Has anyone had an Alcantara steering wheel for a while? If so, how do you like it and does it get soiled and old looking?

ChuckJ

 

I have an alcantara steering wheel on one of my cars. I like the feel, but it does seem more susceptible to dirt, sweat and sun when compared to a leather or other synthetic-type wheel. To me, it feels great for the track, with driving gloves, but not ideal for a daily-driven car where you'll be grabbing it bareheaded, and probably sweating on it, too.

 

I had one in my prior Porsche - they are great. However, they do wear and pill over time no matter how hard you try to take care of them. The leather is more durable - I'd consider Alcantara to be a wear item like brake rotors, and in need of replacement / refurbishment at some point.

 

Thanks, guys! I thought that would be the answer. Right now I wear golf gloves for driving and it provides a great feel but I wondered if I could get a feel that good with Alcantara and was concerned about it's durability and cleanliness challenges.

ChuckJ

 

Love the feel, hate the way it looks especially after a short amount of time..

 

Any knowledge or opinion of the way it feels and looks/wears on the seat inserts?

 

I have had mine for 5-6months and it looks like new, now I have put in about 2,000 miles in that time frame. I guess I can always have it redone if it wears but so far so good.

 

Tried the original Alcantara on my old ride before buying the 911. I'm happy with the leather now!

 

i had an alcantara steering wheel on my old AMG and after 4 yrs it was in pretty good shape, different OEM so my experience may not be relevant

 

I have not owned, only test driven.. What I like most is the feel of the wheel since it isn't slippery like leather can feel at times especially when cold. But I've seen a few after a while and I think how it looks over time depends on the person. I'm sure if you take care of it it isn't bad, although the overall porousness (I guess that is how to describe it) is naturally going to absorb more oils from your hands. But I've managed to get my leather wheel pretty dirty at times and I was pretty glad I didn't have alcantara as it would have been messy to clean up.

Seat wise I didn't really have an opinion on the feel. My bigger problem is I just don't like the look of it. To me it just reminds me of my mothers 1978 Buick Regal with velour seats. I realize that is a personal thing but to me it just looks cheezy and kinda cheap. So I'd never have it.

 

I have had mine for around 5700 miles. I really like it. It tends to wear where you normally hold your steering wheel - for me its the 10 o clock and 2 o clock positions.



I had an alcantara steering wheel on my E46 M3 and it was terrible. The alcantara balled up and wore pretty poorly. We have a 997.2 GT3 with an alcantara wheel and it is not in great shape, but I think that if you clean your hands before you drive (I keep hand sanitizer in my glove box), you will be fine.

I will say, I do love the alcantara on the track with racing gloves.