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Audi Alcantara vs Fine Nappa Leather Seats

Nebor

Nebor

Lifer
Anyone have any experience with either? I'm buying an Audi this weekend and trying to decide between black fine nappa and black leather w/ blackish-grey alcantara inserts. Does the suede-like alcantara hold up better over time? I assume it grips your butt a lot better.

Any advice is appreciated.
 
I have an Alcantara wrapped steering wheel in my MR2. I don't have direct experience the seats you're asking about, but I would probably go with Alcantara. It's supposed to hold up very well, it will grip better than leather, and won't feel as hot in sun.
 
I've got alcantara in my 2011 S4, it still looks great. I don't know how it lasts compared to the leather.

The one nice thing about the alcantara is that it doesn't get super hot like leather does if the car is sitting outside in the sun all day. Likewise, it doesn't feel as cold during those cold winter nights.
 
I'd like to get my wheel rewrapped in alcantara. I've seen them get extremely dirty, and then after a vigorous wash they look brand new. I'm always amazed how durable it is.
 
Only thing that would make me think twice bout getting Alcantera seats is that it doesn't allow you to get ventilated seats which is a really nice option to have.
 
Much more grippy than leather. My friend had the very light silver Alcantara in his S4, and it got kinda dirty after a few years. Dark grey/black is probably better for that, but I think leather wears better.
 
Spicedaddy said:
Much more grippy than leather. My friend had the very light silver Alcantara in his S4, and it got kinda dirty after a few years. Dark grey/black is probably better for that, but I think leather wears better.
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Has he cleaned them?
 
I just got the microsuede inserts on my vette... Similar material but not the brand name (still synthetic suede like material). It also has the microsuede steering wheel and shifter knob/. I love both! The microsuede wheel is so nice. I hear it wears well too but can't confirm yet.

I would almost always suggest it in a sporty car if you see yourself doing "spirited" drives every once in a while. Holds you in place very well (I also like high quality cloth seats for this reason).
 
Wuzup101 said:
I just got the microsuede inserts on my vette... Similar material but not the brand name (still synthetic suede like material). It also has the microsuede steering wheel and shifter knob/. I love both! The microsuede wheel is so nice. I hear it wears well too but can't confirm yet.

I would almost always suggest it in a sporty car if you see yourself doing "spirited" drives every once in a while. Holds you in place very well (I also like high quality cloth seats for this reason).
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Not a sporty car and no spirited driving. I'm leaning pretty heavily against the alcantara.
 
Nebor said:
Anyone have any experience with either? I'm buying an Audi this weekend and trying to decide between black fine nappa and black leather w/ blackish-grey alcantara inserts. Does the suede-like alcantara hold up better over time? I assume it grips your butt a lot better.

Any advice is appreciated.
Click to expand...

The alcantara is a HUGE pain in the ass to keep clean on seats; especially in the brighter colors. As gets all clumpy and what not if you get anything greasy on it (skin oil etc).

I had very difficult time keeping the alcantara wheel clean on my M3, ESPECIALLY if you're taking it in to get any work done - slightly dirty hands and it will all end up on the wheel. The inserts on my s8 are doing decent, but these aren't on the wear surfaces.
 
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I had a 10 year old Audi with Nappa leather. It was well maintained and still looked, smelled and felt great. Slippery like leather.

My father in law has a pretty new Audi with alcantara. It picks up fuzzies, hair, etc. If that would bug you - don't get it. However, I think it looks great, and feels a little nicer / gripier than just regular leather.

I would assume alcantara will last a long time if well maintained, but perhaps not as well as real leather.
 
Just gonna go for full leather. My 2001 Lightning has Alcantara style material on the seats that still looks new, but it's only got 6,000 miles on it. The new one is going to be a daily driver.
 
Wuzup101 said:
I hate you for having a lightning with 6,000 miles on it... that is not fair...
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Replaced the supercharger, machined the head, tuned the ECU and changed out the exhaust for about $5k. Puts down around 700hp. It's just not very fun to drive. I need to get rid of it and get a fun car that's actually fun.
 
well alcantera is synthetic suede.

and nappa leather is real cow and will require real cow like levels of maintenance ( and given nappa is an actual decent leather, it won't be coated in plastic like cheaper car leathers like say bmw dakota).

so i guess it depends what you want, the alcantera will probably easier to maintain. alcantera will not let you slide around as much, that is why sports cars have it. i don't personally think it feels as luxury though i tend to just get the most durable non cloth thing i can get since i hate maintaining things.
 
WP_20141119_09_48_00_Pro_zps93cbd20a.jpg


Ended up getting the best leather available. Picked it up yesterday.
 
jlarsson said:
That doesn't look like an Audi interior ... 🙂

Looks like a Macan? Grats!
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I was dead set on the SQ5 when I found out they make this slightly cooler Q5. It's not as brutish as the SQ5, and the brakes aren't as good, but the overall package is more appealing to me.

 
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