Just wondered if anyone had a Yeti with the Panoramic Roof? If so how much light/heat does the blind block out when it is closed?

Also what do you think of it? have you found it to be a worthwhile option or do you never use it? I know the time of year isn't ideal for testing sun roofs!

AeroFurb has got one. I'm sure he'll be along shortly most likley armed with photos!

Just wondered if anyone had a Yeti with the Panoramic Roof? If so how much light/heat does the blind block out when it is closed?

Also what do you think of it? have you found it to be a worthwhile option or do you never use it? I know the time of year isn't ideal for testing sun roofs!

We have it on our ex-demonstrator, but the weather, as you point out, hasn't been perfect for trying it. However, it does make the cockpit a lot lighter, even with the internal screen in place.

We have it on our ex-demonstrator, but the weather, as you point out, hasn't been perfect for trying it. However, it does make the cockpit a lot lighter, even with the internal screen in place.

There is a video of it in action on one of the UK websites (autocar/whatcar ?) - thought it was C4, but that has closed down now ?

Really good topic this.

I really would also like to know, before adding it to my growing options list!!! I've never been a huge fan of them before - but i'll keep an open mind.

I find the panorama roof a great option when it comes to how nice the cabin of the car feels. Light, airy and nice, and I really look forward to the summer with it... When sitting in the rear bench it's really great!

BUT... if you live in a place where half the year is frosty and cold you will have to live with countless creaks and other anoying sounds when water melts and enters between the seals of the glass panels and the roof because of the warmth from the cabin and then freezes.. I find theese sounds extremly anoying and wished I didn't tick that box on the options list until summer comes..

Yup - as James said - I got one!

As (another) ex-smart owner, I really like the glass roof thing. As JonA said, it hasn't been the weather for opening it up much (like at all) but the extra interior light in normal driving is great - both for driver and pax. Agree about the odd bit of creaking on frosty mornings (different rates of expansion and in the glass panels) but that doesn't last for long.

I always have the electric blind retracted when driving in the daylight hours. It closes itself automatically if the car interior gets cold - time will tell if it does when it gets hot! The blind itself allows some light through - you'll see streetlights through it at night.

Absolutely no sign of any leaks at all.

Would I order it again - yup. Lot of money but worth it to me.

I'll take some pictures of it in various modes when I get a minute and it isn't raining!

Meanwhile, video on the SUK site here:

http://www.skoda.co.uk/ourcars/yeti/watch_yeti_videos.aspx

I think for me the only attraction of the Panoramic Roof would be when travelling in mountainous country so that the view above might be enjoyed. Other than that I do not like sun roofs. I like a dark interior to a car, not liking distractions but my wife prefers bright interiors. Luckily for me she does not want to specify the sun roof option thinking it a bit superfluous but my compromise it for the sand leather seats, I would have chosen black. Longer term I would also be concerned about the rubber seals eventually letting water in as so many smaller sunroofs do on older cars. As mentioned above condensation could be a big problem in the winter, drip, drip, drip.

Nope, no condensation at all, even with ice, water hot/cold air temps, 6 inches of snow!

I have to agree with Anthony 1 about dark interiors, just feels more comfy on a cold morning. I was tempted to have the roof, but when you guys mentioned the creaking etc i was unsettled, as i had this on a Merc C-Class, but i've just watched the video link posted by Aerofurb and it looks the like the roof only opens half way if that. I think i'll leave the roof off the options list.

Edited 22 January, 201016 yr by Krooked

All sunroofs "leak". There are drains with tubes going from each corner of the frame of the roof which do a great job of letting the water out.. The only seal to worry about would be the one between the front and rear glass panel, and I would not worry about that. As long as the panels are adjusted properly it will be weatherproof. Condensation is no worse than the condensation on the steel panel that is the roof on cars without the panoramic roof. Only difference is that you might see it on a car with a glass roof

The sun blind is controlled by a setting in the Maxi-Dot called rain close. If windows are open when the car is left and the car detects rain it will close them. After 12 hours the windows (and the roofs sun blind) will be closed regardless of rain. I think this might be why Aerofurb's white SM closes the blind "when it's cold"

Edited 22 January, 201016 yr by JonA

I have to agree with Anthony 1 - i was tempted to have the roof, but when you guys mentioned the creaking etc i was unsettled, as i had this on a Merceds C-Class, but i've just watched the video link posted by Aerofurb and it looks the like the roof only opens half way if that.

Hi Krooked,

yes just the front half of the roof opens rear half fixed.

I was put off by the fact as a driver I was not really aware of it's existence. Be a real nice feature for rear passengers but these rear seats probably only get used 25% of the time if that on my Monster so the asking price just wasn't worth it. Also bizarrely the salesman steered me away on the grounds of no resale return.

Regards,

TP

edit missed a word out

Edited 22 January, 201016 yr by The Plumber

Just to clarify the creaking. Mine has only done it when covered in ice and then only in sub-zero air temperatures and it lasts for less than 5 miles or so until the warmth from the car has melted it. No creaking at any other time - and I don't drive on smooth roads to and fro work!

The blind thing is temperature controlled - it may also be controlled by the rain sensor and a time-out thing. I've left the car outside in the sun for 5 or 6 hours and it's stayed open. I've also left it on a cold day for less than 30 minutes and it's shut itself - and no it wasn't raining or snowing!

