<I'm sure you will> correct me if I'm wrong, but:

It's not 100% proven you cant fit chains to the Yeti ?

The spyder ones should fit (albeit maybe £200 more ?)

Perhaps the yetis sold in countries wehre snow chains are a a legal requirement have a different sized wheel/tyre combination that allows them to be fitted. Surely it is up to the owner to ensure their car meets the requirements of any other country they decide to visit.

<I'm sure you will> correct me if I'm wrong, but:

It's not 100% proven you cant fit chains to the Yeti ?

The spyder ones should fit (albeit maybe £200 more ?)

I believe I've made the point before that the handbook for my current Passat 170 TDI says that snow chains can only be fitted to two sizes of tyre/wheel, neither of which are fitted to my car.

The handbook says that snow chains can only be fitted to 205/55-16 tyres on a 6.5Jx16 wheel with an ET42 offset. For three years I have been using Weissenfels Klack and Go Quattros (http://www.snowchains.co.uk/main/quattro.htm) on 215/55-16 tyres on 7Jx16 rims with an ET45 offset. Note the following extract:

"The new Klack & Go "Quattro" snow chain from Weissenfels has been designed specifically for easy ultra quick fitting to cars that, for any reason, cannot normallly have traditional snow chains fitted. The Quattro is also ideal for cars, such as Audi's BMW's and Mercedes etc., with extra wide wheels and restricted access around the wheel arches and behind the wheels".

It's my belief that the problem is lack of clearance behind the wheel on wide tyres. The whole point of the Quattros and the Spikes Spiders is that there is nothing on the inside of the wheel.

People will make up their own minds but I've had no problems with my Passat and would have no hesitation in using them on a Yeti with 17" rims.

However over the years, I have been in the habit of maintaining a set of winter tyres/wheels and will eventually have the 16" VW rims mounted up with winter tyres for my Yeti next winter. Also, having rolled his car on a snowy, icy road in January thereby writing off his car but being totally unhurt (other than bruising and being very shaken), my son will have winter or all-season tyres on his car next winter.

Why am I buying a Yeti?

VW/Audi quality at a good price.

A smallish 4x4 with a higher drivin g position and 4 wheel drive cabality.

Finally having owned 2 Felicias, 2 Fabias and a Roomster, I really enjoy the statement it makes.

John

Perhaps the yetis sold in countries wehre snow chains are a a legal requirement have a different sized wheel/tyre combination that allows them to be fitted. Surely it is up to the owner to ensure their car meets the requirements of any other country they decide to visit.

That's an extremely valid point and while I don't think there are any differences in OE spec, I believe that a winter tyre/wheel combination is available as an extra.

Of course in alpine parts of Europe it is the norm to have a set of winter wheels and a set of summer wheels and in fact many garages offer a service where they will change, clean and store seasonal wheels for owners until the next season.

John

You are totally missing the point. It is totally misleading to sell an European vehicle that will be illegal to use in some member states because of you cannot fit snow chains to it as supplied from Skoda.

It is not relevant that people cavort in the snow without snow chains.

Correct me if I am wrong. You live in West Sussex do you not? Is it illegal to drive a 4x4 without snow chains under snowy conditions within the country I am assuming you reside for most of the year? How often are you going to be travelling to these "member states" in conditions that require snow chains to be fitted to your vehicle? And finally, if this is such a big deal, don't you think you should have researched your choice of car a little better?

Why is it not relevant that the Yeti appears to be quite adept at holding the road in snowy conditions without snow chains. One could argue that your bitter complaints about the inability to fit snow chains to a Yeti as a UK resident are equally, if not more, irrelevant.

What? You can't fit snow chains to a CR170? B*gger! No one told me that when I ordered it. What if I want to go to the snowy wastelands of Antartica West Sussex....

I followed the Yeti from the earliest days of the concept figure right through to production. I like vehicles that are perhaps a bit different from the mainstream, perhaps a bit of mini-cult status. First car was a Beetle and I've had the Mk1 GTi, smart and Fabia vRS.

Skoda is a superb brand (no pun intended) providing excellent build quality and value for money.

