What happens when you assume? or "Alacantra revealed"

[ASAP]

Any chance for a crocodile or snake skin option?

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by OneRib

Alcantara is pure marketing. It's fake suede and probably cheap to make. I don't/wouldn't mind it for a headliner, but would never get excited about it. I hate when it's on steering wheels and gearshifts. I was looking into a used CTS-V years ago and couldn't stand all the cars optioned with alcantara steering wheels and shift knobs.

Just give me leather and stop trying to be fancy.

I had a 2004 330i ZHP with Alcantara steering wheel and I loved it

[OneRib]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

I had a 2004 330i ZHP with Alcantara steering wheel and I loved it

A lot of people do, just not me. If doesn't feel good to my hands and I always think it will attract too much dirt or moisture and start to breakdown.

[KevinM]

All fair points. However, as much as I like to think I'm immune to this kind of thing, I absolutely love the Alcantara headliner in my M5. Of course, all E39 M5s came with it; I didn't have a choice. I am am reasonably certain that if it were an option I would have not ordered it or cared if the car had it. But it does look so cool. Don't knock it until you try it!

That said, I don't care if an Alcantera headliner is or is not averrable in the F80, and it sure as heck won't be available on the F87 M2, my other current BMW consideration. I do think it is a great seat material because of its durability (as you noted Ultra-suede is used for couches, etc.) plus it looks great! I'm not a fan of it for steering wheels as the natural moisture and grease from human hands can wear it down pretty fast.

http://iedei.files.wordpress.com/201...alcantara.jpeg

Sorry about the link...this site is pretty stingy with the size of files that can be uploaded!

[myzmak]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

I had a 2004 330i ZHP with Alcantara steering wheel and I loved it

You must have a light touch and non-greasy hands.

The rest of us KFC eatin' folk just can't make it work.

[minn19]

Originally Posted by myzmak

You must have a light touch and non-greasy hands.

The rest of us KFC eatin' folk just can't make it work.

Yup, I'm out, love me some fried chicken.

[oldmanstyle]

So much misinformation being thrown about. Alcantara is easy to clean. If you can't be arsed to clean the steering wheel every 3-4 months with warm water and a wash cloth maybe you have a case against it. It's also much different than ultra suede. Believe me I purchased 2 new steering wheels somewhat recently and there is absolutely a tangible difference in feel between ultra suede and Alcantara. There is some level of marketing to it, but it's not 100% marketing like it some kind of snake oil. It is a functional material.

[myzmak]

Originally Posted by oldmanstyle

So much misinformation being thrown about. Alcantara is easy to clean. If you can't be arsed to clean the steering wheel every 3-4 months with warm water and a wash cloth maybe you have a case against it. It's also much different than ultra suede. Believe me I purchased 2 new steering wheels somewhat recently and there is absolutely a tangible difference in feel between ultra suede and Alcantara. There is some level of marketing to it, but it's not 100% marketing like it some kind of snake oil. It is a functional material.

according to the interwebs, it is the same as (real) ultrasuede.

[ersin]

You all are making too big a deal out of this. I really like leather. But Alcantara (or ultrasuede or microfiber suede or whatever) does have its uses. It would be good on the top of the dash where it shouldn't be responsible for reflections up in the windshield (if it's black that is). It is so much better than plastic. It provides a good contrast to leather on shifter and brake boots too. And it looked great on the M5 headliner.

But really, who cares that much if they offer it for the F8x cars or not? Could this be a case of sour grapes because it's not available?


Cheers.

[myzmak]

Originally Posted by ersin

You all are making too big a deal out of this.

Buddy: its the interweb. and a car forum.

Literally every single thing on this site is something that someone has 'made too big a deal out of'. None of this stuff actually matters, but we are here to debate the inconsequential because that's what we do.

I really like leather. But Alcantara (or ultrasuede or microfiber suede or whatever) does have its uses. It would be good on the top of the dash where it shouldn't be responsible for reflections up in the windshield (if it's black that is). It is so much better than plastic. It provides a good contrast to leather on shifter and brake boots too. And it looked great on the M5 headliner.

But really, who cares that much if they offer it for the F8x cars or not? Could this be a case of sour grapes because it's not available?

Maybe for some - dunno.

For the original post, it really was just a (embarrassingly late) realization that something that seemed like a really big deal to some people when this car first came out was different from what I thought.

....and then it became a reason to talk about the TWELVE F------G THOUSAND DOLLAR STARLIGHT HEADLINER MY GOD PEOPLE HOW CAN THIS NOT BE SOMETHING THAT CAUSES A REACTION!?!?!?!?!?

