How does Alcantara hold up?

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Rubber Ducky

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Anyone buying new a 330i with Performance Package gets the Alcantara steering wheel regardless, but has a choice of optioning (for an extra $1K+) leather instead of Alcantara-&-cloth for the seats. Have seen theoretical discussion in boards and articles suggesting that the artificial suede might not hold up over time, but little by way of actual experience.

Those of you with Alcantara seats: how has it held up? How you like it? Tks.

(BTW, interesting trade name, Alcantara. Alcantara is an island in a bay on NE coast of Brazil. Is/was home to Brazil space-launch base, but a rocket blew up on the pad last year and wiped out a bunch of rocket people. Didn't do the infrastructure much good, either. But with F1 auto racing such a big national interest in Brazil - new major hiway btwn Sao Paulo & Rio named for late Ayrton Senna, etc. - this might not be a bad name for a racing-derived product. Any other theories on the name??)
 
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RuflessPhilly

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Rubber Ducky said:
Anyone buying new a 330i with Performance Package gets the Alcantara steering wheel regardless, but has a choice of optioning (for an extra $1K+) leather instead of Alcantara-&-cloth for the seats. Have seen theoretical discussion in boards and articles suggesting that the artificial suede might not hold up over time, but little by way of actual experience.

Those of you with Alcantara seats: how has it held up? How you like it? Tks.

(BTW, interesting trade name, Alcantara. Alcantara is an island in a bay on NE coast of Brazil. Is/was home to Brazil space-launch base, but a rocket blew up on the pad last year and wiped out a bunch of rocket people. Didn't do the infrastructure much good, either. But with F1 auto racing such a big national interest in Brazil - new major hiway btwn Sao Paulo & Rio named for late Ayrton Senna, etc. - this might not be a bad name for a racing-derived product. Any other theories on the name??)
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From what I've heard the steering wheel is the first to show wear quickly.
 
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Bryan330i

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I highly recommend not getting ANY Alcantara at all.

It is the worst interior product I have ever seen. I am glad I only have this on the steering wheel and I feel for the poor people that have this on the seats also. I just hope they leased because there is no chance of selling a car with this crap in it after a couple of years of use.

I am thinking this could very well become a class action issue with BMW. I am demanding that mine be replaced.


PS-If you are going to lease and like the Alcantara and can deal with the wear issue then you will be okay, they will just need to replace it when you turn the car in. But I sure would not buy a car with this.
 
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MrElussive

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Yeah, the use of Alcantara is just plain strange to me! My friend used to have a 2000 Audi S4 with the black and blue two-tone interior (the blue centers were Alcantara). It was decently comfortable and it is a very stick material, as opposed to leather which is more slippery. But it is just not luxurious the way leather is, and BMW/Audi and these other companies already give you bolstered sport seats, so it's not like you need the stickiness of Alcantara. If you have the option of leather or Alcantara/leather combo, you should definitely go with 100% leather. No wear-and-tear issues and it's very luxurious and comfortable...can't go wrong with leather! [:)]
 
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Bimmerlife

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It was my first impression when I heard of this. It is the worst material. You can't clean it and it looks very bad.

Of course is good for racing purposes but daily use for a regular person, No way!
 
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Dave J

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I was very interested in seeing, feeling, and sitting in a car equiped with Alcantara. Had my chance at the LA Auto Show last month. Granted, this is a show car with people climbing all over it at many different auto shows, but the wear was very noticeable. I really would like an alternative to leather (of which is in my current car and I'm bored of taking care of). I'd love it if BMW would offer the US market the cloth seats like they do in other markets. I hear the leatherette is nice and doesn't require "feeding" like real leather does (off topic...sorry). Anyway, based on what I saw, I'd personally steer clear of Alcantara.
 
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Bimmerlife

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Leatherette is great and even after years doesn't crack or have wrinkles. Cloth is good but every time you sit in to the car a lots of dust goes from the seat. Regular gray leather is the way to go.

So far there is no material which will doesn't require taking care of.[:)]
 
Section_8

Section_8

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Wow interesting to here about the alcantara stuff.. I was thinking of getting my shift and ebrake boots replaced with alcantara ones from leatherz.com.. You guys think it would last? Or is the wear you're discussing mainly with the seats and such, that get alot of skin contact?

It's a 'lighter' material, I don't think i'd ever get it for seats. I've seen 1 or 2 guys on E46fanatics that actually have it somehow applied to their interior trim (interesting idea, fuzzy trim strips?).
 
Kin

Kin

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I hate the alcantara steering wheel, and it starts to wear in half year. I wish it comes with a leather steering wheel. I think I might keep the car after the lease ends if it comes with a leather steering wheel, but now probably not!
 
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Bryan330i

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I wonder if there is a way to change the steering wheel to leather and have it look good without removing the whole wheel?

Mine is terrible and looks like it came off an old car. The suede like fuzziness stuff is almost gone and it has the same look as an old velvet Motel 6 couch that has not been changed in 20 years so all that is remaining is the material backing crap.

Kin, they better consider this normal wear and tear because I am not paying for this garbage.
 
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Akakubi

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Bryan330i said:
I wonder if there is a way to change the steering wheel to leather and have it look good without removing the whole wheel?
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Unfortunately you can't do that. But you can "ask" them to probably replace your current one with the regular M3 wheel as a warranty replacement. I bet the m3 wheel is probably cheaper too.
 
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estrauss

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I'm really surprised by the durability issues with the Alcantera. My friend has an IS300 with the Alcantera and is on his 3rd year with no noticable wear. Does anyone have pictures? I'm planning on ordering mine in April and that would be an expensive wrong decision. Is it also true that you can't get the steering wheel in leather too? I could have sworn that I saw someone post pics of a ZHP with a leather wheel, and the red and blue stitching.

As a side note, on all of the real suede racing wheels I have dealt with, lightly using a metal bristle brush (or plastic) will freshen up the look of the wheel. Yes I know, eventually it will wear smooth from normal use.
 
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Bryan330i

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rjp325i said:
I sprung for the $1450 for leather as I felt it would be more durable and is more desireable when resale comes around.
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I wish I would have had that option, when i got mine only leather seats were available. [:(]


estrauss...I wish there was something to brush but it is mostly gone.
 
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rjp325i

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I meant the leather interior. I still got the alcantera steering wheel, no choice there. I wanted the better durability on the seats etc. The shift surround and the parking brake boot are also alcantera but they do not get wear. I'll try brushing it when wear appears as with any suede fabric and see what happens. Right now mine is only 5 weeks old so no wear is shown.
 
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RatBastard

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I too would like to see pictures of this wear... Especially on the steering wheel.

I have had my 330PP for 6 months or so and have no issues at all.

Pics please!
 
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RatBastard

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Bryan330i said:
I will see if I can get a pic of the steering wheel and the shift boot which still looks good.
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Please do... If this is a problem, I want mine replaced ASAP!

Funny thing is, before I got the car, I sent an EMail to BMW(via the Owners circle on their website) and asked about Alcantara and wear problems. They claimed there was none found during their testing.

Also, how many miles are on your car or how long have you had it?

Thanks!
 
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EmenGeeRoxx

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Had my car since August and no wear at all. But mine is a 330 ci M-Sport (Cdn version) so only the bolsters and headrest are alcantara. i was very happy I got the leather M3 wheel.

I am interested to see the pics of the worn out Alcantara.
 
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