Alcantara Smell? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

HadE55NowM5 · 3rd May 2004, 18:38

I've lately noticed that the interior of my car smells far, far different than it did during its early days. My car is a 2000 with the full leather Luxury interior.

I once got some water on the rear carpet, which I dried very well. Maybe part of the odor that I'm detecting is comes from this previously wet carpet. However, I have a feeling that the smell is due mostly to the alcantara headliner and rear shelf. Has anyone else noticed a change in interior scent over time?

lasseoe · 3rd May 2004, 18:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by HadE55NowM5

I've lately noticed that the interior of my car smells far, far different than it did during its early days. My car is a 2000 with the full leather Luxury interior.

I once got some water on the rear carpet, which I dried very well. Maybe part of the odor that I'm detecting is comes from this previously wet carpet. However, I have a feeling that the smell is due mostly to the alcantara headliner and rear shelf. Has anyone else noticed a change in interior scent over time?

Mine smells pretty much the same, the "new car" smell and new leather smell isn't as strong as before but there's little difference otherwise.

CSBM5 · 3rd May 2004, 19:51

You may want to try one of the neutral smelling "order eliminator" products on your carpets. My guess is that is where the smell is coming from. They make carpet shampoo now with odor eliminator in it, so perhaps that would be the best bet. Maximum attack plan: (1) order new floor mats; (2) thoroughly shampoo the carpet in the entire car; (3) vacuum with a powerful shopvac; (4) let dry with windows open for a full day (in the sun if possible); (5) install new floor mats.

MAH · 3rd May 2004, 20:43

I have to comment that the one really interesting thing about my car is the new car smell is still mostly there! It is really amazing to me every time I get into the car after it has been closed for a day.

Am I the only one here that has this occur

Mark

CSBM5 · 3rd May 2004, 21:07

My car smells new also. It only has 15k miles on it however and is garaged 24hrs essentially.

Rob Levinson · 4th May 2004, 01:55

Alcantara does not have any innate smell, nor does it degrade and start smelling.

I have encountered many people who think Alcantara is a kind of leather, a variation of suede. It is absolutely nothing like suede... suede is roughened or split leather, while Alcantara is a woven man-made cloth.

Alcantara is a brand name for microfiber polyester. This "wonder material" first showed up in consumer applications in the late '80s / early '90s in Japan. Basically, it's standard polyester threads drawn out very thin, hence "microfiber". When the threads get this fine, the woven material's characteristics change to become very soft and absorbent (microfiber cloth is the best thing in the world for cleaning eyeglasses and camera lenses). Other brand names include "Amaretta", "Ultra Suede", and others. Before BMW used the Alcantara brand, the Amaretta brand was used (but is extremely rare in the US).

The fuzzy alcantara as seen in the M5 headliner is made much like a shaved terrycloth towel. The micro-fine threads give it that velvety feel.

The smell you are encountering could be all sorts of things, and quite possibly a moldy microfilter... but it's almost certainly not the Alcantara headliner.