Anyone else hate Alcantara trim on BMW Perf shift and steering wheel?

Esmallstii · 04-16-2010, 09:07 AM

Disclaimer

--->Just my opinion,
but I hate the Alcantara (aka-suede) trim on the BMW Perf shift and Steering Wheel & Im about to pull the trigger on a short shift kit.
I know some people love it, but it reminds me of a Bad Velvet Elvis painting from the 70's.
I'll use the stock shift boot, but really like the perf shift knob (Minus the alcantara)
Was thinking about bringing the knob to a local upholstery shop and seeing if they could fit some leather to match the steering wheel or factory knob onto the perf shift knob.

Thoughts?

BrokenVert · 04-16-2010, 09:13 AM

You wouldn't be the first one. EAS has a leather skinned, flat bottom, version of the OEM perf steering wheel

onefastman · 04-16-2010, 09:35 AM

I like it a lot.

jeremyc74 · 04-16-2010, 09:38 AM

I've never liked the stuff. Porsche likes to use it as well, and I've always thought it looked awful. I'd much rather have leather.

BMW-NC · 04-16-2010, 10:10 AM

It sucks in all Grease from the skin. In 3 years it looks plain dirty....

Blacky · 04-16-2010, 05:01 PM

If you want to get rid of your wheel, just throw it down under and I will find a good home for it LOL

Bimmer-Bob · 04-18-2010, 07:33 AM

I don't understand the current obsession with alcantara and carbon fiber - I think they both look awful.

Esmallstii · 04-18-2010, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

I don't understand the current obsession with alcantara and carbon fiber - I think they both look awful.

+1
Hate alcantara, (sweat and dirt sponge) and think Carbon fiber can be used in small amounts and look ok.

Cuz5150 · 04-18-2010, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW-NC

It sucks in all Grease from the skin. In 3 years it looks plain dirty....

Ditto!!! its only for people that lease and dump in 3yrs

nordique14 · 04-18-2010, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

I don't understand the current obsession with alcantara and carbon fiber - I think they both look awful.

could not agree more. don't worry though. they will eventually go the way of neon lights and oversized spoilers.

Bimmer-Bob · 04-19-2010, 02:08 AM

This thread is reaffirming my faith in my fellow man.

Angry3 · 04-20-2010, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

This thread is reaffirming my faith in my fellow man.

+1. I was so disappointed to see that the non-electronic perf. steering wheel was the fuzzy stuff.

nordique14 · 04-23-2010, 11:30 AM

You can also add covering your car in vinyl to the list things I don't get.

Bimmer-Bob · 04-23-2010, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nordique14

You can also add covering your car in vinyl to the list things I don't get.

I was so gonna say that, but I didn't want to start some sort of flame war. But since it's out there, I hate it. I guess it's what you do when you can't afford a CF roof or hood. It looks terrible, and I really hope no one over the age of 25 is doing this to their car (sort of like the old guy at the club, if you know what I mean - it's just sad, really). It must be murder on your paint.

And speaking of murder, I really hate the term "murdered out," too. How does that even mean what it is? It looks pretty stupid, but it sounds even stupider.

[/rant]

BrokenVert · 04-23-2010, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

I was so gonna say that, but I didn't want to start some sort of flame war. But since it's out there, I hate it. I guess it's what you do when you can't afford a CF roof or hood. It looks terrible, and I really hope no one over the age of 25 is doing this to their car (sort of like the old guy at the club, if you know what I mean - it's just sad, really). It must be murder on your paint.

And speaking of murder, I really hate the term "murdered out," too. How does that even mean what it is? It looks pretty stupid, but it sounds even stupider.

[/rant]

Im under 25 and I think that everything above is really stupid. Why does black = murdered out? Wouldnt it be red? idk.

And CF looks good in small amounts. I personally think that it looks great in trim pieces, like the unpainted vents of the Vorstiener hood, or the CF diffusers.

But with regard to this Alcantara crap, why can you not just give me leather?

john08135i · 04-23-2010, 12:50 PM

Alcantara trim - I think it has something to do with better grip over leather for the steering wheel.

