Been reading the following thread and was hoping to get some additional insight.
https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...alcantara.html

I have a 2011 C4 Black/Black. Looking at the following interior upgrades:

Mostly red GT2 RS alcantara SW
http://www.suncoastparts.com/product/2012GT2RSALC2.html


GT2RS ****
http://www.suncoastparts.com/product/GT2RSKNOB.html



Since these components frequently have their hands on it, how long will it last in good condition?

Does anyone have pics of these in their car?

Will it stand out poorl with a black/black configuration?

 

My GT3 has dark grey Alcantara and about 11000 miles, still looks new.

 

Alcantara is, of course, cloth. I guess if I had a GT model I could overlook that but I would prefer leather for those parts. For me, cloth does not make sense for those applications.

 

I have the GT2RS red alcantara shift ****. I love the feel of it. Feels like a T*T. But, the thing is that after 5 months of use, it is starting to look dirty. I Don’t know how to clean it.

 

I don't know if it is just bad photography or what, but I've noticed that it appears to look shabby after a few years. I was just noticing this on one of the other posts where the car had alcantara seats.

 

Alcantara can be cleaned with water and a microfiber cloth

 

@Sameerg - Dirty T*T! This is great feedback and exactly what i was fearing. any possibility you can post a pic? I'm really curious as i've been eyeing that shift **** for a while... what is your interior color as well and how does it match with the ****?

@NorthVan - thanks for the feedback! i love the GT3. What works well is i assume you have matching alcantara in the rest of the car? gorgeous

@Fahrer - thanks for the feedback. your comments make completely sense and that is another concern i have.

If anyone has pics of either of these items after much usage, i'm sure it would be very helpful to those thinking about alcantara! thanks!

 

you can clean Alcantara with a damp cloth and toothbrush

 

my old M3 steering wheel looked like crap after one year... had it replaced under warrenty with leather. never again.

unless i drive with leather gloves exclusively

 

Only the steering wheel, shift ****, hand brake, and roof liner is Alcantara, the rest is basic.

 

I don't have any direct experience with Alcantara, but most of it that I have seen, looks bad after a year or so of use. When I bought my GTS, I looked until I found one I liked with full leather.

 

08 Turbo with 25,000 miles - seats look great...replaced steering wheel, shift know and handbrake at 2 years/17,000miles - looked really bad. Use Autoglym on the seats to keep them clean.

 

I thought about getting an alcantara shift **** but after looking at some pictures of used Porsches with it, I decided against it. I got carbon fiber instead. I think they look nice but I would avoid any parts that gets touched often. Center console, dash, etc should be fine with it.

 

BMW used a different material on a bunch of M3 Steering wheels.. They would Pill up almost immediately.

Im my opinion Alcantera can and will wear as well or better than leather if properly cared for!

 

I've had Alcantara (M3) it wore badly, plus I hated the feel of it from day one. But you could be right about it wearing better than leather if properly cared for (I have no data to suggest otherwise). But therein lies the rub - you have to care for it - and much more so than leather.