I wasn't expecting so many replies to my original post or to stir up so many passionate comments! I'd like to say thanks to all those who have taken the time to contribute.

I've now driven the 1.4 TSI but didn't get an opportuniy to get it up to speed. I'm back at the dealer tomorrow to try a 1.6 TDI, this time with a chance to take it on a motorway.

First impressions driving the 1.4 in very busy Woking traffic were very good. The 1.4 unit felt strong and the handling was better than I expected with not much body roll. I'll keep you posted!

By the way I did learn that with a 25 week waiting list for 2.0 TDI models, used dealer demonstrators were hard to find. They're sold quickly and at prices that are closely matching the new price. I also heard that Skoda UK are offering some of those people on that lengthy 2.0 waiting list an incentive to change their order to a petrol model. If any of you are on that list and tempted, then I would start complaining about the wait to your dealer!

my dealer tried for 3 weeks to get my order changed to the 1.8 but as i ordered on the 22nd December i was 2 days to late . you have to have ordered before the 20th of December to get the 1.8 with a skoda incentive

Edited 23 February, 201115 yr by wakev

By the way I did learn that with a 25 week waiting list for 2.0 TDI models, used dealer demonstrators were hard to find. They're sold quickly and at prices that are closely matching the new price. I also heard that Skoda UK are offering some of those people on that lengthy 2.0 waiting list an incentive to change their order to a petrol model. If any of you are on that list and tempted, then I would start complaining about the wait to your dealer!

Make that a potential 29 week waiting list

Oh James did mention something about a 1.8TSI but don't think Skoda were willing to knock the 3k off I'd need to possible get close to break even over a three year ownership period, compared to a TDI 110 4x4.

My rough calculations are;

Fuel £1500 more (parkers calculator used; based on current local fuel costs and 13000 a year mileage)

Rod tax £240 more (based on current rates)

Insurance anything up to £500 more at a guess over the 3 years

Depreciation ? but the 1.8TSI is not popular with my local dealers so maybe £1000 :wonder:

TP

To the OP, you could do a lot worse than the 1.4, its a very underrated unit and I think it works pretty well in the Yeti.

No, it hasn't got the ultimate midrange shove of the 170 TDi ( or 140 TDi really) but it is actually quite nice to get a bit of induction growl, albeit muted, on hard acceleration. I've found around town, with lots of short, stop start journeys, its not a lot different on fuel costs to my old Altea 140 TDi (PD) DSG.

It is very smooth and also pleasantly quiet, which is a bonus.

Nobody else on here is much of a fan, but as a package it works for me.

I would have liked a more torquey diesel when I was choosing, but in the end, the budget only went so far, but I'm not unhappy with the 1.4.

Driving the car for yourself is really the only way to find what works for you, so if in doubt, have more test drives.

Edited 24 February, 201115 yr by loadswine

Nobody else on here is much of a fan...

No I would not say that! I just think very few people on here owns said engine in a Yeti hence very little being said about it. From a power to weight ratio point of view this engine surely suits the Yeti far better than the 1,2 - if you only want a petrol engined model and don't require DSG.

To the OP, you could do a lot worse than the 1.4, its a very underrated unit and I think it works pretty well in the Yeti.

No, it hasn't got the ultimate midrange shove of the 170 TDi ( or 140 TDi really) but it is actually quite nice to get a bit of induction growl, albeit muted, on hard acceleration. I've found around town, with lots of short, stop start journeys, its not a lot different on fuel costs to my old Altea 140 TDi (PD) DSG.

It is very smooth and also pleasantly quiet, which is a bonus.

Nobody else on here is much of a fan, but as a package it works for me.

I would have liked a more torquey diesel when I was choosing, but in the end, the budget only went so far, but I'm not unhappy with the 1.4.

Driving the car for yourself is really the only way to find what works for you, so if in doubt, have more test drives.

I haven't driven a Yeti with this engine, but it's a gem in the Octavia. And with 200 nm of torque it's by no means short of pull (about the same as the old 1.9 tdi 90 bhp diesel had). Pity no DSG available with it (yet?!)

@roguebrit

"Only picked up on this thread just now - but, on the subject of the OP's choice between a Golf and the Yeti. I traded in a Mk 5 2.0 TDI DSG Golf - the 140 ps one - for my Yeti. Having the same engine and box were big factors for me. These two cars have given me more pleasure than most I have owned..

In the spec I had, the Golf was much quicker, and much more economical, especially at motorway speeds, in my experience. I enjoyed driving the Golf immensely - a hugely capable car."

The reason your Golf V felt much quicker is because it is. According to the VW Driver Magazine I have the Golf V 2.0 TDi 140 PD is faster in most of the in-gear increments than the Golf V1 2.0 170 CR. I think too that the Golf and the Yeti are the best in their separate disciplines.

Here are a couple of times:

Golf V1 2.0 170 CR Golf V 2.0 140 PD

0-60 7.5sec 0-60 7.8sec

30-50 (3rd) 3.1sec 30-50 (3rd) 3.4sec

30-50 (4th) 5.7sec 30-50 (4th) 5.2sec

50-70 (5th) 6.4sec 50-70 (5th) 6.2sec

50-70 (6th) 8.5sec 50-70 (6th) 8.3sec

Edited 25 February, 201115 yr by looby