Hi Nick, love most of your videos, however I couldn't disagree more on this topic. First off, you've missed a massive advantage of alcantara - it's inert. Doesn't heat up in the summer and doesn't get too cold in the winter - something leather does terribly. So if you're in a continental climate, leather is a horrible choice (sure, you have seat heaters and some cars even come with coolers but I know which material I'd rather have in the heat of 40degrees C). And secondly, it isn't necessarily worn. It needs a good scrub and will come back right up. Lots of treatments out there. I have a 1999 volvo estate with alcantara inserts and they look as new. Car has 138k miles on the clock. Yes, alcantara is more prone to damage and necessitates more care, but that's with anything in your car.
From what I heard and read, when it gets flat, smooth even sticky, that's because of pressure, oil and sweat from your hands. And one of the perks of Alcantera is that with the right cleaning process and tools, you can restore it almost like new. I've seen some videos that people cleaned 5 years old flat, sticky Alcantera steering wheel with some product and brush, and it became "fluffy" again. Your thoughts Nick?
Aldi More Don't buy premium brands because they gouge the shit out of you? Porsche is famous for this, gt3 being a prime example, you are paying more for less. Shitting on Alcantara because Porsche is a bunch greedy fucks isn't a public service announcement, its just fucktarded fanboy slashing out in a fit of supressed rage.
Alcantara comes from European mills. Ecsaine is the Asian version of the same product. My 2007 Subaru had seats covered in Alcantara, which is warm in cold weather and cool in warm weather. It's better than the skins of dead animals.
i agree. i have "restored" some used alcantara parts in the past, using the same technique for cleaning suede - gentile cleaner with a soft bristle brush. blot & wipe w clean microfiber rags. looked almost new again.
Yes I still prefer leather tho. Alcantara just need more attention, if you spend time to clean and detail regularly it will always look brand new. A good fabric cleaner, microfiber tower/brush and vacuum machine would do the trick.
was this video sponsored by the leather industry? seems Nick needs to do a little more "research" before spouting out nonsense. not sure about the price of Alcantara, but the BS about the durability of Alcantara is incorrect (talk about misinformation). Alcantara responds poorly to oils and lotions (shocking! it's fibrous), and most people are dirty slobs. just a little bit of common sense and personal hygiene goes a long way. and matted Alcantara can easily be restored with some gentle cleaning.
If you knew the channel you'd know Nick isn't sponsoered by anybody. And I'm sure you know human skin contains oil with perfectly normal body hygene. The picture of the worn Alcantara shift lever and steering wheel was pretty clear. How is cleaning going to help with hardened Alcantara? I personally like the look of Alcantara as well but if you want to contribute share some actual information, don't just rant.
Hiya, I have alcantara inserts on the seats of my Audi TT, now five years old. The material is warm in winter and cool in summer, unlike leather that can get burning hot in sunshine. My car seats still look brand new and the alcantara on the door cards still looks classy. I bet it's much easier to clean than reals suede. I just give it a light vacuum. So not all bad. Also no sign of stretch marks that you sometimes get with leather.
I love the alcantara inserts on my seats; the bolsters are leather. Very grippy and if you take care of it, it still looks good after a while. But putting it on areas where the oil from your hands gets on it (like a steering wheel) is not the best idea as stated in this video. I personally like the look of it, and have a shift boot, handbrake boot, and other trim in alcantara, but would never put it on the steering wheel of a daily driver
Hi Nick, I have alcantara on my 996 GT3's steering wheels, gear knob and hand brake. It looked like the pics you showed of the gts however it was merely dirty, I gave it a thorough clean with some warm water and a terry towel and it's all as good as new. It actually wears really well as I have as 85k km's on the clock. Cheers Mark
you are right that that could be cleaned, but it's a giant hassle to clean and it still pills and taters long before a normal car gets to middle age, let alone end of life.
Nick, love your stuff but the material doesn't wear as you describe. Yes it collects dirt and oils from our skin which make it look and feel crap after 10-20k miles but It comes back really well when cleaned with a mild detergent and soft brush. Whilst it may be a rip off I personally love the tactile feel on the wheel and the seat and I don't mind cleaning it every year or two. I'll keep choosing it whenever I can.
I wonder if Porsche is using a poor grade because I have friends with alcantara interiors that have held up beautifully. In fact, my brother has an Audi with it on the headliner, seat inserts and door panels those have 120k miles and still look new. He also has a custom steering wheel with alcantara on it that has almost 20k miles and it looks brand new as well.
Alcantara is more likely to collect the oils from your hands...that's why it has that matted down appearance. It cleans up and looks brand new with the correct products and techniques. There are plenty of videos on here showing before and afters.
Nick - I am liking your channel more and more for these little tidbits and for the knowledge that is usually displayed in the comments. As an aspiring Porsche owner these quick informational videos are much appreciated so thanks for doing them and keep up the good work!
...because most people will not ask questions when a marketing weasel says "and now we have new Alcantara interiors! See how soft it feels!" and so they ooo and ah because car reviewers do not actually buy the damn cars.
hey Nick! great video. I used to work in a automotive supplier company in europe back in 2008 and I was in charge for testing the colors of interiors. One day I got a alcantara sample and took it home to use it as a mouse pad for my computer. i used it for about a month or so and had to throw it away and buy a real mouspad. It really wears off so fast. I was rather suprised that top car manufacturers sell this in their cars. Just wanted to share my expirience! have a nice day
Well i know for a fact that i can make an old alcantara chair with lot's of stains look brand new again. Lovely product to clean, don't see any worn coaches. In my elise the leather looks crap and the alcantara looks brand new..
35k miles on my Panamera GTS - I have the GTS interior package, but leather steering wheel and PDK lever. I like the feel on the seats - the way it hugs me, keeps me in place, and doesn't get hot in the summer - I live in Phoenix.. They have been wearing just fine. Still look and feel brand new to me. Agreed on the steering wheel and gear lever. Glad I didn't get it on those items.
