Rockhopper: what do you mean raised rear view mirror? Do you know which models it's on?

Best to read this thread as it explains all in 900000's first post.

now the diesel DSG is good. It's the most expensive Yeti there is!

But I just happen to think that the petrol DSG is something of a bargain for those not needing 4x4 in an auto due to similar running costs.

I would agree with you there.....but it was fun on the wet track in the rain getting all my power down when the 2WD cars couldn't, but thats not a good enough reason to get a 4x4 , but saying that, it does help in wet/bad weather, but a 2WD with winter tyres will go places where many a 4x4 on summers can't .

I wanted a 4x4 auto so I could carry on working when the bad weather arrives. Then I found out about winter tyres through Briskoda after ordering my SM....I now have both and a lighter wallet No regrets.

Just to add my tuppence worth to all that has been said. I recently went through the same sort of decision process you're going through. I have had a series of diesel Octavias since 1998 and I no longer do big mileage, around 8k annually. I was driving a 140 2.0 pd Octavia L&K estate so a Yeti with its tiny boot and a tiny 1.2 engine seemed like a crazy option. I waited until there was a 1.2 available to test drive as I just could not get my head around the engine size and the apparent rave reviews.

I have done plenty off road driving with work in my time but have no need to do so in my own car so there was no need for 4x4 so the choice came down to 1.2 or 1.4. Although the 1.4 was lined up and ready to test I never set foot in it. I drove the 1.2 and blasted it round some hilly back roads and came back to the dealer and ordered on the spot. So far it's giving an indicated consumption of 42 mpg with a mix of town and country driving. The boot is smaller than an Octavia estate but that just means it's golf sized really. And the drive, especially on twisty roads, is so much better than the Octavia. And of course if you go the diesel route then you seem to be destined for a long long wait whereas petrols seem readily available - I waited 2 weeks from order to delivery as there were petrols in stock.

In summary: go for it!

I picked up my Yeti just as the snow was arriving last winter, having ordered it in August when the waiting list was still comparatively short. I've never regretted it. I've driven Skodas for decades - my first in 1980 was a Super Estelle 105S with the old steering box system. Since then I've had a Super Estelle 120L (followed by a Lada 1500 Estate because we needed the boot space - that was an experience!), back gratefully to Skoda for a Favorit 1.3, a Felicia 1.3, then 2 diesel Fabias, before my lovely Yeti. I've seen the improvements in Skodas firsthand, and I do think the Yeti is the best yet. I average about 12-13K a year, mainly a Pennine urban-rural mix. I have always calculated my mileage on the basis of consumption over 3 tanks, to take account of the variable residue, and the Yeti is giving me about 43-45mpg - it was as low as 40 during the winter, but is generally nearer 43. I bought the 4x4 because of the winter weather, but I've found it to be much more sure-footed on some of the country lanes around here in all weathers. It cruises comfortably on the motorways, too, but it can get very thirsty much above 70. It's a pleasant drive, a comfortable ride, if you fold down the back seats the boot is designed by the same guy who designed the Tardis - I'm a very happy Yeti driver!

As far as the Lada was concerned - I told my friends it was a good example of Soviet standardisation: it was built in the same factory as the MiG 29 jet fighter, which is why it went like the clappers but gobbled up the petrol, but it was built on the same assembly line as the T82 battle tank, and that's how it handled. As aerodynamic as a brick.

Off your head? Come and join the rest of the loonies!

I picked up my Yeti just as the snow was arriving last winter, having ordered it in August when the waiting list was still comparatively short. I've never regretted it. I've driven Skodas for decades - my first in 1980 was a Super Estelle 105S with the old steering box system.

almost the same car record I have

a 120L

a 1.3 Favorit (pre VW)

then another 1.3 Favorit (post VW)

a 1.6 Felicia

2 1.9 Octavia Mk1s

a 1.9 Octavia L&K Estate - crushed by a tree so replaced with

another 1.9 Octavia L&K estate

a 2.0 Octavia L&K estate

and now a 1.2 Yeti

Well, I've finally taken leave of my senses!

After all the good advice I've received on this thread, I've gone ahead and ordered the 1.2 SE Plus, scheduled for delivery in mid-December.

Can you help with one or two additional questions:

- I would like to get a rubber mat for the boot. Is it best to buy from Skoda or are there equally good and cheaper alternative options?

