Hello, I'm looking to buy a Yeti 103 TDI 4X4.

Wondering what people think about the manual vs the DSG (auto),

and any other opinions/advice on this particular model if you have any?

 

Thanks

 

when i was looking for a yeti i had every intention of buying a manual car, and i came home with a DSG Auto

 

Edited 11 April, 20197 yr by prometheus

Hi Prometheus, Thank you for your comment. Why was that? More efficient on fuel or easier to drive?

i am afraid i dont have any scienticfic reason for you other than when test driving the yeti it just felt like the right the right thing to do as the DSG gearbox is very smooth but mine is the 20ltr model, just comes down to personal preference i guess

6 hours ago, prometheus said:

mine is the 20ltr model

 

Blimey, that must shift a bit!

Just now, ejstubbs said:

 

Blimey, that must shift a bit!

should have been 2.0ltr

 

The 2.0tdi dsg box is the 6 speed 'wet' type. This is a particularly robust version that does not have the troublesome history of the lighter duty 7 speed 'dry' versions.

The down side of the wet one is that an expensive oil change is required but I cannot remember the interval.

Have you tried out either?

 

In real life the manual box tends to be more economical. The old NEDC test tended to flatter the auto box results but the newer WLTP tests are more representative.

Having said that the dsg boxes are still pretty good compared to the older torque converter types. 

Important you try one for yourself as there are some who do not take to them.

 

Edited 12 April, 20197 yr by Gerrycan

9 minutes ago, Gerrycan said:

The 2.0tdi dsg box is the 6 speed 'wet' type. This is a particularly robust version that does not have the troublesome history of the lighter duty 7 speed 'dry' versions.

The down side of the wet one is that an expensive oil change is required but I cannot remember the interval.

Have you tried out either?

 

no i never tried the 1.2 as i wanted to tow a caravan, dont understand why a gearbox oil change would be expensive

 

1 minute ago, prometheus said:

no i never tried the 1.2 as i wanted to tow a caravan, dont understand why a gearbox oil change would be expensive

 

 

Wet DSG gearbox oil change currently costs £179, required every 40,000 miles. Not recommended to skip this unless you have very deep pockets 

1 minute ago, xman said:

 

Wet DSG gearbox oil change currently costs £179, required every 40,000 miles. Not recommended to skip this unless you have very deep pockets 

yep clearly not cheap but mine only has 26k on it so far so i will make a note that it need to be done at 40k 

Anyone know why it is so expensive? Cant take that long to open a plug, drain oil and fill with new oil? Ok cost of oil in there, and no doubt a very expensive spec, but even so!

8 hours ago, prometheus said:

no i never tried the 1.2 as i wanted to tow a caravan, dont understand why a gearbox oil change would be expensive

 

Sorry, my badly written post was addressed to the OP. I was trying to clarify whether she(?) had driven the manual/auto options for the 2.0tdi. The dsg dry/wet differentiation info was to reassure that the wet version was not affected by the dry's troublesome history.

13 hours ago, kenfowler3966 said:

Anyone know why it is so expensive? Cant take that long to open a plug, drain oil and fill with new oil? Ok cost of oil in there, and no doubt a very expensive spec, but even so!

6ltrs of oil and a new filter will be £100 or so, then labour, then time for diagnostics / VCDS checking and running up to temperature etc.

 

Or you could do the redneck oil change and simply measure the volume of oil removed and add back the same amount. Not really a recommended procedure as you're reliant on the oil level being correct before you start.

Hello

Thank-you for your insights. The manual car sold before I could test drive it :( I’ve driven two automatic cars and found them fine to drive. I haven’t owned a manual for years, but definitely open to it. I’m in Australia, so the 103 Yeti model in a 4X4 (which is what I’m interested in) are rather rare. Especially with low kms. So not sure the gearbox will be the deal breaker at this point, but good to know that the wet version is hardy. When you say 7 speed; does that include reverse? 

Just to clarify:

The "wet" auto gearbox has six forward gears.

The "dry" auto gearbox has seven forward gears.

Good luck with your search 

Edited 14 April, 20197 yr by Robjon

There are variations but this is why it costs £179 or so, and is not just removing a drain plug and refilling.

 

 

I test drove a manual and the clutch clicked every time I took my foot off it. Is that the spring? Am I just sensitive to sounds or does that happen with other cars too?

There was a batch of cars built with faulty clutch assemblies where the finger springs were prone to break.

If not promptly dealt with the damaged part can wear through the clutch housing and destroy that as well. A click could be an early sign of this.

@Emma-Joy have you got any information on the age (build date) of the Yeti you are looking at? The people on this forum can be very helpful about specific issues if they have enough information.

 

It might also help to give a general idea what you are going to be using the car for and annual distance you are likely to travel. 

I ask this as it is not clear how informed you are about the issues that might develop with the diesel's DPF (diesel particulate filter) with continuous short urban journeys. Even then as long as you do a reasonably long (30 to 40 minute) open road drive about twice a month then that would give the DPF a chance to perform a complete regeneration that would minimise any risk of premature issues.