I have it in my 135i, been on the car for like 2 years and 20,000 miles now, and it was in an M3 for 3 years before. When it gets hard and shiny it's not worn, but just really dirty from skin oils. Mild dish soap and hot water and it goes back to when it was when new :P
Interesting to see that most premium manufacturers charge serious money for Alcantara, but my Lexus CT200h which is the base model from Lexus and also base trim level, some times called a vegan model, is covered in Alcantara and Nulux faux Leather, but after five years, the materials still hold well, despite it's 87.000 miles on the clock, and minor cleaning.
My current 15 year old car is half leather half alcantara - still looks good. A black 1990 Lancia I had years ago had interior and panels that were covered in a beautiful green alcantara that also wore well. However I would not put it on a steering wheel or gear knob - sweat ruins it very quickly.
As a former Cayman GTS owner I would like to disagree. The alcantara on the steering wheel and knob get soaked with hand sweat and so on, but you can clean it with a soft brush and normal soap and water mixture. After that it looks and feels pristine again.
Current Cayman GTS owner of 3 years and 25k miles. No problems here. A leather wheel will look bad if not cared for as well, things tend to do that if you don't clean them.
In my case the alcantara seats and doorcards on the B8/8.5 S4 were a no cost option as opposed to the leather and they seem to retain the same properties as cloth. They breathe well, aren't so easily altered by high or low temperatures, and grip well. Personally speaking, I have no regrets. I also think it will be easier to treat dingy alcantara than cracked or faded leather after 100K miles. Point being A.) Buy what you like B.) Don't get ripped off by Porsche spending as much for fabric interior surfaces as leather. GEN-YOU-WINE leather at that!
I have a personal note regarding the wear of Alcantara on steering wheels. I had a C63 with a full Alcantara wrapped steering wheel, and yes, it looked very worn very quick. HOWEVER, I do believe this is due to the oils and dirt working its way into the material from your hands. I did the following several times with that car, and my following car, a CLS63 that had the same steering wheel, and found the results to be great. I used a orange de-greasing cleaning cloth, and thoroughly scrubbed the wheel, the used a damp towel afterwards, again scrubbing the wheel. It was amazing how much grease was removed, and afterwards once dry, the wheel honestly felt as if it were new again
Alcantara is good for ceiling liners, door liners, and other areas that aren't routinely touched. One fabric, rarely used these days, that's great for wear-and-tear, is pillow-tufted velour. As a kid growing up, we had two cars with velour seat upholstery. 6 years and over 100,000 miles later on both cars, the velour was in as good of shape as it was when factory new. And that was with my sister and I wreaking as much havoc on the velour upholstery as we could!
Also screw alcatara on the seats, i want true Velour to be back. My celica had velour seats and it was incredibly nice to touch and was grippy and durable unlike basic cloth.
I remember old Ferrari's from the early 1970's had "suede" covering on their dashboards.. But I think it was actual suede. Tended to peel along the edges in the hot sun, but most cars back then had problems with interiors degrading in heat..
I have Alcantara/Textile seats in my BMW from 2008 with 80.000 miles on it and the seats look as they were new! They last much better than the pure textile seats that I had in my MINI. So I made completely opposite experiences with alcantara than you, Nick. And leather does also wear out, especially grey leather looks horrible after a certain age!
As I said in the video, alcantara is okay on seats other than the look it is when you put it on seating wheels or anything you touch that the problem starts.
Agree! It's a scam. Alcantara looks awful after 3 months. But they've convinced some people it's "better." What BS. Same goes for carbon fiber interior inlays. The stuff is usually covered in a clear resin so you basically get a hard plastic surface in your car. Congrats idiots!
Aesthetics and the nerdy knowledge your car and wallet are now lighter! It does help though, I have a Miata and have a custom carbon fiber hardtop. I've compared the difference to the classic fiberglass version, and my car was stiffer with the CF hardtop on.
Yeah, I've wondered about the sued steering wheels. It seems like you would get a build up of oil from your hands and french fry oil Wow, my GTI has a better steering wheel than a porsche.
It doesn't wear in three months but picks up oil and dirt from your hands quickly. All you have to do is wipe it with a damp soapy cloth and it comes back to life. I used to do this in my 330i ZHP which had it both on the steering wheel and shift knob about once a month. Takes 5 min to clean and you still get the benefits of alcantara.
I agree, spot on. Even if you try to keep your hands meticulously clean when touching Alcantara surfaces the oils/sweat from your skin will discolor the fabric over time. Good luck trying to get those out.
I had a vw and now an audi with Alcantara seats. Both above 100k km and the Alcantara still looks new. Try to clean the Alcantara on the steering wheel with Alcantara cleaner it should clean up well, it’s probably just dirty from greasy hands
Great video nick thanks! I think if you have it put on places that you don't touch it looks good.. such as roof, door panels etc.. but I agree with you that on the steering wheel, seats an gear lever is a definite no!
I have the Recaro seats with Alcantara in my 2021 MX-5 RF. It has around 7,400 miles and is two years old and still looks new. Whereas my 2018 RF with Leather seats was showing wear on the seat bolsters at 8,300 miles. Time will tell, won't it?
I read about cleaning it with warm soapy water and scrub really hard with a towel. I tried it and it does bring back the fuzzy feel. What I used to think was wear was in fact dead skins and dirt embedded in the "fuzz". At least that is the case with my steering wheel.
It's great to hear that someone else think the same way I do about Alcantara. I've always said it's fake suede, and will eventually look and feel terrible when worn. But I still see many opting this on their cars like Porsches or McLarens even though none of them will see the track - which is where the extra grip of alcantara will be handy, before worn that is.
A little water & a soft brush & the "worn" Alcantara will usually clean right up. I bought a cheap OEM 997 GT3 steering wheel & shift knob/boot & it cleaned right up in a few mins & looks almost like new. It just needs cleaned / maintained & it holds up. Maybe not as well as leather, but it is not as horrible as you make it out to be.
i think alcantara is a brand. there are cheaper microsuede like products from china. but alcantara branded are really expensive. its more expensive than cow hide leather. but i aggree with you. they look like crusty towels when they wear out. with proper maintainance, they can last long. but you need to take care of its napped. just like how you take care of suede shoes.
