Hi, very much a newbie here…just after some pointers to look for, please, as I’m considering purchasing a Yeti, preferably L & K, in the 1.8 TSI range.

Thus far I’ve not done a huge amount of research, but thought I’d try and gain some feedback from those who know a great deal more than myself about these cars! Any advice welcome. 
 

Many thanks in advance. 

Welcome.

Looking through the Yeti section is a good start, and look a bit closer at 1.8 TSI,s and possible issues.

There are bound to be good ones, but are those that have them selling those.

 

eg

Some negative stuff on 1.8TSI's. Not overblown on the internet / forums though.  You need to do research.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/509351-should-i-buy-a-yeti-with-issues

 

Welcome.

 

Also some negative stuff on leaking sunroofs.  Not just on Yetis but across the entire VAG range.  Over on the Yeti Owners' Club, the L&K (standard sunroof) is often referred to as the LE&K.

I think with a 1.8 and a sunroof you will have picked the two biggest bad points of owning a Yeti.🤭

Good Luck😎

8 hours ago, toot said:

Welcome.

Looking through the Yeti section is a good start, and look a bit closer at 1.8 TSI,s and possible issues.

There are bound to be good ones, but are those that have them selling those.

 

eg

Some negative stuff on 1.8TSI's. Not overblown on the internet / forums though.  You need to do research.

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/509351-should-i-buy-a-yeti-with-issues

 

Interesting reads - thank you!

1 hour ago, idleness said:

I think with a 1.8 and a sunroof you will have picked the two biggest bad points of owning a Yeti.🤭

Good Luck😎

Noooooooo! This not what I want to hear! I've been considering the 1.8 because I figured I'd want the poke of the bigger engine...is the 1.4 TSI a bit anaemic?

Bearing in mind I'd be coming into this from a 1.2 Panda! 

 

Thank you for the feedback in any eventuality; it's much appreciated.

3 hours ago, Robjon said:

Welcome.

 

Also some negative stuff on leaking sunroofs.  Not just on Yetis but across the entire VAG range.  Over on the Yeti Owners' Club, the L&K (standard sunroof) is often referred to as the LE&K.

Oh damn. Maybe I need to re-set my sights a bit lower. Thanks for feedback, in any case - appreciate it.

The 1.4 TSI is fine.

Try one. 

13 minutes ago, toot said:

The 1.4 TSI is fine.

 

As is the 1.2 - 105bhp or 110bhp depending on engine. I've never found mine wanting.

Hi BertH

 

To put some figures on it for 2010 (pre-facelift) cars:

 

Panda 1.2     75 ft-lbs torque    60 BHP  0-62 in 14.0 seconds

Yeti 1.2       129 ft-lbs torque  105 BHP  0-62  in 11.8 seconds

Yeti 1.4       147 ft-lbs torque  122 BHP  0-62  in 10.5 seconds

Yeti 1.8       184 ft-lbs torque  160 BHP  0-62 in   8.4 seconds  (4x4)

 

I'd say the Panda is the anaemic one !

 

The effect of mild turbocharging is to increase the torque by typically 50 to 75 %, or to put in another way a Turbo 1.2 will "feel" roughly like a non-turbo 1.8.  In practice it's even more favourable as the torque is developed at lower RPM.  This more than makes up for the extra weight of the Yeti.  A test drive will demonstrate it better than I can describe.

 

When I bought my 1.4 in 2012 none of the local dealers had a 1.4 demonstrator, and all were very keen to push Diesel.  We test drove a 1.2 and it was fine, but chose the 1.4 for a bit of margin when laden with camping kit. Never regretted that decision, and manage 42 mpg.

20 minutes ago, Austin 7 said:

Hi BertH

 

To put some figures on it for 2010 (pre-facelift) cars:

 

Panda 1.2     75 ft-lbs torque    60 BHP  0-62 in 14.0 seconds

Yeti 1.2       129 ft-lbs torque  105 BHP  0-62  in 11.8 seconds

Yeti 1.4       147 ft-lbs torque  122 BHP  0-62  in 10.5 seconds

Yeti 1.8       184 ft-lbs torque  160 BHP  0-62 in   8.4 seconds  (4x4)

 

I'd say the Panda is the anaemic one !

