Took delivery of my Yeti, a Black TDI 140BHP Elegence two weeks ago and thought id give my first impressions and see how they compare with yours. Firstly i will deal with the negative bits. There was an annoying rattle under engine load that should have been picked up with the PDI, also the brake resovoir cap was loose and leaking.....all now resolved, the rattle was a vibrating brake pipe found by the dealership.

I find the driving position uncomfortable and both the missus and I have had what could best be described as muscle cramps in our right knees caused by this. I think the accelerator pedal is too light and would be better with a bit more resistance in the spring, this is something i intend to take a look at.

I chose the Gobi sand leather seats and to be honest they aint the most comfortable chairs ive sat on.....but they look great!!

Now the good stuff, its great fun to drive, fantastic grip and proper quick. Compared to just about every 4x4 ive driven it has no roll when cornering. Obviuosly i'm still running in which in my case means i'm actually heavier footed than i would normally be so i am pleasently suprised by the 45.6 MPG average i'm getting from the Maxidot (2), The best i have seen on one trip is 53 MPG. At 70 mph i got 46.5 mpg.

Ive had some rockhoppers fitted which look great and am looking forward to my first off-road experience. I will post some pictures when i get round to buying batteries for my camera

What are "rockhoppers"?

We found that the seating did take a while to get used to, but there is so much adjustment available that we soon found a comfortable position. We drive down to Cornwall fairly often and in the Freelander needed to stop twice, now it is just one stop, and that is more for "internal" comfort.

I have the 'lecky seat and have found the perfect position for me. I can drive the car for many hours without any pain whatsoever. Whether it is a 5-6 drive around South London or an 8 hour drive to Scotland.

For me it is the most comfortable car I have ever driven, and I've driven a fair few.

Yes, what are my namesake?

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No problems with seating positions and I'm 6' 2"

The only " Rockhoppers" I've come across are Penguins or Mountain bike tyres.

I was initially disappointed with the Elegance seats (non-electric), finding them lacking in shape, very flat and far too slippery. However I have found that the seats have definitely improved with time, as though they needed running in too. I would prefer a more pronounced lumber support though, and still would have liked the "sports seats" that were not available 18months ago, and as far as I can tell are still not available in the UK. :'(

I have to say that the Yeti's leather seats are now pretty comfortable now they are run in, though still not a patch on the absolutely superb standard fit Recaros in my RS2000, but on the other hand the Recaros most certainly don't suit those of "fuller figure"!

I don't think you can fairly compare seats in a vehicle like the Yeti, against those in an RS or similar.

Sorry for the confusion with my Rockhopper term. Rockhoppers are the name which me and my mates always called the side steps whatever vehicle they were on. I don't know who came up with it but as that is what we have always called them I didnt think to change it in my post. Seems it must be a coincidence that there's a member called Rockhopper (cool name though....i wish i'd thought of that).

It seems one or two of you agree about the seats.....i thought it was my old age creeping up on me I dare say i will get used to them.

Since i started this post i have ventured into the computer a bit more and have a question i hope someone can help me with. The dealer told me the service interval was 10,000 miles or 12 months so why does the computer say service in 17,000 miles or 790 days (both approx from my memory) which is right the dealer or the computer?

Service is set to 'Variable' (up to c.18k miles between services) it seems; if you don't do big miles you may prefer 'Time & Distance' (Annual service, 10k miles) HTH

The dealer told me the service interval was 10,000 miles or 12 months so why does the computer say service in 17,000 miles or 790 days (both approx from my memory) which is right the dealer or the computer?

Because the car must be set to variable servicing and the dealer quoted you fixed servicing and is very likely mistaken. Some people advocate an oil/fiter change at 1 year / 10,000 regardless which I shall probably get my local garage up the road to do.

I now like my elegance seats - Gobi sand like you. They seemed a bit firm at first but I find them extremely comfortable on long journeys. I also acquired the wood effect dash trim which matches the Gobi beautifully (in my opinion). You may find your maxidot mpg figures are a bit optimistic and your 45 may be nearer 42. Like you I am amazed at the lack of roll for a 4x4 and I find this car the most nippy I have ever driven.

The seats are fine for me (a 6 foot, 17 stone lard*rse). Drove all the way across France last winter to ski (and plan to do the same this winter) in a sight more comfort than my last two cars (Volvo V50 and Audi A4 Avant).

Now we know what you mean with your "rockhoppers" I will make some comments, learned from many years as an off-roader, and one who has done a bit in the Yeti:

They will not protect the sills when off-road. All that will happen is they will bend and fold and damage the sills anyway.

They will collect every bit of dirt that is thrown up, resulting in you getting dirty trousers every time you get in and out, and corroding quickly.

They will actually reduce your ground clearance.

They only thing they "might" do is stop car park dings, but in general they don't really stick out far enough to do that properly.

If you want sill protection you need sill guards made a strong steel box section, mounted externally, and that is impossible on a Yeti.

I would also that your car is set to variable servicing. Depending on the type of useage that could be up to 22k between services, which shouldn't be a problem with modern oils.

I don't think you can fairly compare seats in a vehicle like the Yeti, against those in an RS or similar.

That part of my response was somewhat tongue in cheek, though do bear in mind that my RS is now 16 years old and seat design should have come on a long way since then.

The Recaros are great for someone of relatively slight build, but a major annoyance for anyone over 15 stone. The side bolsters are very pronounced - they hold you superbly in spirited driving, but they can be a real challenge when trying to get out of the car on a side slope.

No, for the type of vehicle and its intended use, the standard Yeti seats are pretty good, once "run in". :yes:

John H