Alcantara Steering Wheel - Recommendation

[Randompunter74]

Hi all,

I bought a new M Sport Steering Wheel for my E30 M3 last week off of "Ledermanz" on Ebay UK and I have to say, the workmanship is excellent. As such, wanted to share in case anyone else was looking for one.

I went for a later EVO Steering wheel in Full Alcantara with M Sport Stitching and Red Alcantara Stripe at 12 o clock. Suffice to say, I think the workmanship is excellent and he turned it around in like a few days. Recommended.

Some pics below:

[Randompunter74]

[GaryThomlinson]

It looks great. Whats the upkeep with these though, do they go all matted or nobbley if you don't clean them regularly? ...and how do you clean them?

[rm163603]

GaryThomlinson said:

It looks great. Whats the upkeep with these though, do they go all matted or nobbley if you don't clean them regularly? ...and how do you clean them?

They do after a while....

I've found autoglym interior cleaner brings them up quite well though.

The main problem is when you take it to a garage and you get it back with oily hand prints on the wheel.

I've now got a cover that I fit for such occasions!

[snowley]

Looks absolutely lovely this........ Now considering one for the e46 m...

[irish boy]

Funny I was just pricing an M performance one from bmw this week for a e92 m3, coming in around £500. Would look well with the M performance seats!!

[JNW1]

GaryThomlinson said:

It looks great. Whats the upkeep with these though, do they go all matted or nobbley if you don't clean them regularly? ...and how do you clean them?

The alcantara wheel on my M3 CS didn't go matted or nobbley but it did lose its texture and ended-up smooth and shiny (albeit that was after several years and almost 70k miles). Not sure what could have been done to restore it - or avoid it happening in the first place - but perhaps not surprisingly the BMW "solution" was try to sell a replacement wheel costing (from memory) several hundred pounds.....

[robmug]

For info, m3 cs and CSL wheels and trim are suede not alcantara which is why the go bobbly. Alcantara is a synthetic material which is much tougher than suede, is more easily cleaned and won't bobble or wear.

[ecain63]

JNW1 said:

GaryThomlinson said:

It looks great. Whats the upkeep with these though, do they go all matted or nobbley if you don't clean them regularly? ...and how do you clean them?

The alcantara wheel on my M3 CS didn't go matted or nobbley but it did lose its texture and ended-up smooth and shiny (albeit that was after several years and almost 70k miles). Not sure what could have been done to restore it - or avoid it happening in the first place - but perhaps not surprisingly the BMW "solution" was try to sell a replacement wheel costing (from memory) several hundred pounds.....

They all go flat and shiney, but its not because it's worn out. Most likely its just clogged up with crap. Use some baby wipes (sensitive type) to soften it up. Then massage the grease and dirt out. You'll use a lot of wipes but it's worth it. Fluff the pile up and leave to dry.

[burwoodman]

ecain63 said:

JNW1 said:

GaryThomlinson said:

It looks great. Whats the upkeep with these though, do they go all matted or nobbley if you don't clean them regularly? ...and how do you clean them?

The alcantara wheel on my M3 CS didn't go matted or nobbley but it did lose its texture and ended-up smooth and shiny (albeit that was after several years and almost 70k miles). Not sure what could have been done to restore it - or avoid it happening in the first place - but perhaps not surprisingly the BMW "solution" was try to sell a replacement wheel costing (from memory) several hundred pounds.....

They all go flat and shiney, but its not because it's worn out. Most likely its just clogged up with crap. Use some baby wipes (sensitive type) to soften it up. Then massage the grease and dirt out. You'll use a lot of wipes but it's worth it. Fluff the pile up and leave to dry.

How about some fine driving gloves

[burwoodman]

ecain63 said:

JNW1 said:

GaryThomlinson said:

It looks great. Whats the upkeep with these though, do they go all matted or nobbley if you don't clean them regularly? ...and how do you clean them?

The alcantara wheel on my M3 CS didn't go matted or nobbley but it did lose its texture and ended-up smooth and shiny (albeit that was after several years and almost 70k miles). Not sure what could have been done to restore it - or avoid it happening in the first place - but perhaps not surprisingly the BMW "solution" was try to sell a replacement wheel costing (from memory) several hundred pounds.....

They all go flat and shiney, but its not because it's worn out. Most likely its just clogged up with crap. Use some baby wipes (sensitive type) to soften it up. Then massage the grease and dirt out. You'll use a lot of wipes but it's worth it. Fluff the pile up and leave to dry.

How about some fine driving gloves

[E30M3SE]

robmug said:

For info, m3 cs and CSL wheels and trim are suede not alcantara which is why the go bobbly. Alcantara is a synthetic material which is much tougher than suede, is more easily cleaned and won't bobble or wear.

Err, no.

[Randompunter74]

I think its like anything, depends how you look after it. Are they as hard wearing as leather, no of course not, however if you look after Alcantara then it wears pretty well. Have another Alcantara on another car and a year on with regular driving its fine. Dont eat greasy crisps and then touch the steering wheel.

I think that Alcantara also feels so much better than leather not to mention the better grip and of course the look.

Anyways, recommend this chap. Cheers.

[161BMW]

robmug said:

For info, m3 cs and CSL wheels and trim are suede not alcantara which is why the go bobbly. Alcantara is a synthetic material which is much tougher than suede, is more easily cleaned and won't bobble or wear.

E46 M3 CS and E46 M3 CSL use the same steering wheel which is alcantra

E30 M3 Sport Evolution use suede steering wheel.

[161BMW]

I have a New Genuine BMW E30 M3 Sport Evolution steering wheel for E30 325i Sport.
After 1 week of driving and 500 miles and using Steering Disc Lock I can already see wear marks !!!!