threeshoes

If I grew tired of waiting for my Yeti, I might be tempted by the ugly duckling, the X1. In fact, I'm off to view a used 23d on Saturday . . . Chris

Yes, that's very sad, painting a Jaguar like that :( , It was my first frontline aircraft (79-82) . But a good review for Skoda . . . Chris

And what did you think of the Petrol Blue as a colour, BarbaCrossa? Chris

Now that you have shown us what a good idea it is to protect the item, am I right in thinking that this is not an "intercooler"? I always thought that that was the part that kept a turbocharger working at optimum temperature, or something like that. And that this item is a heat exchanger. Chris

Bad luck! Fabia? Chris

I saw three while driving from Clehonger (near 'Erriford) to Gamlingay yesterday. One on Evesham (silver/grey EV59***), one on the M1 near Northampton, heading south (dark blue LD10***) and then a black one in Gamlingay that I've never spotted before. Chris

They look good. Which model Whispbars do you have? I have a pair and I want to make sure that they will fit the Yeti I have on order. Chris

Lovely! Thanks. Chris

Becoming almost plentiful around here, then Chris

Just now, in my village (Gamlingay), a Regency Green 4x4 TDi Elegance (KV61 xxx). It looks great, even in the piddling rain. Chris

Well, there are 2 points to make, soupafly: every decision is normally a compromise and the 170 4x4 is a compromise between power, capability and frugality; the second is that I aim to save energy whatever the cost. I believe that we all need to save energy to reduce global consumption. I switch off lights when I go from room to room at home (and at work), not because of the cost (they're all low energy bulbs) but because I want to reduce my consumption. I do think occasionally about changing to a Greenline, but I'm quite keen to have a 4x4; and the 140 is slightly more thirsty, it seems, than the 170. But I'll drive carefully whatever I have, most of the time at least . . . I'm buying a Yeti over a BMW X1, the marginal cost of which I could have recouped within 2 years of purchase (I get a discount from Park Lane BMW, if I choose) because it is less thirsty than the Yeti. Chris

Thanks, I understand. M-B obviously had a different gearbox comparison. Chris

Thanks for that report, James I. It is gratifying to someone like me who has to wait for a while yet for a Yeti. Chris

Well, I had a 320d Touring (E46) from new in 2003 and was continually disappointed with the difference between the computer mpg and my calculations based on what I put into the tank — the computer was about 5% optimistic. But my current E91 is more realistic and pretty accurate and I've decided that I prefer it that way Chris

I find Fuelly and Spritmonitor more useful, really. But Honest John must be one of my most-visited sites, especially when I'm thinking about changing a car. Chris

Well, I'm increasingly one of those motorists. It saves a fair amount of fuel to travel at 50 rather than 60, considering that drag increases with the square of the velocity, and the price of fuel these days has forced many more people to drive at a speed commensurate with the consumption that they want to achieve. But I do hate a building queue and I normally speed up to the limit if there's anyone behind me . . . unless it's one of those prats who thinks that they have to hold close formation at 2m from my bumper, when I am likely to slow down suddenly . . . Chris

I think you'll find that it gives you overall mpg, including time spent stationary. If you do as I do and switch off the engine at traffic lights you will see an improvement in the calculated average mpg (I don't think that it's just my imagination . . .) Chris

An interesting idea; but the ML270 auto had more torque than the manual transmission version as M-B reckoned it could take it. Chris

They're good photos, thanks, falbrav. Have fun. Chris

Wow! That looks like quite a useful bit of kit! Chris

I'd be seriously cross if the delivery date went back beyond September, for whatever reason. But changing to MY13 might bring benefits . . . Chris

Presumably because it makes no sense to do so. And for your second point, dividing by zero makes infinity; perhaps it doesn't display that because making the infinity symbol would cost extra . . . Chris

Yes, I switch my engine off at traffic lights. It can't make a fuel consumption calculation if you are at rest: it's miles per gallon, and that would mean dividing the fuel used into zero. Chris

Saw another Aqua Blue, in my village, Gamlingay, this morning: an 11 plate. He keeps it in a garage so I can't go and ogle it periodically . . . Chris

Lucky chap! I ordered on 30 March and was told last week that it was Build Week 34, but "it might come forward . . ." Chris