Give me liberty or give me death .....give me leather or give me a different frickin' car !!!! No way would I trade the buttery-soft, luxurious feel of genuine leather for a product that was used to make 1970's men's leisure suits. No way Jose' l....Leather all the way....lol (Mike in Ohio)
I would like to know where to get genuine Alcantara for $15/yard. Last time I looked it was $100/yard + . There are many knock-offs that are pseudo suede.
btw, the term "Genuine Leather" is an actual distinct grade of leather and is the second worst type of leather there is: www.heddels.com/2014/06/overview-guide-leather-grades/
They also have "spray on leathers" now, which I believe Jag use on some of their cars... it's redinky donk how much they all cut corners and market it like they aren't
@@ChrisDorgan Jaguar never used spray on leather, that's stupid, there is no such thing. All leathers are painted to get the colour desired, and then sprayed with a matt lacquer that protects it fgrom wear, liquids, UV, heat, cold, moisture etc etc etc. All Jaguar leather comes from Conceria Pasubio in Arzignano, Vicenza, Italy!!!!!.
The wheel and gear shifter in that GTS aren't really worn, just loaded up with grime from the drver's hands. It can be cleaned pretty easily. I do agree it does wear out in some applications, like the steering wheel on the BMW 330 with the ZHP package.
I agree about the furniture. I've had a sofa for 10 years (used daily) with Alcantara and it looks brand new. However, to me that shifter and wheel look like the alcantara isn't worn, but rather just has flattened from the natural oils on your hands. I bet regular cleaning would solve this. Alcantara cleans so easily. Just a damp microfiber towel is all you need. Maybe a tad bit of soap if there is anything caked on. Try to clean the shifter and wheel and see what it looks like. ;)
For those who like the alcantara steering wheel, can try out one of those cheap "alcantara" or "suede" steering covers online where you sew them on. After a few months it will probably wear out and you can easily change it for a new wrap.
OK... I'm not sure what you're holding but it isn't genuine Alcantara (unless they make foam backed headliner available to the public that I don't know about.) The real stuff costs ~ $140 per yard- which makes it around the same price range as leather, has the Alcantara logo printed on the back of the material with a serial number directly under it. It has an exceptional resistance to wear... exponentially better than leather or vinyl. The "wear" on the steering wheel is actually just stuff that comes off of your hands like oils and skin cells that clump on the material. Just needs a proper cleaning and it should look brand new. Source: I own an automotive upholstery company and have put the material in many cars including my own.
Hi Nick! Thx for a lovely video. Did not know the 'true story about Alcantara', so you actually gave me a teaching. lol. By the highway: did you see Porsche's vid about 911 number 1.000.000? Color: Irish Green. I think it's one of the most beautiful colors you can have on your 911. I saw it once on a Targa 4S and it actually made me emotional. So gorgeous! What do you think Nick, Irish Green? ATB, Irwin
Level of grip you get with Alcantara or suede can not be matched by any other material commonly used in car interiors. This matters, and not just for racing - More grip is always better than less grip. You get superior control over your steering, you become more confidant while driving, because you can hold the steering wheel very firmly, without much pressure, and your communication with the car becomes much more direct and accurate. Do you need to take care of it? Yes, of course, but it is well worth it. It is just stupid to say that Alcantara wears super-fast. It just gets dirty. Take care of it, and it will serve you for years. After all, even if it wears out, it can be replaced, and its not that expensive to do so, especially when you consider that it can last quite a long time if maintained properly.
I have Alcantara on my seats. I like this stuff. I don't want leather seats. My seats looks still like new even afters couple of years. I prefer the look and feel. But I learned a lot in this vids about Alcantara and I still like it. I don't care if it is cheap stuff. Thanks Nick.
hello Nick, i heard you saying you would do a indepth video on difference between ceramic and regular brakes in an older video, if you have already and i missed it i do apologize, if not could you find a way to fit it in your schedule, would love to hear your take on it, thanks ..
+Il Valentino What purpose do humans have? So according to your logic it is OK to kill humans who "aren't mistreated and live a good life" seeing as we have seemingly no purpose other than living and reproducing just like every other animal on the planet...
"expensive premium leather only comes from a well treated animal." Aside from the strange argument "I can kill everything if it only lived well before it was killed": I did ask all manufacturers for the source of their animal skin products and guess how many did reveal their sources? Not a single one. They know why, because there is no such thing as a leather production without animal cruelty. If you buy leather, you support animal suffering, that's a fact and if you are digging deep into the subject you will see things that you rather want to forget. It doesnt help if you crash your existing car for that, but it helps if you decide more wisely for future purchase.
Nick, I am afraid you're wrong in the assumption that Alcantara is a cheap material. In Germany you pay for 1meter more than 100 EUR. This is more than you would pay for high end leather used in Bentley or Lamborghini. Apart from that I agree that Alcantara is not the best choice for steering wheels or gearshift levers albeit the effect you describe is not related to wear. It is merely the dirt from the user's hands polluting the Alcantara. For seats, Alcantara is a great choice: it fixes the body, is very durable, breathable and easy to maintain, better than any leather or conventional fabric.
I agree retail you pay about that here too. I got my prices from a friend who does car fitting and upholstery and buys it wholesale directly from Italy.
Nick, is it possible that it's not wearing the fibers of the material wearing off, but the material absorbing oils from the hands? If the seats aren't being worn down as much, maybe that's the case? Leather does the same thing; that greasy/shiny look is oils and dirt soaking into the leather. If you wear gloves on leather steering wheels they never turn shiny, so maybe it's the case with alcantara? I have no idea, but just a thought.
Awesome job Nick. I feel like I want to post this video in the comments of other videos where they lovingly talk about there being alcantara in a super car.
No it´s not the same kind of stuff - the Chinese label it as Alcantara, but it is a kind of Microfiber (no polyurethane contained) and highly burnable. The Polyurethane is the expensive component of Alcantara as it contains organic material.
