Tonyshepp
Emira Maniac
I hope it’s at least mid range leather or better, maybe something similar to a BMW M3 which is Nappa and is pretty decent.Any idea where the leather in the Emira falls in the quality department?
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I hope it’s at least mid range leather or better, maybe something similar to a BMW M3 which is Nappa and is pretty decent.Any idea where the leather in the Emira falls in the quality department?
This is not true to be fair. Alcantara is a brand name, not a material. Of course there are a lot of similar products, but there also are big differences in quality. The original Alcantara is very expense, so they don‘t make a lot more money if they sell it for the same price as the leather option. Even Mercedes doesn‘t use the original Alcantara, but cheaper alternatives.Wow, fascinating that all the Alcantara from a $6000 Chinese car to Porsche $200,000 is the exact same stuff coming from one factory! I’ve never had it - always buy leather interiors the last 25+ years, but after seeing that definitely wouldn’t order it.
It just seems strange to me to wear gloves to protect the interior of the car. That's so the next owner can have an immaculate interior? I've had leather steering wheels in 12 year old daily drivers that look great, so I don't see that leather needs protecting. Besides, leather in cars these days has a coating to protect it, it isn't raw leather like in the old British stuff. Alcantara on a steering wheel? Yes, looks like crap after a couple years. To me, wearing gloves to protect the interior is like covering furniture in plastic.Why would you feel self conscious about wearing driving gloves? I wear them routinely to protect leather touch points in my cars. I keep black, tan and red gloves around that match the interiors of my cars.
Agree on alcantara. My experience with leather wheels has not been quite as successful. I’ve recovered two steering wheels (both red) in old bertones, one in an Acura (beige) and one in an older Subaru Forester (also beige). The Subaru I didn’t car so much about, and honestly I think I’d feel pretty silly wearing gloves in a ForesterIt just seems strange to me to wear gloves to protect the interior of the car. That's so the next owner can have an immaculate interior? I've had leather steering wheels in 12 year old daily drivers that look great, so I don't see that leather needs protecting. Besides, leather in cars these days has a coating to protect it, it isn't raw leather like in the old British stuff. Alcantara on a steering wheel? Yes, looks like crap after a couple years. To me, wearing gloves to protect the interior is like covering furniture in plastic.
Each to his/her own, but I don't like the look of an Alcantara wheel with even a bit of wear on it.
That would be really niceI’m really bummed I can’t get the color stitching with leather
I have a black alcantara wrapped steering wheel for over 12 years over 4 different 911s. $300 get it redone every 3 years. Leather sucks.I’ve researched this long and hard and the consensus from long-term owners on the internet is that alcantara steering wheels aren’t worth it... they get dirty and ruined and can’t be properly cleaned or restored to their original state. When new, they are a better driving experience than leather though, IMO.
Who recovers it - dealer or a local seamstress or upholstery shop?I have a black alcantara wrapped steering wheel for over 12 years over 4 different 911s. $300 get it redone every 3 years. Leather sucks.
My indy Porsche mechanic handles it with a local guy.Who recovers it - dealer or a local seamstress or upholstery shop?
Absolutely agree. I've had 2 Porsche's with alcantara wheels, and whilst they look great when new, and are also great to hold and use, they do shine up and wear quickly. I'll be going for leather on the basis that it's much harder wearing. Leather/Alcantara seats thoughI’ve researched this long and hard and the consensus from long-term owners on the internet is that alcantara steering wheels aren’t worth it... they get dirty and ruined and can’t be properly cleaned or restored to their original state. When new, they are a better driving experience than leather though, IMO.
Have you had Alcantara seats before, too? Just wondering how those would hold up in comparison to the steering wheel.Absolutely agree. I've had 2 Porsche's with alcantara wheels, and whilst they look great when new, and are also great to hold and use, they do shine up and wear quickly. I'll be going for leather on the basis that it's much harder wearing. Leather/Alcantara seats though![]()
Seats are fine as long as you don't drive nakedHave you had Alcantara seats before, too? Just wondering how those would hold up in comparison to the steering wheel.
No Alcantara for me then.Seats are fine as long as you don't drive naked
Thread starter | Title | Forum | Replies | Date |
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J | Swapping out the Leather Steering for Alcantara | Lotus Emira Interior | 12 | |
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Alcantara Steering Wheel top marker | Lotus Emira Interior | 4 | |
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Alcantara vs Leather steering wheel choice | Lotus Emira Interior | 16 |