XM and CX seats

[captainhaddock]

I agree, the seats in my BX Chique were probably better than both XM's and CX. But they were more upmarket than the standard seats.

[Peter.N.]

I Liked the seats in or TZD BX.

[Duke]

I must say, and although could be perceived as being biased, that I do find the seats in the C4 very good.

Unlike some of these cars nowadays where you sit on the seats, like the CX, GS etc you sit in the seats of the C4.

They're not as good as CX ones, however I do find them very good and never uncomfortable.

[Jan-hendrik]

Unlike some of these cars nowadays where you sit on the seats, like the CX, GS etc you sit in the seats of the C4.

This comparative advertising was used in the 1980s to compare the BX with a BMW model. Probably not allowed in all countries. The comparison here, quoting CX, GS and C4 is confusing

[Peter.N.]

The seats in my 405 were dreadful but from the 406 onwards they seem to have improved them no end, they are even comfortable to look at.

Peter

[CitroJim]

I had 405s for several years Peter and I can't recall the seats at all now. They can't have been that bad for me or I'd have remembered them...

The one thing I do know about 405 seats is that if you weigh more than 20 stone they're a tad on the weak side - as are the chassis members the seats attach to... More than once have I welded up 405 seats and their mounts...

I hasten to add that I'm not that heavy. I'm getting on for half that..

[russ92xmsed]

Well no breakages on my 405 desk chair ...mind you I'm not 20stone either, but it certainly gets used regulary.
I'm impressed by the 405 seats. It must be from a good spec, good side support. Excellent at excessive desk cornering!!!!

What I do find however, is if I have been using the chair a lot, it does compress and can get a little flat. But leave it to plump up over a couple of days it it's back to its comfortable self.

[Peter.N.]

I think the problem Jim was on the later ones when they seem to standardise everything, the seats had very hard side bolsters which gave me chronic siatica, the older and upmarket models had much softer seats. I was somewhat broader in the beam than I am now which made matters worse - nothing like 20 stone though! I find the GLX electric seats in the 406 very comfortable, being able to alter the angle of the squab works wonders for me.

Peter

[casalingua]

Seats are an ergonomist's nightmare. People are so variable within and between countries. Finding a representative test group and good data is not easy. You can be sure modern seats are quantitatively checked but that still means they don't suit some drivers. What is annoying is that journalists write abour such matters withot appending the phrase "for me" to it. They just assume that if some element like seat comfort is deficient it must be so for everyone. The lesson here is that everyone should try the seats properly of any car they want buy and be prepared to find they might not be ideal.
Personally I find the XM cloth seats were much better than the leather. Presumably the substrate must be slightly different. That and the car is eight years older than the cloth seated one at this stage.

[russ92xmsed]

I dabbled a little in ergonomics at Uni. As part of designing a car we had to prove the design would viably work. So packaging all it's basic components..engine, petrol tanks, and importantly people. We had to make sure that a wide range of occupants can drive the car in a range of comfortable but safe driving positions.
There is readily available date with a huge range of limb and body sizes all split into percentiles. I have a book with all the typical nationality measurements. Essentially we have all been classed into percentiles in each nationality around the world to find a typical average. and it is expected that car designers at least make sure the interior space can fit a 2.5%tile...Japanese or Chinese lady, smallest generally speaking in the world, to 97th% which can be your tallest Dutch or German man. If these can fit in your design, and prove they can reach controls and see out of the car comfortably.... then it's a good job....well kind of. It is more complex than that. You will get the exceptions but exceptions cannot be catered for for mass market.

It is a really tricky area of design. As everyone is a different shape, size, length of leg ect. The most challenging to cater for is the smaller lady driver. Anyway...car companies spend a huge amount of time getting these things right.
But I think it is market led on how comfortable seats are. I believe the typical thought now is the more firm the seat, the better it is on a longer journey. But it is a generalisation. Everyone is different and everyone will like something different.
I prefer a softer chair but with good side support. I.e XM!