Not Liking 1LE Steering Wheel/Shift Material

[LikaRokBowTie]

Time for some driving gloves and some big ol Ray Ban sunglasses

[scubadoo7]

Originally Posted by LikaRokBowTie

Time for some driving gloves and some big ol Ray Ban sunglasses

[Cooley]

I think I read a warning from Chevy that wearing driving gloves could make the micro fiber go smooth.

[LostPony]

If it helps any, the Boss 302 has the same material on the wheel and mine seems just fine after almost 20k miles. I've never cleaned it and it shows no signs of wear, although I'm sure it's dirty.

[toehead93]

Originally Posted by charlie46

That's a BMW with higher quality material , than Chevy no comparison . I definitely see potential problems !

Pure assumption at ghis point. Can you honestly tell me you have tested anx compared the two materi als? Just because it is German designed doesn't mean out is better.

FYI...the wheel is suede which is leather! Microfiber is a cloth. Not even close to the same thing.

[ckaram]

I'm so glad I have an SS and not a ZL1 or a 1LE.

I can eat all sorts of stuff, like teriyaki beef jerky, bananas or McDonald ice cream cones without worrying about stinking up or staining my M6 shifter or steering wheel.


I am so lucky.















lol!

[scubadoo7]

ckaram, I'll bet you could do all the above while driving and text with the other hand.

[LRJet35]

Originally Posted by toehead93

FYI...the wheel is suede which is leather! Microfiber is a cloth. Not even close to the same thing.

It's sueded microfiber (Alcantara)...a microfiber fabric material that mimics suede.

Same material used on BMW M cars steering wheels etc.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by Lumino1LE

I've put on about 1000 miles on my 1LE and think the microfiber steering wheel and shift knob material is a bad idea.

I just don't see it lasting as long as leather or even synthetic material.

I can see it tearing and worse, I can see hand oil/dirt building up

In addition, it will get matted down and get slippery.

I'm already wondering what I'm going to replace it with.

I'm surprised no one else has commented or noticed this.

It is synthetic material.

I've driven over 8000 miles this year, cleaned it three times (including the shifter), and it still looks fresh and good as when it was on the showroom. Key there is cleaning it. It WILL get matted down after a couple thousand miles...a clean toothbrush, some water/simple-green mix, a clear towel, and some elbow grease...and bam!! back to new. And absolutely none of the stuff frayed off. (That was a worry of mine...I'm not gentle when cleaning it, either.)

My opinion is: the need to clean it a few times a year is absolutely worth the rich look, and performance-grip value of the material. Very glad I chose the option!

[LRJet35]

Here's a link to a PDF for Alcantara care and MX...

It's in a few languages, but English is a few pages in

alcantara care

[Lumino1LE]

By synthetic, I meant synthetic rubber/soft plastic. I do realize that anything that is not leather or cotton is synthetic. :-)

I appreciate the comments regarding care. I'll just have to wait and see. Right now (new) it feels fine, but IMHO, the jury is still out.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by Lumino1LE

By synthetic, I meant synthetic rubber/soft plastic. I do realize that anything that is not leather or cotton is synthetic. :-)

I appreciate the comments regarding care. I'll just have to wait and see. Right now (new) it feels fine, but IMHO, the jury is still out.

I was kidding.

But I wasn't kidding about the longevity. It's good stuff.

The best way to keep it like new is to be proactive and keep it clean BEFORE it gets matted down and nasty-looking...

I'll bet that if you put a little simple-green/water on a white cotton cloth and wiped down the steering/wheel & shifter right now...you'll find there's some "gunk" on there. Wipe it off now and again, and I'm sure you'll be happy with the results.

I try to wash/clean my car every two weeks in the summertime...at least. During each of those cleaning sessions, I do what I said above. Every so often, I'll pull out a clean, simple/cheap toothbrush I have in the cleaning kit, and brush the microfiber on the steering wheel, shifter, and (in the ZL1) on the dash. It helps the cleaned material to look fluffy and soft, again.

[tramtwo]

Originally Posted by Mr. Wyndham

I was kidding.

But I wasn't kidding about the longevity. It's good stuff.

The best way to keep it like new is to be proactive and keep it clean BEFORE it gets matted down and nasty-looking...

I'll bet that if you put a little simple-green/water on a white cotton cloth and wiped down the steering/wheel & shifter right now...you'll find there's some "gunk" on there. Wipe it off now and again, and I'm sure you'll be happy with the results.

I try to wash/clean my car every two weeks in the summertime...at least. During each of those cleaning sessions, I do what I said above. Every so often, I'll pull out a clean, simple/cheap toothbrush I have in the cleaning kit, and brush the microfiber on the steering wheel, shifter, and (in the ZL1) on the dash. It helps the cleaned material to look fluffy and soft, again.

Nice avatar... the monocle having mustached dog always creeped me out.

[toehead93]

Originally Posted by LRJet35

It's sueded microfiber (Alcantara)...a microfiber fabric material that mimics suede.

Same material used on BMW M cars steering wheels etc.

Thanks for the clarification.