Real alcantara from Alcantara SpA in Italy is something like a secret. Some upholsterers charge $100+ per fabric metre. Havent been able to find online prices for the fabric and I first heard here that it actually costs cents per metre of fabric. Of course probably there are other companies that make similar fabrics. An upholsterer charged me 550 for alcantara headlining which would normally be something like 120-150
Well Nick your almost right, it’s not a matter of wearing out as you pointed out on furniture and car seats, but not wearing well on steering wheels or shift knobs. My 2006 BMW E46 M3 comp. pkg came with Alcantara steering wheel and shift knob, yes around 10-12k mileage it showed wear as you said but that’s were your wrong the sweat and oils from your hands just clog the material only not wearing it out ! A mild cleaner and a few minutes you can clean it and bring it back to its original condition. But before I found out that you can clean it, I had BMW replace the steering wheel under warranty replacement they do it one time only. It’s very cleanable and it’s ok your not a hard core detail guy. Even my all leather steering wheel on my M5 now gets a dirt film on it and I clean that to.
in my VW Multivan Hightline I have lether/vinyl/alcantara interiors , and whit two kids , one wife ;-) and one dog after 4 yers are still very very nice looking and touching , if some use to eat and drink at the driver seat can sure get polished , but is enought use to brush whit water and mild soap will looking in mint conditions , I think vinyl and alcantara are a great way to help where leather breaking , like on the sides of the seats , remember the 964 ??? ciao !
You can bring the texture back a bit; damp cloth with a little bit of soap - don't rub it up and down, just give it a squeezing motion. (Said the bishop to the actress)
Once again Nick, an awesome video that taught me something! I've always been curious about alcantara! And also loved when you made the halogen vs LED lights video!
Mostly, I agree with what you know Nick. Alcantara is great for certain true-racing cars, however, only for seats and grips, and if windshield anti-glare is required. Nothing else in a race car should have superfluous coatings (We alllll know that every coating adds weight to some degree). Also, as you mention, Alcantara is 1/10th the cost of leather... and I am sure that itself is inflated through marketing. My NSWAG (Non-Scientific-Wild-Ass-Guess), is that Alcantara, in reality, is maybe 1/25 to 1/35 the true cost of Leather (ie. quality of leathers vary greatly, and often not by chance, but by different animal care: Including, however, not limited to anti-scarification fences [non-barbs on fences, smooth-oval-corals, not maximum crowding (keep our valuable livestock minimally stressed... so it’s not like going to a jam-packed standing music concert) etc... etc... etc...], breed, age, sex, size, feed, content association through the herd, physical exercise, world-wide locations (grazing opportunities, acceptable water quality and quantity, dry grain feed, temperatures, hide-thickness, nutritional supplements, veterinary care, and animal-husbandry care in general. I have been dedicated to environmental sciences since aboot grade 3. No one pushed me, or endoctrinated me (Unlike our leftists and arrogant SJW are pushing on society, and ex-specially on their offspring, and so many young people... young people that want to do good coming from their hearts/minds/conscience-souls) just sayin. My apologies for the long post. I’m mostly an introvert, I speak poorly, and write just a wee-bit better. Thanks.
Hi Nick , thanks for advice, I will stay away from Alcatra , Inam looking to get targa GTS, I love blue interior but I am thinking black leather 18!sports plus seats . Or should I spend money on blue stitching ? What's your thoughts
Trying to set fire to something in your Porsche 911. Another classic moment
Alan Booth G shit lmao
it doesn't burn and it was for only a few seconds also people smoke in thier 911s so...
The title should have been: "Alcantara doesn't burn...but it does when I pee"
😂
Hi Nick, love most of your videos, however I couldn't disagree more on this topic. First off, you've missed a massive advantage of alcantara - it's inert. Doesn't heat up in the summer and doesn't get too cold in the winter - something leather does terribly. So if you're in a continental climate, leather is a horrible choice (sure, you have seat heaters and some cars even come with coolers but I know which material I'd rather have in the heat of 40degrees C). And secondly, it isn't necessarily worn. It needs a good scrub and will come back right up. Lots of treatments out there. I have a 1999 volvo estate with alcantara inserts and they look as new. Car has 138k miles on the clock. Yes, alcantara is more prone to damage and necessitates more care, but that's with anything in your car.
From what I heard and read, when it gets flat, smooth even sticky, that's because of pressure, oil and sweat from your hands. And one of the perks of Alcantera is that with the right cleaning process and tools, you can restore it almost like new. I've seen some videos that people cleaned 5 years old flat, sticky Alcantera steering wheel with some product and brush, and it became "fluffy" again. Your thoughts Nick?
This has been a public service announcement from Nick Murray.
Next week... save water by recycling your pee.
Always with the pee, Nick.
Oh, wait. It's the pee we should be recycling? I've been recycling the other.
...and so the truth about Alcantara is revealed
Aldi More Don't buy premium brands because they gouge the shit out of you? Porsche is famous for this, gt3 being a prime example, you are paying more for less. Shitting on Alcantara because Porsche is a bunch greedy fucks isn't a public service announcement, its just fucktarded fanboy slashing out in a fit of supressed rage.
I've got a Alcantara steering wheel and Gear stick in my 16 year old Audi B5 RS4 ! Just clean it once a month and it looks fine !
So true
Alcantara comes from European mills. Ecsaine is the Asian version of the same product. My 2007 Subaru had seats covered in Alcantara, which is warm in cold weather and cool in warm weather. It's better than the skins of dead animals.
I think the alcantara on the GTS isn't worn. It's the oil and dirt that make the fiber stick together and won't stand up.
i agree. i have "restored" some used alcantara parts in the past, using the same technique for cleaning suede - gentile cleaner with a soft bristle brush. blot & wipe w clean microfiber rags. looked almost new again.
Yes I still prefer leather tho. Alcantara just need more attention, if you spend time to clean and detail regularly it will always look brand new. A good fabric cleaner, microfiber tower/brush and vacuum machine would do the trick.
John Wick I would agree to whatever you say, don't kill me.
was this video sponsored by the leather industry? seems Nick needs to do a little more "research" before spouting out nonsense.
not sure about the price of Alcantara, but the BS about the durability of Alcantara is incorrect (talk about misinformation). Alcantara responds poorly to oils and lotions (shocking! it's fibrous), and most people are dirty slobs. just a little bit of common sense and personal hygiene goes a long way. and matted Alcantara can easily be restored with some gentle cleaning.
If you knew the channel you'd know Nick isn't sponsoered by anybody. And I'm sure you know human skin contains oil with perfectly normal body hygene. The picture of the worn Alcantara shift lever and steering wheel was pretty clear. How is cleaning going to help with hardened Alcantara? I personally like the look of Alcantara as well but if you want to contribute share some actual information, don't just rant.
