alcantara steeering wheel

[jonby]

My dealer is trying to put me off an alcantara trimmed wheel on the basis that they all go bald and end up being replaced under warranty

What's the experience of those on the forum ?

[silverspeed]

A friend of mine had Alcantara on his previous car and went leather on his new one. Liked the feel of the Alcantara one but it just got grubby too quickly.

[mikey k]

+1
Had the same discssion with my dealer when I bought mine

[Mako V12V]

Loved the alcantara wheel on my GT3 and dont think i could drive a V12V without one!
How many cars these days have leather v alcantara?

It's much more exclusive, and have had no problems with the cover going bald or dirty.
My detailer cleaned the wheel before i collected it after storage as it had never been done (2 years old) but it didn't look dirty.

[AdamV12V]

Having now owned both I prefer the leather steering wheel and I am pretty sure that the alcantara will get grubby quicker - it is far more absorbant than leather.

Although alcantara has more grip and is arguably more in keeping with the V12V it also feels less comfortable to me - it is too dry and it feels like it is sucking the moisture out of my rather delicate white collar hands!

[Mako V12V]

AdamV12V said:

I'm a wuss

I agree, you are!

[Guycord]

I've found regular dabbing (not rubbing) of the alcantara-covered wheel with a bog-standard wet-wipe keeps mine looking pristine.

The fibres are nicely textured after cleaning and air-drying and the muck that comes off....well perhaps I should wash my hands more......

[Guycord]

Guycord said:

I've found regular dabbing (not rubbing) of the alcantara-covered wheel with a bog-standard wet-wipe keeps mine looking pristine.

The fibres are nicely textured after cleaning and air-drying and the muck that comes off....well perhaps I should wash my hands more......

and t' theez 'ands ave dug t' bloody coal from t'ground t'have before any of thee get t' smart comments back!

[jonby]

I also heard alcantara can get really hot ?

But it looks like the answer is regualr maintenance...

[hornbaek]

Get the alcantara and if it wears badly exchange it under warranty for a leather one - simple really.

[DB9 Ian P]

I presume this is for the V12VR where the only steering wheel option available is the leather one. Are you having to do through Q if you go for alcantara?

Any progress with getting the colour combination you were after? It's been a while since we heard how things were going.

[jonby]

DB9 Ian P said:

I presume this is for the V12VR where the only steering wheel option available is the leather one. Are you having to do through Q if you go for alcantara?

Any progress with getting the colour combination you were after? It's been a while since we heard how things were going.

Correct. Having a lot of fun with the process but would like to just sign it off now ! Quite interesting - there is some blurring of the lines between what is 'Q' and what is more of a 'special request'. I've got them to agree to the liquid silver wheel finish which is normally only an option on the V12V coupe. Suspect alcantara wheel would be similar. Don't think that quite comes under Q but I guess what department you call it isn't very important

Have agreed the exterior colour and decided on interior colour. Just finalising the last few bits of Q related trim options and will reveal all when it's signed off - hopefully next week but certainly within 2 weeks. Will then push the button on my order for Lords Red 4 piece luggage set with silver contrast stitch, to match the interior, via Aston's parts department

[DB9 Ian P]

jonby said:

Will then push the button on my order for Lords Red 4 piece luggage set with silver contrast stitch, to match the interior, via Aston's parts department

Interesting - what pieces does it consist of and how will these fit in the roadster? I am interested because I am planning a European trip next year in mine - and getting all the luggage in is going to prove even more interesting than it did in our DB9V

Apologies for pulling the thread in a different direction

[jonby]

DB9 Ian P said:

Apologies for pulling the thread in a different direction

It's the garment hanger/suit carrier which is actually very good and has plenty of storage in it, the 'large holdall', the 'small' holdall and the beauty case

I had the black 'off the shelf' version in my first roadster but I've just sold that set. The wind deflector & umbrella make it a bit tighter but could still fit. In the S, which had B&O, it wasn't possible to get all 4 pieces in because of the amp on the back wall, which is one reason I'm not getting B&O on V12VR

The two smaller bags go into the corners (the partitions come out of the beauty case to leave an empty shell which I use for cameras & other electronic equipment, cigs, chargers, etc so it's quite practical). You can either stand the garment bag at the back (in the middle of the boot) and put the large holdall in front or lay the garment bag flat and put the holdall on top - either way, once it's all full, you can lie a couple of not too heavy weight jackets on top and still squeeze in the odd bottle or two into nooks & crannies

Not nearly as nice looking as Yeti & another poster's hard sided luggage but for me, more practical as you aren't as constrained in packing

[jonby]

DB9 Ian P said:

jonby said:

Will then push the button on my order for Lords Red 4 piece luggage set with silver contrast stitch, to match the interior, via Aston's parts department

Interesting - what pieces does it consist of and how will these fit in the roadster? I am interested because I am planning a European trip next year in mine - and getting all the luggage in is going to prove even more interesting than it did in our DB9V

Apologies for pulling the thread in a different direction

Just re-read your post - the boot on Vantage roadsters & DB9 coupe is pretty much the same. So I'm guessing it's the same as DB9V. Other than the back seats ! You can get a surprising amount in the roadster. Apart from all the stowage bins that are on the other cars, big cubby hole between the humps, room for messenger bags & such like 'in the humps', jackets hanging down from the coat hooks behind the seats and on the floor behind each of the seats, you can get a small soft bag (or a boxed bottle of champagne !)

[DB9 Ian P]

Thanks - sounds similar to the type of luggage I already have - but just having to go into different places in the car.

[silverspeed]

So are you going Alcantara ? Been told today my order is now locked and no changes can be made . Interesting to hear about the liquid silver option you are having on the R. There was a V12V at Derby with this option and I wasn't convinced! It was against morning frost so that possibly didn't help.

[peterr96]

jonby said:

I also heard alcantara can get really hot ?

Doesn't look that hot to me.

http://www.hotprettypeople.com/media/m/mariela_alc...