I like the sitting up high(ish) position provided by the soft roader style of vehicle. I loved the torque and fuel economy of my Fabia vRS so wanted another diesel and as powerful a variant as I could afford. The spec of the elegance included many of the toys I wanted so a CR170 was the ideal 'compromise'. As for the 4x4 drivetrain, I bought it more for it's 'normal' road holding, just like Quattros (and I haven't been disappointed) than 'off roading'. That said it gave great comfort when driving in what were extreme conditions for the UK this winter. And all this on standard Goodyear Excellence tyres not ones from Marks and Spencer...

If you need my justification, my present aircraft project will be road trailerable when complete and you can't fit a towbar to a Fabia vRS....

PS Y4YETI - I commiserate with you that you feel housebound by your Yeti's perceived inadequacies, but I think you've made your point about your snow chain fettish, be a good chap and give it a rest could you? People in countries with real snow seem to be coping just fine with their SMs....

That's an extremely valid point and while I don't think there are any differences in OE spec, I believe that a winter tyre/wheel combination is available as an extra.

Of course in alpine parts of Europe it is the norm to have a set of winter wheels and a set of summer wheels and in fact many garages offer a service where they will change, clean and store seasonal wheels for owners until the next season.

John

Skoda actually offer a storage service.

http://new.skoda-auto.com/com/service/servicevideos/pages/wheelstorage.aspx

tom

I believe I've made the point before that the handbook for my current Passat 170 TDI says that snow chains can only be fitted to two sizes of tyre/wheel, neither of which are fitted to my car.

The handbook says that snow chains can only be fitted to 205/55-16 tyres on a 6.5Jx16 wheel with an ET42 offset. For three years I have been using Weissenfels Klack and Go Quattros (http://www.snowchains.co.uk/main/quattro.htm) on 215/55-16 tyres on 7Jx16 rims with an ET45 offset. Note the following extract:

"The new Klack & Go "Quattro" snow chain from Weissenfels has been designed specifically for easy ultra quick fitting to cars that, for any reason, cannot normallly have traditional snow chains fitted. The Quattro is also ideal for cars, such as Audi's BMW's and Mercedes etc., with extra wide wheels and restricted access around the wheel arches and behind the wheels".

It's my belief that the problem is lack of clearance behind the wheel on wide tyres. The whole point of the Quattros and the Spikes Spiders is that there is nothing on the inside of the wheel.

<snip>

John

Skoda have confirmed that the problem is related to insufficient clearance between the supplied GoodYear Excellence tyre and suggest that a less wide tread would overcome the problem and provide higher stability in icy or snowy conditions but would not be so well suited to the suspension set up on the Yeti.

I do not expect to pay substantially extra for a top of the range Elegance model to find it has an inherent design fault preventing the fitting of snow chains but cheaper models are OK!!!!

Awaiting confirmation from Skoda that the use of Klack and Go system is an approved solution to rectify this problem.

Skoda have confirmed that the problem is related to insufficient clearance between the supplied GoodYear Excellence tyre and suggest that a less wide tread would overcome the problem and provide higher stability in icy or snowy conditions but would not be so well suited to the suspension set up on the Yeti.

I do not expect to pay substantially extra for a top of the range Elegance model to find it has an inherent design fault preventing the fitting of snow chains but cheaper models are OK!!!!

Awaiting confirmation from Skoda that the use of Klack and Go system is an approved solution to rectify this problem.

I think its clear from enough members on here that you really do need to give this up. :| My mother always brought me up to say nothing if I had nothing nice to say; hence why I've not posted in many of your threads or followed up posts that you have posted on here (usually in totally irrelevant posts ie 'why did you choose the Yeti/a crossover?' - not - 'why do you regret buying a Yeti?' Now enough is enough. You continuously mention your 'issue' when its totally irrelevant to the topic being discussed; Ive lost count on the number of threads that you've taken off topic in the last few weeks.

Take it up with Skoda if you have an issue. You've aired your views on here often enough yet it doesnt seem to do you any favours. Personally I think its totally laughable that other country's that get a heck of a lot more snow than us are loving the Yeti - try speaking to owners from Norway for example. If its a case of you not reading the specs and simply not researching your purchase well enough before hand - which is how it appears to me - then that is not our issue. We all make mistakes but we dont all feel inclined to continuously ram it down others throats and start a mini hate campaign, trying to put others off a purchase of what can only be described as a very fine and capable vehicle. Snow chains or not. :wonder: Inherent desing fault?!

Start a thread on it if you wish and post what you like in there but stop spoiling the Yeti forum for us owners that are happy with our vehicles and want to learn from others as well as feeling as though we are part of a friendly, united community.

