Skoda health check form should be renamed a BGF (Business generation form). If you had had them replaced at Skoda and insisted on the return of the old bits, you would have had a case with them.

The Bilstein shocks and springs are very good. We have some truly terrible main country roads around us and while it's not transformed, it's less crashy now and rounds off the worst of things. They 'feel' the same as the original ones (from memory, but we've had a few Yetis). One difference is that the cornering in tighter turns is definitely sharper, with less roll as the weight transfers. I guess that's a combination of all the bits we've had fitted after nearly 100,000 miles.

TPS sell for the Volkswagen Group (VWG), on an agency basis, so if they will sell to you, you can compare the genuine parts with others they supply. Remember that VWG also have an 'economy' range which are genuine parts...

Colin, Trade Parts Specialists in Huddersfield supply genuine parts, but you probably need a trade account these days rather than just a "taxi" to get them to supply. You could always turn up with a list of the genuine Skoda parts you want and see if they hold the door open for you on the way out, or not?

I shouldn't worry Colin. Those dealer health check sheets are mostly about business generation. I took our Yeti in for a haldex, and dsg oil change to our Yorkshire Skoda dealer 2 years ago because we had just moved and I didn't know how good the local garage was at the time. The technician came out and explained that a pair of bushes would need doing soon on the front because they were 'peeling out'. It's just been through its second MOT since then and neither MOT has mentioned as an advisory. I also had some new shock absorbers last week (at the local garage) and asked them to replace any other bits while it was in pieces. No extra bushes required ! The car has done 97,000m now.

Is there a leak that hasn't been spotted by the garage that did the re-gas?

Bien sur

Disagree. It's not all down to the driver. Decent quality OEM parts last as well - I fit Pagid brakes, and have just put on Bilstein shocks, but show me a pattern exhaust which lasts longer than genuine. Likewise I bought some aftermarket brake discs and pads on a previous car which were just not up to the job after you had worn away the top 20% of material.

Update from me:- Fitted Bilstein shocks & springs plus Febi Bilstein top mounts & drop links, Sachs bump stop kit. Parts were £298 - I wanted as good as I could get, not the cheapest. Plus 3 hours labour. All good so far - the compliance has returned over sharp ridges, which it was crashing into before. Seems back to how it used to be after 97,000 miles, which is what I wanted. Compliant, settled. Take care when ordering the shocks - Bilstein and others list two types depending on the chassis code (as mentioned above, 50 or 55mm circumference).

You pays your money and takes your choice. I will say though that genuine does tend to last. Be it Audi/Seat/VW/Skoda or Volvo or Subaru. There are parts I would still buy genuine, but brake parts are fine OEM aftermarket.

That doesn't sound too horrific for genuine Skoda parts fitted and warranted by Skoda. Can't see it being less than £300 from a good independent for true OEM parts? Labour isn't cheap these days. Or go independent but replace 1 disk and 1 pad set if you are saying Skoda will only sell (and fit) you a pair...?

Was the grille expensive?

I quite like the Subaru XV, the jacked up Impreza, but the petrols are anaemic and the diesel was only great while it worked. I've had a few Subarus and when the dealer shakes their head about the tiny battery on the e-boxer version, you know they've missed a trick. It could have rejuvenated the brand in the UK... Superb in snow and on rough tracks though, and a bit elevated.

I'm going to nominate this silver door edge protector. We've used it on several cars, it's flexible, looks neat and does it's job. Cheap at £6.99 as well! What have you fitted to yours that's been worth getting?

I saw one of those Toyota FJ s parked on the Blue Ridge Parkway in the US, years ago. Had a good look, and thought it was style over substance to be honest, even back then. The more I look at Yeti used prices and think about what it's very good at, the more I think we'll spend some money on keeping it in good condition (including the inevitable rust spots on the rear doors!) My other half would be happy with the heated seats, better Sat nav and heated windscreen in the L&K, but I'd be paranoid about a leaky panoramic roof...

Yes, Golfs used to have them for sound deadening, they fill with water like a sponge and rot from the inside out.

Good news. I know what to do if the Bilsteins don't work next week! I've bought new shocks, springs, top mounts, bump stops/covers and drop links (might as well). Not sure whereabouts you are, but in our part of North Yorkshire, the 'main town roads' are awful.

Bushes can also play a part in suspension and steering feel, but they are probably the same as well! I've used Powerflex before, but they're not for comfort. I thought the Arona hire car we had last month rode well to be fair, and the 1.0 only struggled on the hilly bits.

What year is your 1.4 T si? (Mine is a facelift but earlier chassis code with 140ps diesel)

Totally understand about the genuine Skoda option. I'm going Bilstein because they are top of the tree on shock absorbers. I do have a story as well:- I had a really bad experience with air suspension 3 or 4 years ago, (Audi OEM shocks were £1700 EACH) and to cut a very long story short, found out that Bilstein were the original suppliers (fitted in production) to Audi. I then found a supplier in Germany and shipped over at less than half the price. The other shocks I tried were technically ok, and TuV checked, but we're not up to the job, resulting in roadside recoveries. I'll try the Bilstein again as they are fitted to Porsche etc , and report back!

Thanks for the advice. I will buy everything and get our very good local garage to fit. They are happy as long as I buy good quality parts (will get Bilstein shocks and Febi Bilstein or Skoda for the other bits).