Getting closer to deciding between Yeti 1.2 petrol and equivalent Golf Plus 1.4 petrol.

Have previously owned a Golf Plus and found the ride comfortable, tested a Yeti with 16 inch wheels which was fine, however the spec I am interested in has 17 inch wheels.

1. Have Skoda heeded the many complaints about 17 inch wheels and lower profile tyres and altered the suspension to compensate?

or

2. Should I ( can I ) order it with 16 inch wheels?

I think it looks great with 17 inch wheels but wonder why they insist on going to such a low profile? If it's for looks then 'style over function' is not such a good idea.

Over to you, guys.....

Been covered many times over on this forum and a hot topic of debate. Would suggest you first try a good long test drive over routes you know well, in both 16" & 17" shod Yeti's if you can.

17" wheels were not for me after my first Yeti ownership and IMHO do not suit the purpose of having a 4x4 'semi' off-road capable vehicle. However others like the 'sportier' handling and are happy with SUK's 'bling police' choosing the larger wheels for UK customers.

If you decide 16" rims are for you then your stuck with ordering an 'S' trim, fighting SUK to get a wheel 'upgrade' on a hight level of trim, or ordering the Yeti as is and getting dealer fit 16" rims and flee baying the sports ones.

Oh forgot to add the front suspension was modified in late 2010 for both the 2wd and 4x4; slight improvement at the front and the 2wd adopted a simpler rear subframe in mid 2010, on what appears to be cost grounds, although I don't believe it affected the ride/handling.

Hope of help,

TP

Edited 13 January, 201313 yr by The Plumber

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The difference for me was the 16" wheels give a slighly more compliant feel to the suspension, but the trade off is the steering feels less direct and precise.

All these effects are pretty suble though and may depend to some extent on the differences in different makes and width of tyre

As The Plumber says you need to try before you buy--my gripe is the same as his--you should have the choice one way or the other on the option list--I hate alloys for instance, but they force you to have them.

Most Yetis sold (other than Greenline) have been on 17" rims.

Only a small number have changed or ordered 16" rims.

I prefer the larger size.

Will still go offroad, but has less bodyroll on the road and sharper steering.

My Mum's Greenline feels more vague in the corners, but there is a bit more insulation from lumps and bumps.

I've always found the 17" wheels give a perfectly comfortable drive. TP has always argued that they're too harsh and the 16" wheels and fuller tyres give a softer/smoother passage. He clearly has a more sensitive botty than most of us ... I suspect piles.

I've got 16" winter tyres on at present and the car seems quieter and the bumps are less noticeable. But winter tyres are softer than summer and Michelin are probably quieter than Dunlop. Maybe not a fair comparisom but I am tempted to get another set of 16" alloys when the Dunlops wear out.

Bobdog +1

I've not had mine as long as some of the other posters, but I've no quibble with 17's!

I've got 16" winters and 17" for the rest of the year; the 16s are boingier, so a slightly softer ride but slight loss of sharpness to the handling. There's naff-all in it though - it handles fine on 16s and rides fine on 17s.

As another with 16" wheels I have to agree with TP. I test drove both 16" and 17" shod Yeti's back-to-back and the 16" wheels do provide a more compliant ride, Whether that matters depends on your sensitivity I guess, my wife has an iffy back so the gentler 16" ride was a no-brainer for me. Mind you, getting SUK to change my Elegance spec was a hassle until I got through to the Executive branch of the Customer Services Dept - I did hear they had tightened up and were less willing to give customers what they want - anyone know if that is true - otherwise AWfabia might be on a hiding to nothing.

I've always found the 17" wheels give a perfectly comfortable drive. TP has always argued that they're too harsh and the 16" wheels and fuller tyres give a softer/smoother passage. He clearly has a more sensitive botty than most of us ... I suspect piles.

No piles here dear boy unless your referring to the house foundations Truth of it is I'm very sensitive to what machinery is doing and how it's responding, had to be, I used to fix irreplaceable Spitfires (Supermarine not later Triumph) for a living

From my own perception the 17" was less willing to follow the contours of the road surface, resulting in less grip and imperfections would make the tyre skip across the surface and in the worst case lead to a jittery ride. Might just have been my first Yeti but this one behaves far better in all circumstances and I wouldn't go back to a Yeti with the larger alloys but were all different and have varying tastes and perceptions of what feels right and unfortunately for SUK a Yeti on sports wheels is not right for me

TP

Bobdog +2

I recently changed from a Passat on 17" wheels with quite skinny tyres (235/45 IIRC) and the Yeti ride is fine by comparison. Also my wife's A3 is definitely much quieter and better ride on winters than summers and both are same size - perhaps it is the tyre type that makes the difference rather than size???

