Don't bother with DSG unless he has difficulty with a manual.  I tried it and it didn't respond quickly enough for me.  For example pulling out into a busy road you put your foot down and for maybe half a second nothing happens - and then it goes.  Dangerous until you're used to it, I'd say.

 

More expense, more to go wrong, steer clear in my opinion.

 

I have also noticed this brief hesitation on a number of VW group cars equipped with DSG (Yeti, Octavia, Golf and Golf Plus) but it was only noticeable when driving off from standstill.

I have also noticed this brief hesitation on a number of VW group cars equipped with DSG...

It's not unknown to get hesitation at a roundabout with a manual of course. It's easy to arrive at a busy roundabout thinking that you've spotted a usable slot while staying in a suitable gear to merge in quickly with the flow of traffic. But then the slot disappears and you're forced to slow down a bit more on the approach than anticipated and, hey presto, you're in the wrong gear!

Edited 31 July, 201312 yr by prodata

...hey presto, you're in the wrong gear!

Isn't that one of those cases where you might think ahead about some DIY?  ('...move the stick left and briefly take over...' #19 above)

Isn't that one of those cases where you might think ahead about some DIY?  ('...move the stick left and briefly take over...' #19 above)

Not 100% sure whether you read my post or not before answering. But maybe you're a driver with perfect foresight and coordination. I can't think of one driver (myself included) who's driven me in a manual car recently that hasn't made this mistake at some point or another (typically at least once per (long) journey).

Edited 31 July, 201312 yr by prodata

Sorry if offending.  I did intend an anonymous 'you' and the conditional 'might' and I would make no claim to perfection in my driving - I only try. 

 

My point was that the reported hesitation with the DSG seems to occur in fairly predictable situations - such as the one you described - and that's where the advance manual override is an option.  :think:

Having driven DSG auto cars for the last 7 years - 2.0 Diesel Octavia followed by 1.2 Yeti - I have really not found the "hesitation" a problem. I guess maybe you get used to driving "around" it so that it ceases to be a problem but frankly I think this is a case of over thinking by some reviewers/drivers looking for something negative to say! Every car I have ever driven has some quirk which is just part of the car.

Driving in 2013 is mostly in traffic unless you are lucky enough to live in some remote area, automatic gearboxes just make driving so much simpler and less stress on joints - that constant brake, in-clutch out-clutch in traffic is just boring and tiresome. For most of us driving is primarily a means of getting from A to B in most comfort and ease, the ability to drive "on gear" for fun is rare and expensive. 

Auto is the way to go - and finally remember there are very few drivers of manual geared cars that can out accelerate a DSG auto if you ever want to put on  a burst of boy speed!

- and finally remember there are very few drivers of manual geared cars that can out accelerate a DSG auto if you ever want to put on  a burst of boy speed!

I recall a report some years ago that the Stockholm police force had re-equipped with automatic cars for just this reason.

John

With regard to the DSG in the 1.2, relative to the other, more powerful, engine options I think I'd like to emphasize what I see as a particular characteristic of the 1.2 / DSG combination.  I admit to not having driven a manual 1.2 so disregard this if you wish, but.....it has to be said that some regard 1200cc to be quite small in the Yeti and suggest it's not for those wishing for the torque and 'out and out gusto' and flexibility of the larger engines - and maybe they have a point (although I don't have a problem with the performance of mine in any way, shape or form), however, could it be that any, actual or perceived, lack of power associated with the 1.2 may be "disguised" by the DSG by virtue of the fact that it is constantly sensing which gear it wants to be in and selects, for itself, the next gear down as soon as it decides it wants it (and does so remarkably imperceptibly and quickly).  Maybe the box is changing up and down more than a  manual driver might change change him/herself and the average driver using a 1.2 / DSG comination might not take that much notice of the, more frequent, changes which are, perhaps, compensating for the lack of power/torque which would be available to the drivers of the bigger engine versions???

