You will find that the alcantara shift **** will get kinda gross after a few years of sweaty palms!

 

Well, if I keep it for a few years it'll mean I grew to prefer alcantera over the leather. If it does wear poorly, in that case id probably just buy a new one. (Only $215 + $16 shipping )

I still have the original so... I can always switch back to leather. I'll give it a couple weeks.

 

Just as a follow-up on my impressions.. After just a few days with the gt3 alcantara shift **** swap in place of the leather one, I can say definitively, that I'm enjoying the alcantara feel better. ..it just feels more assured. The other shift **** is a very fine piece. Excellent infact! But the alcantara feels a bit more purposeful. I'll keep it on for sure!!

 

Thanks to a link in the diy section, I was able to swap the alcantara sleeve on the bottom part of shift **** kit back to the original leather (which I ting goes better with the car's full leather interior ). I was also pleased to see that the **** itself easily snaps off of its sleeve. So I was able to interchange the leather sleeve for lookd and keep the GT3 alcatraz **** (which I feel offers a more assured grip). here''s the pictures..

To think, this steeler offered to swap it for $150...when it took all but 30 seconds to do with no tools... A straw too much. I take such lack of courtesy to heart. He may have just lost my business. Already arranged for my tires to be done at another Porche dealership.
Petty judgement on that young service rep's part.




Alcantara shift **** with alcantara sleeve base..








Inspecting bottom shows location of snap hinges








Swapped for leather sleeve keeping alcantara ****

 

Couple more pics after adjusting sleeve/**** attachment. These also show my smart phone air vent clip solution which avoids the need to use a suction cup mount. Note how right vent is shut in winter to avoid hot air from heating the phone. In the summer I'd open it to allow cool ac air to cool the phone. I'm having way too much fun with this car.

 

Nice job - personally I like the alcantara boot better than the leather - don't like the contrast.

 

Thanks for your impression.

I'm thinking about that too!... it takes all but 30 seconds to put the alcantara boot/sleeve back. I kinda like/love the leather boot though..I do recognize the contrast with the **** but am unsure if it displeases..

With all (boot&****) alcantara, the contrast will be with the dark leather surroundings (seats/dash..) and to me, that is more stark of a difference. I've argued (to my self and now out loud, and again...I'm having Way too much fun with this car! ), that this contrast is somewhat mediated by the nice silver strip that forms a pedestal for the shifter.

As it exists now, (with leather boot/sleeve and alcantara ****) something tells me that the contrast impression is amplified somewhat by us knowing that the whole could be alcantara or all leather. To an unknowing observer, I wonder how it looks, and if any noticed contrast is at all objectionable. I'm liking it so far. Very much actually. Especially how it FEELS!!

 

Getting Michelin PS2 tires installed by Porsche dealer this morning. Front tread was shot, rears had plenty of tread left but I'd rather not mix tires. I know, that new tires don't really count as a modification, but given it had Pirellis originally; I hear I should expect a significant difference in ride and traction. I chose PS2 over PSS due mainly since, for some unknown reason to me, Michelin Pilot Super Sports aren't Porsche N spec for this tire size. Will post pictures this afternoon.

 

Got the Michelin PS2s installed with 4 wheel alignment. Tires perform well in the rain and dry for city/highway driving. I feel assured, and I get very little if any tire noise in the cabin. Feels very refined.

I'm loving the looks and feel of the Alcantara shift ****. That has gotten me thinking, still wanting to throw commas at this car.. I wish the beautiful leather steering wheel was also alcantara because you know what....this truly Beautiful leather one (I especially like the inch notch stitch at 12 o'clock ) is unfortunately a bit slippery. It really is kind of. The less than optimal friction afforded by the fine leather surface forces me to use more effort to grip the wheel; 'turning' what could be a more precise and relaxed fingers driven grip, into a more dull and stressed upper palm involving grip. Basically you have to hold on tighter to ensure no slip while turning the wheel and also while maintaining a straight line. Call it nit picking, but I happen to appreciate these details.

Ok...this calls for a disclaimer least I be cast as ungrateful. Yes, I take particular details very seriously..especially when they play a role in the driving experience; a level of which I have yet to experience at a higher bar than what this car has already set. It doesn't mean there''s no room for improvement. I do feel a heavy sense of responsibility though; to not tarnish this masterpiece by poorly chosen mods. It's why i seek out advice from this community. Please know, I meant "dull" above, only as a figurative and hypothetically relative comparison to what I surmise an Alcantara wrapped wheel would feel like. Because,...there really is no doubt, this leather wrapped steering wheel, mounted on this car, delivers the most delightfully satisfying steering feeling I've ever experienced. It is Very good!!!