I love it.. sorry.. I have leather and i think the BMW leather package is very cheap.. My accord had much nicer leather than the BMW does.

radiantm3 · 04-23-2010, 05:42 PM

Carbon Fiber and Alcantara both have motorsport applications so it's no surprise that they are popular in "sporty" cars. Personally, I love both materials and I'm over 30. I prefer them over chrome and wood on my car.

jibaholic101 · 04-23-2010, 06:11 PM

i love both materials honestly, but alcantera is a pain in the ass to keep clean

BForbes · 04-23-2010, 06:18 PM

I love the Alcantra seats, headliner, and the bits everywhere BUT my steering wheel. It looks straight up nasty after a few years. My car would not see the track more than a few times a year anyway.

Robert · 04-23-2010, 06:30 PM

CF is overused for appearance. Half of the CF modified cars dont see track time, even when they do I really doubt there's a significant improvement in performance.

Chrome and wood used in moderate amount are acceptable for midsize or larger luxury car. Extensive use is too gaudy for me.

radiantm3 · 04-24-2010, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert

CF is overused for appearance. Half of the CF modified cars dont see track time, even when they do I really doubt there's a significant improvement in performance.

Chrome and wood used in moderate amount are acceptable for midsize or larger luxury car. Extensive use is too gaudy for me.

The bottom line is looks are subjective. Some like wood and chrome, while others like carbon fiber, etc. There's no rule that you need to track your car for carbon fiber to become acceptable. All of the CF pieces sold under BMW Performance are purely cosmetic.

plasar · 04-25-2010, 02:02 AM

I don't know how it gets skanky over time (leather does too), but I sat in a GT3 the other week, and in the 1-series Tii concept in BMW Welt, and they were both schwing city! Lambo seems to like it too.

