Xantia Mk.II SX seat material wear.

David W · Unread post by **David W** » 11 Jul 2007, 23:24

Probably the most annoying defect above anything mechanical on my 1999 SX TD Estate is the usual wear to the outer edge of the drivers seat backrest. I have the material called "Alcantara" with the "patchwork" blue-ish central panels and the suede-look dark grey/black outer material.

This suede-like material looks great on all the other seats but has worn right through on the driver's seat so there is a hole to the cream backing material. Looks terrible.

I might look for a complete seat if I could ever find a good one within a reasonable distance of Cambs... or what about any repair or replacement of the suede-type material.

Anyone repaired this??

Thanks,

David

jmd · Unread post by **jmd** » 11 Jul 2007, 23:47

I have the same problem myself, it seems that this was one of the characteristics of an otherwise excellent car. The seats on my other Xantia a 96 Td with 260,000 miles covered are as new. Sometime ago I raised this issue here and had some corrospondence with DickieG, who has or had at that time suitable seats, however he is in the London area, and as I am in Ireland collection and transport costs made it uneconomic for me to. Perhaps he might see your letter here or you could contact him. I have arranged to have mine repaired, when I get time quoted €60/70 which seems reasonable.

David W · Unread post by **David W** » 12 Jul 2007, 00:10

Yep it is annoying when there are all the 1993 Xantias going to the breakers with near perfect seats. I will have a word with DG as you mention.

If no luck with his spares stash I'll get a local repair done. Wold happily pay £60 or so for a repair to make the interior mint. We have a good trimmer in the next town.

Cheers,

David

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 12 Jul 2007, 15:10

The usual "repair" method is to find a nice passenger seat - and then move the cushions. Alternately you may be able to re-build the LH seat to the RH location.

Thats the usual "repair" method for BX'es anyway. But here the safety belt lock is located on the seat frame, so they must be moved. Same goes with the lumbar & backrest adjusters.

davethewheel · Unread post by **davethewheel** » 12 Jul 2007, 19:01

i had the same problem with my xantia 2.1td sx, the drivers side seat had worn completely through and the passenger side wasn't much better, i ended up buying a set off seats from a later car from a breakers.

David W · Unread post by **David W** » 14 Jul 2007, 08:16

DaveTW, Ha the funny thing is my 1999 with a genuine 80K should be a "later car" but the material has still disolved on the drivers squab edge.

Sadly Anders I can't do a side-to-side swap because I have side airbags in the seat and the drivers seat has the centre armrest mounted on it.

However your comments have made me think. I wonder if the seat material itself can be swapped over?

Cheers,

David

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 14 Jul 2007, 23:00

David W wrote:Sadly Anders I can't do a side-to-side swap because I have side airbags in the seat and the drivers seat has the centre armrest mounted on it.

However your comments have made me think. I wonder if the seat material itself can be swapped over?

Cheers,

David

Over here our ways its still possible to get a seat cover redone at specialists. They do however prefer to sell you a full leather set

Defo an alternative to dealer or breaker sets, as these wont be cheap new or used in good nick.

jmd · Unread post by **jmd** » 15 Jul 2007, 00:37

The Specialist I spoke to regarding repairing mine, had misgivings about removing the seat because of the side airbag. I told him that I would do that myself. Is disconnecting the battery and leaving a 30 minute time lapse before removing the seat O.K, but how on earth, does one remove the arm-rest?

reblack68 · Unread post by **reblack68** » 15 Jul 2007, 08:05

The main thing to watch out for when handling airbags is static. Do be aware that you might build up quite a bit of static if you've been wrestling with seat covers. make sure you discharge yourself before handling the airbag.

I read on here recently that the armrest is removed by pulling it out sharply but I tried on mine and it didn't feel like it was going to move.

Sanvean · Unread post by **Sanvean** » 30 Jul 2007, 13:10

reblack68 wrote:I read on here recently that the armrest is removed by pulling it out sharply but I tried on mine and it didn't feel like it was going to move.

Hi!

Is there any advance in armrest removal? I also have tried to remove it, but without any success.

Thanks!

jmd · Unread post by **jmd** » 31 Jul 2007, 15:16

No advance in the Armrest Removal. I am going to phone a guy whom I know in a main dealers and see if he can help me-will let you know then, if I learn anything new

Ross_K · Unread post by **Ross_K** » 31 Jul 2007, 16:36

Just a thought on "retrimming" a seat with an airbag in it...

What are the chances the side of the seat with the airbag in might have weaker stitching or material to allow the airbag to pop through?

jmd · Unread post by **jmd** » 01 Aug 2007, 01:22

Good point Ross, however the stitching on this model is fine. The white backing is intact and not really wearing at the seams, or stitches. The real problem is this swede-like material simply disolves at the edges. In fact for the well-being of the Airbag a good adhesive and the correct material would seem to be the answer. Has anybody any thought on seat-covers or will fitting them retard the effectiveness of the airbag ?

Unread post by **Peter.N.** » 01 Aug 2007, 09:25

I dont know if the same applys to Xantias, but the XM, VSX seats are almost indestructable. My last one had covered nearly 300k and the seats still looked as good as in the one I have now did at 114k . I have a set I removed from a '97 70k car and they still look new!

jmd · Unread post by **jmd** » 02 Aug 2007, 10:10

I know the story Peter N. I've got a 96 Xantia 260,000 miles covered and the seats are perfect, but the problem seems to be with the 99 Xantias which had this Alcantara covering and it "dissolved" (as a previus contributor stated. What about a set of Seat Covers or do they all effect the air bag in the seat. With some of the Seat Covers advertised by Argos they state "not to be used" if the seat has an airbag. They no not post this notice with all their covers