Getting back on topic... I also think a big benefit of the crossover style vehicle is the added visibility from being perched up slightly higher. I just didnt want to mention that as I thought it would make me feel old before my time. :p Thanks for mentioning it though Aerofurb :p

Edited 11 March, 201016 yr by FocusZtec

<snip>Take it up with Skoda if you have an issue.

I have done so and the issues are still being discussed

Start a thread on it if you wish and post what you like in there but stop spoiling the Yeti forum for us owners that are happy with our vehicles and want to learn from others as well as feeling as though we are part of a friendly, united community.

We are a Skoda community and if we are talking about crossovers then we need to compare the features of one Skoda vehicle against another to help people make their best choice.

People will read the forums and will be aware that the Skoda Elegance cannot take snow chains. We are Europeans and part of Europe. For years many complacently accepted overpriced domestic and imported cars and manufacturers, to give the latest example Toyota, have not faced up to the legal obligations to provide vehicles fit for purpose.

<snip>

There is a danger in being too enthusiastic for a vehicle to be less than objective.

For example I was delighted to see that the latest Superb hatchback has improved on the use of the luggage space previously available in the saloon. In the saloon it was difficult to load and fit in two large holiday suitcases.

The Yeti boot takes these cases with ease. In a Citroen we had it was possible to store the hinged cover of the boot on the floor of the boot when removed to provide greater luggage storage height.

The robot that we use for table tennis was too tall to fit in the boot of the Yeti would not fit into the rear footwell with the front seat fully forward but would fit into the front footwell with the front seat fully back. There were much better clearances all round in the Superb to handle this awkward load that needed to be kept as near to vertical as possible.

I would be inclined to recommend the 4WD Superb with All the Year Round M&S tyres for snow handiling (snow chains optional extra)general urban use , comfort and quietness and the Yeti for those who live off farm tracks!!!! :yes:

FocusZtec - I heartily agree with your comments. You managed to make them in a calm, considered fashion and I applaud you for that as I tried and failed to to reply without insults so in the end I had to scratch my reply.

Don't worry about the seat position. I'm 40 and like a higher seat and first noticed how marvellous it was when I had a Picasso a number of years ago. We may whisper it quietly but secretly an awful lot of people who have been in a higher seated car prefer it and don't want to go back to being lower on the ground.

FocusZtec - I heartily agree with your comments. You managed to make them in a calm, considered fashion and I applaud you for that

Ditto

...I would be inclined to recommend the 4WD Superb with All the Year Round M&S tyres for snow handiling (snow chains optional extra)general urban use , comfort and quietness and the Yeti for those who live off farm tracks!!!! :yes:

This guy really does have a serious snow chain fetish problem. :p Can I suggest that, if this vitriolic venting continues, a forum moderator steps in. I'm getting a little tired of this and it's putting me off from visiting, what is for the most part, an enjoyable and friendly forum.

Interesting response from the mods but Im guessing that maybe we have had a gut full simply because we frequent the Yeti section most and this is the area thats affected by these postings.

Anyway, Im sure we are all now fully aware that Skoda havent yet confirmed that you cant fit snow chains to certain, higher end, Yeti's.

Therefore, there is no further need to keep mentioning it.

Thanks for the support btw.

Edited 11 March, 201016 yr by FocusZtec

My previous car was a Mk 1 vRS Octavia which needed a new anti-roll bar and suspension bushes after 30 months of rotten roads and speed bumps, fully loaded I had to drive over said speed bumps rather than straddle them, I wanted a car which had a higher stance and more compliant suspension. I seriously considered the Nissan Quashi thing and then snowmonster was released, it was a no-brainer. Better performance, better use of space, better looks, better each and every way one looked and I would carry on using the garage which had served me so well for the last 6 years. Simples !

Re: Moderator's response

I would argue against point 2 - That the post was on topic. The subject of this thread was, effectively, for forum members to give reasons why they chose a Yeti and yet Y4Yeti's post appears to be just another rant about the Yeti not being able to equip itself with snow chains.

In other forums, Y4Yeti would be labelled a "troll" - a poster who deliberately intimidates and stirs things up within the community. He may have a warranted criticism about the vehicle but should we not keep this to one specific thread instead of having a viral distribution throughout the forum.