Hiya, I have alcantara inserts on the seats of my Audi TT, now five years old. The material is warm in winter and cool in summer, unlike leather that can get burning hot in sunshine. My car seats still look brand new and the alcantara on the door cards still looks classy. I bet it's much easier to clean than reals suede. I just give it a light vacuum. So not all bad. Also no sign of stretch marks that you sometimes get with leather.
No wonder they promote it as a premium material in a car. It's all about marketing... Thanks for disclose the details.
I love the alcantara inserts on my seats; the bolsters are leather. Very grippy and if you take care of it, it still looks good after a while. But putting it on areas where the oil from your hands gets on it (like a steering wheel) is not the best idea as stated in this video.
I personally like the look of it, and have a shift boot, handbrake boot, and other trim in alcantara, but would never put it on the steering wheel of a daily driver
What about the dashboard with alcantara?
My Recaros are Alcantara with Leather bolsters and the seats show no signs of wear after 2 years and 7,400 miles. To me that seems like a good sign.
@@Maisonier It should last very well on the dash.
Hi Nick, I have alcantara on my 996 GT3's steering wheels, gear knob and hand brake. It looked like the pics you showed of the gts however it was merely dirty, I gave it a thorough clean with some warm water and a terry towel and it's all as good as new. It actually wears really well as I have as 85k km's on the clock. Cheers Mark
Agreed Mark, clean the stuff gently and it comes back like new. It actually wears very well.
Terry McGrouther
Sonax alcantara cleaner works well too.
you are right that that could be cleaned, but it's a giant hassle to clean and it still pills and taters long before a normal car gets to middle age, let alone end of life.
indeed, but ignorance is bliss, isnt it?
@antihero3zx Try real suede leather and see how that holds up. Upside, plastic is always an option...
fetB or maybe... You know... Just regular leather that will be good as new with a 3 minute wipe down twice a year for 150k plus miles
you should buy another animal companion for Albert : but made in full alcantara this time.
Nick, love your stuff but the material doesn't wear as you describe. Yes it collects dirt and oils from our skin which make it look and feel crap after 10-20k miles but It comes back really well when cleaned with a mild detergent and soft brush. Whilst it may be a rip off I personally love the tactile feel on the wheel and the seat and I don't mind cleaning it every year or two. I'll keep choosing it whenever I can.
No sweaty bum in summer either
I wonder if Porsche is using a poor grade because I have friends with alcantara interiors that have held up beautifully. In fact, my brother has an Audi with it on the headliner, seat inserts and door panels those have 120k miles and still look new. He also has a custom steering wheel with alcantara on it that has almost 20k miles and it looks brand new as well.
Alcantara is more likely to collect the oils from your hands...that's why it has that matted down appearance. It cleans up and looks brand new with the correct products and techniques. There are plenty of videos on here showing before and afters.
Hssumal@hotmail.co.uk
Nick - I am liking your channel more and more for these little tidbits and for the knowledge that is usually displayed in the comments. As an aspiring Porsche owner these quick informational videos are much appreciated so thanks for doing them and keep up the good work!
I have never understood why some people, many car-related youtubers, piss rainbows over this sheit.
So true, I looked at a few other videos before making this and was kind of shocked at misinformation out there.
...because most people will not ask questions when a marketing weasel says "and now we have new Alcantara interiors! See how soft it feels!" and so they ooo and ah because car reviewers do not actually buy the damn cars.
It usually comes as a part of an expensive "sports package", so people associate it with sportiness.
hey Nick! great video. I used to work in a automotive supplier company in europe back in 2008 and I was in charge for testing the colors of interiors. One day I got a alcantara sample and took it home to use it as a mouse pad for my computer. i used it for about a month or so and had to throw it away and buy a real mouspad. It really wears off so fast. I was rather suprised that top car manufacturers sell this in their cars. Just wanted to share my expirience! have a nice day
You were a shitty tester than. You didnt even know enough about the piece you were "testing" to know how its maintained/cleaned.
Well i know for a fact that i can make an old alcantara chair with lot's of stains look brand new again. Lovely product to clean, don't see any worn coaches. In my elise the leather looks crap and the alcantara looks brand new..
35k miles on my Panamera GTS - I have the GTS interior package, but leather steering wheel and PDK lever. I like the feel on the seats - the way it hugs me, keeps me in place, and doesn't get hot in the summer - I live in Phoenix..
They have been wearing just fine. Still look and feel brand new to me.
Agreed on the steering wheel and gear lever. Glad I didn't get it on those items.
you just saved me $1800. I was about to buy the M Performance Steering wheel.
Jan-Michael B I just find that thing OTT to begin with.
nice!
My M performance wheel is my favorite part of the car. It was more like $650 though, the one with the yellow center mark.
Yeah the one I was looking at was the electronic one version 2 for my F80 M3 and they are retailing at $1800 roughly plus tax and shipping.
I have it in my 135i, been on the car for like 2 years and 20,000 miles now, and it was in an M3 for 3 years before. When it gets hard and shiny it's not worn, but just really dirty from skin oils. Mild dish soap and hot water and it goes back to when it was when new :P
genuine alcantara pricing is about 100usd/yard. china suede is about 10usd/yard
Interesting to see that most premium manufacturers charge serious money for Alcantara, but my Lexus CT200h which is the base model from Lexus and also base trim level, some times called a vegan model, is covered in Alcantara and Nulux faux Leather, but after five years, the materials still hold well, despite it's 87.000 miles on the clock, and minor cleaning.
One of my favourite channels on TH-cam
Hi Nick I replaced all Alcantara in my 991.2 GTS with Sport-Tex and Leather. Great Vid.
My current 15 year old car is half leather half alcantara - still looks good. A black 1990 Lancia I had years ago had interior and panels that were covered in a beautiful green alcantara that also wore well. However I would not put it on a steering wheel or gear knob - sweat ruins it very quickly.
As a former Cayman GTS owner I would like to disagree. The alcantara on the steering wheel and knob get soaked with hand sweat and so on, but you can clean it with a soft brush and normal soap and water mixture. After that it looks and feels pristine again.
Current Cayman GTS owner of 3 years and 25k miles. No problems here. A leather wheel will look bad if not cared for as well, things tend to do that if you don't clean them.
