If the link doesn't work then do a YouTube search on Skoda Yeti and look for JE ŠKODA YETI PRO BIKERA? uploaded within the last couple of days.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLxX5MrSjyA

Edited 30 November, 200916 yr by Sanqhar

What am I doing wrong that the links don't work?.............................................tom

you extended the hyperlink with your name tom hehe

It has appended my name...."tom"..... as part of the link..........Did you like the J turn on mud!..........................tried editing it out but!!!!............tom

i cant remember who was asking about the wobbly light function though there's a great demonstration of the wobbly lights right at the end of the clip

Very impressive. Can't wait for a bit of muddy field work or some snow!

Mine are muddy at the moment but ideally a more aggressive self clearing tread is essential for when it gets greasy. Their is nothing quite like wet grass and sloppy fields that prevents progress.

Very impressive. Can't wait for a bit of muddy field work or some snow!

That looks pretty good for a fwd 1.2 ?

Having now finally had my test drive in a 140 4x4 Elegance, I was quite impressed. Was roomy but not very quiet, especaially noticed a lot of wind noise from the driver's window, and it seemed to cope with the flodded roads through the Hafren Forest adequately. However I am concerned that it doesn't have the off-road abaility of my Freelander.

As Anthony says it does need a more aggressive ALL TERRAIN type tyre, and they are not easily availalble in the 17" sizes, as people who have Freelander Sports have found out. They certainly are avaialble in 16" but then you can only get those whels on the lower spec'ed car.

Would Skoda be willing to sell an Elegance but with 16" wheels, and with the rough road pack? (What does that contain?)

And Giles, that was definately a 4x4!!

Looks like a 2wd 1.2 TSi to me ?

"Videotest Skoda Yeti focused on its applicability for cyclists. We tested model Yeti 1.2 TSI 77 kW of power with front wheel drive." according to Google Translate ?

When it's doing the J turn - only the front wheels are spinning ?

Graham,

Here are a couple of Videos for you. I was just thinking about you so started a search. I was going to PM you on the other forum because i was not too sure that you were connected with this one after it crashed.

Driving through rutted sandy loam.

Forestry Tracks and some Cross Axle Type Articulation

Graham,

I doubt that it will have the ultimate capability of the Freelander II but I would have thought that it should manage quite well against a Freelander I. Even so the Yeti is a stiff car comparatively and does not have anywhere near the articulation particularly at the rear. It does have quite advanced drive system though which should compensate a fair bit. The Pinzgauer have little articulation but it does not stop them from getting about. It is really a case of how competent an off-road vehicle you need. We both now that their are plenty available with far more capability off-road but will not do so well on it or be as easy to drive.

the Yeti that I drove from the Llandysul dealership was very quiet and muted, I did not notice wind noise and I was giving it a fair push along. Does anyone else have a comment about wind or engine noise?

as far as wheels go I will just be buying the 4 that the Elegance 170 comes with and then will try and source some additional wheels for winter or mud and a Spare possibly for each. I too wish that manufacturers did not muck about so much with odd sized wheels particularly with those vehicles that might lead a duel role. Any way should be able to find some cheap 16" wheels. Don't General tyres make all terrains or mud terrains in 18" and 17"? I am sure that I read an article on a Hunting BMW X3 that had some.

Oh just remembered the off-road kit mainly comprises of a steel full body under-tray I understand. I also doubt that Skoda or any aftermarket manufacturers will cater for as much off-road kit as doe those for any Landrover product. Still their should be one or two capable fabricators on the other forum who should be able to oblige with some well thought out Off-Road Products!

Edited 30 November, 200916 yr by Anthony 1

Thanks Anthony, that second one is getting closer to the stuff I regularly drive! It does at least show you can't cross-axle it. Giles, I don't think all of those in "scujee's" link were 4x4's, but some of them certainly were. In the J turn, it would be quite possible for the Haldex unit to have "freed" itself. I can do exactly the same in the Freelander, with it's viscous coupling, because with all the wheels locked it hasn't sensed "slippage" between the 2 axles. It is also why you can't handbrake turn a FL. Haven't tried with a Haldex system. Here is an example of where I get to: http://s173.photobucket.com/albums/w56/Llanigraham/Powys%20Woodfair/

Reply 2

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I think you are probably right, it won't have all the ability of the FL1, and certainly not of the FL2, but that is getting to be a silly price!!

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If the off-road kit is a full length steel tray then it is better than mine!! General do do a tyre in that size, but they are very difficult to get over here and are MEGA money. It would have to be a spare set of 16" rims.

I couldn't see a 4x4 badge on the back!.................Also at about 2 mins 16 in it is climbing a muddy slope and you don't see it get to the top!!...............tom

I bow to your greater 4wd knowledge.

Never had one ! (apart from hire cars).

I still reckon its the 2wd though - anyone speak Czech ?

you extended the hyperlink with your name tom hehe

The video clearly indicatesw to me that the tire selection is the reason for the slip-slieding around - both in the mud and on wet grass. 17 inch street tires are just not for off-road work. I also don't think that the Yeti is intended for "serious" off-roading. If your need is for the really rough stuff, then there are other solutions.My last 4WD was a 1985 Chevy Suburban with 16.5 inch wheels with real off road tires, transfer case and full lock-up diff and mechanical limited slip rear axle. Great for off roading in SW USA, and could carry all you needed for whatever. In todays economy in Europe, it would be just a silly monster, not far below a Hummer. Probably impossible to park for Saturday shopping, unless you parked on top of another car.I am going from an Octy Combi, which has performed very well for 4 years and 80,000 miles. I am expecting the 170 hp Yeti to be faster in normal driving, comfortable on the Autobahn at 100 mph with enough reserve power to keep up in the left lane on our annual trip to Spain, and to handle bad weather conditions on-road much better than the Octy. I am also expecting to be able to go further out in the small lanes in the national parks and forests than was comfy in the Octy.In 90% of my driving, the 4WD will really be of no significance other than additional grip in a few extreme situation. For the last 10% it will be added fun and safety with a rather small penalty in fuel consumption relative to the Octy.On the noise question, I did notice the wind noise from the leading edge of the roof rail, but in relation to the Octy, road noise was less and engine noise significantly less. Maybe that is why the wind noise was noticeable.