Anyway, I've said my piece (I somehow doubt though we've heard the last of Y4Yeti and his snow chains!)

Edited 11 March, 201016 yr by davecarter

This guy really does have a serious snow chain fetish problem. :p Can I suggest that, if this vitriolic venting continues, a forum moderator steps in. I'm getting a little tired of this and it's putting me off from visiting, what is for the most part, an enjoyable and friendly forum.

Dave,

The forum moderators will step in for insulting, inflamatory, Spam, legally questionable and various other reasons on a forum, but one reason we wont jump in with two feet about is because somebody has a differing view from an individual on a relevant topic, if it really annoys you so much I am sure there is an "Ignore User" feature on the forum which will hopefully let you to continue with blinkers on and enjoy the forum.

Previous posts containg private messages have been removed as they are indeed intended to be a "Private Message" and not a forum announcement.

Try to keep on the topic of yetis and if there are any concerns please feel free to get in touch with any of the moderation team rather than public posting, this is covered in the site rules!

Many thanks.

Why a Yeti?

Looks.

Size.

Good consumption with the 140 diesel.

Practicallity.

Different.

Good dealers in general.

Experience from the past.

Price.

Towing ability.

Low VED rates.

Quirkiness.

Safety.

Which one?

140 diesel 4x4, because I have to get to work over poor quality cross country A roads, plus I regularly go off road in my hobby, but don't need an out-and-out big tyred off road vehicle like a Discovery/Defender. The Yeti is a "soft roader" as much as the Freelander is, but appears to have all the right "toys" to cope with fairly severe conditions, again like the Freelander. And there is the crux of the matter, as I am still trying to decide on which to go for, a new Yeti or an ex-demo Freelander? At present the balance is more towards the Yeti, but we have decided to wait 6 months or so.

Chains:

there seems to be this crazy preconception (by one person) that chains are required in this country and the fact that because they wont fit with one set of wheels and tyres then the whole car must be bad, and potentially binned because of it. This is ridiculous!! Probably 99% of owners would have no interest in fitting chains or even rarely need them. I have collegues in and around Aberdeen who still have 12" of snow around them, and not one of them has considered their use. Yes they all use proper WINTER tyres because that is easier and more practical. They just want to get in their cars and get to work, and not to have to faff about getting wet and cold fitting chains that they will probably only have on for part of their journey. These are people who have no option but to use cars to get to work because they start at 0600 before public transport starts, and without them the trains wouldn't run either! The Yeti is not the only vehicle affected, lots of other cars are also precluded from fitting chains, and nearly every time it is becasue of clearance issues, either with body work, brake parts or suspension units. No-one else seems to find this a problem, so why here?

It has also been stated that chains are dangerous if only fitted to the front wheels of a 4x4. Rubbish!! Considereing that for most of the time the Yeti is FRONT wheel drive, even on a slippery surface, then the fitment to the front is correct. Plus if it is so dangerous why does the world's leading 4x4 manufacturer recommend it, on PERMANENT 4x4 vehicles, and the same recommendations are made by the leading chain manufactures?

I'm sorry Y4YETI but you really need to forget this tirade and move on.

Dave,

The forum moderators will step in for insulting, inflamatory, Spam, legally questionable and various other reasons on a forum, but one reason we wont jump in with two feet about is because somebody has a differing view from an individual on a relevant topic, if it really annoys you so much I am sure there is an "Ignore User" feature on the forum which will hopefully let you to continue with blinkers on and enjoy the forum.

Previous posts containg private messages have been removed as they are indeed intended to be a "Private Message" and not a forum announcement.

Try to keep on the topic of yetis and if there are any concerns please feel free to get in touch with any of the moderation team rather than public posting, this is covered in the site rules!

Many thanks.

So, I am to be publicly reprimanded whilst Y4Yeti's continued and mostly irrelevant "tirade" goes unabated. Bye Bye Forum!

So, I am to be publicly reprimanded whilst Y4Yeti's continued and mostly irrelevant "tirade" goes unabated. Bye Bye Forum!

If thats the way you feel then you must stand up for your principles, I however wouldnt class that as a reprimand, more accuratley its an explanation of why your request would not be met, and and I most certainly wouldnt class someone talking about snow chains as a 'Tirade'.

Take care now, all the best.

I'd just say to go easy on Y4Yeti because, as we all know, when you have a REAL disappointment that is truly deeply felt then you have to deal with it in your own way. I wish him well with taking the softly softly approach towards getting some resolution - confrontation makes no friends and does you no good either.