 

The effect of mild turbocharging is to increase the torque by typically 50 to 75 %, or to put in another way a Turbo 1.2 will "feel" roughly like a non-turbo 1.8.  In practice it's even more favourable as the torque is developed at lower RPM.  This more than makes up for the extra weight of the Yeti.  A test drive will demonstrate it better than I can describe.

 

When I bought my 1.4 in 2012 none of the local dealers had a 1.4 demonstrator, and all were very keen to push Diesel.  We test drove a 1.2 and it was fine, but chose the 1.4 for a bit of margin when laden with camping kit. Never regretted that decision, and manage 42 mpg.

 This is superb - thank you.

I think anaemic doesn’t really cover the Panda!
More of a tired brick than anything else. 

The 1.4 engine is a peach. I had the 122 hp in an Octavia, and the 150hp variant in a Yeti (L&K). I averaged over 40mpg (actual) with the Yeti over the 4 years I had it. Simply loved the car, had a "minor" problem with the sunroof which was cured by replacing a "kinked" drain pipe, and then gluing them all in position. However it was alway a concern after reading some of the issues some members on the forum have had. After reading all the stuff regarding the 1.8 engine problems I would never consider buying one, and if I was buying another Yeti I would also now avoid one with a sunroof. Problem is I think the  "later" 1.4's are all L&K spec which come with a pan roof as standard, (mine was a 2015 model), not sure about the spec of the "older" 1.4 models.

 

Before I changed the Yeti I did try a 1.2 as I really fancied an auto and I found the 1.2 a perfectly acceptable drive, but in the end I really wanted something newer and the 2nd hand prices where getting silly particularly for the last of the 2017 cars...

 

...good luck in hunt, but if you can I would stay away from the 1.8, and ideally anything with a pan roof, (IMHO). Only problem is Yeti's do seem to be at a premium so prices are still a bit on the silly side?

Edited 3 January, 20233 yr by Stubod

Not getting into any arguments of "if" and "when", but not all Yeti pano roofs leak, there is no doubt an issue at VAG they will not admit to, and a lot of peeps moaning about them (not all) have never owned a Yeti with one but keep repeating the doom and gloom.

 

Ours has been fine (2016 L&K) but it is something you should be aware off.

 

Check carefully for signs of a leak if viewing one.

 

Edited 5 January, 20233 yr by TruckbusUK

As TruckBus UK....My 2016 L&K lives permanently leak-free on my drive. It is such an ideal car for our needs (but using the little Fiat for local trips) that if the roof ever began to leak, I would just apply clear helicopter tape over the joins and remove the fuse to the 'open/close roof ' circuit.  Still polishes up beautifully after nearly seven years and definitely a keeper.

Edited 5 January, 20233 yr by Bexhillian

On 03/01/2023 at 14:15, BertH said:

 I've been considering the 1.8 because I figured I'd want the poke of the bigger engine...is the 1.4 TSI a bit anaemic?

Bearing in mind I'd be coming into this from a 1.2 Panda! 

 

 

 

Mrs BJ has a 1.2 Panda which has very little poke once beyond town limits. As for hills 😕. Handy thing in town though especially when parking!

 

My 2014 1.4tsi 125ps Superb mkII drives well, feels surprisingly lively at motorway speeds and it has a relaxed/quiet cruise (2000rpm @60mph) . I thought it would have been hopeless until I test drove and subsequently bought it!

 

 

Edited 5 January, 20233 yr by bigjohn

I've had my 1.2tsi for nearly ten years now coming to it from a Volvo V50 which was a 1.8 (1.9?) litre diesel with about 30 bhp on the Yeti (from memory), at least on paper. I can honestly say in day-to-day use I never noticed the difference, only that the Yeti was more fun to own and drive and has proved a darned sight more reliable. Over the years I've done several holidays in the West Country with four adults, one large and two small dogs and all the luggage for a self catering holiday (and my wife doesn't understand the concept of "pack light" so I had a large top box on the roof)) and it coped with all the hills very well - changing down a bit earlier than usual and being realistic about acceleration when needed. I'd suggest finding a 1.2tsi for a test drive you will then know if there is enough oomph there for you or whether you need to start the search for a much harder to find 1.4 or 1.8. I have a sunroof but as you are now looking at cars 6+ years old personally I'd avoid it if you have a choice.

I'm so pleased with the car that even at nearly 10 years old, and with second hand prices so good, I still have no plans to change it.