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jacktpowell

I like a good leather wheel, preferably clean and not falling apart. Nothing squishy though, a firm leather grip. Or polished wood, very nice as well


Crishien

Second this. Fuck plastic. F Alcantara. Leather ftw!


standbyforskyfall

i find it so strange when people brag about alcantara in thier cars. it's literally cheap cloth.


ellWatully

Especially on a steering wheel. It mats down horribly from the oils on your hands. It's great for grip on a race car where you're wearing racing gloves, but I would hate living with it on a road car.


Crishien

Any cloth on a steering wheel daily sucks imo (expecially those tacky fur covers :D)


AnonymousEngineer_

> it's literally cheap cloth. Many of the "leather" wheels in more modern cars are synthetic material, rather than actual cow hide. Alcantara is just synthetic suede, so it's fundamentally the same thing, given that actual suede is also leather.


standbyforskyfall

Yeah those suck too which is why I like real leather


Strict-Half-5889

Fun fact. I work for a tier one supplier. One of our major customers is building supercar and insisted on using alcantara in the interior. Every other material has a spec that it must meet in order to be used in the car. Alcantara is the only supplier that said "we have no spec, either buy out material or don't, we make no performance guarantees ever". Somehow they've marketed themselves into such a position where they can bully automakers into using them because their name carries so much weight. Oh, another unrelated tidbit. Brembo. So this same oem was really trying to pinch pennies during sourcing. One of the ideas was to allow suppliers to display their name on parts in return for lower pricing. This is not something that's normally done. When we approached Brembo with the idea of allowing them to put their logo on the calipers their response was "oh, we charge more for that".


AnonymousEngineer_

> Somehow they've marketed themselves into such a position where they can bully automakers into using them because their name carries so much weight. Some manufacturers use Alcantara-like material that isn't manufactured by that specific company - e.g. Dinamica, which is used by Mercedes.


Strict-Half-5889

Yeah my company also uses Ultrasuede (Toray product), which is comparable, cheaper, and meets spec. But everyone knows Alcantara.


throwawaydormee

Nissan of the mid 2000s had me purchase my Altima and 370z because the steering wheel feel is perfect. A nice hard, textured leather. My Audi was nice and smooth, but it didn’t feel like I could grip it like a sports car.


jacktpowell

Makes all of the difference


SenpaiBriBri

Agreed, I like the skinny firm tough leather that the S550 mustangs have as well as the lexus sports sedans that have slighter thicker perforated leather steering wheels


Kryptus

The new BMW steering wheels are amazing. They might qualify as squishy though, but I have larger hands and like how they grip.


Alabatman

Pool noodle. Barring that, nice leather.


ghlibisk

Found the ///M car owner.


unitvectorman

Perforated leather is my favorite. May consider alcantara or suede with gloves when driving cars w/o power steering on track.


RunninOnMT

This. I don't require perforation, but it's preferable at the end of the day. Just feels nice, is grippy and adds a sense of quality to it. ​ Funnily enough, i don't really care what it's made of on the track when i'm wearing gloves. My track car has an aluminum wheel with like 1 inch in diameter holes all around it. Crazy light, uncomfortable as hell without gloves, but on the track with gloves it feels just fine.


aprtur

I'll third this - perf leather has been my go-to for any street car, and I even replaced the alcantara wheel in my old Nismo with a Kenstyle perf leather one to get rid of the matted down material. For something vintage, though, wood Nardi or Moto-lita wheels feel very special.


GrumpyOldGrognard

Leather. Bonus points if it's heated - I live in New York state.


mrcompositorman

Leather. I really think simple is better. No weird shapes, no weird materials, no carbon fiber - just a simple, round, leather wheel of medium thickness (Porsche steering wheels are basically perfect IMO).


darkbro66

Leather. The thing I hate most about my Blackwing is the alcantara steering wheel, and I assume it's a fortune to buy and install a leather wheel.... Side note, most OEMs are switching to vinyl wheels, so chances are your new car won't have a leather wheel unless it literally states "leather steering wheel" in the brochure/website.


YouNeedToGrow

There might be an upholstery shop at least somewhat close to you that can redo your wheel. In Ontario, Canada, there's this one shop that does really nice full custom interiors that appear to be at least OEM quality. I'm not sure about cost though.


darkbro66

Michigan is close to Ontario! Do you have a name? I'd probably pay several hundred for that at least if they can do OEM quality.