G

Thanks Freshacre for your understanding .

Hopefully I will soon be able to conclude my input to this thread with a report that Skoda Customer Services have clarified their quite specific recommendations concerning tyres and snow chains for travel to Europe in relation to European legislation. Obviously for insurance purposes it is better to have recommendations from Skoda if there are significant changes to the supplied vehicle. We are one European Community and it seems odd to me that some isolationist views have been expressed that just refer to the Yeti coping with conditions in the UK.

I apologise to all who misconceived that my posts were trolling. Look at Flame Warriors for assurances. If you feel I am a new species please send details to that website!

I respect the views any of those who may have posted messages (now deleted) elaborating on a complaint to moderators but maybe revealing contact of private messages. Most experienced forum users all know that revealing the content of private messages on open forum is the most heinous offence but sometimes people do not read all the small print!

I did not read the open forum messages as containing a reprimand by Moderators to anyone - particularly Dave Carter.

I hope that Dave stays in the forums and continues to press for what he feels is right

Up until today I actually rated Briskoda as one of the best communities to spend time on, in fact Ive often said to potential visitors that its very well moderated. I know the skill in fair moderation as Ive been a mod on a number of forums previously and still am today. Its not an easy job and usually involves being in the middle of what appears a petit arguement. At tmes it can be a thankless job.

However, if its just a case of talking about the Yeti then anything could be deemed on topic to a degree. Was it on topic as per the post title and OP's question? No. Have several other threads been very annoyingly taken off on a tangent to digress again to dicussions of snow chains and the fact they cant be used (allegedly) on an elegance? Yes. Therefore is the poster guilty of posting irrelevant off topic posts? Yes, without a doubt.

Everyone is guilty of it at some point (me included) but to keep doing it in threads that have absolutely nothing to do with the fitment of snow chains just to fulfill some sort of petit vendetta against Skoda UK certainly requires someform of moderation.

Ive been on Briskoda for over five years now and Ive never known any other member to get so many backs up before - apart from some of the more obviously and directly abusive ones of course!

Apologies for being off topic.

Up until today I actually rated Briskoda as one of the best communities to spend time on, in fact Ive often said to potential visitors that its very well moderated. I know the skill in fair moderation as Ive been a mod on a number of forums previously and still am today. Its not an easy job and usually involves being in the middle of what appears a petit arguement. At tmes it can be a thankless job.

However, if its just a case of talking about the Yeti then anything could be deemed on topic to a degree. Was it on topic as per the post title and OP's question? No. Have several other threads been very annoyingly taken off on a tangent to digress again to dicussions of snow chains and the fact they cant be used (allegedly) on an elegance? Yes. Therefore is the poster guilty of posting irrelevant off topic posts? Yes, without a doubt.

Everyone is guilty of it at some point (me included) but to keep doing it in threads that have absolutely nothing to do with the fitment of snow chains just to fulfill some sort of petit vendetta against Skoda UK certainly requires someform of moderation.

Ive been on Briskoda for over five years now and Ive never known any other member to get so many backs up before - apart from some of the more obviously and directly abusive ones of course!

Apologies for being off topic.

Now come on chaps/ladies/gentlemen/guys/gals/duchesses and queens

This was MY topic (sniffs) and it has been trebly hijacked - once by chains, then by grumbles about grumbles about chains, and now by grumbles about moderation of grumbles about chains.

Hows about we drop all of that - and answer my ruddy question, eh? I wanna know why Yeti? And why crossover? That was all.

Thanks. Nuff now.

G

Now come on chaps/ladies/gentlemen/guys/gals/duchesses and queens

This was MY topic (sniffs) and it has been trebly hijacked - once by chains, then by grumbles about grumbles about chains, and now by grumbles about moderation of grumbles about chains.

Hows about we drop all of that - and answer my ruddy question, eh? I wanna know why Yeti? And why crossover? That was all.

Thanks. Nuff now.

G

Fair enough. :yes:

Also, another thing, just to add, mmmm

I find it intriguing to note what people have moved TO the Yeti FROM. There seem to be all sorts of different types of car featured.

Me - I'm selling a Renault Megane 1.5 dCi 106bhp that does 60mpg+ and can accelerate like bird droppings! What about the rest of you?

G