For those w/ alcantara steering wheel
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Member
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: NoVA
'09 C63 AMG
For those w/ alcantara steering wheel
Hi,
I was thinking of changing to an alcantara (at the 9/3 position) C63 steering wheel. For those w/ one of these wheels, how has the wear been on the alcantara part? Are you constantly babying it? Any problem w/ stains eg if my wife wears lotion on her hands? I plan on keeping the car for a while...
TIA!
I was thinking of changing to an alcantara (at the 9/3 position) C63 steering wheel. For those w/ one of these wheels, how has the wear been on the alcantara part? Are you constantly babying it? Any problem w/ stains eg if my wife wears lotion on her hands? I plan on keeping the car for a while...
TIA!
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C63
Ughh lotion is the devil... I had a girl that had some sort of lotion on her skin in my passenger seat a couple weeks ago and the next day I noticed little waterspot looking lotion residue spots on the arm rest. 
She never drove the car so I couldn't tell you the effect lotion has on alcantara, but I wouldn't want lotion getting on my clean alcantara steering wheel.
She never drove the car so I couldn't tell you the effect lotion has on alcantara, but I wouldn't want lotion getting on my clean alcantara steering wheel.
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Joined: Mar 2008
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2012 E63 PP, 2012 Ferrari 458, 2012 Boxster S
No first hand impression from C63 since I went with the standard option however, my CLS63 had the alcantara steering wheel and if I had to order it all over I would not take it.
Looks fantastic and the wear is actually not bad but after 20.000 miles when it started to wear slightly (not bad visually) it would get slippery. It's a bit hard to explain but I would simply not have the grip that you have with a standard leather option. If for instance I would do one handed U turns resting the palm of my hand on the alcantara part (but not gripping the wheel) my palm would slide off the alcantara part and rest on the leather section.
Two thumbs up for looks but in practical terms it didn't do it for me.
Ken
Looks fantastic and the wear is actually not bad but after 20.000 miles when it started to wear slightly (not bad visually) it would get slippery. It's a bit hard to explain but I would simply not have the grip that you have with a standard leather option. If for instance I would do one handed U turns resting the palm of my hand on the alcantara part (but not gripping the wheel) my palm would slide off the alcantara part and rest on the leather section.
Two thumbs up for looks but in practical terms it didn't do it for me.
Ken
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C63 AMG
To tell the truth I don't really care for it, visually or texturally...it really does nothing for me. Sometimes I find myself instinctively avoiding the alcantara portion when my hands are sweaty, which is a double PITA because then I'm using the wheel unnaturally. I've taken to carrying a damp facecloth in a sandwich bag and throwing it in the console storage bin so I can keep the hands clean.
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G55, SLS, smart eq
Alcantara is an artificial material, like plastic. Unlike e.g. suede (or leather) you can clean alcantara with any soft detergent back to it's original state.
So alcantara is better to maintain than leather on e.g. a steeting wheel.
Some reading: http://www.alcantara.com/en/experien...icazioni.shtml
So alcantara is better to maintain than leather on e.g. a steeting wheel.
Some reading: http://www.alcantara.com/en/experien...icazioni.shtml
Last edited by sprins; Nov 9, 2009 at 03:52 PM.
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2020 GLE450
Had an Alcantara steering wheel on my M3. I bought the car used with 10K miles and the steering wheel lasted only 2K miles more before looking like a worn out rag. I was very careful with it but the natural oils in your hands just attack the material. I got the dealer to replace the wheel under warranty and used driving gloves to keep the wheel mint after that.
Bottom line is that it requires more maintenance than a leather wheel and will wear out sooner. You could use gloves but that somewhat eliminates the point of having an Alcantara wheel. I would not choose an Alcantara wheel as an option even though I like the look and feel.
Bottom line is that it requires more maintenance than a leather wheel and will wear out sooner. You could use gloves but that somewhat eliminates the point of having an Alcantara wheel. I would not choose an Alcantara wheel as an option even though I like the look and feel.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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C63 AMG
So alcantara is better to maintain than leather on e.g. a steeting wheel.
Some reading: http://www.alcantara.com/en/experien...icazioni.shtml
Some reading: http://www.alcantara.com/en/experien...icazioni.shtml
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Miami, FL
09' C63 AMG
I love the alcantara wheel, I have about 15,000 miles now and mine still looks brand new. I also take very good care of it however, I always wash my hands before driving or use sanitizer before touching the wheel....
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From: NY
09 c63
Ughh lotion is the devil... I had a girl that had some sort of lotion on her skin in my passenger seat a couple weeks ago and the next day I noticed little waterspot looking lotion residue spots on the arm rest. She never drove the car so I couldn't tell you the effect lotion has on alcantara, but I wouldn't want lotion getting on my clean alcantara steering wheel.
She never drove the car so I couldn't tell you the effect lotion has on alcantara, but I wouldn't want lotion getting on my clean alcantara steering wheel.