 

 

Oldstan's comments offer good insight into why the 1.2 DSG works well despite the size and weight of the Yeti.  It's also surprisingly economical if driven reasonably gently, because it keeps the engine in the economical 1,000 to 2,000 rpm engine range.  I still marvel at the way it can potter along at 1,300 rpm but change almost instantly down for (reasonably) brisk acceleration.

 

If I lived in an uncongested area, I wouldn't bother with DSG though.

We have three autos/semi-autos, a Honda Jazz Hybrid, a Ford Fiesta, and our 1.2 TSI Yeti. The auto behaviour is different in all of them. The Honda Jazz Hybrid replaced my previous Jazz, which was a true semi-automatic, like the fiesta, with a normal clutch shifted by a servo controlled by a computer. With those primitive semi-autos, you have to help the gear change with the throttle, like you would do with a manual, if you want a smooth change. Most people loath them. If you like autos they fail by being too jerky. If you like manual, they just frustrate. The plus side is they are auto's without a torque converter, and if the fuel economy of traditional autos is an issue with you, the semi-auto might be a good answer. That was my reason for buying them.

The New Jazz auto and the DSG are in a different league, but they also differ. I would characterize the Jazz as a fully automatic car. The gear change is imperceptible, and unless you select gears manually there is no indication of what gear you are in. There is no lag on accelerating. It is pretty near perfect in what it does in my opinion and has all the good aspects of a full auto, plus fuel economy. It is not quite as smart as the DSG in that it does not recognize to engine brake on a hill so cleverly. But it has paddle gear shifts that give you (almost) full control. The DSG seems to me like a auto which also gives the driver some control. Like the jazz the changes are silky smooth, and will satisfy an auto-buff used to a torque converter. Unlike the Jazz, you know what it is doing. You know what gear it is in, and you can predict changes and help it along if need be. I actually find the stick control on manual shifts easier than the paddles on the Jazz, but that is probably because paddles are so different to a gear stick they take some learning, and I have never bothered.

Which is better? I like to fiddle so I like the DSG. My wife likes a car to get from A to B, so she likes the Jazz. Great! I get to drive the Yeti!

Test drive both as everyone has said and also remember to parallel park the DSG to get a feel for things.  Remember you will be unused to the PRNDS gate and you will look down to make sure what gear you are in on this test drive.  But when you get to know the car you will (just like in a manual) not look at the gear lever when changing gears.  When in D it is two clicks forward for reverse and when in reverse it is two clicks back for Drive to go forward.  Simple enough.  But just bear this in mind when you drive one.  It will feel as if it takes longer to change gears than in a manual (when parking) but this is because you are unfamiliar with the gate and will be looking at the lever instead of just doing the two clicks without looking.  

 

A DSG just takes the stress out of driving and really comes to its own in stop start traffic.  Going to the shops on open clear roads it is relaxing but to be honest such a trip is no hardship in any manual car either.  But crawling along in a traffic jam at 15mph...  They are heaven sent.

 

Also when on holiday in a country like France for example, with clear open dual carriage ways everywhere, the DSG works fantastically well with the cruise control.  In a manual Yeti the cruise control switches off the moment you press the clutch.  So if you get to a hill and need to gear down, the cruise is switched off and you have to switch it on again once over the hill and in top gear again.  In a DSG you can click the cruise control on from zero mph (as you exit a peage for example) and the car will automatically go up through the gears up to your set speed.  And the same up and down ANY hill.  Utterly, utterly relaxing.

 

One other point is that your hands are on the wheel at all times once in D.  Which is much safer in my book.

Don't bother with DSG unless he has difficulty with a manual.  I tried it and it didn't respond quickly enough for me.  For example pulling out into a busy road you put your foot down and for maybe half a second nothing happens - and then it goes.  Dangerous until you're used to it, I'd say.

 

More expense, more to go wrong, steer clear in my opinion.

