Hi

 

Trying to decide between a 4x4 150 diesel or a 1.2 TSI. Both would be SE Drive spec.

 

I've driven the 150 and enjoyed its grunt and like the idea of all weather 4x4 ability. However it's got quite a (£4K) premium over the front wheel drive 1.2, which would probably meet my needs 99% of the time.

 

Not driven 1.2 yet, so not sure whether it would make a good all rounder for me. Has it got enough grunt to keep up? What's it like on motorways? Four up? Coming from VRS so concerned a 1.2 could feel really underpowered...

 

Apparently less of a hit on depreciation from smaller engine and I'd probably rather have a smoother petrol unit than diesel (plus AdBlue is a bit of a faff)

 

Heart says 150, head says TSI. Any thoughts from owners?

 

Cheers

Jon

You really need to test drive a 1.2 Tsi. before deciding. I went from a 2 litre Octavia to a 1.2 Tsi Yeti - both with DSG gearboxes - and quickly adapted to the 1.2, less grunt but so much smoother and quieter. In real terms the 1.2 has sufficient power and flexibility and I have rarely felt the need for more power. Fine on motorways 4 up. Incidentally the DSG box is a great fit with the 1.2 TSi - look at any Road Test! In terms of winter use the major factor is the tyres rather than 4 wheel drive, a 2 wheel drive with winter tyres is far better than a 4 wheel drive on regular tyres. Remember a 4x4 on regular tyres has no more grip than a 2 wheel drive on regular tyres, have a look at some of the videos on YouTube and you will see the difference winter tyres make. It's also far cheaper to get a set of winter wheels with winter tyres than to go for a 4X4.

I really like my 1.2 driving in and out of the odd muddy field hasnt been a problem so no need for 4wd for me. Its quiet cheap to run and easily does 70mph 4 up with a boot full of camping gear across europe. And its not a stinky diesel.

We've a manual 1.2tsi with the current 110ps engine. It will roll along in 6th gear at 70 no problem, 4 up plus luggage and dog. Overtaking needs a bit more planning than the 'point and go' of the Vectra, but thats 185ps and has less wind resistance. My mum has a 14 plate Yeti with the 105ps 1.2tsi unit and DSG gearbox and that too is a lovely smooth drive.

 

The 1.2 is a nice quiet smooth comfortable vehicle and its become our choice for longer trips if we don't need the boot space. I don't think you'd be disappointed with it.

 

I owned a remapped (200hp+) 2002 Octavia 1.8T 4X4 Estate followed by a 2010 Octavia II 1.8TSI 4X4 Estate.  The former had the Haldex ECU replaced just before the 3 year warranty expired while the latter had the complete rear transmission replaced under an extended warranty at 4 years and just 20,000 miles after the rear diff seized.  I didn't understand the popularity of the Yeti on Briskoda until I drove one early in 2015 when I was looking to replace the Octavia II.  I didn't want a diesel - although I love the punchiness of my wife's 2007 Fabia vRS - and, whilst I enjoyed the advantages of Haldex 4X4 transmission, I didn't want the worry of further problems.  In Mar 2015 I took delivery of a new Yeti Outdoor Elegance 1.2TSI DSG with loads of extras.  Whilst only 105PS, the engine is quiet, smooth and pulls well.  I love my Yeti and its 7-speed DSG gearbox and I smile each time I drive it.  My advice would be to try the 1.2TSI (110ps) before deciding whether diesel or petrol is for you.

Edited 2 February, 20179 yr by DGW

I've had a 105 1.2 tsi DSG Roomster SE, and now have a 105 1.2 tsi DSG Yeti SE, I am about to order a 110 1.2 tsi DSG Yeti SE L Drive (if they are still making them at the end of the month (see Yeti Drive spec thread). Both cars have been a hoot to drive, I love the little 1.2 engine, and six years ago if you had told me I would have had a 1.2 litre engine I would have slapped the back of your head! Now I'm about to get my third. Coupled with the DSG they are a great little package, I don't need 4x4 so I don't need a larger engine fuelled by chipshop oil.

We used to own a 1.2 TSI DSG, but now have a 170 TDI DSG.  I wrote about the differences here in this embedded link:

 

Thanks everyone, really appreciate your help with this.

 

I'm leaning towards a 1.2 in Candy White with a spare wheel and smart link as the only options. I think the white/black contrast works well on the yeti. I also like to shift my own cogs so I'm hoping the manual will be ok, despite all the love on here for the dsg.

2 hours ago, clarky2 said:

I also like to shift my own cogs so I'm hoping the manual will be ok, despite all the love on here for the dsg.

You can off course still slip the DSG over to manual if you want to. I wouldn't be parted from my DSG box at any price now but each to his own . Four of us went out for a meal the other night and we've got some fair old hills round here which my Yeti sailed up even though I'm still being very gentle with it and no more than feathering the throttle. I'm really impressed with the 1.2TSI 110hp unit having come from a 2.0TDI 140hp.