-I would very much like to have DAB radio (am addicted to Jazz FM) and am disappointed that Skoda don't yet offer this on their models. There doesn't even seem to be an upgrade I can opt for to get it. Is their any way of getting DAB in the Yeti?

- iPOD connection: I can't believe that there is no proper iPOD connection. Again, is there any way round this?

Thanks, guys for all your help and advice. I'm really looking forward to driving my new big boy!

Well, I've finally taken leave of my senses!

After all the good advice I've received on this thread, I've gone ahead and ordered the 1.2 SE Plus, scheduled for delivery in mid-December.

Can you help with one or two additional questions:

- I would like to get a rubber mat for the boot. Is it best to buy from Skoda or are there equally good and cheaper alternative options?

-I would very much like to have DAB radio (am addicted to Jazz FM) and am disappointed that Skoda don't yet offer this on their models. There doesn't even seem to be an upgrade I can opt for to get it. Is their any way of getting DAB in the Yeti?

- iPOD connection: I can't believe that there is no proper iPOD connection. Again, is there any way round this?

Thanks, guys for all your help and advice. I'm really looking forward to driving my new big boy!

I'm sure there are cheaper rubber mat options, but I went with the Skoda one. They only do one size, for the std vehicle without spare wheel. I currently have the spare wheel in place and it is fine.

The only way to get DAB at the moment is via a portable DAB tuner and connect via 3.5mm jack into the aux socket in the front arm rest.

You can retro fit the MDI interface, not cheap, but as your head unit will play music from an SD card or mp3's from the built in CD player, you hardly need iPod integration.

"I would like to get a rubber mat for the boot. Is it best to buy from Skoda or are there equally good and cheaper alternative options?"

Having bought one...I wished I hadn't myself. It's OK, but not a perfect fit with the spare wheel option (but OK). But a polypropylene mat, or ditto but as 'carpet' off the roll in the superstores works just as well and you can trim it to size, wash it, and it weighs much less than the rubber mat. It's the flecked, tufted, hard wearing stuff I'm trying to describe. Have a look round.

Edited 9 October, 201114 yr by oldstan

Well, I've finally taken leave of my senses!

After all the good advice I've received on this thread, I've gone ahead and ordered the 1.2 SE Plus, scheduled for delivery in mid-December.

Congratulations.

Does the SE plus come with lumbar support or did you need to add it?

Those who don't do ipods will always tell you you don't need integration. What they mean to say is they don't.

If your SE Plus comes with a Bolero you can get an MDI interface-but not from Skoda. I bought mine from a guy on the Golf Mkv forum on a tip from merlinman. Fitting is easy but you need VCDS coding changes to make it work.

The reason you can't get it from Skoda is that it is a VW feature which hasn't yet been passed over.

While sorting mine out I did make an SD card work but it is a clunky interface compared with the iPod. Those who haven't got iPods will never know and it is futile to seek to persuade them.

DAB is also widely disdained by those who haven't had a DAB set in a car. Those who love Test Match Special or 4 extra know different. It is patchy and very disappointing in many rural areas but they can't buy decent coffee either.

The ugly and technically inelegant add on units don't do it for me but I wish you well in searching out a proper fix.

I forgot to mention that an iPhone or an iPod touch if it has Bluetooth will play Bluetooth audio if the car has telephone preparation, which I think the SE plus has. I BT audio stream all the time. But you can't control anything via the head unit. You would be able to with MDI.

Personally I feel it is dangerous to drive and try and search for a track, as from my experience I take my eyes off the road to look for the track. I set mine up before I move off and leave it.

I don't have a spare wheel and I do have the Skoda rubber boot mat. The fit is perfect and it does a great job. I normally buy from anywhere but a dealer but the price for this is a good one and you know it fits. I can't comment about the fit if you have a spare but if you don't then I would happily recommend the Skoda rubber boot mat.

Well, I've finally taken leave of my senses!

After all the good advice I've received on this thread, I've gone ahead and ordered the 1.2 SE Plus, scheduled for delivery in mid-December.

Can you help with one or two additional questions:

- I would like to get a rubber mat for the boot. Is it best to buy from Skoda or are there equally good and cheaper alternative options?