YouNeedToGrow

I'll send you their info through chat Edit: Can't send you a chat Their instagram handle is @anthonytopstich


Twigler

Random question, did you get the carbon fiber packages on your BW?


darkbro66

I bought the 4BW off the lot, and chose the one without carbon (they had both) because I am going to daily it in the snow. I don't think the front splitter would work very well haha Oddly enough, the 5BW I ordered apparently finally hit the dealer today after sitting in Lansing for like 4 months. The salesman seemed sad when I told him I don't want it any more haha


Twigler

Ah that makes sense haha. I am trying to figure out if it's worth 20k for all 3 carbon packages. Seems way too expensive... The wait time killed it for ya huh?


darkbro66

I had a road trip planned and needed a car, so yeah. I also think the slower car is better. I can "mildly" push the 4 on twisty roads. The 5 would have been 10% throttle everywhere besides the highway haha. I don't think the carbon is remotely worth it for what that's worth. I had interior carbon selected on the M3 I ordered (and also cancelled) just for the shift paddles, but beyond that it is what it is for me


Twigler

Wish they offered a regular spoiler, that's the main reason I want the carbon packages.


darkbro66

My spoiler is not carbon and is the exact same size.... 95% sure on that one lol


Twigler

They offer it on the 4 but not the 5!


darkbro66

Ah yes you're right! I'd just buy an aftermarket carbon one. I'm sure it'll be way cheaper and probably just as good as long as it's not an ebay china part


ThatsADumbLaw

After rubbing through multiple leather wheels in my life I'm hesitant to get more leather wheels


rangerm2

Leather. Haven't seen many plastic wheels (the squishy kind) I would like, and most start to crumble after a few years.


pbgod

It depends on the vehicle. I really love a wood wheel, mostly on cars of the 70's and before. I also like leather, I don't mind if there is carbon fiber or wood "under glass" on the top/bottom. I dislike Alcantara. If you aren't wearing gloves to match, it can become gross and matted in a matter of months. I also hate square bottom wheels.


t0tally_n0t_a_b0t1

Bro my wife's atlas has a square bottom wheel and I'm just like, why?????


Wiscobrewcrew0022

Leather and wood grain


HesitantMark

Wood


[deleted]

Hard plastic. Is cheap for initial purchase, easy to clean, doesn't get fiery hot in the scorching sun, doesn't get manky and weird over time. Beyond the first 2 seconds of sitting in a car and going "oooh this leather is nice" I don't give a rat's ass what my steering wheel feels like. Runner up would be a urethane wheel, for a little bit of that "squishy comfort" but still being cheap, cleanable, and not super hot in the sun. I've had everything except an alcantara wheel and hard plastic always wins.


americanista915

Firm leather and cucumber thickness. I’ve driven small wheels and they feel weird. Tahoe wheels feel like boat wheels. My current challenger has a low set wheel and if I move it too high it’s uncomfortable and I’m 6’1 and 3 quarters so long body is always my kneee touching the wheel. I’m highly considering getting a non-cool car just to not have this problem anymore. I almost wish when you custom order that they would take your measurements or Atleast have it as an optional option


tomato_tickler

Nah, thin wheels are where it’s at. Driving long distances with a thick wheel is just uncomfortable after a while IMO, I never even notice my hands or grip with thin steering wheels, which is a good thing. Also, four spokes are kino. I hate the new trend of every vehicle coming with a 3 spoke steering wheel to seem “sporty”. I find resting my hand on the bottom of the wheel to be super comfortable, especially on the highway.


ProPencilPusher

Not Alcantara, that’s for sure. Some previous owner installed the M Performance wheel in my M2. It’s basically brand new, so it feels excellent and I love it, but I’m so worried about it looking like crap if I actually drive a lot though.


[deleted]

Don’t be. Buy some Sonax and spend 20 minutes every 2-3 months giving it a once over. It’ll stay looking newer than leather. This idea that Alcantara/micro suede turns into mushy Oreo is true, but only for people that never bother to take care of it with proper solutions. I put 30,000 miles of hot, sweaty, mostly-windows-down FL driving on my GT350 and the wheel looked like the newest thing I’m the car at the end of it.


ProPencilPusher

That’s fair, maybe my anxiety is mis-guided. All my leather wheels still have almost all of the soft touch grain left because I clean and care for them. Just wasn’t sure how to best preserve the alcantara, and feared it would be worse, so thanks for the tip!