 

What rubbish, have you actually got one? trying out on a demo is not good enough.. I have not noticed this from mine in any form. Perhaps you like to boy race at the traffic lights, roundabouts etc. If so you may be correct to a degree, but otherwise the gearbox and drive is a dream, Looking at comments from existing owners, yes more expense initially, yes could be more to go wrong but there seems to be no evidence of this happening as yet.

Evidence?  Perhaps the drop in the Which? reliability rating from 5* to 3* this year - more specifically the comment:

 

"The Yeti initially scored a five-star result for reliability, but in the 2013 Which Car survey it has dipped to an average three: most of its problems are minor, but owners have reported issues with the automatic transmission."

 

It's a very expensive item to deal with if it does go wrong!

Docc is a "Which" fan-I expect he knows more about washing machines than we do :sun:

Best auto box I have had.  My first car was an auto, Austin (1967), I have had a Rover, Peugeot and 2 Mercedes. I have had manual cars in between, but this DSG box is the best by far.

 

I occasionally notice the lag in acceleration (MORE POWER as Clarkson would say) when coming out of a junction or entering a roundabout, but it hasn't been an issue.

 

Yes, I suppose I am a bit worried about the longevity of the box, IF I were to keep the car 4 , 5 or 6 years or more, but I will be changing it next year after 3 years, probably for another Yeti with a DSG box.

 

That shoudl tell you something!

Docc is a "Which" fan-I expect he knows more about washing machines than we do :sun:

I very much doubt it. 

 

But I do bear in mind the fact that the Which? Car Buying Guide (from which the reliability figures are derived) is based on a pretty detailed questionnaire completed by members and non-members, and that it's the UK's largest survey of car reliability since 2007.

 

The five stars achieved last year was impressive, and it convinced me to think seriously about buying a Yeti (that, plus the Clarkson review!).  The sudden drop to three stars is a concern, though, and the specific reference to automatic transmission problems would certainly make me think very carefully before going for that option - particularly given the potential costs.

 

Just a personal viewpoint, of course.

I would never believe anything that Which says. During my student days and being skint I always bought their recommendations and quickly realised that they always promoted the cheap and cheerful products that may have saved you a few quid, but tended to be unreliable. Often tacky, and tended to cost you more in the long run, and certainly were not long lived. I would not even contemplate the washing machines, T.V's, kitchen goods they promote under any circumstances, so why look at their car comments. I will await the next Auto Express survey before passing final judgement it will be interesting to see if similar comments about DSG reliability are evident.

Having had a trouble free DSG Seat-albeit the older box- I have some confidence but if buying one I would pay the extra for the full 5 years warranty (I paid for the 4th year on my manual 1.8) as I wouldn't want to face a control unit fault out of warranty. So few faults have surfaced here that I would be genuinely surprised if there are significant problems (following the general rule of thumb that those with faults find somewhere to air them those who have none tend to be less forthcoming). My dig at "Which" was based on my reading of their magazine for many years and the fact they are a consumer organisation who's recommendations and criticisms are not significantly affected by knowledge of or interest in cars-the car as appliance is their standpoint. They represent a school of thinking which is alien to many.

Have you considered breaking one of his legs?

Nice to see true Yeti owner's views being represented in the last few posts. 

I've posted on this before but it bears repeating in view of some of the comments in this thread.  Don't get hung up on the perceived "smallness" of the 1.2 engine.  It's a turbo with the same power as a conventional 1.6.  F1 teams used to run 1.5 litre turbos.  They were banned when they got to 1000 bhp

I've posted on this before but it bears repeating in view of some of the comments in this thread.  Don't get hung up on the perceived "smallness" of the 1.2 engine.  It's a turbo with the same power as a conventional 1.6.  F1 teams used to run 1.5 litre turbos.  They were banned when they got to 1000 bhp

As i said before, based on our experience of 1.2 DSG Roomster, the engine is a jewel.