Agreed. Gts owner for a year and a half and alcantara still looks amazing. Steering wheel, gear shift and the rest of it. Love it.
In my case the alcantara seats and doorcards on the B8/8.5 S4 were a no cost option as opposed to the leather and they seem to retain the same properties as cloth. They breathe well, aren't so easily altered by high or low temperatures, and grip well.
Personally speaking, I have no regrets. I also think it will be easier to treat dingy alcantara than cracked or faded leather after 100K miles.
Point being A.) Buy what you like B.) Don't get ripped off by Porsche spending as much for fabric interior surfaces as leather. GEN-YOU-WINE leather at that!
I had questions and came looking for answers. This video answered all of my questions and more, Thank you for taking the time to make this.
Another great video Nick ! My wife and I watch your vids all the time. Your a natural.
I have a personal note regarding the wear of Alcantara on steering wheels. I had a C63 with a full Alcantara wrapped steering wheel, and yes, it looked very worn very quick. HOWEVER, I do believe this is due to the oils and dirt working its way into the material from your hands. I did the following several times with that car, and my following car, a CLS63 that had the same steering wheel, and found the results to be great. I used a orange de-greasing cleaning cloth, and thoroughly scrubbed the wheel, the used a damp towel afterwards, again scrubbing the wheel. It was amazing how much grease was removed, and afterwards once dry, the wheel honestly felt as if it were new again
Alcantara is good for ceiling liners, door liners, and other areas that aren't routinely touched. One fabric, rarely used these days, that's great for wear-and-tear, is pillow-tufted velour. As a kid growing up, we had two cars with velour seat upholstery. 6 years and over 100,000 miles later on both cars, the velour was in as good of shape as it was when factory new. And that was with my sister and I wreaking as much havoc on the velour upholstery as we could!
You do know you can easily clean alcontera right? It only gets like that from oil in your hands and dirt. Just clean it dude...
It should never be used on steering wheels unless it really has to be(race cars, where its not a problem since drivers wear gloves).
Also screw alcatara on the seats, i want true Velour to be back. My celica had velour seats and it was incredibly nice to touch and was grippy and durable unlike basic cloth.
I just started learning about alcantara. It is an amazing material.
I remember old Ferrari's from the early 1970's had "suede" covering on their dashboards.. But I think it was actual suede. Tended to peel along the edges in the hot sun, but most cars back then had problems with interiors degrading in heat..
I have Alcantara/Textile seats in my BMW from 2008 with 80.000 miles on it and the seats look as they were new! They last much better than the pure textile seats that I had in my MINI. So I made completely opposite experiences with alcantara than you, Nick. And leather does also wear out, especially grey leather looks horrible after a certain age!
As I said in the video, alcantara is okay on seats other than the look it is when you put it on seating wheels or anything you touch that the problem starts.
Oh then I must have overheard that, sorry! So, the general advice is to NEVER TOUCH ALCANTARA!
Unless you drive naked and sweat alot..........
define lot
On low to no wear interior items (dash, headliner, door inserts, interior panels), I personally think it looks extremely good and is worth its faults.
Agree! It's a scam. Alcantara looks awful after 3 months. But they've convinced some people it's "better." What BS. Same goes for carbon fiber interior inlays. The stuff is usually covered in a clear resin so you basically get a hard plastic surface in your car. Congrats idiots!
Harsh words but wise words!
the carbon trim in some cars looks better than just plain plastic though. its just aesthetics
Aesthetics and the nerdy knowledge your car and wallet are now lighter! It does help though, I have a Miata and have a custom carbon fiber hardtop. I've compared the difference to the classic fiberglass version, and my car was stiffer with the CF hardtop on.
Yeah, I've wondered about the sued steering wheels. It seems like you would get a build up of oil from your hands and french fry oil
Wow, my GTI has a better steering wheel than a porsche.
Not to mention the glossy plastic-y surface attracts superficial scratches and fingerprints just as badly as a piano black finish.
It doesn't wear in three months but picks up oil and dirt from your hands quickly. All you have to do is wipe it with a damp soapy cloth and it comes back to life. I used to do this in my 330i ZHP which had it both on the steering wheel and shift knob about once a month. Takes 5 min to clean and you still get the benefits of alcantara.
Didn't know it wasn't leather! Thank you for the update, Nick!
i far prefer alcantara seats to leather. absolutely loved my subaru STI seats.
I agree, spot on. Even if you try to keep your hands meticulously clean when touching Alcantara surfaces the oils/sweat from your skin will discolor the fabric over time. Good luck trying to get those out.
I had a vw and now an audi with Alcantara seats. Both above 100k km and the Alcantara still looks new. Try to clean the Alcantara on the steering wheel with Alcantara cleaner it should clean up well, it’s probably just dirty from greasy hands
Great video nick thanks!
I think if you have it put on places that you don't touch it looks good.. such as roof, door panels etc.. but I agree with you that on the steering wheel, seats an gear lever is a definite no!
I have the Recaro seats with Alcantara in my 2021 MX-5 RF. It has around 7,400 miles and is two years old and still looks new. Whereas my 2018 RF with Leather seats was showing wear on the seat bolsters at 8,300 miles. Time will tell, won't it?
I read about cleaning it with warm soapy water and scrub really hard with a towel. I tried it and it does bring back the fuzzy feel. What I used to think was wear was in fact dead skins and dirt embedded in the "fuzz". At least that is the case with my steering wheel.
It's great to hear that someone else think the same way I do about Alcantara. I've always said it's fake suede, and will eventually look and feel terrible when worn. But I still see many opting this on their cars like Porsches or McLarens even though none of them will see the track - which is where the extra grip of alcantara will be handy, before worn that is.
😂that shirt though....
First thing I noticed. LOL
PorschePilot He must prefer a hairy leg over split tail.
My sentiments exactly.
its high maintenance stuff, you have the brush it regularly and use a cleaner to keep is soft and the color uniform.