1 hour ago, longedge said:

You can off course still slip the DSG over to manual if you want to. I wouldn't be parted from my DSG box at any price now but each to his own . Four of us went out for a meal the other night and we've got some fair old hills round here which my Yeti sailed up even though I'm still being very gentle with it and no more than feathering the throttle. I'm really impressed with the 1.2TSI 110hp unit having come from a 2.0TDI 140hp.

 

That's good for me to hear, coming from a manual diesel background - including a previous 140 Yeti - to the 1.2 TSI DSG

3 hours ago, clarky2 said:

Thanks everyone, really appreciate your help with this.

 

I'm leaning towards a 1.2 in Candy White with a spare wheel and smart link as the only options. I think the white/black contrast works well on the yeti. I also like to shift my own cogs so I'm hoping the manual will be ok, despite all the love on here for the dsg.

 

My mum has a DSG and we have a manual, so I've driven both. If you don't mind changing your own the manual is fine - the 6th gear makes it a civilised cruiser, the wide torque band means you don't need to row up and down too much and the clutch is light. We ordered new and didn't feel the need to pay the £1k premium for DSG. Had we been buying second hand, a DSG wouldn't have put us off however, its one of the best autos I've driven.

 

My mum has an auto-only licence so it was Hobson's choice for her  Hers is candy white and it does look very smart but it shows the filth very quickly, and she lives on a busy road so it really gets a plastering. Still, we owned a white Astra G for 16 years so I am no stranger to the wash bucket  

You must try the DSG!

I was a died in the wool stick stirrer and considered myself to be a bit quick with the gear changes but then I tried a DSG. I was converted within 3 miles and haven't regretted my decision and am now on my 2nd DSG.

Even at my best I doubt I could have been as quick and smooth with a manual. Many traffic light GP drivers have been left in my rear view mirror but of course I don't do that any more.

 

Fred

Edited 3 February, 20179 yr by g6zru

47 minutes ago, g6zru said:

You must try the DSG!

I was a died in the wool stick stirrer and considered myself to be a bit quick with the gear changes but then I tried a DSG. I was converted within 3 miles and haven't regretted my decision and am now on my 2nd DSG.

Even at my best I doubt I could have been as quick and smooth with a manual. Many traffic light GP drivers have been left in my rear view mirror but of course I don't do that any more.

 

Fred

 

"dyed"?

The 1.2 TSi is great engine, the manual has one less gear so the DSG keeps the engine in a tighter power band.

 

As Fred has said try the DSG it is a lot better than many of the like to change my own gear brigade expect.  Manual vs DSG Will depend on nature your journey, if it is open Road, no traffic lights, no roundabouts manual might be ok.  

For me my 10 mile commute has so many traffic lights that I once counted the gear changes and was well over 120.  Assume it is nearer 100 with only 6 gears, but 2 journeys a day, 5 days week over 1000 manual changes per week, no thanks.

 

The only disadvantage of the petrol is that over about 65mph you can get poorer mpg (not such a problem in Fabia, Octavia etc) but more to do with yeti having aerodynamics of a house brick.  It will still cruise happily loaded at 80mph+ but drinks bit more (more like 36-40 mpg)  In town and on single carriageway A roads the petrol is much smoother than the diesel and will happily get 40-47mpg so unless you are doing 20k+ miles per year petrol is better.

 

One other factor is a bit of a curved ball, but some cities are threatening to ban diesels, so diesel could become unpopular and have naff residuals in 2020s

Edited 3 February, 20179 yr by SurreyJohn

47 minutes ago, SurreyJohn said:

The 1.2 TSi is great engine, the manual has one less gear so the DSG keeps the engine in a tighter power band.

 

As Fred has said try the DSG it is a lot better than many of the like to change my own gear brigade expect.  Manual vs DSG Will depend on nature your journey, if it is open Road, no traffic lights, no roundabouts manual might be ok.  

For me my 10 mile commute has so many traffic lights that I once counted the gear changes and was well over 120.  Assume it is nearer 100 with only 6 gears, but 2 journeys a day, 5 days week over 1000 manual changes per week, no thanks.

 

The only disadvantage of the petrol is that over about 65mph you can get poorer mpg (not such a problem in Fabia, Octavia etc) but more to do with yeti having aerodynamics of a house brick.  It will still cruise happily loaded at 80mph+ but drinks bit more (more like 36-40 mpg)  In town and on single carriageway A roads the petrol is much smoother than the diesel and will happily get 40-47mpg so unless you are doing 20k+ miles per year petrol is better.

 

One other factor is a bit of a curved ball, but some cities are threatening to ban diesels, so diesel could become unpopular and have naff residuals in 2020s

 

Thanks. All the information provided here and in other posts is really useful. 

 

My my driving patterns are quite varied generally with a mix of town an A roads. However, most of my family are based a good 250 miles away and my visits there usually take place late at night in a single 4 hour driving shift. This usually involves a lot of motorway driving with the cruise set at 80-85 mph. The VRS used to record an indicated 36 mpg on these journeys and the wife's 1.5T mini also manages this task easily and more economically.

3 hours ago, g6zru said:

....Many traffic light GP drivers have been left in my rear view mirror but of course I don't do that any more.

 

Of course you don't, Fred; of course you don't, any more than I do

4 hours ago, clarky2 said:

 

Thanks. All the information provided here and in other posts is really useful. 

