Expatman

Thanks - Skoda dealers here (North Yorkshire) are all quoting exactly the same - £500.

Wow - anybody else got it done cheaper?

I would welcome some idea of the prices you get quoted for the cam belt replacement. Mine will need doing next year so some idea of charges would be helpful. Thanks

Get the official Skoda spare part. Any savings in buying third party just aren’t worth it.

The All Seasons tyres I fitted were Goodyear Vector All Seasons Gen 2 and like the Efficient grips are a very quiet tyre on the Yeti. If anything the Vector All seasons provide a smoother more comfortable ride than summer tyres so fit all my requirements. If I change cars - and that is difficult to find a replacement for the Yeti - then I would fit the same tyres to that.

Okay - thanks for clarifying. Question is whether I trade my 2017 Yeti now and save the cost of replacing cam belt or spend the money and have the cam belt replaced and continue to enjoy the Yeti for another few years. No contest really - I will spend the money for a new cam belt! Can’t find anything better to replace the Yeti with to be honest.

Yep, 5 years it is no matter how few miles you have driven. I know it is 5 years but I believe there is a mileage element in that however young the car is a cam belt change is due at 60,000 miles, so 5 years or 60,000 miles whichever comes first. I am thinking that is why there are quite a few 2017 1.2 Yeti’s on sale as original owner can see big bill next year!

Reviews of new HR-V have to be taken with a large helping of salt! Most testers are not driving it like a Hybrid should be driven, e.g. if you floor it the revs will skyrocket to maximise power but if you are more gentle on accelerator you can make just as quick progress without the engine stressing. Several testers have a better view and even AutoExpress on their second test (in UK) praised the car. Have a look at the Honda forums - look at Honda Jazz 2020 forum where there are more informed views from potential buyers who have actually driven the HR-V around.

I do hope you are not in for a World Of Pain now!

Guess so, both the Yeti’s have had 16” wheels as original equipment after getting Skoda(UK) involved at the buying stage. First bought in 2012 and present one bought in 2017 as one of the last made, SEL Drive, bought because I couldn’t find anything else that matched the Yeti in terms of cabin space, compact dimensions, drivability etc. and will average 44.5 MPG as my Yeti has done average on a brim full to brim full basis since new. Problem is what to change to when the time comes - hybrid I guess, maybe the new Honda HR-V or similar.

Yep, still some of us original 16” wheelers around!

If you are running two sets of wheels it will give you better safety - shorter stopping distance especially - if you have summer tyres for warmer weather running i.e. Summer. Worth checking AutoExpress tyre comparison tests.

I've done exactly the same, used to run summers and winters changing twice a year. Now just use All Seasons all year, saves changing and in our climate All Seasons seem to be the best option. However as you say we are all different and do whatever we feel is right for us.

I can understand that but then there was this statement: "I foresee in the future that I may have both sets running with all season tyres, using my nice alloys for summer and my other set for winter." So if it is intended to keep both sets of wheels and rotate spring and autumn then I can’t really see why you wouldn’t have summer tyres on the “summer” wheels and winter tyres on the “winter” wheels. That way you have the best grip, stopping distance etc. in both summer and winter. The point with winter, and to an extent with All Seasons, is that they perform better at lower temperatures (<7C) than summer tyres irrespective of other road conditions. If the All Seasons are just to tide you over until the summers are worn out then use the All Seasons all year round that’s fine - but not if you intend to retain both sets of wheels then use Summer tyres on one set and winter tyres on the other wheels - surely??

I used to have a set of Efficient Grips on alloys for summer and a set of winter Nokian's on steel wheels for winter. Changed myself Spring & Autumn. However even living in North Yorkshire rarely needed full winter tyres so decided to sell them and buy a set of All Season tyres on my existing alloy wheels to cover 12 months use. So far the All Season tyres have covered all the weather has thrown at me, they are a compromise but unless you are an extreme driver the performance is excellent all year round.

But why buy All Season tyres if you intend to swap with Efficient Grips? I could understand if you bought Winter tyres for winter use and kept the Efficient Grips for summer. Winter tyres are superior to All Season tyres for winter use.

If your second set has all season Goodyear tyres why would you change them in the summer? I could understand if the second set had dedicated winter tyres but to swap between summer and all seasons seems pointless.

You won’t go wrong with any of the big makes all season tyres. I’ve got Goodyear All Seasons on my Yeti (!.2 DSG) and not only are they very quiet but also provide a more comfortable smoother ride. Roadholding etc. as good as any tyres I have had - I am not a 'pedal to the metal' type driver but do like to drive briskly. It is necessary to change all 4 tyres to All Seasons because of the different grip characteristics with summer tyres, looks like you are wanting to replace all 4 so no problems.

You are correct. Timing belt only on later models 1.2 engine. Would be worth checking that the timing chain had received the update though.

I would be tempted to change the lot as a one off when you get the vehicle. However, if you trust the service history services are every 12 months or 10,000 miles - oil & filter etc. Spark plugs 40,000 miles, timing belt 5 years or 60,000 miles - don’t skimp on that one as new engines are expensive. Again, if it has been fully serviced in line with Skoda schedule then just carry on with the schedule.

You have either been hugely unlucky or there is something in your driving style (or another driver) that is brutalizing the transmission.

I have had three Skoda's with dry DSG boxes, 1 Octavia and 2 Yeti's. Never had any problems and have been pleased with all 3 cars. Presently have a 2017 DSG Yeti and it has performed perfectly. I would say that the DSG's improved with each subsequent model, not in reliability (never had problem) but in smoothness and being in right gear at the right time. 2015 box should be fine but take it for a run and see how you like it.

Precisely, and most of us are familiar with our speedometer and watch dials so we don't actually "read" anything. Just know by familiarity the speed or time.

Interesting, I find analogue displays quicker and easier to ‘read’ because you don’t actually read anything - at a glance your eye detects the position of the needle and from experience you know what that position relates to on the dial. Same with watches I don’t actually see the big hand is on the 11:00 o’clock and the little hand is nearly on the 2:00 o’clock. - I just see the relative positions of the hands on the dial and know the time. With a digital readout you actually have to read the number. Agreed it is a fine difference and either system works for me it is just that using the analogue method you don’t need to read anything and the info is gained at a glance.

You've really got ask yourself whether it would be worth it. Marginal gain in performance at the price of unknown hassle and pain and expense.