Alcantara - yay or nay?
Discussion
We’re looking at options for our next car and have noticed that Alcantara seems to be the seat covering of choice for a lot of manufacturers at the moment.
For example, we’ve test driven a BMW that ticks a lot of boxes, but the only interior options are Alcantara or a very garish fake red leather. The red really isn’t for us (not a nice shade at all), which leaves Alcantara.
Having been in a couple of cars with it (Alcantara), our concern is how easy it is to live with day to day – especially when it comes to keeping it clean (accidental spillages, wear, etc).
Does anyone have any long-term experience with Alcantara? Is it actually practical, or does it become a pain over time?
Thanks
For example, we’ve test driven a BMW that ticks a lot of boxes, but the only interior options are Alcantara or a very garish fake red leather. The red really isn’t for us (not a nice shade at all), which leaves Alcantara.
Having been in a couple of cars with it (Alcantara), our concern is how easy it is to live with day to day – especially when it comes to keeping it clean (accidental spillages, wear, etc).
Does anyone have any long-term experience with Alcantara? Is it actually practical, or does it become a pain over time?
Thanks
Got it in the Lotus (including steering wheel)which is 7 years/48 miles old and it looks pristine,had it in the Noble M400 for 18 years 50k miles and barely any wear. It’s much nicer to the touch than leather ( which isn’t even leather in most cases these days).
Like anything else,if you look after it and don’t treat it like a works van it’ll be fine.
Like anything else,if you look after it and don’t treat it like a works van it’ll be fine.
sjc said:
Got it in the Lotus (including steering wheel)which is 7 years/48 miles old and it looks pristine,had it in the Noble M400 for 18 years 50k miles and barely any wear. It s much nicer to the touch than leather ( which isn t even leather in most cases these days).
Like anything else,if you look after it and don t treat it like a works van it ll be fine.
Most cars described as leather interior these days aren't, you don't know what you are getting. Alcantara is a brand name so it should be a consistent quality at least, I like it not sure how it stands up to marks.Like anything else,if you look after it and don t treat it like a works van it ll be fine.
For me, Dakota leather works fine. It IS leather, but the surface is highly processed to create a durable finish. It is durable. However, I have sports seats with adjustable side-bolsters and extendable thigh support, I think you need that. When we take our son's dog in the car (BMW F30) he does not leave any mark on the leather. It is black, red would not be my choice.
I think you need to drive both to see how slippy or trippy you and passengers want the seats.
I think you need to drive both to see how slippy or trippy you and passengers want the seats.
Had a 159 with Alfatex which is basically an Alcantara rip off.
In off white, it did suffer from some dye transfer from jeans, but was easily cleaned with a micro fibre cloth and a light spray of water.
Had it on an E class as well, in the centre of the seats, it easily outlasted the crappy pleather on the bolsters, which split twice under warranty.
In off white, it did suffer from some dye transfer from jeans, but was easily cleaned with a micro fibre cloth and a light spray of water.
Had it on an E class as well, in the centre of the seats, it easily outlasted the crappy pleather on the bolsters, which split twice under warranty.
Landlubber said:
I couldn't get on with it, I know it's a personal thing but it just didn't feel right to me, im still not sure why.
I hate it too. I have only had it in one car and the seats were all bobbly. I ended up buying a fizz away from ebay on a vain hope of fixing them. The steering wheel aways felt horrible to me, plus imagine all the germs and grime on it from a decade of people holding it. It was like picking up a towel that had been found on the floor in a gym changing rooms.
For me, it's cloth seats all the way, a quick carpet shampoo and they are like new.
stevemcs said:
I would choose alcantara over leather every time
Agreed, warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer, non slip and comfortable.When I first got my S4 with alcantara seats I was a little sceptical but, I really like it and after 10 years it still looks like new.
I am rebuilding my old Land Rover and will need some new seats, if possible I'll be getting alcantara (heated) seats for that too.
Alcantara is a plastic suede substitute.
Its very hard wearing and easy to clean.
Only issue I have with it, is Its very grippy. If you wear jeans ect its difficult to move about in the seat to adjust your position as it acts like velcro to clothing.
Leather you can slide and adjust your position.
Its very hard wearing and easy to clean.
Only issue I have with it, is Its very grippy. If you wear jeans ect its difficult to move about in the seat to adjust your position as it acts like velcro to clothing.
Leather you can slide and adjust your position.
Yay from me.
Current mini has some, far nicer than the equivalent full leather, and years ago I specifically picked an E91 330i because it was alcantara/cloth. Loved that car.
My Lexus is leather/leatherette cos it’s a convertible - a shame as the Alcantara in the coupes is way nicer.
Suede steering wheels are ace too.
Current mini has some, far nicer than the equivalent full leather, and years ago I specifically picked an E91 330i because it was alcantara/cloth. Loved that car.
My Lexus is leather/leatherette cos it’s a convertible - a shame as the Alcantara in the coupes is way nicer.
Suede steering wheels are ace too.
Forrest1 said:
she is the one who is very wary of day to day dirt and grime on Alcantara
Alcantara was originally designed for the marine trade (luxury yachts, speedboats, etc), and was designed to be easy to clean, literally hose it down at the end of the day. Genuine Alcantara is more expensive than leather for a trimmer to buy.
sam.rog said:
Alcantara is a plastic suede substitute.
Its very hard wearing and easy to clean.
Only issue I have with it, is Its very grippy. If you wear jeans ect its difficult to move about in the seat to adjust your position as it acts like velcro to clothing.
Leather you can slide and adjust your position.
Which, for me, is one of its positive qualities.Its very hard wearing and easy to clean.
Only issue I have with it, is Its very grippy. If you wear jeans ect its difficult to move about in the seat to adjust your position as it acts like velcro to clothing.
Leather you can slide and adjust your position.
I had light grey alcantara in a previous car for about 6 years. Still looked like new at the end, apart from the driver's seat being a little darker due to colour transfer from dark jeans (and being the most frequently used seat).
Leather, on the other hand, goes very shiny over the years from frequent use and can split.
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