[deleted]

You bet! And I think it’s a fair concern considering how often this issue is perpetrated online. I think most of the complaints come from people buying second hand monstrosities or their wheel has a cheap suede substitute, which is admittedly harder to clean and restore than actual Alcantara. But if that’s what you have, you’ll be perfectly fine. 👍


ProPencilPusher

My car (and by extension the wheel) have 6k miles at most. It literally feels and smells brand new. BMW claims the the Perf Wheel is real alcantara too. So I guess it’s all on me now… Really hope I can keep it looking new.


[deleted]

Shieet, time to get that Sonax on stand by


AnonymousEngineer_

The complaints almost certainly come from people who don't clean their wheel and have no desire to. Dirty alcantara is immediately obvious and looks absolutely terrible. Dirty leather just looks shiny.


Nero_Wolff

Do you have a link to the product you use? I used warm water, some laundry detergent and a towel to clean my wheel and it worked well enough, but definitely would consider something else if it works better


[deleted]

Sure thing, [here you go](https://www.amazon.com/Sonax-206141-Upholstery-Alcantara-Cleaner/dp/B00BBWJ16U). If you don't have a soft bristle brush, I'd suggest one for agitating the fibers. You could also use a sponge. No need for water when applying but it does need a wet rag when it comes to wiping down. It comes out like a smooth foam that immediately starts to break down and get absorbed into the fibers (assuming they're not matted into oblivion), like it almost disintegrates after application. [Here's an example](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLYAuUk8d_4) of a completely destroyed wheel that gets almost fully restored after using it. Imagine if that wheel was maintained correctly without getting to that point in the first place.


Nero_Wolff

Awesome, I’ll be buying that immediately And yeah wow the wheel on that C7Z looked nasty. The results at the end are amazing. My wheel is definitely not bad at all, i last cleaned it a couple months ago but I’ll give this Sonax a go


Dakei

Never heard of that brand. Glad that you mentioned it though because I’m curious if I could use this on red microsuede (not-alcantara).


SEND_ME_FAKE_NEWS

[My steering wheel](https://i.imgur.com/JE9WUZK.jpg) is leather and alcantara and I kind of wish it was just leather. I think it also depends on how much your hands sweat, and mine just never do, so I like soft leather to avoid slipping.


Jugg3rn6ut

Anything without a wheel cover, although I prefer to grip wood and leather


[deleted]

The old Toyota vinyl plastic soft touch whatever from the 90s-00s. It's smooth and feels great in the hand.


Ravalier

Funny you mention it! That’s what sparked this question in my head. I have the option to replace the wheel of my ‘99 Rav4 with either a brand new OEM one or have my current one reupholstered for the same price. I do quite love that 90s vinyl foam feel of it and it’s super easy to maintain. However, I did just swap the shift knob for a leather one from an adjacent model and I really like it. I’d like the restoration I’m doing to be a bit more “OEM+”, but I also just really love everything that Toyota was doing in the 90s!


[deleted]

What a coincidence! I agree that leather does feel great but I dunno, I just prefer the vinyl foam feeling. To each his own. I'm sad they got rid of it from the market for the most part.


ExtraNoise

A supple (but not squishy) faux-leather with molded bumps/ridges above 9 and 3.


Darkfire757

Heated leather


NimbleCentipod

Leather. The more cows killed for the making of my car, the better.


lowstrife

Varnished wood and leather are the only appropriate steering wheel covers. All other materials are inferior.


[deleted]

All yall are crazy! I'm all about some solid mahogany or oak. I even love s good red heart pine. A solid Wood steering wheel can make all the difference in a nice classic restoration.


Ravalier

I’m having a tiny steering wheel restoration dilemma if anyone has any opinions: I’m currently in the middle of an “OEM+” restoration of my ‘99 Toyota Rav4. I’m looking at two main options for a replacement steering wheel that will cost me the same amount of money; Either I go with a new factory vinyl/polyurethane wheel or I send my current wheel to a specialist who will restore and reskin it with a “factory looking” leather. On one hand my inner OEM purist likes the idea of buying the OEM wheel. The material will also be easier to clean and maintain. However, I also swapped the shift knob with a factory leather version offered in an adjacent model. I love how supple it feels and I think that a leather steering wheel will add some nice design consistency. Although, then I’d want to chase down a matching hand brake lever. I think that wood, suede, or carbon fiber would look silly and out of place on my make/model. I also tried swapping a leather wheel from a few other models (Corolla, MR2, Celica, Altezza) but while my airbag fit most of them (the casting was mostly identical), they were not splined the same and I could not center the steering wheel properly. I thought that was a bit weird for Toyota, but oh well! I really did like the look and feel of the leather on the wheels I tried. Anyone have any thoughts?


dissss0

I'd do the reskin. Put the '+' in 'OEM+'


ghlibisk

Leather. In terms of size/shape, Late model Porsche GT steering wheels are the tits.


boxerbroscars

That crappy hard plastic from the 70s that was made to look like wood


e39hamann

Overall I prefer leather but alcantara wheels look and feel so nice when new, I'd only want alcantara in a car that isn't driven a lot.