-I would very much like to have DAB radio (am addicted to Jazz FM) and am disappointed that Skoda don't yet offer this on their models. There doesn't even seem to be an upgrade I can opt for to get it. Is their any way of getting DAB in the Yeti?

- iPOD connection: I can't believe that there is no proper iPOD connection. Again, is there any way round this?

Thanks, guys for all your help and advice. I'm really looking forward to driving my new big boy!

I fitted a Pure Highway to my Octavia and will transfer it to my Yeti. Window aerial worked fine 90% of the time and with a bit of thought it is possible to route the wiring out of sight and neatly. The Yeti has the AUX connection in the centre box so easy to hide/fit the unit in there and run the aerial to it, 12V outlet is just in front of box so easy to get to, or you could add an extra 12V outlet in the centre box by taking a lead off the one in front of the box - no great amperages to worry about! Halfords do extensions which with a bit of fiddling can be easily concealed and fitted. Incidentally that is a pet gripe of mine - why didn't Skoda fit a 12V outlet in the centre box next to the AUX in connection? Most everything you are going to connect to the AUX in needs a 12V connection, so why not fit one?? Like you it seems tardy of Skoda not to have DAB as standard, I suspect that 2013 models will have it though!

Does the SE plus come with lumbar support or did you need to add it?

BossFox: thanks for the prompt. Answer is I don't know and can't see it in the brochure, so I'll ask the garage.

Thanks to all for comments on the boot mat issue. Sounds as though it's probably just as well to go with Skoda on this.

If your SE Plus comes with a Bolero you can get an MDI interface-but not from Skoda. I bought mine from a guy on the Golf Mkv forum on a tip from merlinman. Fitting is easy but you need VCDS coding changes to make it work.The reason you can't get it from Skoda is that it is a VW feature which hasn't yet been passed over.

JCP: thanks very much for your comments. I'll have to do some research on the internet about getting an MDI interface and fixing this up. Looks as though I'll have to get some electrical wiz to sort this out for me, but I don't want to go backwards on this one. DAB reception round our way is excellent.

Expatman: appreciate your thoughts on how you manage to get DAB reception. Just such a blooming shame that Skoda don't fit it as standard!

Expatman: appreciate your thoughts on how you manage to get DAB reception. Just such a blooming shame that Skoda don't fit it as standard!

I bought a DAB radio a few years ago for listening at work. Reception was pants and it got used on FM all the time. I now work from home and reception is actually worse, so it remains on FM. Since Skoda would no doubt charge something more for the DAB facility I am quite happy to go without. I'm sure reception is great in big cities but outwith that it seems pretty naff. I'm not out in the sticks by any manner of means so goodness knows what it's like out in the wilds. I can't say I have really noticed that there is anything on DAB that isn't available on FM anyway and then there are the arguments about the poorer sound quality from the audiophiles.

:wonder:

I bought a DAB radio a few years ago for listening at work. Reception was pants and it got used on FM all the time. I now work from home and reception is actually worse, so it remains on FM. Since Skoda would no doubt charge something more for the DAB facility I am quite happy to go without. I'm sure reception is great in big cities but outwith that it seems pretty naff. I'm not out in the sticks by any manner of means so goodness knows what it's like out in the wilds. I can't say I have really noticed that there is anything on DAB that isn't available on FM anyway and then there are the arguments about the poorer sound quality from the audiophiles.

:wonder:

Couldn't agree more.(rural lincolnshire here.):yes:

The issue with DAB is not with FM as that works very well, you press your station eg Radio 1/2/3/4, and then it follows you around the country with a great reception with the odd exception eg The Lake District, Highlands etc. The problem is MW for people who want to listen to sports stations, commentaries etc.

The issue with DAB is not with FM as that works very well, you press your station eg Radio 1/2/3/4, and then it follows you around the country with a great reception with the odd exception eg The Lake District, Highlands etc. The problem is MW for people who want to listen to sports stations, commentaries etc.

aha, MW? Can't say the last time I bothered with that. I'm in the very urban central belt and DAB is patchy to say the least. If urban conurbations like this aren't well covered then there's not much hope really. I use internet radio at home now and in the car listen to SD cards - can't say I have even put a CD in the yeti so far

The issue with DAB is not with FM as that works very well, you press your station eg Radio 1/2/3/4, and then it follows you around the country with a great reception with the odd exception eg The Lake District, Highlands etc. The problem is MW for people who want to listen to sports stations, commentaries etc.

