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View Full Version : Alcantara Steering Wheel replacement: Coby vs Perforated Leather vs Other



BavarianZHP
05-31-2013, 01:33 PM
It's been some time since our last poll, so I thought I would post one up for the heck of it (I know I know, not a good justification for one...).

My original alcantara wheel is fairly old, stained, and the fibers have been polished down with what appears to have been the sweaty, greasy palms of many a dudes. Who knows what those hands have touched, and who even wants to know...

I think it needs replacing, but I'll try to clean it first this weekend. I've never held a new/clean alcantara wheel nor have I had the experience with the perforated leather ones. So which one would you replace it with, given price as no obstacle? I feel that investing in a re-wrap or replacement is an excellent long-term investment (one that won't be repeated that often), so I'm not worried about plunking down the cash. I am open to any other options as well: wheelskinz, etc... I just want what's best for me and the car!

ELCID86
05-31-2013, 01:40 PM
Mine cleaned up pretty nicely. I think I'd go leather if I needed to replace.

wsmeyer
05-31-2013, 01:46 PM
I've had both and I'm sticking with leather. The Alcantara was a nice change but it showed signs of wear too quickly so I switched back.

fredo
05-31-2013, 01:49 PM
I would prefer not to worry about dirty hands every time I jump into the car. I voted for leather.

jgt_zhp
05-31-2013, 02:06 PM
I was ready to pull the trigger on a Coby rewrap, because mine was bad enough I kind of got the willies every time I touched it. But I did the toothbrush and magic eraser routines, and it cleaned up great. Just need to run over a few spots with a sweater shaver, and it'll be good for quite a while.

I really like the grippiness of the alcantara, and it won't get hot in summer like leather.

UdubBadger
05-31-2013, 02:08 PM
I vote coby... If you can keep it clean its such a nice piece. I am looking forward to getting one for the M when I can.


- Goin' H.A.M. Mobile

danewilson77
05-31-2013, 02:54 PM
I vote coby... If you can keep it clean its such a nice piece. I am looking forward to getting one for the M when I can.


- Goin' H.A.M. Mobile

This. For his price I'll get mine re-done whenever it needs it. I love it.

UdubBadger
05-31-2013, 05:21 PM
Exactly


- Goin' H.A.M. Mobile

Avetiso
05-31-2013, 05:22 PM
I'd put up with the drawbacks of alcantara for the sake of how sexy it looks and feels. Black with red stitch. :drool

JupiterBMW
05-31-2013, 05:30 PM
This. For his price I'll get mine re-done whenever it needs it. I love it.

This for sure. I've had my rewrap on for about 2 months now, and it still looks like the day I bought it. I figure, if I have to do one every 18 months, I'll be happy.

danewilson77
05-31-2013, 05:43 PM
+1

htc dna on tt4 beta, williamsburg, va

ryankokesh
05-31-2013, 06:19 PM
Coby.

/thread


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illirep
05-31-2013, 07:04 PM
Alcantara

nike001
05-31-2013, 07:17 PM
I figure, if I have to do one every 18 months, I'll be happy.

Just clean it...

zhpnsnv
06-01-2013, 04:40 AM
I like perforated leather. Had alcantara on my cooper s wheel and didn't love it like I thought I would. I liked the M3 wheel in my zhp, but the perf. leather in my current car feels better.

But first, clean the one you have! You see some amazing results from minimal effort.

Leon
06-01-2013, 05:08 AM
Coby. Game over.

niart906
06-01-2013, 06:26 AM
After fondling Dalton's wheel many times... Alcantara hands down :hi

Torxuvin
06-01-2013, 07:15 AM
I really like my perforated leather wheel. (much better than the standard m3 wheel) I still prefer the alcantara though.

webster
06-01-2013, 02:09 PM
i've had both a coby wheel and currently a perf leather tri stitch, i much prefer the leather. coby's work is great, but the wear and tear is inevitable. just my .02.

danewilson77
06-01-2013, 02:18 PM
How long did Coby wheel last you?

webster
06-01-2013, 02:52 PM
i sold it to Mini D a few months ago, its condition was a 9/10 or better. no pilling, with slight fading/wearing at the normal 12/5/8 o'clock positions. i had it in my car for right at a year. i always tried to drive with as clean hands as possible, and always wiped it down with a microfiber towel after driving so as not to leave residual oil on the material. i still exercise both those efforts for my perf. leather wheel (and shift knob too).