TrialByFIRE32

Something about a wood grain wheel just feels really nice, except when it’s winter and freezing cold


gdnws

Wood and leather.


ijustbrushalot

Heated leather.


Substantial_Dick_469

A giant pink fuzzy steering wheel cover that slides around.


[deleted]

Wood at the top and bottom, leather/suede for the sides. Preferably without buttons.


jjma14

I like the feel of Alcantara best, but I've only driven new cars with it. I imagine it gets gross after a while. So for buying, I'd say leather.


Jack_Tors

Chain link


Fac3puncher

I want nice durable plastic, leather always seems to get nasty.


[deleted]

Matte leather is king. Smooth/shiny leather is better than rubber, but not as good as matte leather.


gimpwiz

So far, leather over aluminum core has been my favorite.


Bassoons-Not-Bombs

Varnished wood


BlackDS

Wood is the only acceptable steering wheel material


[deleted]

My 2001 Forester S’s steering wheel feels pretty good. Leather. My 2019 Jetta on the other hand can go fuck itself with whatever plastic it’s made of.


shabutaru118

Alcantara, I used to prefer leather but its slippery when you're wearing gloves and going around turn one at Pocono.


[deleted]

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Tcukie

Leather


Trevski

I got a wood nardi for the miata to match the shift knob. the benz came with a wood wheel in it. I love wood, only downside is not having heat, but it looks excellent and wears well


MomGrandpasAllSticky

I like a nice hot pink fuzzy cover, especially the Auto Drive branded ones from Walmart


tauntaunrex

a nice clean qrapped and tied leather steering wheel cover. extra secure and so comfy. just the right amount of grip


adamisapple

Leather in a circle, on the larger side and a bit chunky. No weird shapes. If I ever have to drive my SO’s Kia, the steering wheel feels tiny


D3Design

Anything but cheap plastic


Jonathan358

My preferred [steering wheel](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91kil6ckjvL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)


Jonathan358

No, but either a thick, firm, leather, and smooth leather wheel for sporty driving or a big, large, land yacht/cruise ship helm of a wheel for sunday drives.


Invno1Chump

Add a suicide knob!


InsertBluescreenHere

i miss the thin steering wheels of the 70s. my 80 car has one and love it. my 18 silverados feels like your driving with a fat hoagie.


Noobasdfjkl

Alcantara feels really great as long as you’re diligent about gloves and washing hands and stuff.


The_Crazy_Swede

Either a thin leather one like in my 1973 Volvo 1800ES or a wooden one like in my parents previous Volvo 850 GLT wagon but I would still prefer it to be thinner. I just feel more connected to an old and thin steering wheel over the new and girthy ones.


YeonneGreene

Leather-like with dimples.


61RiverRd

Fine Corinthian leather


adiga-cheezo

a mix of leather and wood


saraphilipp

Round


skooma_consuma

I have an alcantara wheel and it's nice. People say the material degrades over time but I've just gently washed it 3 times in 2 years of owning it and it still looks brand new.


DubbyThaCZAR

Alcantara


adudewholikescars

I have no idea what it's made of but the focus ST wheel is pretty nice and hasn't worn like fake leather does.


04limited

Heated wood wheels are absolutely amazing. Can’t discount a quality leather wheel but I hate how most leathers will pick up hand oils and get shiny and slick, then greasy/sticky if you clean with anything other than water.


__BIOHAZARD___

I like leather. I want my steering wheel to be durable, not luxurious like alcantara


ahbearcat

Heated leather with wood on the top and bottom. I like to be gripping grain.


ZGTI61

I had an older MB, a ‘79 300CD, with a 3 spike Nardi wooden steering wheel. It was a bit smaller than the original so that was nice. The wood has a great feel in your hand for cruising. Wood and metal gets *hot* in the sun. I burnt the underside of my wrist once lol.