[STEALERHSIPS GONE SOON]

Originally Posted by Marty in NY

Have you sat in a car with the alcantara headliner? I thought I wanted it till I sat in a car with it and saw everyones finger lines from touching it. Drove me nuts. Like one of the carpets in your house that shows every foot mark and vacuum marks. My headliner is the standard black (anthracite) and looks great. To each their own but if you have not seen both in person, you should go do so and I think then you will know which you prefer.

Here are a couple pix of the alcantara showing the marks I'm referring to.. ..

.

you can see those marks only when taking portrait pictures on night time

other than that is the best option for the upper part of the interior

is soothing not only to the touch but to the eye as well

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by remeeno

you can see those marks only when taking portrait pictures on night time

other than that is the best option for the upper part of the interior

is soothing not only to the touch but to the eye as well

I thought I wanted Alcantara from all the good comments on this forum so I went to take a look at my local dealer and they had a couple cars with it. It was broad daylight and the finger and hand marks drove me nuts. As Denk said, "everyone wants to touch it". I think it's because like you said, it's soothing to look at. The two I saw at the dealer had hand and finger marks all over it going in every direction, to me it would be a maintenance nightmare so it was a very easy decision for me. To each their own.

[1230vani]

[QUOTE=FCX5;30059705]If you are asking, you want it and should get it. Many people start with a budget of 65K, spec out a car of 85K and then regret they did not spend the 5K that would have made their lives better…my advice (serious). There are two types of people - those who strictly stick to a budget and those who are more liberal with a budget (more of a guidance). If you are borrowing and think in terms of $/ month, then you will surely have buyers remorse unless you get everything you could have added and borrowed at $/month…

So depending on the type of person you are, this is a must have or one you can pass easily. I didnt purchase it on my F15 and had it custom made later, it cost a lot to do and it was worth it. I see that front pillar all the time that Im driving. Had anthrazit since my E46 where it was new to me (160 Euro option at the time). Wanted more and got it. Custom alcantara was more rich in texture than the BMWs. This time around am getting the white/beige alcantara headliner. A friend of mine has it in his F15 with white ivory merino and it looks premium. Best (for me) is the blue or congac one (not available). To OP justgoforit if you are already thinking and asking about it

[Matt 335is]

Originally Posted by 1230vani

This time around am getting the white/beige alcantara headliner. A friend of mine has it in his F15 with white ivory merino and it looks premium. Best (for me) is the blue or congac one (not available).

You must be getting an X7, because alcantara headliner on the X5 is only available in anthracite. X7 you have the white option.

Of course, if you go aftermarket, you can have any color you want.

[1230vani]

Originally Posted by Matt 335is

You must be getting an X7, because alcantara headliner on the X5 is only available in anthracite. X7 you have the white option.

Of course, if you go aftermarket, you can have any color you want.

Its actually an X5 for the European market, was not aware that was not available for the US market.

[Matt 335is]

Originally Posted by 1230vani

Its actually an X5 for the European market, was not aware that was not available for the US market.

Oh man, I'm jealous. I would love to have ivory white merino with ivory white alcantara headliner. Like you said, it's such a premium look.

[STEALERHSIPS GONE SOON]

Originally Posted by Marty in NY

I thought I wanted Alcantara from all the good comments on this forum so I went to take a look at my local dealer and they had a couple cars with it. It was broad daylight and the finger and hand marks drove me nuts. As Denk said, "everyone wants to touch it". I think it's because like you said, it's soothing to look at. The two I saw at the dealer had hand and finger marks all over it going in every direction, to me it would be a maintenance nightmare so it was a very easy decision for me. To each their own.

I agree with whoever said "everyone wants to touch it". That is exactly what differentiate Alcantara from regular Antracite which is abrasive and noisy touch.
The feeling had on contact is important, reason why we (some of us) like all these kinds of leather's on seats, steering wheel, dashboard or any other contact points.

