Alcantara Steering Wheel, good idea or not?
Discussion
I picked up the car yesterday and it still had an Alcantara steering wheel installed as that is how this car came however, I agreed with the dealer to have them change it to a normal leather one with fine sticking and of course deduct the cost of the option. However the new wheel has not arrived yet, so as not to delay things they said take as it is and we’ll change it later when it comes in.
The reasoning I decided on not to have the Alcantara steering wheel was, I felt, over time it would look “worn” and as result bring the whole interior down with it.
Now the problem is that now I’ve driven the car and I REALLY like it. It feels so nice, good grip and goes ever so well with the headliner and rest of the interior.
The question is, does anyone have any experience with Alcantara steering wheels and are my concerns founded?
Even if they are founded should ignore them and see about getting some “spare” Alcantara from Aston Martin so that if it needs a re-trim later I’ve got the same stuff?
Thanks
The reasoning I decided on not to have the Alcantara steering wheel was, I felt, over time it would look “worn” and as result bring the whole interior down with it.
Now the problem is that now I’ve driven the car and I REALLY like it. It feels so nice, good grip and goes ever so well with the headliner and rest of the interior.
The question is, does anyone have any experience with Alcantara steering wheels and are my concerns founded?
Even if they are founded should ignore them and see about getting some “spare” Alcantara from Aston Martin so that if it needs a re-trim later I’ve got the same stuff?
Thanks
Alcantara does wear much more than leather. I had leather in my V8 and have Alcantara in my V12. Leather never looked worn even after 4 years. Alcantara looks worn after two years.
But - I prefer Alcantara for the same reasons you gave.
Since it's a synthetic material there's no great need to get a piece of fabric to colour match.
If you do want to sell your Alcantara wheel I'm interested since I'll replace mine at some point since it will look too shabby.
But - I prefer Alcantara for the same reasons you gave.
Since it's a synthetic material there's no great need to get a piece of fabric to colour match.
If you do want to sell your Alcantara wheel I'm interested since I'll replace mine at some point since it will look too shabby.
The dealer that sold me my V8VS advised against Alcantra as the oils in your hands absorb in to it and make it go shiny, it also wears quickly.
It cannot be steam cleaned according to the OEM's web site.
The dealer has actually replaced several DBS & V12V wheels because of this.
Stick to leather IMHO
It cannot be steam cleaned according to the OEM's web site.
The dealer has actually replaced several DBS & V12V wheels because of this.
Stick to leather IMHO
I have owned alcan' wheeled cars in the past and didn't like them. I found my hands dried out and the wheel ended up feeling like holding cardboard. Made me cringe a bit like nails down a blackboard, but I suspect that's just me!
I almost bought a V12V last month and was actively looking for someone with a leather wheel who'd like to swop to an alcantara one!
On the other hand, in a race car I much prefer alcantara when wearing nomex gloves as it's much grippier than leather.
Each to their own.
I almost bought a V12V last month and was actively looking for someone with a leather wheel who'd like to swop to an alcantara one!
On the other hand, in a race car I much prefer alcantara when wearing nomex gloves as it's much grippier than leather.
Each to their own.
I love the feel and grip of the alcantara wheel, also makes the car feel a tad more ... Race car 
but as the other guys have said it does start to go a tad scruffy after extensive use. I went leather seats ( instead of standard alcantara) but kept the more tactile grippy wheel - no regrets, as ever personal taste.
but as the other guys have said it does start to go a tad scruffy after extensive use. I went leather seats ( instead of standard alcantara) but kept the more tactile grippy wheel - no regrets, as ever personal taste.
I have alcantara s'wheel...love it! Alot of ordinary cars have leather wheels so mine is more special and exclusive.
My detailer had brought alcantara wheels back up to looking like new so I'm not particularly concerned there.
Think I'd hate it if my V12V had a leather wheel - so out of character!
My detailer had brought alcantara wheels back up to looking like new so I'm not particularly concerned there.
Think I'd hate it if my V12V had a leather wheel - so out of character!
Toni, I'll offer twice what Johns offering... 
It's not for sale as I bought the car with a normal, but very nice, leather wheel however it came with the Alcantara one. So if I want the Alcantara one I'll have to pay for it, which makes the decision harder.