 

An alternative  I saw in a Adelaide Skoda dealer a couple of years back was a then unsold new manual1.4tsi AWD Yeti. This engine is also rated at similar power, basically the same as in my 2014 Octavia and that engine is a peach. Probably a rarity but might be a better option than the diesel for low annual kilometres. 

I did not even know it was imported in Australia.

Edited 17 April, 20197 yr by Gerrycan

Gerrycan,

The car I looked at was 2011 103 TDI model, manual. I'm not very informed about potential issues with diesel, however I live in regional Victoria and drive considerable distances every week so that wouldn't be too much of a problem. The question now is one that many of my friend's are proposing, which is about costs involved with servicing and parts. It's true that Skoda have a more prominent presence here, but the Japanese makes are everywhere, making parts and servicing somewhat more convenient. I very much appreciate the knowledge and time that people have been sharing here. Super great! And makes me want a Skoda even more

I have always liked the Yeti for the good internal size relative to the compact exterior dimensions and still prefer its practicality over most current options but.....

 

I think your friends are looking after your interests and giving you good advice.

Personally I would never recommend purchasing an older European vehicle to anyone living in an Australian rural environment unless they have access to a good mechanic knowledgeable in the type who can check the integrity of the initial purchase and help with any potentially expensive ensuing problems.

 

My logic goes something like this: 

a) You live in a regional area (little or no public transport) so probably reliant on your car and you cover a lot of kilometres so you need your car to be reliable and available.

A Yeti is fairly rare on Australian roads and a 2011 car is getting on a bit so there is an increasing risk of issues from a brand that has not been noted for being very reliable long term and then getting the parts when something does go wrong may take longer (sometime a lot longer) than for other more common brands.

 

b) Most European cars, even of that age, will have a DPF equipped diesel and it would be prudent to get someone with the right equipment to read off the ash content of the DPF and how much life it has left. The 'right equipment' could be as simple as a cheap Bluetooth ODBC dongle and an app on mobile phone.

Similarly a lot of older European petrol engines (especially the VW group) will have direct injection and that can potentially lead to severe carbon fouling on inlet valves as odometers approach or exceed 60k km. There is no app to detect this but a mechanic can probably tell you how good or bad it is from how the engine is running. 

 

c) Skoda do not do servicing  log books anymore (but I am not sure what year that started) so if you are buying from a dealer not involved with VW/Skoda it is possible they cannot confirm that all servicing has been performed to schedule. A good servicing history is essential for any car you look at.

 

So what would I recommend? Well the Euro 5 emission standards did not become compulsory until 2013 for new cars and 2016 for existing cars so if you must have a diesel SUV it was still possible to get a Korean (Hyundai/Kia) diesel without a DPF fitted up to 2015 build date, but this did vary from model to model.

But do you really need an SUV and do you really need a diesel? IF you look for a standard Japanese/Korean  road vehicle, maybe a FWD wagon, you will get a lot more choice, probably better road holding and performance, and certainly better economy. Parts, repairs and servicing will probably be a lot cheaper.

If you get a petrol engine then get one with standard multi-point fuel injection. Consumption will be a bit more than for a direct injection engine but they tend to be a lot more reliable long term. 

 

I will probably have to give similar advice to my daughter when she returns from an extended world trip to her regional South Australia home in September as she wants to buy an SUV as well.

 

I fully expect my daughter to ignore my advice so I will not be offended in the slightest if you choose to do the same.  

 

DSG every time! I test drove one and was converted and I've had two since. Current is 1.2tsi but previous was  140tdi and we towed a caravan with that one.

Fuel consumption was 43mpg overall.

 

Fred

3 hours ago, g6zru said:

DSG every time! I test drove one and was converted and I've had two since. Current is 1.2tsi but previous was  140tdi and we towed a caravan with that one.

Fuel consumption was 43mpg overall.

 

Fred

Fred can I ask how heavy the caravan was you towed with the yeti, I am slightly concerned About over stressing the dsg gearbox in my 2.0ltr diesel on hills etc when I get a caravan 

I towed a 1500kg caravan and it never stressed the car in any way.

 

Fred

15 hours ago, prometheus said:

Fred can I ask how heavy the caravan was you towed with the yeti, I am slightly concerned About over stressing the dsg gearbox in my 2.0ltr diesel on hills etc when I get a caravan 

How can it over stress the gearbox? The dsg is an automated manual, so when in gear with the clutch plate engaged it is working identical to a manual gearbox, yet will never stall the engine or miss a shift; it wont allow you to change to an unsuitable gear which will take the engine out of the set rev range, even in manual mode.

It should be much better than a manual gearbox for towing.

 

On the superb forum there is a member putting 540ps through his dsg and using it for drag strip use as well as on the road. He was running the gearbox stock, so it will be the same 6 gear unit as in the diesel Yeti, but later changed to a race clutch pack for a faster take up of power on the start line.