A little water & a soft brush & the "worn" Alcantara will usually clean right up. I bought a cheap OEM 997 GT3 steering wheel & shift knob/boot & it cleaned right up in a few mins & looks almost like new. It just needs cleaned / maintained & it holds up. Maybe not as well as leather, but it is not as horrible as you make it out to be.
i think alcantara is a brand. there are cheaper microsuede like products from china. but alcantara branded are really expensive. its more expensive than cow hide leather. but i aggree with you. they look like crusty towels when they wear out. with proper maintainance, they can last long. but you need to take care of its napped. just like how you take care of suede shoes.
A light has been shone, Thanks again Nick.
You know you can actually clean alcantara to make it look pretty much like new again?!
Give me liberty or give me death .....give me leather or give me a different frickin' car !!!! No way would I trade the buttery-soft, luxurious feel of genuine leather for a product that was used to make 1970's men's leisure suits. No way Jose' l....Leather all the way....lol (Mike in Ohio)
I would like to know where to get genuine Alcantara for $15/yard. Last time I looked it was $100/yard + . There are many knock-offs that are pseudo suede.
$65 retail for factory genuine automotive Alcantara or $16/meter for wholesale if you buy in bulk.
@@NickMurray If it is $16 even if you buy one million metres it will be fake
btw, the term "Genuine Leather" is an actual distinct grade of leather and is the second worst type of leather there is: www.heddels.com/2014/06/overview-guide-leather-grades/
Peter Kostovčík wow my eyes have been opened
Stay woke fam
Comes from Actual Cows™ which is the second tastiest grade of cow
They also have "spray on leathers" now, which I believe Jag use on some of their cars... it's redinky donk how much they all cut corners and market it like they aren't
@@ChrisDorgan Jaguar never used spray on leather, that's stupid, there is no such thing.
All leathers are painted to get the colour desired, and then sprayed with a matt lacquer that protects it fgrom wear, liquids, UV, heat, cold, moisture etc etc etc.
All Jaguar leather comes from Conceria Pasubio in Arzignano, Vicenza, Italy!!!!!.
The wheel and gear shifter in that GTS aren't really worn, just loaded up with grime from the drver's hands. It can be cleaned pretty easily. I do agree it does wear out in some applications, like the steering wheel on the BMW 330 with the ZHP package.
I agree about the furniture. I've had a sofa for 10 years (used daily) with Alcantara and it looks brand new. However, to me that shifter and wheel look like the alcantara isn't worn, but rather just has flattened from the natural oils on your hands. I bet regular cleaning would solve this. Alcantara cleans so easily. Just a damp microfiber towel is all you need. Maybe a tad bit of soap if there is anything caked on. Try to clean the shifter and wheel and see what it looks like. ;)
Nick, where would I be without your life lessons, Nick.
Great to see this Nick. Was thinking about an alcantara steering wheel but will stay away now!
For those who like the alcantara steering wheel, can try out one of those cheap "alcantara" or "suede" steering covers online where you sew them on. After a few months it will probably wear out and you can easily change it for a new wrap.
Damn...I've been contemplating swapping out my wheel for the GT3RS in alcantara...after watching this, you may have saved me some serious money...thx!
OK... I'm not sure what you're holding but it isn't genuine Alcantara (unless they make foam backed headliner available to the public that I don't know about.) The real stuff costs ~ $140 per yard- which makes it around the same price range as leather, has the Alcantara logo printed on the back of the material with a serial number directly under it. It has an exceptional resistance to wear... exponentially better than leather or vinyl. The "wear" on the steering wheel is actually just stuff that comes off of your hands like oils and skin cells that clump on the material. Just needs a proper cleaning and it should look brand new.
Source: I own an automotive upholstery company and have put the material in many cars including my own.
You speak more sense in those few lines than he did in the whole video
Was excited to see this video mentioned on Daring Fireball. You're getting out there, Nick!
Me too, pretty cool
I am now a fabric.
In Germany we have Alcantara on the 718 Seats as standard, too.
Hi Nick! Thx for a lovely video. Did not know the 'true story about Alcantara', so you actually gave me a teaching. lol. By the highway: did you see Porsche's vid about 911 number 1.000.000? Color: Irish Green. I think it's one of the most beautiful colors you can have on your 911. I saw it once on a Targa 4S and it actually made me emotional. So gorgeous! What do you think Nick, Irish Green? ATB, Irwin
Edy B it also had a wood interior. A bit strange in a Porsche but it does work for that car.
Love your videos Nick! I'm a massive Porsche fan boy. Keep it up. Legend.
Level of grip you get with Alcantara or suede can not be matched by any other material commonly used in car interiors. This matters, and not just for racing - More grip is always better than less grip. You get superior control over your steering, you become more confidant while driving, because you can hold the steering wheel very firmly, without much pressure, and your communication with the car becomes much more direct and accurate. Do you need to take care of it? Yes, of course, but it is well worth it. It is just stupid to say that Alcantara wears super-fast. It just gets dirty. Take care of it, and it will serve you for years. After all, even if it wears out, it can be replaced, and its not that expensive to do so, especially when you consider that it can last quite a long time if maintained properly.
I have Alcantara on my seats. I like this stuff. I don't want leather seats. My seats looks still like new even afters couple of years. I prefer the look and feel.
But I learned a lot in this vids about Alcantara and I still like it. I don't care if it is cheap stuff. Thanks Nick.
Thanks Nick good feedback here. Was planning to order Alcantara steering wheel but after checking the fabric in hand is as you said "garbage"
hello Nick, i heard you saying you would do a indepth video on difference between ceramic and regular brakes in an older video, if you have already and i missed it i do apologize, if not could you find a way to fit it in your schedule, would love to hear your take on it, thanks ..
Thanks Nick, Very informative. What's a good alternative that's animal friendly?
Sport tex!!
Nick Murray yeah it's prettier too
I like the sport tex too. I think it's the best looking seating material currently offered by Porsche.
+Il Valentino What purpose do humans have? So according to your logic it is OK to kill humans who "aren't mistreated and live a good life" seeing as we have seemingly no purpose other than living and reproducing just like every other animal on the planet...
"expensive premium leather only comes from a well treated animal." Aside from the strange argument "I can kill everything if it only lived well before it was killed": I did ask all manufacturers for the source of their animal skin products and guess how many did reveal their sources? Not a single one. They know why, because there is no such thing as a leather production without animal cruelty. If you buy leather, you support animal suffering, that's a fact and if you are digging deep into the subject you will see things that you rather want to forget. It doesnt help if you crash your existing car for that, but it helps if you decide more wisely for future purchase.