In the words of one Iron Mike Tyson: "I guess I'll fade into Bolivian....."

[ersin]

Originally Posted by myzmak

Buddy: its the interweb. and a car forum.

Literally every single thing on this site is something that someone has 'made too big a deal out of'. None of this stuff actually matters, but we are here to debate the inconsequential because that's what we do.

I guess an apology is in order. I am truly and utterly sorry for breaching interweb etiquette. You are absolutely right, the fact that Alcantara is not offered by BMW and furthermore offered at a cheap price to be in line with its manufacturing worth despite the perceived, albeit maybe deserving quality, or not, and the fact that the good people on the forum and the interwebs in general may or may not appreciate this fact is an outright outrage! We must have more debate on this topic. Again, I offer my most humble and heartfelt apologies.


Cheers.

[evanevery]

Sears is selling cheap couches? Gotta Go!

[myzmak]

Originally Posted by ersin

I guess an apology is in order. I am truly and utterly sorry for breaching interweb etiquette. You are absolutely right, the fact that Alcantara is not offered by BMW and furthermore offered at a cheap price to be in line with its manufacturing worth despite the perceived, albeit maybe deserving quality, or not, and the fact that the good people on the forum and the interwebs in general may or may not appreciate this fact is an outright outrage! We must have more debate on this topic. Again, I offer my most humble and heartfelt apologies.


Cheers.

I dunno man.....nobody seems outraged. I thought was just a semi-serious debate with a lot of joking.

But, if you wanna be outraged then whatever floats your boat.

[gblansten]

I am flummoxed. I have waited several weeks to be flummoxed and there is no way in hell I will squander this opportunity.

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by gblansten

I am flummoxed. I have waited several weeks to be flummoxed and there is no way in hell I will squander this opportunity.

Your use of flummoxed totally baffles me here

[ybbiz34]

I love the alcantara seating surfaces in my current car (bolsters and headrests are leather). Looks sporty, stays cool in the summer/warm in the winter, and grips like crazy. Ridiculously easy to clean, too. All you need is about 5 minutes and a vacuum with the proper attachment. The vacuum gets rid of any fuzz/dust and stands all of the fibers back up. Anything else can be cleaned/dabbed with a microfiber/terry cloth with warm water on it.

Plus, my seats still look brand new. The leather in some of my BMWs wrinkled like crazy, and quickly (despite the fact I weigh less than 165 lbs and take very good care of my interiors; never use any harsh/crap cleaning products).

The perforated Nappa leather in my 7ers always held up well though. Same with the Dakota (surprisingly) in my F30s, for the most part. E90s? Seat bases were a wrinkle festival. If I could order an F80 w/ alcantara seating inserts, I'd be all over it.

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by ybbiz34

despite the fact I weigh less than 165 lbs and take very good care of my interiors

[myzmak]

Originally Posted by gblansten

I am flummoxed. I have waited several weeks to be flummoxed and there is no way in hell I will squander this opportunity.

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

Your use of flummoxed totally baffles me here

Gobsmacked.

[hellrotm]

It isn't that alcantara has a perceived luxury/premium image, it is more related to it's sporty image (originally being used in race cars and high end exotics). Alcantara is 1/3 the weight of leather, for example this is why the 458 Speciale has a full alcantara interior vs the regular Italia leather interior. Yes alcantara is man made, but for a reason. It is much more durable, if I remember correctly it has wear rate more than twice of real suede. Real alcantara is not exactly inexpensive, 3-4x more per/yd than the inferior ultrasuede. Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini could even use real suede leather, but it just wouldn't hold up. They choose alcantara due to it's anti-slip, flame proof, lightweight and durable properties. Now referring to people wanting an alcantara headliner like the M5. I would think most people know alcantara is man made in Italy and not real suede leather product. Fact is the material looks much better that what is currently used for the M3/M4 headliner, but would cost BMW quite a bit more money to do.


If my interior look like this I would be quite happy.

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by BlackJetE90

If my interior look like this I would be quite happy.

Not me. Reminds me of those dash covers that they make for BMWs to cover dash cracks.

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

Not me. Reminds me of those dash covers that they make for BMWs to cover dash cracks.

No problem. Different strokes for different folks.

[minn19]

Originally Posted by BlackJetE90

No problem. Different strokes for different folks.

Agreed, I personally find that interior very tacky. And this is from someone that has an SO interior.