Steering wheel retrim options/advice

[Touring_Rob]

Hi All,

I'm currently talking with Jack at Royal steering wheels regarding getting my wheel redone.

I've heard fantastic things about them within the BMW world and have chosen pretty much to use them and have received several quotes.

The question is.... Alcantara or leather, I really cannot decide at the moment (see examples below, I think from cliosport members). Both will NOT have the top colour marker, and have been quoted with yellow stitching. I've not had an alcantara wheel before, do they wear badly? deal with hand grease ok? This will be a daily driven car. I don't want to mix and match the two materials, however the leather wheel is quoted with perforated sides and nappa top/bottom (black).

Quote is for a slightly thicker wheel + hidden larger thumb grips as below, which I like - the wheel will be as chunky as an E46 M3 wheel which I have for reference and prefer over the standard Clio thickness.

Would really appreciate some opinions!
Cheers

Rob,

 

[Amos91]

I'd look at getting Snappy (search for the thread on here) to do the refurb. I prefer how he still integrates the thumbgrips unline the Royal ones. Those just don't look right...

E.g.

However in terms of material, I think leather is the best option if you want the finish to last. Alcantara needs significantly more care to keep looking good.

 

[Touring_Rob]

I'd look at getting Snappy (search for the thread on here) to do the refurb. I prefer how he still integrates the thumbgrips unline the Royal ones. Those just don't look right...

I'm the opposite - I really dislike the snappy/renault grips and have specifically asked Royal to do them as per the pics above. Unless Snappy is 1/2 the price of Royal I'm committed - and have seen/felt Jacks work 1st hand so have a good idea regards to quality to expect.

 

[Amos91]

I'm the opposite - I really dislike the snappy/renault grips and have specifically asked Royal to do them as per the pics above. Unless Snappy is 1/2 the price of Royal I'm committed - and have seen/felt Jacks work 1st hand so have a good idea regards to quality to expect.

Fair enough, no doubting Royals work, saw one in a 200 and it looks great.

 

[JamesBryan]

Stick with leather on a daily.

 

[Touring_Rob]

Copied from a thread on here from 2013 so hopefully the owner doesn't see this - however I think this looks pretty nasty in comparison to the leather wheel in the first post.

 

[Touring_Rob]

Stick with leather on a daily.

I was thinking this may have been the response... I've seen lots of alcantara wheels in track cars but lots of those guys seem to wear gloves. Do they start to look a bit naff fairly quickly without gloves?

 

[Amos91]

Here's my mates one I mentioned. Could go for a hint of alcantara? Looks good -

 

[Touring_Rob]

" and have seen/felt Jacks work 1st hand so have" - Theres a pun or three in this line somewhere

 

[JamesBryan]

I was thinking this may have been the response... I've seen lots of alcantara wheels in track cars but lots of those guys seem to wear gloves. Do they start to look a bit naff fairly quickly without gloves?

My OMP wheel is pretty bad and it's not driven daily lol

 

[Touring_Rob]

Here's my mates one I mentioned. Could go for a hint of alcantara? Looks good -
View attachment 1369692

That does look smart! however I think I would prefer a single material - either full alcantara or full leather, aiming for OEM+ type feel as the rest of the car won't be flashy enough to justify a wheel like your mates!

 

[Touring_Rob]

My OMP wheel is pretty bad and it's not driven daily lol

How old is it?

 

[cat171]

I think they look a bit weird / bulky with the thumb grips integrated. I'm not a fan of the band at the top that most seem to go for either. It works on a track car etc, but not an an every dayer.

That's my two p's worth.

 

[JamesBryan]

How old is it?

A couple of years, but it's been cleaned a few times too and it doesn't stay clean for long.

 

[Touring_Rob]

I think they look a bit weird / bulky with the thumb grips integrated. I'm not a fan of the band at the top that most seem to go for either. It works on a track car etc, but not an an every dayer.

That's my two p's worth.

Totally agree with the band thing - I'm a fan of the integrated thumb grip. Horses for courses etc. I like the feel of the wheel below with oem integrated grips. Royal do a lot of M3 wheels and suspect thats why theirs tend not to have the exposed grips.

 

[Touring_Rob]

A couple of years, but it's been cleaned a few times too and it doesn't stay clean for long.

Good man, I think thats all the encouragement I needed + the leather wheel is cheaper

 

[Touring_Rob]

I'd look at getting Snappy (search for the thread on here) to do the refurb. I prefer how he still integrates the thumbgrips unline the Royal ones. Those just don't look right...

E.g.

View attachment 1369691


However in terms of material, I think leather is the best option if you want the finish to last. Alcantara needs significantly more care to keep looking good.

Did you edit that? Didn't see the pic earlier. That wheel does look really smart!

Thats how the 182 wheel should have been from the factory!

 

[markoc]

I've had wheels done by Snappy and Royal. Royal done a Sabelt wheel for me all alcantara and tbh I wouldn't recommend it for a daily driver. It looks and feels great but it will wear a lot faster than leather.

I've had an all leather wheel with red stitching for my Trophy by Snappy and it was a really nice wheel for a daily driver.

My latest for the R26 is perforated leather at the sides and alcantara top and bottom. Personally I really like the mixture and think it's the nicest out of all my wheels and is fine for a daily imho.

 

[Touring_Rob]

They all look fantastic mate!

Thanks for the advice.
Rob,

 

[ripp]

what's the best way of cleaning a alcantara wheel? I'm in love with all those leather and alcantara wheels combo!

 

[Coops Mk1]

watching, my wheel in the phase 1 is alcantara and after 3k of use it will need a clean soon

 

[CrippsCorner]

I just got mine done by Royal a couple of months ago. Alcantara on top and bottom, and perforated leather on sides. Absolutely love it! Nice to grip, especially in this cold weather. Don't ever want to go back to leather on top lol...

 

[jameswrx]

what's the best way of cleaning a alcantara wheel? I'm in love with all those leather and alcantara wheels combo!

I just take mine off and wash it with dish soap & water and a nail brush, towel dry it and let it dry indoors. It actually comes up really well.

Mine must be at least 15 years old, a momo with a suede top part. I dug it out the garage recently after a good 10 years unused (I’d actually hung it up as assumed it was knackered) and the suede looked completely dead and shiny from the last time it was removed. It cleaned up perfectly and the suede pile comes right back.

 

[jameswrx]

Amazed how well it cleaned up,

 

[Touring_Rob]

I just got mine done by Royal a couple of months ago. Alcantara on top and bottom, and perforated leather on sides. Absolutely love it! Nice to grip, especially in this cold weather. Don't ever want to go back to leather on top lol...

View attachment 1508774

Your clio looks funny



Nice job, looks great!