Suede / Alcantara steering wheels?

So I'm thinking of getting a new steering wheel for my XR8 and am really interested in a suede or alcantara type.

Would these be suitable for a summer driver / track toy?

Just wondering what the GRM hive thinks.

My Volvo came with a partial alcantara wheel and at 112k, there's not even a trace of it left.

arnt those the ones you have to use gloves at all times or they deteriorate really quickly? 

I have driven with one for the better part of 10 years. It will stain from from the oil in your hands, but it can be cleaned.

I clean mine once a year and after doing that it looks like new. I use sandpaper to clean it.

This is what it looks like after a year or two of use before cleaning it:

I had an alcantara wheel in my 318ti for a while, and it was fine. I was pretty serious about not driving it if my hands weren't clean though. There was no deterioration over the year or so that I had it in the car.

I have seen some deteriorate quickly (will no longer clean up) and some last forever. 

Well, I'd probably get a Momo or Sparco so what I'd consider a good quality one.

Hopefully they would last.

Thanks for the responses folks!

I had a Momo Mod78 in Suede, which to me is the ultimate steering wheel.  It held up ok for a weekend driver for several years. 

The 330i ZHPs initially came with Alcantara wheels, most of which were replaced by now.  It doesn't hold up in daily use.

Ive got a used MOMO comming to me in the mail that I plan to clean up. Ill let you know how that goes. 

Sounds good, thanks!

In reply to Slippery (Forum Supporter) :

Completely unrelated to the OP's question, but what are those seats? Bride?

MrChaos said:

arnt those the ones you have to use gloves at all times or they deteriorate really quickly? 

This.

Slippery (Forum Supporter) said:

I have driven with one for the better part of 10 years. It will stain from from the oil in your hands, but it can be cleaned.

I clean mine once a year and after doing that it looks like new. I use sandpaper to clean it.

This is what it looks like after a year or two of use before cleaning it:

Would you share your cleaning process? I recently bought a BMW 128i that came with a BMW Performance wheel that is partial Alcantara and it needs attention. 

Make your own using green Scotch Brite pads, cheap, last forever and matches the knockoff takata harnesses. 

In reply to dyintorace (Forum Supporter) :

I've used this Sonax cleaner in the past of RX8 seats. Don't know if it works equally well on steering wheels: https://www.amazon.com/Sonax-206141-Upholstery-Alcantara-Cleaner/dp/B00BBWJ16U

BoxheadTim said:

In reply to Slippery (Forum Supporter) :

Completely unrelated to the OP's question, but what are those seats? Bride?

They are Bride Stradia. I bought them in 2007 when someone stole my factory seats. 

dyintorace (Forum Supporter) said:

Slippery (Forum Supporter) said:

I have driven with one for the better part of 10 years. It will stain from from the oil in your hands, but it can be cleaned.

I clean mine once a year and after doing that it looks like new. I use sandpaper to clean it.

This is what it looks like after a year or two of use before cleaning it:

Would you share your cleaning process? I recently bought a BMW 128i that came with a BMW Performance wheel that is partial Alcantara and it needs attention. 

I usually get away with carefully brushing it with a steel brush, like this one:

That usually leaves it like new. If there are some shiny spots that don't clean up, you can use a 3M scrubpad. No idea why I said sandpaper. 

My momo is berleyed after 3 years. I'd buy another one, so snuggy. 

I had one made for my disco. I left the 'sides" of the wheel from 2 to 4 and 8 to 10 leather and the top and bottom alcantara. It's held up very well and on cold mornings, i can grip the "warmer" sueded parts and usually use the leather areas to keep the wear down

With some dish soap and a toothbrush I went from the top image to the bottom image. Not bad for minimal investment I would say, and the wheel is great. 

Looks good!

I got a plastic brush I was going to try this on, I was curious on the soap part but it looks like that helped!

fidelity101 said:

I got a plastic brush I was going to try this on, I was curious on the soap part but it looks like that helped!

Yea, it took quite some time (about a movie worth) but just scrub, rinse, repeat with soapy water is all it needed. Not 100% new, but certainly good enough.

TR7 said:

fidelity101 said:

I got a plastic brush I was going to try this on, I was curious on the soap part but it looks like that helped!

Yea, it took quite some time (about a movie worth) but just scrub, rinse, repeat with soapy water is all it needed. Not 100% new, but certainly good enough.

exactly my thought! good couch activity. 

mine isn't nearly as worn in as yours though

tremm said:

How about for a daily commuter, that's somewhere between a beater & a car that you wash weekly?

I don't mind spending 10 minutes cleaning monthly, but I wouldn't be wiping my hands or cleaning them before driving.

I seem to sweat a lot, or my sweat seems particularly rough on leather/vinyl.

My ideal material is wood/coated wood, but sometimes you've gotta take what you can get.

I love wood steering wheels/shift knobs, in the heat of the summer they are as cool as a cucumber - I had to retire my wood momo wheel to the gamestation as it was fracturing - I figured this could have been bad on stage...