Thoughts/Suggestions - Alcantara

[Afam28]

I have a mint "M" steering wheel with updated paddle shifters...
I plan on installing it(with the necessary wiring) soon but wanted the Alcantara type steering wheel...
If I send my steering wheel to Mike at Coby wheel, he has assured me that installing Alcantara means a cosmetic change to the original steering wheel due to shaving, and glue...

If you have a Alcantara style steering wheel, how does it feel/was it worth it to you?
Do you think I should keep my steering wheel the way it is(seeing that it's in such great condition)?

I know that ultimately I should make my own decision, but I just want to get a couple ideas/talk about it a little.

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by Afam28

I have a mint "M" steering wheel with updated paddle shifters...
I plan on installing it(with the necessary wiring) soon but wanted the Alcantara type steering wheel...
If I send my steering wheel to Mike at Coby wheel, he has assured me that installing Alcantara means a cosmetic change to the original steering wheel due to shaving, and glue...

If you have a Alcantara style steering wheel, how does it feel/was it worth it to you?
Do you think I should keep my steering wheel the way it is(seeing that it's in such great condition)?

I know that ultimately I should make my own decision, but I just want to get a couple ideas/talk about it a little.

No direct input on your questions, but another possibility to suggest. Maybe doing a DIY steering wheel wrap/cover without using the tape suggested to install, will appease or help you make the decision.

Something like this (but with hopefully better, not-as much peeling on your trim): http://mewanten.com/10453/10462/1048...detail_65.html

[kaputt]

This is just my opinion, but Alcantara wheels on street cars are not the best idea. The material can never hold up to the oils your hands put on it, even with a lot of care.

It was pretty much originally intended only for race and track cars and drivers that had gloves on. But people thought it looked cool (which it does, when new) and it’s become an option for street cars.

If you see some old E46 ZHPs you’ll notice the Alcantara wheels usually don’t look good. Some people even had theirs re-wrapped in leather.

[Afam28]

Originally Posted by dtla1

No direct input on your questions, but another possibility to suggest. Maybe doing a DIY steering wheel wrap/cover without using the tape suggested to install, will appease or help you make the decision.

Something like this (but with hopefully better, not-as much peeling on your trim): http://mewanten.com/10453/10462/1048...detail_65.html

No too bad...definitely an option!

[Afam28]

Originally Posted by kaputt

This is just my opinion, but Alcantara wheels on street cars are not the best idea. The material can never hold up to the oils your hands put on it, even with a lot of care.

It was pretty much originally intended only for race and track cars and drivers that had gloves on. But people thought it looked cool (which it does, when new) and it’s become an option for street cars.

If you see some old E46 ZHPs you’ll notice the Alcantara wheels usually don’t look good. Some people even had theirs re-wrapped in leather.

And this is what I'm afraid of honestly...
It not looking good some years down the line...

[Esteban]

Looks pretty and I'm sure it feels great. Just don't think it wears well. Maybe I'm wrong and if so maybe someone who has it will chime in and tell us their opinion.

[MN.BIMMER]

I'm on the anti-alcantara train too - it's not a premium material yet people crave it. Don't let us stop you from customizing YOUR car the way YOU want it though!

[NVHoo]

Originally Posted by kaputt

This is just my opinion, but Alcantara wheels on street cars are not the best idea. The material can never hold up to the oils your hands put on it, even with a lot of care.

It was pretty much originally intended only for race and track cars and drivers that had gloves on. But people thought it looked cool (which it does, when new) and it’s become an option for street cars.

If you see some old E46 ZHPs you’ll notice the Alcantara wheels usually don’t look good. Some people even had theirs re-wrapped in leather.

Very hard to keep looking nice. Only benefit is the steering wheel feels less hot on sunny summer days as compared to the stock wheel. I had light gray Alcantara seats on another brand CPO I bought and first thing I did was replace the surfaces with leather because I did not want the constant grief of trying to keep it clean and looking good.

[Afam28]

Guess it's going to come down to how much I want the "look".
Ehh, we'll see what happens...
Thanks for the input guys!

