For those of you with the lighter interiors, particularly sand beige, how does it hold up? Does the steering wheel and shift **** tend to look worn prematurely? If so, has anyone with that color thought about replacing it with a black wheel? Any thoughts on how that would look?

 

Anyone?

 

I was worried about the same issue and am having my wheel replaced with MF wheel anyway, so I quickly photo-shopped some mock ups and ran them by the dealership - "we" decided that the stock color scheme looked best.

BTW, to replace the wheel entirely as shown requires also an airbag module - another $1000 - and still does not look so great to me.

I'm replacing the shifter and handbrake with the silver/aluminum kit as well - like the look better. If the wheel gets too grubby down the road, I'll just get a new one. My dealer says the used ones they get it clean up easily and look fine.

 

Glad I am not the only one thinking about it. And thanks for the pictures, that really helps.

 

If you take care of the interior properly, keep it clean, take care when left in sun light, and avoid bathing in funky tanning oils or the like (don't laugh, I've seen it) it should hold up well. If you treat it like a carolla, it'll look like crap in less than a year. I have seen the side bolsters on the drivers seat wear out as well. Often the "soft touch" finish on the center console, ashtray, or door panels wears away, but that is true for any color (excluding painted items).

 

I had a light interior BMW once (silver) and figured out what worked :

1) I avoided sitting on anything that had dirt . A park bench or dirty seat gets onto the clothes and imbeds itself into the leather much like a baseball glove .

2) I refrain from opening windows . Road grime does not need a willing port of entry.

3) For cleaning I began with Lexall cleaner but found that regular ivory bar soap (like used on ones skin) worked better with a towel and warm water . Once every four months .

4) For conditioning --after cleaning it I used lexall conditioner .

No sweating if possible . (if I worked out a brought a towel and another shirt) . Passenger cleanliness is something to observe too . No food ever . Only bottled water if necessary . No one is allowed to smoke anywhere near my cars . I don't smoke .. hate it .

I do go to the beach . Getting in my car after the beach includes parking in a ding free zone where a place to change clothes is available . Plus that beach must have a shower . The salt water shorts do not touch the leather . But even a rinse in a beach shower is not enough .. the car is cleaned after the beach . No sunscreen or oils of any kind . I simply go in the late afternoon when sun is less strong .

It takes work . My seats on a three or four year old car can look like they are almost new in any color . Upon trade it my cars are usually noticed for that trait.

 

I had the very light grey (maybe they called it silver) in an M3 cab for four years. It held up really well. Couldn't very well keep the windows up in that car - the "fish tank" look is frowned upon.

This car, I love the roof open and windows down - just feels fun. And I bought it to drive and enjoy. It may have to take a little wear, aging, and character development.

 

I'm thinking of changing my stock pdk wheel to cf wheel as well. I thought you can reuse the airbag from your stock wheel.

 

You can reuse the airbag - and they will, but as seen above, the cover may not match as you'd hope - the cover is part of the airbag assembly and they won't sell a new cover alone - I still didn't like the look for my car even with the whole thing in black - and it might have looked OK in person, but the mock ups made it seem too risky for me - $2K of risk.

If your interior is black with a black airbag cover, you should be fine.