Alcantara Steering Wheel

[samastonlongley]

I'm looking at getting my wheel recovered in alcantara. The company have sent me an email to say because alcantara is thinner than leather would I like the alcantara put over the top of the leather to make it feel a touch thicker, or alternatively would I like the old leather removing and then alacantara applying resulting in a thinner wheel. Can somebody tell me if the genuine OEM alcantara wheels as found on some V12' and V8S's are thinner or thicker than the standard leather wheels?
Thanks
Sam

[AdamV12V]

I have never noticed any difference in thickness to be honest. I very much doubt AM put the alcantara over the top of the leather - I think I would be finding a new company to complete the work if I were you with a suggestion like that.

[David W.]

AdamV12V said:

I have never noticed any difference in thickness to be honest. I very much doubt AM put the alcantara over the top of the leather - I think I would be finding a new company to complete the work if I were you with a suggestion like that.

Like they'd never think of putting leather over someone else's key fob

[telum01]

OEM alcantara steering wheel is a hair thinner.

https://youtu.be/O0gFNGlf6FQ

[Manwhoneverwas]

I just fitted an OEM Alcantara steering wheel on Friday and using a digital calliper it measures circa 28mm.
The old leather wheel that came off is circa 28.5mm.

[RobDown]

I have it in my head that someone else on here recently had got Works Services to quote for an alcantara steering wheel, but can't find the thread

[jeff5]

Hi
Try a company called Royalsteeringwheels.I have heard there work is superb.
Jeff.

[Little Donkey]

jeff5 said:

Hi
Try a company called Royalsteeringwheels.I have heard there work is superb.
Jeff.

Use these guys - don't gent ripped off by Works. Had mine done in alcantara and they done a superb job.

[samastonlongley]

I am using royal steering wheels so it's encouraging to hear so many positive things. Like I say they've given me the option to have a it covered over the leather or the old leather removed and the alcantara applied direct to the wheels shell, so I'm torn what to do, whether to go for a slightly thicker wheel or a more OEM thinner wheel...

[samastonlongley]

Manwhoneverwas said:

I just fitted an OEM Alcantara steering wheel on Friday and using a digital calliper it measures circa 28mm.
The old leather wheel that came off is circa 28.5mm.

Interesting! So really not a lot thinner at all really then! Thanks for the picture and measurements! Wheel looks great!

[Little Donkey]

martindesu said:

Do you leave the gear surround/gaiter the same? Or change to abracadabra too?

Have SS3 so not an issue.

[ALDV]

Nice wheel...just keep in mind it wears more than factory wheel...my son put one on his
Mustang ...if used as daily driver you will notice but just little driving...it will take years to show the wear..

[woodsypedia]

I also just had mine re-done using Royal Steering Wheels (speak to Jack). Amazing quality output. The only thing i'd say is that it's not a fast process - so expect to be without your steering wheel for two weeks. Maybe piston heads should buy a 'club wheel' that we can circulate around when members are having there's redone

[woodsypedia]

Here's the result. VERY happy with it.

[samastonlongley]

woodsypedia said:

I also just had mine re-done using Royal Steering Wheels (speak to Jack). Amazing quality output. The only thing i'd say is that it's not a fast process - so expect to be without your steering wheel for two weeks. Maybe piston heads should buy a 'club wheel' that we can circulate around when members are having there's redone

Ah that's brilliant news! Yes I've got another wheel to use on the car whilst my one is being recovered. Did you get yours covered over the top of the leather or have the leather removed before covering? And how do you find he thickness?

Thanks
Sam

[xjay1337]

I have used Jack at Royal steering wheels and it was great.
If you can buy another steering wheel on Ebay you can post it to him and he can do it then you can just swap them over.

[samastonlongley]

woodsypedia said:

Here's the result. VERY happy with it.

That looks fantastic!! I'm going for the same spec pretty much black alcantara with black stitching but I'm having the twin centre line stitches added in silver I think! (Like the picture shown here!)

[samastonlongley]

xjay1337 said:

I have used Jack at Royal steering wheels and it was great.
If you can buy another steering wheel on Ebay you can post it to him and he can do it then you can just swap them over.

That's essentially what I've done as I wanted cruise control and stereo controls, however the 'cheap' wheel I bourght if eBay was possibly the worst wheel I've ever seen! I say 'wheel' it's more square! Buckled and bent! God knows what's happened to it. I've used the switch packs and wiring loom from the bent wheel and put them in my original wheel and shall be getting the original wheel recovered! That way I do still have a wheel on the car whilst my wheel is away for a few weeks!

[dbs2000]

Another RS customer too. Grreat company.