_________________________

04-16-2010, 09:07 AM	#1
Esmallstii Systematic Chaos 40 Rep 550 Posts Drives: 08 135i Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Waterford, NY iTrader: (1)	Anyone else hate Alcantara trim on BMW Perf shift and steering wheel? *Disclaimer--->Just my opinion, but I hate the Alcantara (aka-suede) trim on the BMW Perf shift and Steering Wheel & Im about to pull the trigger on a short shift kit. I know some people love it, but it reminds me of a Bad Velvet Elvis painting from the 70's. I'll use the stock shift boot, but really like the perf shift knob (Minus the alcantara) Was thinking about bringing the knob to a local upholstery shop and seeing if they could fit some leather to match the steering wheel or factory knob onto the perf shift knob. Thoughts? __________________ BSM/Coral red/Sp pkg/Cft access/Htd seats/BMW Performance Pedals, Spoiler, & Rotors/18" VMR V710's/Hankook Ventus/Cool Carbon Pads .*"The 135i's engine sound is so ferocious and bittersweet, so carnal and wicked, somebody ought to name a heavy-metal band after it: Velvet Chain Saw."
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04-16-2010, 09:13 AM	#2
BrokenVert Resident Kerbalnaut 477 Rep 10,703 Posts Drives: Topless Brute/Hybrid Boogaloo Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fahrvergnügen/NY iTrader: (0)	You wouldn't be the first one. EAS has a leather skinned, flat bottom, version of the OEM perf steering wheel __________________
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04-16-2010, 09:35 AM	#3
onefastman Major General 159 Rep 5,689 Posts Drives: 2009 135i 2011 e92m dct Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Earth iTrader: (15)	I like it a lot. __________________ Legal Disclaimer: Anything I or anyone else says about my vehicle on this website(1addicts.com or any affiliated or nonaffiliated sites), pertaining to modifications, is only to gain acceptance from my/our peers, and does not actually represent anything actually existing on my car, and thus, cannot be held against me in any issues, i.e. warranty claims, that may arise.
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04-16-2010, 09:38 AM	#4
jeremyc74 Banned 76 Rep 5,970 Posts Drives: '08 135i Montego/Terra Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Evansville, IN iTrader: (0)	I've never liked the stuff. Porsche likes to use it as well, and I've always thought it looked awful. I'd much rather have leather.
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04-16-2010, 10:10 AM	#5
BMW-NC Selling drugs to BMW addicts 17 Rep 468 Posts Drives: 135i e82 6MT N55 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Baumholder / Hanau iTrader: (1)	It sucks in all Grease from the skin. In 3 years it looks plain dirty.... __________________ --- Quality US Spec Used Cars for Military Members stationed in Europe. Specialized in BMWs and MINIs up to 10k miles.
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04-16-2010, 05:01 PM	#6
Blacky Lieutenant 14 Rep 472 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2006 iTrader: (0)	If you want to get rid of your wheel, just throw it down under and I will find a good home for it LOL
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04-18-2010, 07:33 AM	#7
Bimmer-Bob ! 699 Rep 3,267 Posts Drives: 2010 128i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Anacortes, WA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2024 Ford Bronco (U ... [0.00] 2010 BMW 128i (E82) [9.25]	I don't understand the current obsession with alcantara and carbon fiber - I think they both look awful. __________________ ____________________________ My Build Thread
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04-19-2010, 02:08 AM	#11
Bimmer-Bob ! 699 Rep 3,267 Posts Drives: 2010 128i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Anacortes, WA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2024 Ford Bronco (U ... [0.00] 2010 BMW 128i (E82) [9.25]	This thread is reaffirming my faith in my fellow man. __________________ ____________________________ My Build Thread
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04-23-2010, 11:30 AM	#13
nordique14 Major 53 Rep 1,477 Posts Drives: SGM 135i 'vert Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sharks Territory iTrader: (5)	You can also add covering your car in vinyl to the list things I don't get.
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04-23-2010, 12:50 PM	#16
john08135i Major 77 Rep 1,027 Posts Drives: 2013 M Sport, 2010 bmw S1000RR Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Orlando iTrader: (0)	Alcantara trim - I think it has something to do with better grip over leather for the steering wheel. I love it.. sorry.. I have leather and i think the BMW leather package is very cheap.. My accord had much nicer leather than the BMW does. __________________ M Sport Line Estoril Blue
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04-23-2010, 05:42 PM	#17
radiantm3 Apex Everything! 976 Rep 4,378 Posts Drives: 2007 Honda S2000, 2017 GT350 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Cedar Park, TX iTrader: (6) Garage List 2011 E92 M3 [9.35] 2014 BMW i3 [10.00]	Carbon Fiber and Alcantara both have motorsport applications so it's no surprise that they are popular in "sporty" cars. Personally, I love both materials and I'm over 30. I prefer them over chrome and wood on my car. __________________ 2011 E92 M3(Sold). 2007 Honda S2000 (Track Car). 2016 Cayman GT4 (Sold). 2017 Shelby GT350 (AKA Crowd Killer). My pet project: https://stickershift.com
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04-23-2010, 06:11 PM	#18
jibaholic101 Brigadier General 160 Rep 3,496 Posts Drives: women wild Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Charleston, SC iTrader: (0)	i love both materials honestly, but alcantera is a pain in the ass to keep clean __________________ some italian, german, and japanese ones; and on order more of the same
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04-23-2010, 06:18 PM	#19
BForbes Moderator 559 Rep 4,240 Posts Drives: BSM 135i/AW E90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orlando, FL iTrader: (0)	I love the Alcantra seats, headliner, and the bits everywhere BUT my steering wheel. It looks straight up nasty after a few years. My car would not see the track more than a few times a year anyway. __________________ - 04 Honda S2000(gone)
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04-23-2010, 06:30 PM	#20
Robert Major General 417 Rep 6,968 Posts Drives: 135i -> is350 -> Tesla M3 perf Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Socal iTrader: (1)	CF is overused for appearance. Half of the CF modified cars dont see track time, even when they do I really doubt there's a significant improvement in performance. Chrome and wood used in moderate amount are acceptable for midsize or larger luxury car. Extensive use is too gaudy for me.
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04-25-2010, 02:02 AM	#22
plasar plasar 24 Rep 385 Posts Drives: M3 Vert Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Portland, OR iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 Conv [0.00]	I don't know how it gets skanky over time (leather does too), but I sat in a GT3 the other week, and in the 1-series Tii concept in BMW Welt, and they were both schwing city! Lambo seems to like it too. _________________________ Attached Images
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