Although I have still only driven the SM for 70 miles (longer work-related trip coming up at the start of next week) and have spent a lot of time simply 'playing' with eg maxidot, I thought a few first impressions, some of which relate to points raised by others, might be of interest.

Build quality - appears excellent. No rattles or squeaks, close-fitting panels, solid sound from doors (just like a Golf!). Minor irritations: (i) the gap between back of rear seats and parcel shelf, (ii) the lack of a dashboard cubbyhole on driver's side (beside steering column) as I had on the Octy Scout - useful for spare bulbs and fuses, etc. Also slightly surprised at (limited) rear seat legroom. I am just 6 feet tall but with driver's seat set right for me, I can barely get my legs behind it in the back and certainly would not fancy a long journey like that. However, not a major problem as we seldom use the rear seats and certainly not for extended journeys.

Lighting - the cornering bi-xenons are great. No-one flashed me during a 20-mile drive in the dark last night and on our winding country lanes the level of illumination was terrific. Also impressed with the fog lamp that lights up the corner - again, very helpful on narrow, pitted country lanes. Interior lighting is good, too - I rather like the subtle spots onto the central console and prefer the white light to the red I once had in a Golf.

Boot space - much better than I anticipated.

Ride height - not really much different than Octy Scout but feels much more commanding. Much easier to get in and out (but less of a climb than into the Freelander I once had).

Columbus etc. I only began to appreciate the Columbus latterly in my Scout, but it is impressive. Version 7 of the satnav software is a real improvement on v6 (so far as I can tell from programming a few addresses - I haven't actually put it to the test yet); yesterday I uploaded 17 CDs to the hard disk in MP3 format via my laptop and an SD card, which has taken up a mere one-twentieth of the available space! Incidentally, the new short aerial not only looks better (and will fit under my French garage door, I hope) but appears to pick up better in this reception-challenged area of high hills and deep valleys (or perhaps they've just improved the electronics in the radio). The standard sound system sounds even better in the Yeti, perhaps because of the shape - I really am glad I didn't spend out on the enhanced system.

Bits and bobs (i) the chromed end to the twin exhaust is classy! On my Octy Scout, there was just a thin layer of chrome on the ends of the pipes, which quickly lost its looks. To my surprise, the SM has a proper, sturdy chrome endpiece, just like the one you can buy as an accessory. I don't know if this has always been so, or whether it's a recent upgrade, but I like it! (ii) the cheap, black plastic sill guards look good (better than the more obtrusive stainless steel ones, in my view) and, while minimalist, do the job without drawing attention to themselves. (iii) the chrome surround to the cupholder in the central console is not cheap for what it is, but has an amazing effect of pulling all the styling together (ie by mirroring the chrome insert on the steering wheel and the surround to the 12v socket) (iv) I'm really gald I bought the imitation wood dashboard insert - it does go so well with Gobi Sand, whereas the dull silver as fitted would have been entirely random alongside other parts of the trim (iv) my maxidot does show me oil temperature.

Gobi upholstery - super! I would have liked a velux roof, but this trim is certainly next best. I've only ever had grey or black car interiors before, and the lightness/brightness of this certainly lifts the spirits. And if it needs an occasional clean, it's always good to have an excuse to disappear to the car for a quiet time alone!

Adjustable boot floor - well worth the money. Not only a flat loading area but a very useful, hidden storage space underneath. With the rubber boot protector mat on top as well, I would feel quite happy about leaving valuables under it (and it can be easily raised merely by unclipping one corner of the cargo net).

Economy - hardly evidence after 70 miles, but 39.9 overall so far, on mostly country lanes but about 10 miles of motorway (at 75-80) and ten miles of outer urban/small town in that. So not displeased at all.

Electric seat - very comfortable - I haven't tried coding it to the key yet: that's today's little playtime, so I will report back later if mine is one of those that does or doesn't work!

