[Gizmo 335i]

Bit of a rant here. For the record I am not a fan of alcantara. To me it's akin to cheap polyester clothing from the '70's. Or material you'd see in a shaggin' wagon from the '70s. In other words, tacky and cheap-looking unbefitting any vehicle priced more than $35,000. Having to go aftermarket to get proper leather shifter and e-brake boots is disappointing. I understand alcantara on steering wheels of real track/race cars. But standard commuter cars?

OK, rant off. I feel better now. Although, the old-fashioned might have helped

[scanspeak]

I think it's nice in certain applications, mainly surfaces where you want no reflections and that you don't touch (eg headliner).

[KennyFSU]

Drive naked on a full Alcantara seat; it's heaven.

[arashir]

It's not hard to maintain on something like a steering wheel, you just have to be diligent and attend to it every few months and you can maintain its feel and appearance. Although it is not as grippy as a leather wheel

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by arashir

It's not hard to maintain on something like a steering wheel, you just have to be diligent and attend to it every few months and you can maintain its feel and appearance. Although it is not as grippy as a leather wheel

Agree. Had no problems with the AC steering wheel on my old E46 ZHP.

[9M71]

Agreed 100%. Hate the way it feels.

[Germanauto]

Not a fan at all. I like authentic materials like leather, wood, metals. Alcantara is fake and seems like a pain to clean. I'm sure it catches dirt and sweat like a magnet.

[tranquility]

It's basically fake suede, right? Ya, I don't get it either, esp w interiors completely DRENCHED in alcantara. Man...

If it's selectively used to prevent slipping like in parts of the seats, that's great. However, it could get nasty if they go overboard w it.

[Emilime75]

I don't like it, either. I'll also go on a limb and say I don't like carbon fiber when used as an accent. Structure, sure. Decor, no. Things like trunk lips, diffusers, mirror caps, interior trim...

[VipinLJ]

Originally Posted by Emilime75

I don't like it, either. I'll also go on a limb and say I don't like carbon fiber when used as an accent. Structure, sure. Decor, no. Things like trunk lips, diffusers, mirror caps, interior trim...

I’m with you 100pc

[yco]

because race car..

[LOW4LYF]

Not a fan either!

[robertm]

I don't know. To my eyes this looks pretty dam good:

[dozaiya]

looks cheap to me too and no doubt an inferior material

[Jbravo33]

Have to disagree. Carbon fiber in the interior has become tacky. It was cool 20 years ago when you had to go aftermarket to get it. My silver carbon fiber ac schnitzer interior (e46 M3) comes to mind. Other than that yea alcantara looks cheesy. Hate my current interior 🙄

[Gizmo 335i]

Originally Posted by Jbravo33

Have to disagree. Carbon fiber in the interior has become tacky. It was cool 20 years ago when you had to go aftermarket to get it. My silver carbon fiber ac schnitzer interior (e46 M3) comes to mind. Other than that yea alcantara looks cheesy. Hate my current interior 🙄

I will say the plaid seats are cool

[See5]

I like it on door cards, headliners, and small portions of the seat. That's about it.

Nothing worse than a nasty Alcantara steering wheel. Just too much upkeep there.

[King Rudi]

Agree with everyone else on the alcantara. Also not a fan of CF. 20 years ago it was cool and different. Now every time I see CF, it's a shitty wrap job.....or even a good wrap job, but still wrap. CF vinyl wrap is to cars what wood paneling was to homes in the 70's.

[VisualEcho]

Man, I LOVE the look and feel of alcantara, and the first time you have a dash covered in it and see how there are absolutely no reflections, you'll fall in love with at least that part.

[bmw1racer]

I agree. Pseudo-suede (or real suede for that matter) doesn't belong in a car.

That said, I wouldn't mind having cloth seats instead of pleather.

[ntg44]

As long as alcantara or any other material is the alternative to leather seats for a given car I'm interested in, I will choose it every time. The only time I opted for leather over alcantara or cloth in the last 10+ years was in my R8 Spyder due to there being no cooled seats option. Considering I'd only be driving it on warm sunny days top down, I wanted the easiest material to maintain. My back and bottom side are soaked after every drive longer than 45 minutes above 75 degrees. I freaking hate leather.

The problem with alcantara if there is one is its overuse. Keep it away from the steering wheel and shift knob at a minimum. Armrest is debatable, I love the feel but it takes a little more care to make sure your arms aren't dirty or greasy/sweaty. But as seat material, upper door card trim and used sparingly in the front upholstery I love it, gives texture and variety to the interior. Also love alcantara headliners. But caking the entire interior was never a good idea, just as caking it in leather is no better. I'd prefer cloth but I'll take alcantara over leather seats 100% of the time from now on.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by VisualEcho

Man, I LOVE the look and feel of alcantara, and the first time you have a dash covered in it and see how there are absolutely no reflections, you'll fall in love with at least that part.

But a real semi-aniline leather dash is just as glare free and feels better, is easier to maintain and smells good as a bonus.

I'm fine with mixed materials. My ideal would be leather dash and door tops, cloth seats and door cards and an alcantara headliner. It has its purpose, but as a touch point, I'm not interested. Funny that the Aston has a leather steering wheel in a sea of fake suede.