The roof is two panels, the front opening bit being slightly larger than the rear and the whole thing accounts for 3/4 of the roof length. It wouldn't be possible for anymore of it to open without slicing off the aerial and then it would be hanging off the back of the roof...!

Is the "rain close" box in the Maxi-Dot meny ticked on your car? Try to untick the box and see what happens..I don't think the sun blind will close even if it get's REALLY cold after having disabled the rain close feature. I'm not trying to argue, just sharing my experience and I'm curious about how our cars work :yes: :yes:

Hi Krooked,

yes just the front half of the roof opens rear half fixed.

I was put off by the fact as a driver I was not really aware of it's existence. Be a real nice feature for rear passengers but these rear seats probably only get used 25% of the time if that on my Monster so the asking price just wasn't worth it. Also bizarrely the salesman steered me away on the grounds of no resale return.

I had exactly the same response from my dealer about resale value. My previous car had a very large sunroof but it hardly got any use. (Nissan removed the option of a sun roof on one sports model as they argued that it was not required with air con. fitted.) I had to keep the sunroof blind closed in the summer as it was too hot sitting in direct sunlight. In winter it did let in extra light and cleared up any S.A.D. feeling. I thought the cost for the Yeti sunroof excessive for the return it gave.

Wow - what a split of opinions on this one.

Personally, one of the major draws of the Yeti for me was the ability to specify the Panoramic roof option!

Having been in two Yeti's now that have had the sunroof option and three that havent - to me at least, they have a totally different feel inside. The Sunroof equipped ones seem to have a far more inviting feel to them - even with the blind closed and to me at least they seemed more spacious (obviously just a feeling given by the additional light coming in from above). Saying that and stating something obvious its probably down to the fact that I love natural light, be it in a property or a car!

That the Yeti has the biggest glass area of its competitors and that a good deal of it actualy opens (as opposed to being fixed in place like the Roomster and a number of the Yeti's competitors) is the icing on the cake for me.

Lee

Going from a convertible to the Yeti, the large sunroof is a very attractive feature. I love a glass roof and the light flooding the cabin also great when travelling for the panoramic views.

I only considered the BMW XI (too expensive and a bit ugly) the Tiguan (too expensive but looks nice) because both have panoramic sun roofs. The Yeti was far better pricing and equipment levels, it looks more like a traditional 4x4, gets great reviews and it has a fab sunroof.

So ticks all the boxes for me. Sunroof squeaks are easily cured with correct lubrication. Roll on March when I get my hands on my monster. Hey anybody want to buy a nice VW Eos?

Hey anybody want to buy a nice VW Eos?

Not if it leaks as bad as the other two Ive known of.

I agree with all of your comments regarding the roof - also, despite what one of the above posts state - I think its a valuable option to spec in terms of resale.

Lee

I agree with all of your comments regarding the roof - also, despite what one of the above posts state - I think its a valuable option to spec in terms of resale.

Lee

I was quite please that the panoramic roof was an option not like on some cars your having a sun roof like it or lump it!!! you can choose if you want it or not.

Myself personally have left the roof off my Yeti order because with my last few cars that have had sun roofs I have opened them when I first got the car to check its working and have never opened the roof or the internal cover after.

Thanks for all the replies gents.

After discussion with SWMBO I've decided not to go with the Panoramic Roof.

I've now sent the order to our fleet company for my Yeti so I'm just waiting for a confirmation form them to say it's officially ordered.

It's going to be a 1.2 TSi SE in Corrida Red with Onyx/Silver cloth and Park Assist. I'm not really that bothered about the Park Assist but wanted ESP and it seemed daft not to spend the small amount extra to get the front sensors and Park Assist as well.

Not if it leaks as bad as the other two Ive known of.

I agree with all of your comments regarding the roof - also, despite what one of the above posts state - I think its a valuable option to spec in terms of resale.

Lee

Hi Lee

Happy to say VW Eos leak free over the last two and a half years.

Interesting replies on sunroofs though, clearly some folks see little value in them and prefer a darker cabin to concentrate on the view out the windscreen.

All valid opinions though, be a boring world if we all felt the same way.

Cheers, Dave

Thanks for all the replies gents.

After discussion with SWMBO I've decided not to go with the Panoramic Roof.

I've now sent the order to our fleet company for my Yeti so I'm just waiting for a confirmation form them to say it's officially ordered.

It's going to be a 1.2 TSi SE in Corrida Red with Onyx/Silver cloth and Park Assist. I'm not really that bothered about the Park Assist but wanted ESP and it seemed daft not to spend the small amount extra to get the front sensors and Park Assist as well.

Snap! ..but in storm blue

Is the "rain close" box in the Maxi-Dot meny ticked on your car? Try to untick the box and see what happens..I don't think the sun blind will close even if it get's REALLY cold after having disabled the rain close feature. I'm not trying to argue, just sharing my experience and I'm curious about how our cars work

Totally agree, JonA - discussion is good - I still can't suss out just how much the yeti will do - a lot of it on its own!

I'll check the setting tomorrow and report back.

Do we have any images of what passengers in the front and back seats might enjoy looking through the panoramic sun roof travelling through the countryside, either mountainous or woodland?

Edited 23 January, 201016 yr by Anthony 1

IMHO there seems little point in a sunroof if the vehicle is air conditioned. The sunroof makes the car warmer in summer when it’s parked up, so the air conditioning has to work harder to cool the vehicle down. Plus the maintenance issues listed above.

IMHO the price seems very high. But I must admit it gives an airy feel to the Yeti.