aha, MW? Can't say the last time I bothered with that. I'm in the very urban central belt and DAB is patchy to say the least. If urban conurbations like this aren't well covered then there's not much hope really. I use internet radio at home now and in the car listen to SD cards - can't say I have even put a CD in the yeti so far

So what you are really saying is why have they done away with MW in the car as much as why can't we have DAB. If they gave us DAB people would then start noticing the service was so rubbish and would want MW back in the car

The issue with DAB is not with FM as that works very well, you press your station eg Radio 1/2/3/4, and then it follows you around the country with a great reception with the odd exception eg The Lake District, Highlands etc. The problem is MW for people who want to listen to sports stations, commentaries etc.

I wouldn't call those "odd exceptions" as major HOLES, and you haven't included the vast majority of Wales, where even the BBC admit that DAB reception is unlikely.

I have DAB radio fitted in our Jaguar XJ - the coverage is pretty good, with very few 'holes'. When we travel to Wales, the reception is good until we get into the mountains around Snowdon.

Pete

I used to have a DAB -a Sony aftermarket unit and the reception was more often than not usefully good and the software automatically chose FM if the DAB dropped.

There will always be areas of the country which have less effective radio and TV broadcasts and however irritating it may be for those who live there it is no reason to hold back development where it is possible. All telecomms advance by the percentage of the population they can reach.

If Skoda have access to the hardware-which they do I cannot understand why they do not make it available-even at some cost. Those who prefer their music from wind up gramaphones or their radio via marconis valve sets have the choice whether or not to use current technology.

One factor in deciding where to live and work are the amenities available. Some people value access to wild country more highly than the ability to have digital broadcasts.

We makse and live with our own choices.

BossFox: thanks for the prompt. Answer is I don't know and can't see it in the brochure, so I'll ask the garage.

Thanks to all for comments on the boot mat issue. Sounds as though it's probably just as well to go with Skoda on this.

JCP: thanks very much for your comments. I'll have to do some research on the internet about getting an MDI interface and fixing this up. Looks as though I'll have to get some electrical wiz to sort this out for me, but I don't want to go backwards on this one. DAB reception round our way is excellent.

Expatman: appreciate your thoughts on how you manage to get DAB reception. Just such a blooming shame that Skoda don't fit it as standard!

You are right it is a shame that DAB is not even an option with the Yeti. The options are waiting till 2013 or 2014 (when I am sure DAB will be at least an option), doing without DAB or finding a work-around! Hence my option of the Pure Highway which gets me DAB and the stations not available on FM.

If Skoda have access to the hardware-which they do I cannot understand why they do not make it available-even at some cost. Those who prefer their music from wind up gramaphones or their radio via marconis valve sets have the choice whether or not to use current technology.

One factor in deciding where to live and work are the amenities available. Some people value access to wild country more highly than the ability to have digital broadcasts.

We makse and live with our own choices.

Actually I am not in the wilds I am in the central belt of Scotland - hardly rural. And I think you will find that technically, the range of sound is more restricted on DAB than on FM, so it's not a wind up gramophone issue.

I wouldn't call those "odd exceptions" as major HOLES, and you haven't included the vast majority of Wales, where even the BBC admit that DAB reception is unlikely.

Yes I could have gone through every part of the British Isles that is a radio hole but that would be very BORING. In terms of numbers of people, not geographical size, they are a small number in comparison with the whole population of the country.

I agree that it would be best to have to have 100% coverage but then we don't have that with MW now. When I drive through the Lake District MW disappears completely for about 45 minutes. 603MW, cricket commentary, is non existent for most of the country. DAB can not be worse than MW now. Maybe the drive should be to get MW stations onto FM but I believe space on the band is the problem there.

Yes I could have gone through every part of the British Isles that is a radio hole but that would be very BORING. In terms of numbers of people, not geographical size, they are a small number in comparison with the whole population of the country.

I agree that it would be best to have to have 100% coverage but then we don't have that with MW now. When I drive through the Lake District MW disappears completely for about 45 minutes. 603MW, cricket commentary, is non existent for most of the country. DAB can not be worse than MW now. Maybe the drive should be to get MW stations onto FM but I believe space on the band is the problem there.

But then in terms of population those who can understand cricket are an even smaller minority