Otherwise, those who told me to RTFM (very sad - I had to loook it up in a dictionary of abbreviations) are quite right: the answers are all there, as I found out in relation to fitting the nets!

That's probably enough of my ramblings for now, but as you can tell - I love it! We make use (with the owner's permission, of course) of the parking space belonging to a holiday cottage opposite. My wife's car is in our carport at the moment, so I could put my SM opposite and can keep going to the window to admire it!

Edited 3 March, 201115 yr by hmibennett

Nice report Andrew. And you've only just started to scratch the surface! Enjoy!

Just wondering (my Yeti still to arrive so I'm allowed to ask ignorant questions !!). You mention gap between back of rear seats and boot cover and a slight lack of leg room in the back. Are your adjustable rear seats set fully back ??

Nice to hear you're enjoying your new Yeti!

Just wondering (my Yeti still to arrive so I'm allowed to ask ignorant questions !!). You mention gap between back of rear seats and boot cover and a slight lack of leg room in the back. Are your adjustable rear seats set fully back ??

Yes - at first I thought they perhaps weren't, but they are! I knew about the gap - this is just a rare instance of poor design, I think. Others had made more positive comments about rear legroom but it's certainly less than in the Octy Scout - although not really a problem to me, as I said. The other side of this coin is that the boot space is really much better than I expected and not such a shock moving 'down' from the Scout. In our circumstances, I'd sooner have a bit more space in the boot and less rear legroom. It might be different for others, though, and is something to try out in the showroom (if there is ever a Yeti standing still for long enough!).

isn't it great when, after all the months of frustration and worry, the car itself exceeds expectation, and is a true joy to drive and to be in - and to look at out the window!!

I still get that feeling 12 months on, and I think Terfyn and Agerbundsen as two of the longest standing Yeti keepers will agree, too!!

Edited 3 March, 201115 yr by Freshacre

Two additional things I have discovered today, and both surprises in a way, given some previous posts: (i) the electric seat memory function works, and (ii) the tyres are inflated to the correct pressure! All too good to be true at the moment - something will go wrong soon!

Two additional things I have discovered today, and both surprises in a way, given some previous posts: (i) the electric seat memory function works, and (ii) the tyres are inflated to the correct pressure! All too good to be true at the moment - something will go wrong soon!

:thumbup:

Just remember to store the seat positions for each key and that in total the seat can only handle 3 settings. I thought each key can do 3 settings... (and thus tried to store two different number 1 settings to each key) Alas no can do. So Memory 1 can go on one key and either memory 2 or 3 on the other.

:thumbup:

Just remember to store the seat positions for each key and that in total the seat can only handle 3 settings. I thought each key can do 3 settings... (and thus tried to store two different number 1 settings to each key) Alas no can do. So Memory 1 can go on one key and either memory 2 or 3 on the other.

Yes - all that now remains is to convince a sceptical wife that having adjusted the seat to an optimum position, that is it! She claims that it depends on clothing, mood, weather, etc., etc. and fidgets interminably before setting off. Me, I just get in and go!

I'm glad you're enjoying it. I'm at almost 5000 miles in about 3 months now. It continually pleases. I had fun last night on some back lanes with the flappy paddles and with the remap, it is amazing.

Yes - all that now remains is to convince a sceptical wife that having adjusted the seat to an optimum position, that is it! She claims that it depends on clothing, mood, weather, etc., etc. and fidgets interminably before setting off. Me, I just get in and go!

BUT with an electric seat with memory she can adjust it every time as much as she likes. Even the mirrors. As long as you unluck the car with your key the seat will always be perfectly ready for you to "get in and go"! It is one of my favourite things in the Yeti to hear the mirrors and seat move when I unlock the car after the other key had been used.

The tyre pressures were correct. Yeah right. They are always at least 3psi higher than recommended. Please throw out your measuring device and invest in a new one.

Interesting to hear about the rear seat room. I have had my Yeti for 7 months now and no one has complained about that. Different people, different views. The normal complaint is the stupidly narrow middle seat which is....stupidly narrow.

