Alcantara Worth It?

[Kipjames3]

I'm getting my steering wheel redone and have the option of OEM leather or ZCP alcantara. I was wondering people's opinions on the alcantara and if it's worth the upkeep I've been reading about. The car is just my weekend car so no track use. Just maybe some spirited driving.

Another concern I have is how the mix of leather and alcantara will look on the other interior bits. I'm possibly getting it manual swapped and like the look of the alcantara shift boot and e brake but keep going back and forth on how the leather steering wheel will look with the other alcantara parts. I'm probably overthinking it but curious if anyone else had these thoughts also.

[AWE46M3]

While it looks great and adds a premium touch, it’s a hassle to keep in mint condition. It flattens over time and needs to be regularly brushed to maintain its appearance. Unlike leather, it can’t be cleaned as thoroughly, which makes upkeep more tedious. I even keep a stash of plastic steering wheel covers and have to remember to use one every time the car goes in for service.

From a usability and practicality standpoint, leather is the clear winner.

This was my first Alcantara wheel, so part of the appeal was the novelty. I wouldn’t say I regret getting it, but I do catch myself considering my steering wheel more than I’d like to.

[Nate047]

Very much a personal choice. I've driven cars with Alcantara wheels and I absolutely hate the feel for a street car.

[tnord]

I would think it would also depend on how much you drive it. If I'm logging a lot of miles I'm probably going leather for wheel/shift knob. Minimal or track use, I might go alcantara.

I'm leaning alcantara for both, because I only log about 500-1k miles/yr, and wouldn't mind giving it a clean up annually.

[///Marecki]

If you want the alcantara it really isnt that hard to keep up with. All you need is Sonax, a good medium-firm bristle brush, some microfibre towels and some elbow grease - maybe 30 min worth once a month. Alcantara is actually super resilient and tough, I feel like it has a false image of being this delicate thing.

[SQ13]

I like Alcantara in areas that aren't touched (headliner, pillar covers, etc.). Not a fan of Alcantara steering wheels, and I actually ended up going back to leather in my M3.

[01SG]

I don't get the appeal. Leather looks and feels nicer. It's more durable. Wins in every way in my opinion. It's headliner material to me.

[elrichmeister]

This is my first car with Alcantara steering wheel and i actually like it. Previous owner did not clean it at all, when i received it the fibers were all flat and was generally pretty gross. It did clean up very well with a leather cleaner, brush and microfiber. Now i try to clean it about once a month and it still looks good in the 3.5 years that i have owned it.

[CrisSilberGrau]

Id go Alcantara for a race OMP superlegerra. I had an OEM used ZCP steering wheel, went with oem foam and thickness with nappa leather, and perforated nappa at 9/3 with a silver alcantara strip at 12. I absolutely love it. Anything you touch in the car a lot deserves to be the best you can get, or at least something you'll enjoy. Go whichever way you want, just dont cheap out.