Alcantra interior bits

[Papethova]

Ive never had alcantra in my cars, im just wondering how it wears and how difficult is it to keep it clean and looking good.

I never understood the use of it on a steering wheel, it seems it would wear quickly and look ugly.

Anyone with 1st hand experience care to comment, please.

[adc]

Had it on the seats and steering wheel in my 2003 330i ZHP.

The seats were absolutely mega, no undue wear and gripped like velcro.

On the steering wheel, it looked like crap after about 2 years. I managed to get the dealer to replace my steering wheel before the warranty expired and in the meantime I used a Remington fabric shaver ($6 on amazon) to shave the little pieces of material that would ball up on the wheel surface.

But while it lasted, it was amazing to feel and grip - nothing else like it (except perhaps real suede).

In the 1M the only real area that could expose some issues will be on the door handles - so handle them with care, so to speak...


Oops forgot to say - some people claim to get much improved wear when washed regularly with a weak soapy water solution (no harsh chemicals).

And I would never let this get in the way of buying a car - it's more like a little quirk, part of the car's personality if you want. (Same as the propensity for blowing up fuel pumps).

[NFIDDY5]

HFPF FTMFW.

[Drillslinger]

To kinda mirror what abc said... I had Alcantara seats in my '01 A3. The seats hardly showed any wear at all after 90k miles but I had to periodically shave the armrest down
On the other hand, I have the Alcantara/leather JCW steering wheel in my MINI and it needs a shave after a couple of months (but I still love it, lol).

[adc]

Originally Posted by Drillslinger

To kinda mirror what abc said...

Hey please don't confuse me with "abc" - that guy is old and fat and drives a Kia. I'm his polar opposite.

Oh wait, I *am* driving a Kia...

[Gee-klaw]

I have a Renault R26.R with Alcantara on the steering wheel. The car is still only 18 months old but the steering wheel looks like new.

That said the Alcantara is only on the top and bottom of the steering wheel.

[slade1274]

The wheels take more wear than seats due to the direct contact with skin/oils/dirt/grime. It is great stuff.

[PyratOne]

but on the dash above the instrument cluster? Why?

[quackman]

Originally Posted by PyratOne

but on the dash above the instrument cluster? Why?

Probably to reduce windshield glare... and because it's a location people will see constantly while also not touching it.

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by slade1274

The wheels take more wear than seats due to the direct contact with skin/oils/dirt/grime. It is great stuff.

Yup. I won't get a wheel with alcantara ever again unless it's a track-only car where I'd only wear gloves or something. Oils from skin contact just ruin the material. Anywhere else in the car is

[EmmDrei]

I love alcantara! The rugedness of the material as such, as well as its feel.

Had alcantara steering wheels in every racer I've ever owned, had an alcantara wheel in my M346 (came with the competition package). As long as you don't have hands that get to sweaty, not a problem. If you drive it with racing gloves every now and again, the "leather on leather" works like a cleaner and a fine comb. Just don't get into the car with dirty hands and touch the alcantara, not a good idea. My M346 was a daily driver and when I traded it in after three years, the wheel looked like new. I never specifically cleaned it. The alcantara bits in the 1M may collect dust, but I would assume, that that will be something that can be handled.

[cncmastr]

Shaving the alcantara reduces the fibers obviously. It shouldnt get to that point if you brush and wash it regularly. See my video below.

[Drillslinger]

Originally Posted by adc

Hey please don't confuse me with "abc" - that guy is old and fat and drives a Kia. I'm his polar opposite.

Oh wait, I *am* driving a Kia...

Whoops, sorry dude (although I did say mirror (b-d) )

[nachob]

Dr. Kay claims this is a driver's car but they put Alcantara in useless places for looks like the dash and door panels but not where it really matters...on the seats to keep your butt from sliding around or sweating in a driving suit. Really bummed out about Style over substance! Dr. Kay do as you say! Leather seats for autocrossing and track are not really "driver focused!"

[Gee-klaw]

Originally Posted by nachob

Dr. Kay claims this is a driver's car but they put Alcantara in useless places for looks like the dash and door panels but not where it really matters...on the seats to keep your butt from sliding around or sweating in a driving suit. Really bummed out about Style over substance! Dr. Kay do as you say! Leather seats for autocrossing and track are not really "driver focused!"

Forgive me if I'm wrong but isn't Alcantara lighter than Leather?

If so its not style over substance - its style and a tiny tiny bit of substance!

Sorry - I'm an optimist!

[radiantm3]

Originally Posted by EmmDrei

I love alcantara! The rugedness of the material as such, as well as its feel.

Had alcantara steering wheels in every racer I've ever owned, had an alcantara wheel in my M346 (came with the competition package). As long as you don't have hands that get to sweaty, not a problem. If you drive it with racing gloves every now and again, the "leather on leather" works like a cleaner and a fine comb. Just don't get into the car with dirty hands and touch the alcantara, not a good idea. My M346 was a daily driver and when I traded it in after three years, the wheel looked like new. I never specifically cleaned it. The alcantara bits in the 1M may collect dust, but I would assume, that that will be something that can be handled.

Problem with alcantara on a new BMW is that the BMW techs don't care about that and put their greasy hands all over your interior. My alcantara wheel always felt and smelled a bit like oil after routine dealership services. I feel like they are more trouble than they are worth in a daily driver.