Interesting to hear about the rear seat room. I have had my Yeti for 7 months now and no one has complained about that. Different people, different views. The normal complaint is the stupidly narrow middle seat which is....stupidly narrow.

I had three blokes on that back seat from London to Edinburgh and back - swimmers at that with broad shoulders - and not one of them complained about legroom or a lack of width. Ignore what the middle seat LOOKS like. Sit three people across and you'll find the middle person sits (just as you'd expect) over each of the outer seats without a problem. None of the rear seats are sculptured with the base and back as flat as a pancake so this is really not an issue...

The tyre pressures were correct. Yeah right. They are always at least 3psi higher than recommended. Please throw out your measuring device and invest in a new one.

Interesting to hear about the rear seat room. I have had my Yeti for 7 months now and no one has complained about that. Different people, different views. The normal complaint is the stupidly narrow middle seat which is....stupidly narrow.

Excuse me, but I do have a new, good quality 'measuring device' for tyre pressures! Re the rear seat leg room, as I said, I don't think it's a big problem but I'm sure there was more in the back of my Octy Scout. The middle 'seat' is a bit stupidly narrow, as you say, but I don't envisage needing it very often as a seat (if at all) - more likely to be in the armrest position or indeed taken out altogether.

Now feeling even more pleased with myself and Musky as I have managed to pair my mobile. I know it's not rocket science but to a technophobe like me it's quite an achievement - I always imagine I'm going to wreck the equipment when I start with an operation like that.

Andrew - the 'RTFM' comment was a bit of a tease - but most of the answers are in there - albeit not where you might expect to find them!

Continue enjoying your Yeti - I really love mine

I had three blokes on that back seat from London to Edinburgh and back - swimmers at that with broad shoulders - and not one of them complained about legroom or a lack of width. Ignore what the middle seat LOOKS like. Sit three people across and you'll find the middle person sits (just as you'd expect) over each of the outer seats without a problem. None of the rear seats are sculptured with the base and back as flat as a pancake so this is really not an issue...

Swimmers - big shoulders, little biddy waists. Classic triangle shapes which are fine for the middle seat

Swimmers - big shoulders, little biddy waists. Classic triangle shapes which are fine for the middle seat

I won't repeat that in front of them! hehehe They have normal waists! But wide shoulders!

Doh!! Realised this morning that I can close the gap between the rear seats and the parcel shelf simply by reclining the seat backs a little - they were very upright!

Doh!! Realised this morning that I can close the gap between the rear seats and the parcel shelf simply by reclining the seat backs a little - they were very upright!

Doh indeed!!! Awh... But such is the Yeti learning curve!

Doh!! Realised this morning that I can close the gap between the rear seats and the parcel shelf simply by reclining the seat backs a little - they were very upright!

Great - so my question about this was at least on the right track. Can't wait for mine to arrive and have toy to play with !!!

Seems to me what would really add to understanding all the features of a new modern car with lots of toys like a Yeti would be a DVD with videos of how in practice to access all the features, plus a PC front-end so that you could easily home in on a section of interest. Much better than a hardcopy manual. I'd pay £10-20 for one.

Seems to me what would really add to understanding all the features of a new modern car with lots of toys like a Yeti would be a DVD with videos of how in practice to access all the features, plus a PC front-end so that you could easily home in on a section of interest. Much better than a hardcopy manual. I'd pay £10-20 for one.

+ 1

+ 1

Yes please! :yes:

I'm glad you're enjoying it. I'm at almost 5000 miles in about 3 months now. It continually pleases. I had fun last night on some back lanes with the flappy paddles and with the remap, it is amazing.

When you say flappy paddles ,are these on the steering wheel. I have a SM140 SE DSG 4x4 on order will it have flappy paddles or where did you can them

Read this thread:

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/193338-look-what-ben-has-just-fitted/