May thanks for a honest overview of the 1.2TSI Expatman.

 

Suffice to say that after reading this, I have just changed my order from a 140 TDI 4x4  DSG, to a 1.2TSI DSG, as I don't really need a diesel or 4x4 (got a bit carried away I think), as only do about 7500 miles pa and never go off road, and as I am retired, I don't really need to drive if the roads are bad (snow/ice etc).

 

Although, If Skoda did a 1.2TSI 4x4 DSG that would be great.

 

Thanks for saving me around £4k though! 

You are welcome, the one extra worth investing in is a set of winter tyres which I mounted on Skoda steel wheels. I put the winter wheels on in November and there is no doubt that they provide vastly improved 'grip' over summer tyres; there are plenty of reviews to support this. Change back to summers in March. Total cost was about £600 but well worth it, and of course running two sets of tyres mean that each set lasts twice as long. 

I am also retired - that is when I changed to the petrol Yeti - you will be delighted by your Yeti as mine still puts a smile on my face even after 19 months of driving it!!

You are welcome, the one extra worth investing in is a set of winter tyres which I mounted on Skoda steel wheels. I put the winter wheels on in November and there is no doubt that they provide vastly improved 'grip' over summer tyres; there are plenty of reviews to support this. Change back to summers in March. Total cost was about £600 but well worth it, and of course running two sets of tyres mean that each set lasts twice as long. 

I am also retired - that is when I changed to the petrol Yeti - you will be delighted by your Yeti as mine still puts a smile on my face even after 19 months of driving it!!

Yep - winter tyres will be on my list (paid for by the savings I have made). Had a diesel 110 Yeti previously and echo your comments in bold above.

 

Have not driven a 1.2TSI, but all the reviews concur with your sentiments.

 

Just the long wait now for delivery!

Just to summarise:

 

1. Diesels take an age to warm up and are less efficient when cold

2. Diesel is 5-6% more expensive than petrol

3. You'll pay more to buy the diesel vehicle

4 The diesel maintenance costs are likely to be higher

 

and youre still considering a diesel  to do low miles and short journeys ?

 

ETA - this is not a response to anyone in the thread, just a chuckle to myself regarding the uk's irrational obsession with MPG over every other cost factor.

Edited 20 October, 201312 yr by 33whitey

Personally, I think some guys (and perhaps gals) are missing the opportunity for fun that the DPF gives.....

 

Yesterday, m'Lady reported that the fans had stayed on twice during her local (short and cold) rounds, despite Annie having had a good motorway trip to the NEC only a couple of weeks ago.  No problem, says I.  So while m'Lady was busy elsewhere this morning, Annie and I had a nice romp for nearly an hour on some carefully-selected motorways (Lane 3) and A-road hills, mainly in S, and getting the oil up to 104°. 

 

I think it did Annie good. 

 

 

 

It certainly did me! 

Well to interject on behalf of diesel ownership.

Mate Clive says on Friday his Mrs. had the Mokka down to Sprucefield.

67.5mpg recorded.

In the 1.6 Petrol Mazda 3 he reckenes (from many years of expensive experience)

Perhaps 38mpg.

A staggering difference.

Though rural NI drivers probably drive more than the most of the UK population.

Rural Wales and Scotland excepted.

Plus it must be said a staggering number of NI diesel drivers run on red diesel.

Even the 40/50/60 thou Land Cruiser Amazons, BMW X5's etc etc.

Another significent saving.

For this reason I will not buy a second hand diesel ex NI usuage.

Cos a lot of Kero and other laundered/hooky diesel used as well

marcus

Expatman - do you have 16 inch 'standard' wheels & tyres?

I have 17s on mine and wonder if 17 inch steels available from Skoda or anywhere else to avoid speedo reading incorrectly.

Never had a diesel car but was concerned about whether the 1.2TSI could pull a Yeti. Tried the petrol and diesel on consecutive test drives and for me the extra noise/vibration of the diesel decided it.

 

So suggest test drive them both and then go away and decide. And do you do enough miles for the increased mpg to cover the additional cost of purchase and fuel? Ultimately the calculations will rule your head, the test drive might rule your heart.

Expatman - do you have 16 inch 'standard' wheels & tyres?

I have 17s on mine and wonder if 17 inch steels available from Skoda or anywhere else to avoid speedo reading incorrectly.

I believe that the 215  60 16" tyres have the same rolling circumference as the 17" low profiles thereby negating any speedo variance. Perhaps some of the more knowledgeable members could confirm and comment. 

I believe that the 215  60 16" tyres have the same rolling circumference as the 17" low profiles thereby negating any speedo variance. Perhaps some of the more knowledgeable members could confirm and comment. 

Correct.  Insignificant difference.  I think there's probably more difference between new and borderline-worn tyres. 

Comparing 225/50/17 (standard Yeti tyre size for 17" rim) against 215/60/16 (standard Yeti tyre size for 16" rim) on willtheyfit.com gives the following;

 

                                    Old     New    

Diameter                656.8mm 664.4mm  

Circumference    2063.4mm 2087.3mm  

Poke                          37.9mm 37.9mm  

Inset                        139.9mm 139.9mm  

Speedo error                   0% -1.14%  

Reading at 30mph     30mph 29.66mph  

Reading at 60mph     60mph 59.31mph  

Ride height gain           0mm 3.8mm  

Arch gap loss                0mm 3.8mm

Edited 20 October, 201312 yr by JulieD

Slightly back on topic.

The 1.2 tsi DSG and the CR140 DSG (4x4) give similar economy.

My CR140 DSG spent a lot of its life driving around congested South London. I averaged 38mpg over 41,000 miles.

Expatman - do you have 16 inch 'standard' wheels & tyres?

I have 17s on mine and wonder if 17 inch steels available from Skoda or anywhere else to avoid speedo reading incorrectly.

 

I am one of the few who spec'd 16" Moon wheels as standard - 215 60 R16. However if you are on 17" you will be on a lower 50 profile tyre so changing to 16" steel wheels with either 205 or 215 60 profile 16" tyres will provide, as near as dammit, the same rolling diameter as your 17" wheels so speedo will be accurate within normal tolerance. You will also appreciate the smoother ride the 16" higher profile tyres provide, as pensioners we like our creature comforts!! The only difference I notice between my Continental summer tyres and Nokian winter tyres is that the Nokian's are a bit noisier - small price to pay for much enhanced grip.

Great engine combination the 1.2 TSI and DSG and as T.P. says, smooth and responsive and very quiet. As for power we often go up Sutton Bank near Thirsk on the way home from our caravan, a 1 in 4 incline. I have often been tailgated going up but a foot on the accelerator drops the gears down and it will sail up at 50 mph leaving other cars well behind. As for fuel consumption with almost 6k miles on the clock it normally averages 40.3 between fill ups, no complaints about that.