[derek.megyesi]

Greetings all,

I have a 2020 BMW 430Xi Grand Coupe (F36 Body Style) and I am considering buying an Alcantara Steering Wheel Cover kit.

I was reluctant to this idea at first as I thought it would look ghetto but some of the images I found on the web look amazing.

While there seems to be a lot of crap out there ($20ish packages), I found one dealer that seems to be quite good.

DIYSteeringWheel.com

However, I am open to suggestions.

Has anyone in this community even wrapped their steering wheel? How did it turn out? How did the stitching go? Does the stitching look professional? How hard was it? Is there a recommended company?

I do plan to take the steering wheel off my F36 as I think this will make it easier!!

Love some advice!!

[Th3Walrus]

Looks like the Mewant ones everyone goes with, I think they have multiple websites. I ordered mine through amazon.ca. I went with alcantara sides, genuine leather top & bottom, light blue alcantara top center stripe, and white stitching (to match the white stitching on my M Performance shift knob and ebrake handle).

I love it. It makes the steering wheel grip fatter, which feels good in my hands.

It wasn't too difficult to stitch. I did it twice though. It says for the main areas to skip a stitch loop each time and only stitch each loop at the curved/tight areas. I found this 1. didn't look good, and 2. caused it to start pulling away causing a gap. I cut the stitching and restitched every loop, and pulled it really tight every few stitches.

I didn't pull the wheel. If you just removed the torx screws from the back of the button trim and removed the front pieces, you can tuck the fabric under the rear pieces that are still attached - takes some force, use a credit card or plastic trim puller. Also when stitching start the car and turn the wheel as you go so you aren't stitching upside down.

They instructed me to order this custom one because I wanted alcantara and genuine leather. It seemed like the standard options were suede with genuine leather, or all alcantara. The custom one they message you for the material/color choices.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B09...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[derek.megyesi]

Thanks Th3Walrus. I took your advice and ordered it. It arrived today. Looks awesome!!

[derek.megyesi]

Hi there Th3Walrus. Question on your installation of the Alcantara wrap. How do these hold up over time? What does it look like after 6 months, a year, etc? Does the leather wear? Do the sides pull apart? What do the edge pieces look like after being sewn together?

I just don't wanna have regrets after putting in the time to sew this on next weekend.

[Th3Walrus]

I've had it on since early July. No signs of wear or separating of stitches. I have the Alcantara sides, I rarely touch the leather.

[derek.megyesi]

Hi Th3Walrus,

When you installed it, did you pull the edges tight? How do the seams look?

[Th3Walrus]

You pull the edges tight by pulling the thread quite tight every few stitches and holding with your thumb. It's easier than it sounds. I'll try to remember to post a pic of the seams when I leave work.

Do you have paddle shifters (automatic)? That might make it hard/impossible to remove the torx screws holding on the front trim pieces, without removing the wheel first.

[derek.megyesi]

Hi Th3Walrus.

That would be awesome. Love to see a pic of the seams.

[derek.megyesi]

One final question Th3Walrus,

What about the tape that comes with the MeWant wrap? Is it strong enough to permanently hold the wrap in place I saw some videos (not from MeWant) of people applying "paint on glue" to the stock steering wheel first.. seems a bit messy and damaging?

Do you find the tape that comes with the MeWant good enough?

[Th3Walrus]

You don't need the tape. When you pull the stitches tight enough, the wrap is not going anywhere. I can't twist mine at all. You didn't answer my question about if you have paddle shifters?

Here's a pic. You can actually see I didn't get it tight enough in this spot with the leather, but you can't ever see it when driving.

[derek.megyesi]

Looks great Th3Walrus

I like how you did the cross-stitching. Very tightly applied. Do you think if you would have pulled those sides in, the gap would have been tight all around the steering wheel (I realize that it's hard to think of this in the middle of the sewing job).

Yes, I have paddle shifters. I plan to pull off the steering wheel and remove the torx screws holding on the front trim pieces.

[Th3Walrus]

I could have, I think that is where I started, and noticed it too late. The leather is harder to get tight than the Alcantara. I made sure to pull the stitches tighter on the other sections where you start over with new thread. I could probably re-stitch this section in less than 10 minutes if it started to bother me.

Mine came with enough thread to re-do it 3 times.

What material(s) and pattern did you go with?

[derek.megyesi]

I went with the "all Alcantara with the red stripe". My goal was to emulate the OEM version as close as possible.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...l/32302230188/

[Th3Walrus]

Ah nice. Like I said, the Alcantara is easier to stitch/more forgiving.

[derek.megyesi]

Hi Th3Walrus,

I can't thank you enough for your help and timely feedback. I get extremely nervous with these Chinese brands, so it is paramount that I rely on good sources for reviews.

So, you have had this cover on this July 2022 (this year) and are NOT seeing signs of wear, saggy/matty material? (as as others have commented)?

[Th3Walrus]

Correct, this past July. I hold by the middle alcantara parts 99% of the time, and no signs of matting or build up. Just don't pick your nose or eat greasy fries and wipe on the wheel lol.

[StealthF32]

Originally Posted by Th3Walrus

Correct, this past July. I hold by the middle alcantara parts 99% of the time, and no signs of matting or build up. Just don't pick your nose or eat greasy fries and wipe on the wheel lol.

Or just wear (BMW) gloves & if that doesn't work comfortably - - buy some sonax to clean the Alcantara

[Th3Walrus]

Yeah I'm sure by the spring I'll buy some to clean it and my M Performance shift knob.

[derek.megyesi]

One question guys. I am thinking of taking off the steering wheel (as it's really cold here in Calgary and I don't feel like sitting in my frozen garage while I am sewing).

When I put the steering wheel back on, do I need a torque wrench? I don't want to over tighten the bolt. Any thoughts?

[Th3Walrus]

No idea. Google.

[derek.megyesi]

I found it: 62 Nm (newton meters)

[derek.megyesi]

Hi Th3Walrus,

Question. How did you start the sewing? I am reading from the MeWant page that they recommend tying a knot near the corner of one of the flats you "tuck" underneath the side volume/cruise control. How did you start?