Alcantara regrets

Alcantara regrets

Author
Discussion

Tim718

Original Poster:

154 posts

80 months

Sunday 23rd July 2017
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Hi

Does anyone with experience of Alcantara have an opinion/the power of hindsight to advise whether it was a better choice over leather?

I test drove a car last week with the Alcantara steering wheel (but leather seats) and it felt really nice. But then I watched this video https://youtu.be/aebUNgMhQV4 which kinda suggests it's not a wise medium/long term choice due to how quickly it wears.

Reason I'm asking is I'm fancying a 718 GTS and understand as standard it's going to be heavily Alcantara'd out - and then if I option the leather could it get pricy?

Twinfan

10,125 posts

103 months

Sunday 23rd July 2017
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If you're going GTS keep the alcantara IMHO. It makes the interior far more special.

It's hard wearing and cleanable, so only remove it if you decide it's not for you.

ellroy

7,000 posts

224 months

Sunday 23rd July 2017
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If 718 GTS pricing is the same as 981 GTS spending leather was a no cost option to replace alcantara so don't sweat it.

hixster

354 posts

216 months

Sunday 23rd July 2017
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I don't get why people get so excited about alcantara as something special - as a synthetic alternative it just looks cheaper in my opinion

Koln-RS

3,848 posts

211 months

Sunday 23rd July 2017
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Each to their own. I really like Alcantara, especially the steering wheel. Just looks and feels that bit special. Wouldn't want it everywhere though.

r1flyguy1

1,567 posts

175 months

Sunday 23rd July 2017
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Koln-RS said:
Each to their own. I really like Alcantara, especially the steering wheel. Just looks and feels that bit special. Wouldn't want it everywhere though.
This is whats in my car, all leather but for the steering wheel which i now prefer over my previous cars leather steering wheel. The roof lining is alcantara too so blends in well if your looking up laugh

Porsche911R

21,146 posts

264 months

Sunday 23rd July 2017
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Leather is bloody cold in winter and too hot to touch in summer. I love alancantara wheels and seats. cars like the GTS were made for alcantara, people who spec it out will have a hard time selling imo.

Geneve

3,857 posts

218 months

Sunday 23rd July 2017
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Yes, for seat centres and definitely the steering wheel. Not so keen on gear shifter.

dreamcar

1,067 posts

110 months

Sunday 23rd July 2017
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So far so good, the alcantara in our BGTS is showing no signs of wear after 11,000 miles.... in fact had alcantara seat inserts in my Skoda Octavia daily drive, when I sold it after three years and 70,000 miles it was as good as new.

ONtheROCS

760 posts

103 months

Sunday 23rd July 2017
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I really rate Alcantara and have had it in my last couple of cars. I bought special cleaner but have never had to use it. It comes up like new with just a vacuum. I'm sure I'll try the cleaner at some point when I also clean and treat the leather parts. It's a signature of the GTS model so if I was going for a GTS I'd probably spec it but as above, you can go full leather at no cost.

I've seen that video and practically disagree with everything he says. He's just a bloke on the internet that talks about cars and it's only his opinion.

Personally I think it lifts an interior over (boring) leather and I find it really comfortable and hard wearing. I'm not sure I'd get it on a wheel though but with a little care and the odd clean / brush I'm sure it would be fine.

Boxster7

326 posts

106 months

Sunday 23rd July 2017
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Having spent my working life designing and selling leather footwear, I have a really problem with man made materials.
I tried to like the alcantara when speccing my Spyder, but in the end went for the no cost option of leather wheel and gear knob (which I like).
Love the alcantara on the rest of the car where I don't touch it all the time though as it does look cool.
Each to their own really.

Gorsh

329 posts

104 months

Sunday 23rd July 2017
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Boxster7 said:
Having spent my working life designing and selling leather footwear, I have a really problem with man made materials.
I tried to like the alcantara when speccing my Spyder, but in the end went for the no cost option of leather wheel and gear knob (which I like).
Love the alcantara on the rest of the car where I don't touch it all the time though as it does look cool.
Each to their own really.
I did the same on my BGTS, I like the Alcantara everywhere but the steering wheel, but that's just my preference really.

ATM

18,083 posts

218 months

Sunday 23rd July 2017
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You can find leather steering wheels on eBay easily enough. So if you don't like it buy a leather one to use and then refit the original prior to resale. My 981 wheel is leather and heated and it is also multi function. I'd guess the GTS wheel is the sport wheel with massive paddles and nothing else, err maybe a horn.

Romo

318 posts

115 months

Sunday 23rd July 2017
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I did like the alcantara on my CGTS, but not on the steering wheel I have to admit. It had a strange, weird, sweaty and artificial feel to it IMO, it was my 1st alcantara steering wheel and definitely my last.

On the seats and interior it is great, as far as I do not have to touch it :-)

My hopefully next 718 GT4 has a alcantara steering wheel........oh dear, racing gloves must be the solution :-))

Edited by Romo on Sunday 23 July 13:57

RDMcG

19,093 posts

206 months

Sunday 23rd July 2017
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I have had it in a bunch of cars.

Currently my 2008 GT3 RS has no wear on the trim anywhere except for the steering wheel which is quite badly pilled.

I had it on my 2010 RS.2 and had no wear after four years, and my current 991RS shows zero wear.

Overall I think I many have to replace the serrating wheel in the 2008 car as I do not like refurbishments, but I am a fan of Alcantara trim.

Big E 118

2,408 posts

168 months

Sunday 23rd July 2017
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My 997 GTS has 56k miles on it and no visible wear with the alcantara seats or wheel. The wheel does get a bit dirty and flat but a bit of warm water and a light scrub with a toothbrush cleans it up a treat.

I've had alcantara in my Spyder and my old M3 and never had wear issues with those either.


PhantomPH

4,043 posts

224 months

Sunday 23rd July 2017
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The alcantara in mine has been one of the features of the car that gets really positive comments. Passengers love it.

My on,y concern is that I rest my elbow on the same place on the centre console and I am worried I am going to create a worn spot there.

In the cold weather, the wheel is never cold to the touch like a leather one - definitely a plus for someone like me who feels cold!

Bennachie

1,090 posts

150 months

Sunday 23rd July 2017
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I would NEVER have another alcantara steering wheel.................


We are all different eh?

Tim718

Original Poster:

154 posts

80 months

Sunday 23rd July 2017
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Bennachie said:
I would NEVER have another alcantara steering wheel...
Why is that?

av185

18,432 posts

126 months

Sunday 23rd July 2017
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I always spec non cost leather steering wheel and gear lever on Porsche GT cars as I loathe the alcantara (especially on steering wheels) although its fine throughout the rest of the cabin.

Contrary to what some claim, never had any problems selling them as these cars are rarer and many buyers actually prefer leather as it looks feels and wears better imo.

For anyone in any doubt as to how bad alcantara can look after a relatively low mileage, take a look at the tatty alcantara wheels of the PEC cars......

driving