Xantia seats

jonathan_dyane · Unread post by **jonathan_dyane** » 14 Feb 2009, 17:40

I have driven three Xantia's, my mothers old sinker (LX), a '96 (LX) estate that my father had, and my current '96 hatch (LX dimension). All have been spoilt for me by the front seats being competely unsuitable to me and most uncomfortable. Given that the drivers seat in my current Xantia was even less comfortable due to partial collapse, I made it my mission this week end to find a replacement seat I could tolerate.

At the scrapyard I found a 406 which seemed to have a similar runner set up, and a test sit seeming favourable I bought the drivers seat, and have just finished fitting it to my car (which necessitated using the runner frame and seat belt pre-tensioner of the Xantia seat, both just bolted on).

I have been rewarded with a lovely comfortable and supportive seat which has more adjustments than the original, and I am now looking forward to travelling some miles in this car. I highly recommend this conversion for anyone who finds the Xantia less comfortable than a Citroen should be; this modification has transformed my car.

vince · Unread post by **vince** » 14 Feb 2009, 17:54

Hi Jonathan, I think you are the first person i have ever heard saying that the Xantia seats are not comfortable.

It must definately be down to individual taste.

I had a 406 executive model and have had 3 Xantias now. For me...the Xantia is the most comfortable car i have ever been in.

Oh well...horses for courses and all that

Good to know that the 406 seats can be swapped over with a little adjustment.

Wonder if the back seats swap over? Although not as comfortable, i always liked the 406 tuck n roll style leather seats in the executive

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 14 Feb 2009, 19:59

I find the standard seats in Xantia's to be uncomfortable due to a lack of under-thigh support, the answer is to either fit spacers under the front mounting bolts or better still find a set of electric seats (normally leather) as they have several additional adjustments, personally I won't consider owning a Xantia without them.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 14 Feb 2009, 22:26

DickieG wrote:personally I won't consider owning a Xantia without them.

Agreed

Nor me, now. I too find the standard Xantia seats less than satisfactory. They're not bad but the fitting of a set of electric leathers make all the difference. Fitting leathers to my 2.1TD to replace the worn Alcantara seats transformed the whole car. Swap the steering wheel for a leather rimmed one too...

The only problem is the seats have so many adjustments that finding the "sweet spot" can take days

Swapping to leathers is not difficult at all and MK2 leathers will fit a MK1 quite happily with the MK2 seatbelts. Estate and hatchback rear seats are different though.

jgra1 · Unread post by **jgra1** » 15 Feb 2009, 00:02

agree re: electric seats, i am on my second exclusive seated of four xantias.. lots of adjustment and hard to know what's best

you can fit estate seats in a hatch but you need to do the following..

Cut a small slot in part of the bodyshell of the hatchback to take the 'loop' of the estate's catch mechanism.

The estate seats are slightly to wide, and have a different seat base fixing system ( to the floorpan are bolted two HD brackets betweeen the seperate backs, a hatch has a light duty shared bracket)

There is also a width issue, to do with the seat back pivot bar[s] ..

the parcel shelf needs a bit taking off.. it doesn't tilt up and down otherwise, rather it falls out of it's locators.

thats about it.. the outer two rear seat's security is the belt anchors, not the seat back, but the central estate seat has a three point harness built in, making the seat's mounting to the floor pan, and whether to stick your gran/kid/ - Mother in law

in that seat - an issue that you should consider...

moral of the story, if you have a neglected xantia hatch, a deathwish, no family and someone throws some leather estate seats at you, get your angle grinder out

on a serious note, I am not sure if I would sell the car with retro fitted rear seats, I would probably put a normal cloth back in, and sell the seats off to an estate owner...

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 15 Feb 2009, 06:31

John, I did not realise the fitting of estate seats in a hatch needed an angle grinder!!!!

Downunder · Unread post by **Downunder** » 15 Feb 2009, 07:19

I find the seats lack some support around the upper torso. The best seats I have ever had were in our 405.
I have overcome the problem to a great degree by fitting lambswool (sheepskin) seat covers. This has the effect of reducing the the distance between side bolsters and gives an overall warmer feel. Even it hot weather, sheepskin breathes quite well which is surprising to those who have never used them. It was 46.4 degrees celsius at my son's place in Shepparton (on the bigger island) so being comfortable in all seasons is important.

This is the country of lambs (sheep) so is a relatively inexpensive fix. Can you get this type of seat cover in UK?

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 15 Feb 2009, 07:27

Downunder wrote: This is the country of lambs (sheep) so is a relatively inexpensive fix. Can you get this type of seat cover in UK?

Can't say as I've seen them recently but back in the 70s they were all the rage; an essential fitment to every car

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