Alcantara Steering Wheel Question

[Invictus]

I noticed in the 2017 Ultimate Package (Canada) that an alcantara steering wheel is included.

Does anyone have experience with this? Does it wear well? Does the skin oil or sweat on your hands discolour or crumple it? Does it stand up to UV from the sun? How do you clean it?

Can I substitute a basic M leather steering wheel instead?

Thanks in advance.

[schnell325]

I know Mark'sM ran an alcantara wheel on our ED last year, and swapped it out with a leather one if I'm not mistaken.

I have 9,500km on my alcantara wheel, and there is very little wear at the 9&3 positions. So far, no sun fade from what I can tell.

As for cleaning, I've yet to look in to that ....

[Invictus]

Originally Posted by schnell325

I know Mark'sM ran an alcantara wheel on our ED last year, and swapped it out with a leather one if I'm not mistaken.

I have 9,500km on my alcantara wheel, and there is very little wear at the 9&3 positions. So far, no sun fade from what I can tell.

As for cleaning, I've yet to look in to that ....

Cheers!

[2kaccordocoupe]

One thing to keep in mind is that it is not heated. So factor that decision into leather vs alcantara if warm hands in our winters are important to you

[schnell325]

For reference:

http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1207174

[gonoyaro11]

You have to keep clean your hands and wear driving glove everytime.

[Mark's M]

Originally Posted by schnell325

I know Mark'sM ran an alcantara wheel on our ED last year, and swapped it out with a leather one if I'm not mistaken.

I have 9,500km on my alcantara wheel, and there is very little wear at the 9&3 positions. So far, no sun fade from what I can tell.

As for cleaning, I've yet to look in to that ....

Thanks brother! For Invictus, depends on how particular you are but by the sounds of it, I can guess you wouldn't like it. Some love it (like Schnell), I hated it and even after a week of driving on our ED last year, I could see where I was gripping the wheel...especially during our "spirited runs" which were every day lol. Definately prefer the leather wheel but that's just me. The Alcantera can be cleaned with special stuff (you can search the detailers sub forum) but IMO it will never clean up as nicely as a leather wheel once dirty.

[ashmostro]

You don't need to do much differently to keep these clean than leather, other than clean them with a good suede cleaner when the oil buildup starts to bother you (I did it every 3 months).

This is the product I used and it works *very* well. The key is to soak and then blot, rather than wipe (which will "wear" the suede).

[DGD-M3]

I love mine!! But I also only have 2,400 kms on her...

[Sanjuro Makabe]

Originally Posted by Invictus

I noticed in the 2017 Ultimate Package (Canada) that an alcantara steering wheel is included.

Does anyone have experience with this? Does it wear well? Does the skin oil or sweat on your hands discolour or crumple it? Does it stand up to UV from the sun? How do you clean it?

Can I substitute a basic M leather steering wheel instead?

Thanks in advance.

Most likely not the proper way to clean alcantara, but water spray bottle and microfiber towel worked for me for cleaning, I don't think I'll ever go back to a regular leather steering wheel.

[Superg3]

Can anyone confirm that it is indeed included in the ultimate package. It's listed in the product planning guide but when you look at the actual pricing sheet it says nothing about the alcantara wheel.

[INDVDL///M]

Yes this is in the Ultimate Package. Call the dealership and they can give you all the details on every single item in it.

Use driving gloves for best wear in our opinion (we have had these on 3 of our cars now)

Don't eat chips in the car.

Use Sonax cleaner on the wheel periodically when you notice some wear and refresh the alcantara.

Enjoy!

[deathray]

I'm about 7k in on mine and I love it. I don't miss the heat unless it's really cold outide as the alacantra doesn't seem to get as cold as the leather in the first place.

[dr.mba]

OK guys, this is getting me confused. So I just ordered my 2017 F80 M3. I was initially under the impression it would come with the alcantara wheel. When I placed the order, I looked at the ordering guide for Canadian cars and the Carbon Fiber package does not list the alcantara steering wheel anymore. I was upset naturally so I called my dealer and asked them what's the deal. So they said they would check with BMW Canada. The response I got is that this is no longer part of the package. Obviously, I was completely bummed by this. So now I am discussing with the dealership terms for switching my steering wheel when the car arrives. Are you guys positive that this is still included??

M

[Superg3]

Originally Posted by dr.mba

OK guys, this is getting me confused. So I just ordered my 2017 F80 M3. I was initially under the impression it would come with the alcantara wheel. When I placed the order, I looked at the ordering guide for Canadian cars and the Carbon Fiber package does not list the alcantara steering wheel anymore. I was upset naturally so I called my dealer and asked them what's the deal. So they said they would check with BMW Canada. The response I got is that this is no longer part of the package. Obviously, I was completely bummed by this. So now I am discussing with the dealership terms for switching my steering wheel when the car arrives. Are you guys positive that this is still included??

M

I'm wondering the same thing, I'm in the midst of ordering an ultimate package and I don't see anything mentioned about an alcantara steering wheel. I'll be bummed if it doesn't come with one anymore.

[Cannondale2016]

Could you please ask your dealer, if they didn't offer the allcantara steering, do you get the heated steering on your car? I ordered carbon pkg with my2016. When mine car arrived the dealer, no allcantara steering and also no heated steering function.

[2kaccordocoupe]

Originally Posted by Cannondale2016

Could you please ask your dealer, if they didn't offer the allcantara steering, do you get the heated steering on your car? I ordered carbon pkg with my2016. When mine car arrived the dealer, no allcantara steering and also no heated steering function.

That's messed up. Should still get the stock wheel with the heating element.

[Cannondale2016]

Originally Posted by 2kaccordocoupe

That's messed up. Should still get the stock wheel with the heating element.

Mine even don't have a button on it. Only a plastic cover on it. Are they able to retrofit it?