The paint on the vehicle's doors, the glass, the interior or exterior trim show the finger prints worse than the Alcantara headliner and people still choose them.
Moreover the eye would never perceive details the way that photo camera did as the eye does not have a flash to amplify the lack of potential uniformity in Alcantara.

like you said, to each their own - as long as we keep it as an opinion

[fr_tz]

Makes the cabin feel luxurious and upscale.

Get it.

[TXPearl]

I checked the box on my upcoming order, as I have it now and like it. I think it may have some sound deadening qualities as well.

[realdah]

nice discussion, it makes me thinking about adding it to my ongoing order...

[Madsen203]

Originally Posted by TXPearl

I checked the box on my upcoming order, as I have it now and like it. I think it may have some sound deadening qualities as well.

This would have me considering it as well. I’d think it’s help with sound reflection on the cabin.

[gadgetfreak2024]

Originally Posted by Madsen203

This would have me considering it as well. I’d think it’s help with sound reflection on the cabin.

Does anyone know if the sound deadening impact is actually a thing? Don’t think BMW is claiming that?

[eelnoraa]

Not that you can tell. Material is thin, if anything it help the reflection, not going to absorb better than normal material.

[gadgetfreak2024]

Originally Posted by eelnoraa

Not that you can tell. Material is thin, if anything it help the reflection, not going to absorb better than normal material.

Yeah, my instinct is there is no discernible difference either way. If there was a benefit, I'd think we'd hear about it from BMW in their sales pitch for the upgrade.

[Marty in NY]

Originally Posted by gadgetfreak2024

Does anyone know if the sound deadening impact is actually a thing? Don’t think BMW is claiming that?

Originally Posted by eelnoraa

Not that you can tell. Material is thin, if anything it help the reflection, not going to absorb better than normal material.

Originally Posted by gadgetfreak2024

Yeah, my instinct is there is no discernible difference either way. If there was a benefit, I'd think we'd hear about it from BMW in their sales pitch for the upgrade.

Here's something I'm sure all you guys will have familiarity with....you walk into your bathroom, you have bath towels, hand towels maybe a shower curtain and/or drapes over windows or possibly even a rug, etc...all soft sound absorbing materials. You know what it sounds like in there.

Then you walk in during laundry day, all the towels and gone, maybe the shower curtain too. You notice it sounds different than usual. Maybe even a slight echo but certainly sounds different.

Anyone familiar with that scenario? My simple guess is that difference is an order of magnitude more discernible than the difference between the base headliner and the alcantara.

Let 'er rip

[E91toG05]

there is a gigantic sheet of glass (the sunroof) and that is going to be the main source of noise - the roller cover is the sadly the same regardless of which headliner material you choose (though this was not always the case). Both materials are soft and sound absorbing - I challenge anyone to find a difference in cabin noise. Get it for the luxury look. My wife's high trim level Kia Telluride came with Alcantara headliner as stock - would have been nice for BMW to do the same

[Bhuvi]

I have an x7 with alacantra in anthracite and an x5 without one. I don’t personally like it in the x7. If it was in white I’d take it.

[realdah]

Originally Posted by fr_tz

Makes the cabin feel luxurious and upscale.

Get it.

Thanks for the nice photos. A quick question here:
What is the material for your sun shade? is it Alcantara or just mesh?

[BobsM3Coupe]

Originally Posted by realdah

Thanks for the nice photos. A quick question here:
What is the material for your sun shade? is it Alcantara or just mesh?

BMW got cheap for the 2021 model year and eliminated the alcantara shade for the sunroof. Typical bean counter move when they hired them away from GM.

[Jd19]

I regret not ordering it on our 2023 X5 45e

[ST3]

For me personally it was worth it. I don’t think anyone has mentioned it yet but it also means you get it on the sun visors which is a place you will touch often and then see. This could be considered a pro or a con if you are worried about peoples fingers and such on the materials. As someone mentioned a microfiber towel works wonders and I’ve had no issues on my past three vehicles with it. One of which I still own and it’s 5yrs old.

[fr_tz]

Originally Posted by realdah

Thanks for the nice photos. A quick question here:
What is the material for your sun shade? is it Alcantara or just mesh?

Apologies for the delayed response. The sun shade is done in alcantara