[CH400EM]

If you're going the full custom wheel route, you could always get perforated leather on the wheel by the paddles (similar to stock msport) and replace the smooth leather elsewhere with alcantara. That way the majority of the time your hands will be on the leather and save the alcantara from wearing down. To really complete the look you could get the "soft-touch" center portion of the wheel (what typically peels) covered in alcantara as well. With the right accent stitching matched in leather and alcantara sections, that combo would be awesome.

My only experience with alcantara is in a '92 W124 when refurbishing the headliner, A and B pillars. For the wheel, installing a wood Nardi wheel for it soon

[CH400EM]

Here's some cool ideas on this site: http://royalsteeringwheels.com/1-2/

[Afam28]

Originally Posted by CH400EM

Here's some cool ideas on this site: http://royalsteeringwheels.com/1-2/

Definitely options here...
Appreciate the post!

[Boost3d_1M]

I recently purchased a very well worn and used E92 M3 steering to retrofit into my 1M. I wanted to do the entire steering in alcantara but the vendor I am doing the work with, advised against it and said that the alcantara doesnt stretch very nicely. We came to a compromise and I am hoping to get it done with perforated leather on the sides ( if available) and the top and bottom sections and the centre fascia done in alcantara, to sort of mimic the AC Schnitzer 1M steering. I am doing the stitching in orange to match the rest of the interior...

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ac-schni...323410420~acs/

[Afam28]

Originally Posted by Boost3d_1M

I recently purchased a very well worn and used E92 M3 steering to retrofit into my 1M. I wanted to do the entire steering in alcantara but the vendor I am doing the work with, advised against it and said that the alcantara doesnt stretch very nicely. We came to a compromise and I am hoping to get it done with perforated leather on the sides ( if available) and the top and bottom sections and the centre fascia done in alcantara, to sort of mimic the AC Schnitzer 1M steering. I am doing the stitching in orange to match the rest of the interior...

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-ac-schni...323410420~acs/

That's nice!
@CH400EM posted a site with steering wheels similar to that.
Half leather, half Alcantara would probably be my best option.

I would probably want leather at 6 and 12 and Alcantara at 10 and 3(usually have my hands at 6 or 12)

[1and1]

I'm a fan of Nelson Racing Wheels... some nice looking stuff

www. nelson racing wheel .com

[Boost3d_1M]

I wasnt able to get my request to get the perforated leather done, but these are some pics of the spare steering wheel and fascia that I had done. Its a pity I dont have pictures of what this E92 m3 steering looked like when i bought it....all I can say it was in a state, but it was rescued and I quite like how it came out in the end. I customised it with the orange stitching to match the rest of the stitching in the 1M and then added the little red 'M' button on the controls and had a spare steering fascia covered in alcantara all at the same time.

[Afam28]

Originally Posted by Boost3d_1M

I wasnt able to get my request to get the perforated leather done, but these are some pics of the spare steering wheel and fascia that I had done. Its a pity I dont have pictures of what this E92 m3 steering looked like when i bought it....all I can say it was in a state, but it was rescued and I quite like how it came out in the end. I customised it with the orange stitching to match the rest of the stitching in the 1M and then added the little red 'M' button on the controls and had a spare steering fascia covered in alcantara all at the same time.

Yeah I don't know...
I like that steering wheel...
But again it's a mint steering wheel!

I want to wrap it to keep it mint...
But everything that I've researched will probably damage it...well at least it seems that way!

[gds52]

Originally Posted by kaputt

This is just my opinion, but Alcantara wheels on street cars are not the best idea. The material can never hold up to the oils your hands put on it, even with a lot of care.

It was pretty much originally intended only for race and track cars and drivers that had gloves on. But people thought it looked cool (which it does, when new) and it’s become an option for street cars.

If you see some old E46 ZHPs you’ll notice the Alcantara wheels usually don’t look good. Some people even had theirs re-wrapped in leather.

You can always clean it with mild soapy water and a cotton cloth. I've been using mine for the last 35k miles and it still looks good.