 

My my driving patterns are quite varied generally with a mix of town an A roads. However, most of my family are based a good 250 miles away and my visits there usually take place late at night in a single 4 hour driving shift. This usually involves a lot of motorway driving with the cruise set at 80-85 mph. The VRS used to record an indicated 36 mpg on these journeys and the wife's 1.5T mini also manages this task easily and more economically.

 

Although the Yeti is perfectly capable of averaging that speed you will find that the fuel consumption will be very poor. 

Just to throw into the mix.  If a bit more power and 4x4 are important to you but you prefer the idea of petrol, you could also consider a 1.4 L&K for a similar, possibly lower price to the 150 TDI 4x4.  All the kit you would ever need, the sunroof really adds to the package.  Quick and should have good residuals.

 

We tested a 1.2 and whilst not 'slow' or underpowered, if you like a car with a bit of 'go' it may be a letdown.  I certainly wouldn't consider one until you have had an extended test drive and are certain you wouldn't have 'buyers remorse' at the significant reduction in power over what you are used to.

Our family fleet consisted of a 170PS 2.0TDi DSG Passat and a 1.2TSi Manual Octavia. The only situation where I miss extra grunt in the Octavia is for high speed A road overtaking. 

So when we ordered the Yeti last year we went for a 1.2TSi DSG. 

A couple of things I'd add too the comments already said, the newer 110PS 16V twin cam 1.2TSi pulls harder at lower revs and sounds sweeter than the 105. And the DSG feels livelier than the manual on the road. It's not just the lightning fast gear changes, the 7 speed box has a lower first gear so it's crisper off the line, the gear ratios are tighter and the 7th gear means it's more relaxed at high speed.

If you are only choosing one option on the 1.2TSi Yeti make it the DSG gearbox.

 

Lee

20 hours ago, freedie said:

 

"dyed"?

I'm sure you are correct but I find as I get older that I have more important things to do than argue with the spell checker.

I hope you maintain your diligence into later life.

 

Fred

For me a manual with a diesel is  fine and my preferred option but with the smaller petrol engines you can't really argue with the DSG recommendations.

 

If you do the 250 mile trips quite often then the diesel may be the better choice. I reckon it suits the character of the Yeti better as well. 

Edited 4 February, 20179 yr by VAGCF

Hi guys,

I am from St. Petersburg, Russia, just a curious guy collecting Yeti owners reviews from all over the world.

I drive 2011 Yeti 1.8 TSI 152 hp mechanic gear, its mileage is about 180 000 km.

 

As you might know, Russian road conditions are tough. We have bears walking down the streets, so we drive fast, we have the winter for 25 months a year, we have the directions instead of the normal roads. So we know what's a reliable car.  In my country we believe that 1.2 TSI and 1.4 TSI  VW engine equipped with "twin dry clutch" DSG7 is a catastrophe in terms of reliability, a real "time bomb". You can't say when and where this combination fails.

Russian Skoda (and other VW group) cars owner forums are full of claims on 1.2 TSI and DSG7.

 

4 years ago the Russian branch of VW group had been legally obliged to extend the warranty for the DSG 7 from 3 to 5 years due to the plenty of owners claims.

There're plenty of "very expensive" troubles happen to this engine and gearbox by the reaching of 50 000 km mileage. Common issues - fatal turbocharger faults, engine timing chain sliding (the result of it we call "The Stalingrad battle" - you can imagine what happens to the engine in this case), fatal DSG7 faults - the last one issue is frequent if you are city traffic jam driver.

 

Basing on the Russian exploitation experience I would recommend VW diesel engines - we consider them more or less reliable until 100 000 km mileage.

 

Sorry for a poor English - I suffer from real lack of language practice.

Will be happy to discuss any Yeti issues

 

Gleb

 

Brave man to come on a 'foreign' forum.  Don't worry about your English - someone will let you know if the meaning's not clear

marr111, welcome.

 

It is interesting to hear that the DSG Warranty was extended, it was as well in other World Regions after the World Wide Recall, 

in EU Countries there was only a Service Campaign, and no extension to the warranty, but then the VW Group can not wash their hands of the issues.

There are pinned threads on the forum on the DQ200 DSG Failings.

 

Maybe yet another issue has raised its head but not much news on this recent 'Sofware Update' if that is what it is.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/422718-rapid-recall-update

1 hour ago, marr111 said:

 

1 hour ago, marr111 said:

As you might know, Russian road conditions are tough. We have bears walking down the streets, so we drive fast,

 

 

mar111, welcome! 

Straight out of Bourne, but true. We arrived at Moscow Belorusski Station and joined the taxi queue. We were asked 'Dollars or Roubles?' and dollars secured us a ride to the Hilton Moscow Leningradskaya in a black VW Passat, driven by a leather jacketed giant. Fast? We had no idea that a Passat could move at such a speed. It was the most frightening ride we have had in any country. Thankfully at about 10.30 at night, the roads were fairly empty and no bears got in the way!

They say it is better to travel than to arrive but not on that occasion. 

Great country, en route by train England to Beijing.