Stigissimo
06-01-2013, 03:17 PM
Literally just got my coby rewrap yesterday. It's so sweet. I mean I'm anal enough about my whole car being clean so thinking about keeping the steering wheel clean isn't much to add. In addition to myself, passengers love it because it looks/feels cool and to me gives the car a very sporty feel.

It'll last if you take care of it. I vote coby.

danewilson77
06-01-2013, 03:52 PM
Damn....a year and it's still >9/10. I think that's awesome.

MiniD
06-01-2013, 03:58 PM
I vote Coby but I just wish the alcantara was thicker.

Tnhl1989
06-01-2013, 03:59 PM
Maybe he can make it thicker? Or something :p

johnrando
06-01-2013, 05:24 PM
I'm a perforated leather guy. The Alcantera feels great, but I like the look and longer wear of the leather. William and I had our wheel re-wrapped in leather and while not cheap, they did a pretty good job. So, I'd say if you really want Alcantera, clean it first, then try Coby if that doesn't work.

jayjay_dee
06-03-2013, 01:26 PM
Mine was Coby'd... doesnt get hot during summer, not too cold on winter months...

Dave_B
06-03-2013, 03:40 PM
Hands down the favorite thing about my car is the Coby re-wrap.

danewilson77
06-03-2013, 04:35 PM
Hands down the favorite thing about my car is the Coby re-wrap.

+1

I touch it everyday.

Dave_B
06-03-2013, 04:44 PM
Exactly! In the winter it's NOT cold, and in the summer it's NOT hot.

I'd almost go as far as to say it's better than a "handful" in the hands. :ninja

brettbimmer
06-03-2013, 04:47 PM
I'm a perforated leather guy. The Alcantera feels great, but I like the look and longer wear of the leather. William and I had our wheel re-wrapped in leather and while not cheap, they did a pretty good job. So, I'd say if you really want Alcantera, clean it first, then try Coby if that doesn't work.

I didn't know that Imolarot leather was available for a re-wrap?! :D

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

Mtnman
06-03-2013, 05:48 PM
I am taking a perfectly good, basically brand new 1 msport wheel and having coby re-wrap it in alcantara. I love my leather wheel. Its awesome. But having a personalized wheel made for you that is that nice is just one of those touches to a car that makes it yours...and dare i say special (at least special to you). I have a temporary wheel on its way so i can send my super thick msport wheel for wrapping. Cant wait.

danewilson77
06-03-2013, 05:59 PM
I am taking a perfectly good, basically brand new 1 msport wheel and having coby re-wrap it in alcantara. I love my leather wheel. Its awesome. But having a personalized wheel made for you that is that nice is just one of those touches to a car that makes it yours...and dare i say special (at least special to you). I have a temporary wheel on its way so i can send my super thick msport wheel for wrapping. Cant wait.

David, be sure to mention us for 10% off.

Mtnman
06-03-2013, 06:05 PM
Ha! I won it at the meet! It was free!

danewilson77
06-03-2013, 06:06 PM
Ha! I won it at the meet! It was free!

:facepalm

Seems like so long ago.

330i ZHP
06-03-2013, 06:08 PM
does coby only do alcantara?

330i ZHP
06-03-2013, 06:10 PM
I want this for the truck so bad

http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb422/nexonmotors/Nexon%20Motors%202/IMG_5303.jpg

But cannot bring myself to drop the enormous amount of $$$

330i ZHP
06-03-2013, 06:13 PM
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E71-X6M-X5-M-Flat-Bottom-4mm-Thicker-Carbon-Steering-Wheel-White-Color-Ring-/110979094056?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&nma=true&si=1f7Onp3HVsWLXHVNsjrHPg2U5lY%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

danewilson77
06-03-2013, 06:15 PM
does coby only do alcantara?

Yes

330i ZHP
06-03-2013, 06:19 PM
then I vote for perforated leather

Avetiso
06-03-2013, 06:29 PM
I voted alcantara, because I don't think there is any logic to putting up with BMW maintenance/headaches and stopping short of cleaning the steering wheel. :rofl To each their own, but I love the feeling of alcantara.

330i ZHP
06-03-2013, 06:56 PM
I love the feel as well - I just don't like the looks when it get crushed, worn, pilling, etc