I prefer the handling of my 17" wheel/tyre combination, but on broken surfaces, speed humps etc, the 16" winters are more compliant. Having said that, my 17's are now down to 4mm all round, whereas the 16's are virtually unworn at 8mm, so the tread itself will absorb imperfections better. The steering has less feel with the 16" winters, but again that could be the deeper tread blocks.

The Yeti has fairly stiff suspension, that's what makes it handle better than virtually every other SUV out there.

If buying again, I'd still go for the 17's as I find the ride perfectly acceptable - though everyone has different requirements from their vehicle.

I prefer the handling of my 17" wheel/tyre combination, but on broken surfaces, speed humps etc, the 16" winters are more compliant. Having said that, my 17's are now down to 4mm all round, whereas the 16's are virtually unworn at 8mm, so the tread itself will absorb imperfections better. The steering has less feel with the 16" winters, but again that could be the deeper tread blocks.

The Yeti has fairly stiff suspension, that's what makes it handle better than virtually every other SUV out there.

If buying again, I'd still go for the 17's as I find the ride perfectly acceptable - though everyone has different requirements from their vehicle.

Agree - brilliant handling and acceptable ride - looks better to.

Most Yetis sold (other than Greenline) have been on 17" rims.

Only a small number have changed or ordered 16" rims.

I prefer the larger size.

Will still go offroad, but has less bodyroll on the road and sharper steering.

My Mum's Greenline feels more vague in the corners, but there is a bit more insulation from lumps and bumps.

I prefer the handling of my 17" wheel/tyre combination, but on broken surfaces, speed humps etc, the 16" winters are more compliant. Having said that, my 17's are now down to 4mm all round, whereas the 16's are virtually unworn at 8mm, so the tread itself will absorb imperfections better. The steering has less feel with the 16" winters, but again that could be the deeper tread blocks.

The Yeti has fairly stiff suspension, that's what makes it handle better than virtually every other SUV out there.

If buying again, I'd still go for the 17's as I find the ride perfectly acceptable - though everyone has different requirements from their vehicle.

Just the same as BossFox and speedsport. I like the feedback from the 17s but I agree the 16s give a smoother ride; they're just not quite as good in the corners. I'm quite looking forward to getting the 17s back on.

Go for the 16", having now converted to Octavia, I must totally agree with TP.

The ride on 17's is probably the only downside I found in an otherwise enjoyable partnership.

No piles here dear boy

TP

Of course you've heard of the guy who mixed up his pile ointment and his toothpaste? Ended up with shrinking gums and a ring of confidence. :moon:

Bobdog, are you saying size really doesn't matter

I'll get my coat.

not really had any problems with the 17" in terms of ride.

I like the security of the extra width and grip.

16" moon alloys do look quite nice though.

Mines on 17's and I have to say the ride is really good. Certainly better than my brothers golf on 16's

not really had any problems with the 17" in terms of ride.

I like the security of the extra width and grip.

16" moon alloys do look quite nice though.

In my opinion the 16" Moon always (while nice) do look lost in the rather large wheelarches.

In my opinion the 16" Moon always (while nice) do look lost in the rather large wheelarches.

The total size of wheel + tyre with 16" or 17" is exactly the same - so the appearance of "filling" the wheelarch is equally the same. Only difference is a bit more wheel and a bit less tyre with the 17"!

The total size of wheel + tyre with 16" or 17" is exactly the same - so the appearance of "filling" the wheelarch is equally the same. Only difference is a bit more wheel and a bit less tyre with the 17"!

You may have missed the words... In my opinion.

Yes, I do know that the overall diameter of both is the same, but the 17" rims do look better in the Yeti wheelarches making them look more filled... In my opinion.

The total size of wheel + tyre with 16" or 17" is exactly the same - so the appearance of "filling" the wheelarch is equally the same. Only difference is a bit more wheel and a bit less tyre with the 17"!

True - but the larger rim does tend to create an optical illusion of a smaller gap as the tyre depth is narrower. So, more silver therefore less black against the dark void under the wheel arch, (unless of course you have black rims).

PS: of course if you have 22" rims and seriously lowered suspension as per my profile Yeti picture (not mine though), there is no gap!

True - but the larger rim does tend to create an optical illusion of a smaller gap as the tyre depth is narrower. So, more silver therefore less black against the dark void under the wheel arch, (unless of course you have black rims).

PS: of course if you have 22" rims and seriously lowered suspension as per my profile Yeti picture (not mine though), there is no gap!

Exactly.