John

Thank you all - we dont need convincing on the  1.2 engine just the gear box and it looks as if an extended warranty is the way forward if we pick the DSG

For me, planning to keep the car at least 5 years the extra two years warranty for £600(?) was the no-brainer option. If anything goes wrong in years 4 and 5 hopefully it is covered by the warranty and I avoid (expensive) repair bills, if nothing goes wrong I've had peace of mind and a trouble free car for five years, which can't be a bad thing. My Yeti is a manual gearbox and because I don't do a lot of town driving is absolutely fine for my purposes but reading recent posts has made me more open to a DSG box in the future, but definitely with an extended warranty "just in case". (Taking the extended warranty at purchase could be an investment - if you do decide to sell at three years old for any reason, you are selling a car still with two years Skoda warranty left so potentially you could get a good part of that original £600 back).

Dancebluecat,

I've had the 1.2DSG Yeti for the last 2 years with no problems except...and this is a big one....when setting off to gain entry into the traffic, say from a left turn or entering a roundabout the DSG will first choose 1st gear then immediately move to second gear and on...Just what it's supposed to do, but it puts so much torque into the first gear that I spin the front wheels easily, if I drive like my "aunt", then the response is more like a hesitation.  Switching to "S" mode gives some relief but doesn't cure the spinning front wheels. Also, operating in "manual" solves the problem as the 1st to 2nd change is delayed.

 

I wouldn't buy another 1.2 DSG as around town it can get a bit frustrating, on longer journeys the box is great and it tows my caravan too with no trouble.  My right foot now has the touch of a midwife, gentle but firm seems to be the right approach...or mess about in man and S modes.

 

From what I've read, the diesel DSG is a better option.

When I sold my Octavia 18 months ago and ordered a Golf Plus (after giving up on Skoda being allowed to offer a DAB radio) I was considering a 2.0TDI 140 manual car or a 1.6TDI DSG. I was concerned about the complaints people here and elsewhere gave about a delayed response when braking and accelerating at roundabouts and quizzed the sales staff. They denied there was a problem (as you would expect) and offered me a test drive to help me decide. After this I ordered the 1.6TDI DSG and have been completely convinced that this is a perfect combination for a Yeti/Golf Plus sized car. The DSG is always in the right gear and more than makes up for the lower powered (110 bhp) engine after having been accustomed to my 2.0TDI 140 Octavia. Long drives on country roads and moterways gives 55 to 60 mpg. Why can't Skoda offer the 1.6TDI DSG in the Yeti? Is it just a lack of supply? (Delivery of my Golf Plus was delayed due to a DSG shortage I was told.) 

 

If the 1.2TSI DSG is anything like my 1.6TDI DSG, you won't have to worry about holding up other traffic - you'll be leaving them in your wake as they struggle to change gear and keep up with you!

 

Chris

What I would recommend when trying one is doing a hillstart (steeper the better) both forwards and reverse.

All the five Skodas we have had have been manual but we have just got a VW California 4motion with DSG.

We test drove the vehicle before buying but never thought to try hillstarts.

Our drive is fairly steep and on getting home the van either stopped (not stalled) or shot back in leaps and bounds. I thought there was somethng wrong with it so returned to the dealers. Went out in it and showed him what was happening. He then drove it and up it went smooth as silk.

My problem was that being used to driving conventional autos with a torque converter I was keeping the footbrake on and trying to rev it. This confuses the DSG brain, it thinks am I stopping or am I going so gives up and stops. The trick is to use the handbrake and then gently feed in the revs and the vehicle can actually be held stationary on a hill using revs, no damage as the clutches are wet rather than dry.

Now I've got used to it I wouldn't be without it, can't say I've noticed a problem setting off but it does have the 180 engine and a Sport mode. Best of both worlds, auto but manual if you want it with faster gearchanges than a conventional manual box.

Reliabilty, will have to wait and see but at least it doesn't have a dual mass flywheel to go wrong and destroy the gearbox, had this happen twice on one of the Octavia Estates we had. Main thing seems to be to make sure the oil is changed at the correct times or more often if it is constantly driven hard.

You need to have a good long test drive, not just a quick run round the block, and try all its features.

Edited 3 August, 201312 yr by briwy