I am not looking for extreme off-road ability, if I needed that I would buy a Disco or a Defender, but I do need something that will cope equally with my Freelander.

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I do radio on car rallies and 4x4 events and often get sent to places that a normal car has no chance of getting to, simply because i do have a 4x4. I had thought of an Octavia Scout but they are too expensive, so the Yeti seemed to be the perfect answer, but it looks like I will be sticking to Land Rover.

The thing is to get what is best for your needs within a price constraint. Have you also looked at the X-Trial. Is it that you don' expect the Yeti to be as good as the MKI FL? I would not have thought their would be that much in it but compared to the MKII FL well that would be a different story. I do respect that as a FL owner you will far more experience with that ilk than I.

I quite fancied a BMW X3 but new they are way out of my price bracket. It is possible to trick these up a bit for off road if it is necessary. Hartge a well known BMW tuner has produced a Version of the BMW X3 that is suitable as a Hunting off road car. I am against hunting but the car is very interesting having lifted suspension and all sorts of other treatment. It is a pity that they do not do something like this for he Yeti i have note even seen a BMW Xi never mind driven one but I expect that its is less good off road than the rest but I may be wrong with that assumption. It is still more expensive than the Yeti and little chance of any huge discount either

I can only direct to the Hartge site but you can click onto an English version and look for off road X3.

http://www.hartge.de/

http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/2008/top-2008-Hartge-Hunter-based-on-BMW-X3.htm

If you really need a Freelander II they need not cost more, there is a new special edition on sale the Aspen LE list price for 2.2 diesel manual is £19400 but I would expect to be able to get at least £2000+ off in discount. £17K - basic but has the essentials and all the offroad aids.

Anthony, no way for a BMW, I doubt I could afford the insurance, and having already towed one off a caravan site with e FL..........................!! To bring it up to the standard like that must cost a bomb!

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X Trail; I have heard too many stories about the electronics from friends who have had them. No thanks.

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Yeti Hunter, I shall be paying a visit to LR in the near future, so shall see what is on offer. We have got a couple of months left on LR finance so I expect they will be in touch, anyway.

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Other I have looked at has been the Kia Sportage, but it's emmisions let it down, so it costs a lot of Tax each year.

It is unfortunate that most soft-roaders are only offered for test drives with slick type road tyres that are far too wide or any traction. I can get good traction from even a two wheel drive hatch what has no traction control by putting E marked forest stage tyre on it. I can then drive it up rain sodden fields that have 4x4 with road tyres scrabbling for grip, its the same story in the snow. Of course then putting suitable tyres on said 4x4 will have it leaving the 2x4 for dead. The hatch does not have good angles of attack or enough clearances to be much use off road when deep ruts come in or articulations have to be tackled. Ultimately the hatch would become stranded. I think that a normal BMW X3 with suitable off road tyres would acquit its self quite well as would any other vehicle of its type so shod. Where the Landrover products come in is with the additional articulation and higher clearances so when the going gets tough they can manage better than the rest. So off road the Freelander is still King of the Soft Roaders but not so good on it. It will have lots of off road kit that will fit though.

Graham, Try

http://www.drivethedeal.com/

It would be very hard to beat them for price on most cars even LR.

Good luck with what ever you decide

Anthony, no way for a BMW, I doubt I could afford the insurance, and having already towed one off a caravan site with e FL..........................!! To bring it up to the standard like that must cost a bomb!

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X Trail; I have heard too many stories about the electronics from friends who have had them. No thanks.

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Yeti Hunter, I shall be paying a visit to LR in the near future, so shall see what is on offer. We have got a couple of months left on LR finance so I expect they will be in touch, anyway.

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Other I have looked at has been the Kia Sportage, but it's emmisions let it down, so it costs a lot of Tax each year.

Anthony, no way for a BMW, I doubt I could afford the insurance, and having already towed one off a caravan site with e FL..........................!! To bring it up to the standard like that must cost a bomb!

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X Trail; I have heard too many stories about the electronics from friends who have had them. No thanks.

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Yeti Hunter, I shall be paying a visit to LR in the near future, so shall see what is on offer. We have got a couple of months left on LR finance so I expect they will be in touch, anyway.

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Other I have looked at has been the Kia Sportage, but it's emmisions let it down, so it costs a lot of Tax each year.

My wife drives a Sportage which we own so CO2 not an issue. Its a surprisingly good car, not as good as a Yeti on road by a fair way, but would thrash it off-road - Chunky tyres, higher ground clearance and approach angles same as a Freelander I, best of all, unlike many, it has a button to lock it into 50/50 4-wheel drive upto 25mph. Hasn't got the street cred though!

Been a long day so I have only scanned through these posts so apologies for any incorrect understandings I might have........................... anyway have the rough road pack on my Snow-monster, it appears to consist of a metal engine under tray (although it does not quite cover the rear most part), thicker grade plastic floor pan covers either side of the central tunnel and similar plastic covers on the rear suspension beams........................... I was also under the impression from the Haldex site that the Freelander is also a Haldex drive system, although I don't think it states if that's both 1 & 2.

freebie mk1 was a viscous coupling no idea about mk2