That said, I wish the leather steering wheel would stick to the hand, or I should say...fingers more. I'm sure this is why the GT3 uses Alcantara and probably why the GTS is offered, standard from Porsche, with an Alcantara steering wheel, shift ****, as well as seats. Others feel Alcantara wears poorly over time.I guess I happen to agree with Porsche on Alcantara regarding what the hand touches. I'm considering a steering wheel swap from suncoast unless. ... it would be possible to wrap the wheel with alcantara without damaging the leather, excessively increasing the wheel thickness, nor diminishing the world class quality level of this car's interior.

I would appreciate any advice.

 

Alcantara wears fine if you keep it clean. People make it out to be a big deal but all you have to do is wash your hands before driving (shouldn't you anyways?) and every now and then use an alcantara specific cleaner (like Sonax's) similar to what you would do for leather upkeep. It will NOT devalue your car in any way.

A steering wheel re-wrap seems like the best solution but if you want to be able to quickly swap back and forth and preserve your factory leather, just buy a re-wrapped wheel from DCSW (Dallas Custom Steering Wheel). It will be $800 and you keep yours for when you want to put it back on.

 

Wash your hands all you want, it still won't change the climate in OP's NC - heat, humidity and sweat take their toll on alcantara. Regular cleaning will help but alcantara still shows wear more than leather.

 

jnbrennan, I hear you and don't doubt you regarding the wear of alcantara. I appreciate you pointing that out. Maybe there is a way to make the leather just grip, rather than slip. I've experienced leather steering wheels in the past, on lesser cars, and distinctly remember a few that could be gripped and controlled with ease using only finger tips. That type of grip instills a higher level of confidence and control as well as making the experience that much more pleasant (less stress on hands too). I don't think I'm being too critical here. Am I?

If you or anyone else knows how to make leather less slippery and really grip, please let me know. I'll do some research. If no solution is found.. I'll have to throw another comma at the car and deal with wear as it comes:
http://www.suncoastparts.com/product/GTS480.html

TypeRx: I'm not sure about Dallas Custom Steering Wheels. Are they new or used? Also, are they OEM? The uncertainty makes me lean towards spending a little more to get the suncoast-part pointed to by above link.

Thanks!

 

RE: DCSW, they use actual Porsche wheels (either your own or you can use their core on hand) and simply refinish the grip. There is no shortage of folks here that have used them successfully. If you search DCSW on this site you will find a bunch of pictures. They charge around $400-$450 all in if you send a core (or yours) and about double without a core.

I haven't had my wheel redone yet but will because the factory leather hasn't worn well. I am going with a mix of Alcantara and leather with a red centering stripe and red stitching.

 

Interesting how you can have both leather and alcantara... I've always loved the 997/6/3 gt3rs alcantara covered steering wheel look with that Cool yellow stripe at 12 o'clock. If I send my core, do they remove the leather to keep authentic width, or wrap over...if so, won't that make it too thick.? .thicker than it would have come originally as alcantara I mean..

When/if done, I definitely want to keep the new sports steering wheel and not revert back to previous sports wheel designs.

Any idea on how difficult it is to remove/reinstall this steering wheel? Suncoast recommend's professional install. Wonder how much such an install will cost..

I'll call Dallas Custom Wheels on Monday, and my local dealer to ask for their suggestions. Maybe there's a way to get the leather to grip more. They may also be able to wrap it acceptably, in alcantara without damaging leather underneath (incase I want to return to leather) Otherwise, I'll get a quote for the install labor.

 

I am going to do leather on the sides (2-5 and 7-10) and Alcantara on top/bottom.

If you get your wheel recovered, you will lose the factory leather. This is why I suggested earlier in the thread to buy new or get a rewrapped wheel from DCSW without a core. That way you keep your OEM one.

Steering wheel removal takes 10 minutes max. There are DIY threads on it here. Basically need to remove a bolt in the bottom to unlock the airbag and then remove the wheel. You should disconnect the battery before. My guess is a dealer will charge an hour labor for removal and install of a replacement.