Just curious but what type of siding you have on the house ?
True ALACANTARA is only made by "Alcantara S.p.A" in Italy. Not all car makers use the real material. At $15 a metre it's not real Alcantara
Nick, I am afraid you're wrong in the assumption that Alcantara is a cheap material. In Germany you pay for 1meter more than 100 EUR. This is more than you would pay for high end leather used in Bentley or Lamborghini.
Apart from that I agree that Alcantara is not the best choice for steering wheels or gearshift levers albeit the effect you describe is not related to wear. It is merely the dirt from the user's hands polluting the Alcantara.
For seats, Alcantara is a great choice: it fixes the body, is very durable, breathable and easy to maintain, better than any leather or conventional fabric.
I agree retail you pay about that here too. I got my prices from a friend who does car fitting and upholstery and buys it wholesale directly from Italy.
Nick. Love the show. Would you recommend the Olea Club Leather? Or is the "normal" leather okay
Nick, is it possible that it's not wearing the fibers of the material wearing off, but the material absorbing oils from the hands? If the seats aren't being worn down as much, maybe that's the case? Leather does the same thing; that greasy/shiny look is oils and dirt soaking into the leather. If you wear gloves on leather steering wheels they never turn shiny, so maybe it's the case with alcantara? I have no idea, but just a thought.
Another. reason it's used in the 'supersport' versions of cars (458 Speciale, others) is because it's so light.
Awesome job Nick. I feel like I want to post this video in the comments of other videos where they lovingly talk about there being alcantara in a super car.
this was actually very informative. i was always under the impression this was a quality trim item but i guess not.
No it´s not the same kind of stuff - the Chinese label it as Alcantara, but it is a kind of Microfiber (no polyurethane contained) and highly burnable. The Polyurethane is the expensive component of Alcantara as it contains organic material.
You are right. Chinese copy Alcantara, as the company only makes it in Italy. But then China has no morals when it comes to copying.
Thanks Nick. Saved me a couple of quids.
Very informative video Nick keep them coming cheers!!!!
Real alcantara from Alcantara SpA in Italy is something like a secret. Some upholsterers charge $100+ per fabric metre. Havent been able to find online prices for the fabric and I first heard here that it actually costs cents per metre of fabric. Of course probably there are other companies that make similar fabrics. An upholsterer charged me 550 for alcantara headlining which would normally be something like 120-150
Well Nick your almost right, it’s not a matter of wearing out as you pointed out on furniture and car seats, but not wearing well on steering wheels or shift knobs. My 2006 BMW E46 M3 comp. pkg came with Alcantara steering wheel and shift knob, yes around 10-12k mileage it showed wear as you said but that’s were your wrong the sweat and oils from your hands just clog the material only not wearing it out ! A mild cleaner and a few minutes you can clean it and bring it back to its original condition. But before I found out that you can clean it, I had BMW replace the steering wheel under warranty replacement they do it one time only. It’s very cleanable and it’s ok your not a hard core detail guy. Even my all leather steering wheel on my M5 now gets a dirt film on it and I clean that to.
Thanks! I didn't know. Great to know. What are some better alternatives?
The leather doesn't have a yellow or red vertical stripe on the steering wheel. And this is very important for the GT 2/3/4
I wouldn’t mind it on the center part of the seat but not the side bolsters, steering or shift knobs.
So glad I watched this, I was about to spec it steering wheel. Thanks for the tip.
in my VW Multivan Hightline I have lether/vinyl/alcantara interiors , and whit two kids , one wife ;-) and one dog after 4 yers are still very very nice looking and touching , if some use to eat and drink at the driver seat can sure get polished , but is enought use to brush whit water and mild soap will looking in mint conditions , I think vinyl and alcantara are a great way to help where leather breaking , like on the sides of the seats , remember the 964 ??? ciao !
You can bring the texture back a bit; damp cloth with a little bit of soap - don't rub it up and down, just give it a squeezing motion.
(Said the bishop to the actress)
Once again Nick, an awesome video that taught me something! I've always been curious about alcantara! And also loved when you made the halogen vs LED lights video!
wow good to know. Thanks Nick!
Mostly, I agree with what you know Nick.
Alcantara is great for certain true-racing cars, however, only for seats and grips, and if windshield anti-glare is required. Nothing else in a race car should have superfluous coatings (We alllll know that every coating adds weight to some degree). Also, as you mention, Alcantara is 1/10th the cost of leather... and I am sure that itself is inflated through marketing. My NSWAG (Non-Scientific-Wild-Ass-Guess), is that Alcantara, in reality, is maybe 1/25 to 1/35 the true cost of Leather (ie. quality of leathers vary greatly, and often not by chance, but by different animal care: Including, however, not limited to anti-scarification fences [non-barbs on fences, smooth-oval-corals, not maximum crowding (keep our valuable livestock minimally stressed... so it’s not like going to a jam-packed standing music concert) etc... etc... etc...], breed, age, sex, size, feed, content association through the herd, physical exercise, world-wide locations (grazing opportunities, acceptable water quality and quantity, dry grain feed, temperatures, hide-thickness, nutritional supplements, veterinary care, and animal-husbandry care in general.
I have been dedicated to environmental sciences since aboot grade 3. No one pushed me, or endoctrinated me (Unlike our leftists and arrogant SJW are pushing on society, and ex-specially on their offspring, and so many young people... young people that want to do good coming from their hearts/minds/conscience-souls)
just sayin.
My apologies for the long post. I’m mostly an introvert, I speak poorly, and write just a wee-bit better.
Thanks.
Hi Nick , thanks for advice, I will stay away from Alcatra , Inam looking to get targa GTS, I love blue interior but I am thinking black leather 18!sports plus seats . Or should I spend money on blue stitching ? What's your thoughts
What I wrap my steering wheel with is road bike handlebar tape, grippy as hell, cheap, and easy to reinstall.
Thanks mate, that was insightful and informative 💪
Totally on point! Well done Nick.
This is great, thanks for making this video! I never liked Alcantara very much either.
Say no to Alcantara in the Mustang!