What I really need is a detailing guy that can say; it's going to look pretty bad in X period of time don’t do it OR "don't worry", if you do XYZ it will look great forever.
What I really need is a detailing guy that can say; it's going to look pretty bad in X period of time don’t do it OR "don't worry", if you do XYZ it will look great forever.
I've had a troll though some other car forums and one suggestion was to go to the Alcantara website (why didn't I think of that
).
The site is pretty good in that that if you go to "maintenance" they have a pdf to download (or scroll thru the site) on how to clean most things off (some quite unmentionable!)
http://www.alcantara.com
Within the site they have recommend products to use, though they give you generic things in case you don’t have the “products” to hand. In addition this site has good ideas as well for cleaning things, of course using their wonderful products, but good ideas in any case.
http://www.james.eu
OK, it’s the manufacture’s site so there may be a bit of bias there but the general impression is that if you carry out regular cleaning there shouldn’t be any issues. The only one I can think of is if you use the wrong process and rub the fibres off, then you’re stuck.
This starting to sound like the process of buying an Aston in the first place, yes I don’t need it but I WANT it, so lets find some supporting arguments to justify the purchase…….hmmmm it’s trickier than I thought…………. bugger it I’m buying it!
).The site is pretty good in that that if you go to "maintenance" they have a pdf to download (or scroll thru the site) on how to clean most things off (some quite unmentionable!)
http://www.alcantara.com
Within the site they have recommend products to use, though they give you generic things in case you don’t have the “products” to hand. In addition this site has good ideas as well for cleaning things, of course using their wonderful products, but good ideas in any case.
http://www.james.eu
OK, it’s the manufacture’s site so there may be a bit of bias there but the general impression is that if you carry out regular cleaning there shouldn’t be any issues. The only one I can think of is if you use the wrong process and rub the fibres off, then you’re stuck.
This starting to sound like the process of buying an Aston in the first place, yes I don’t need it but I WANT it, so lets find some supporting arguments to justify the purchase…….hmmmm it’s trickier than I thought…………. bugger it I’m buying it!
In the end I went for the Alcantara option.
The dealer did a good deal to keep it.
As well I've looked into care and clean which seems to be key to keeping it looked good. I also looked into the cost of retrimming if required, not cheap but not stupid.
Lastly, some times you just have to say what the hell, I want it! I think that was the same argument I used when I bought the car
The dealer did a good deal to keep it.
As well I've looked into care and clean which seems to be key to keeping it looked good. I also looked into the cost of retrimming if required, not cheap but not stupid.
Lastly, some times you just have to say what the hell, I want it! I think that was the same argument I used when I bought the car
Had my leather wheel done to alcantara for the JLC trip; it really is very nice indeed!
300 of your finest pounds got me the wheel and gearstick gaiter trimmed in the same green so it's not too bad if I have to do that every couple of years. Also means I get the option to change it to something new everytime as well so I am quite happy.
Certainly shows zero signs of wear at all in 1500miles so far. Roll on the next 15,000
300 of your finest pounds got me the wheel and gearstick gaiter trimmed in the same green so it's not too bad if I have to do that every couple of years. Also means I get the option to change it to something new everytime as well so I am quite happy.
Certainly shows zero signs of wear at all in 1500miles so far. Roll on the next 15,000
I have had lots of cars with Alcantara steering wheels and I am thinking of re-trimming the one on my V8V as I really like the feel that they give.
In my experience they are very easy to keep clean and even revitalise.
Yes they will go smooth and shiny from oils from your hands but this is quite easy to remove. In fact a quick wipe down with a damp cloth each time you wash the car will probably stop it happening in the first place.
If it does get bad you can use a dilute solution of a hand washing detergent or a dedicated Alcatara cleaner, link, and a soft tooth brush and generally it will come back up like new.
In my experience they are very easy to keep clean and even revitalise.
Yes they will go smooth and shiny from oils from your hands but this is quite easy to remove. In fact a quick wipe down with a damp cloth each time you wash the car will probably stop it happening in the first place.
If it does get bad you can use a dilute solution of a hand washing detergent or a dedicated Alcatara cleaner, link, and a soft tooth brush and generally it will come back up like new.
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