Considering Replacing CSR Elite With CSW - Your Thoughts

[yegor]

Hey guys, just asked this question on the ISR as well to get as more response as possible.

I have CSR Elite paired with TH8RS and CSPs and now considering replacing the CSR E with CSW and the only reason is that crappy wheel of the CSR E. I searched to find a clean swap option for the rim only, but there is non, unfortunately. What I will lose, of-course, is the Xbox compatibility. On the other hand I barely used the latter -- always playing GT6 and preparing for PC racing now, meanwhile haven't taken some time to "taste" the Forza yet.

I will be able to sell my CSR E and TH8RS for a good price as they are like new with all the original packaging, plus paying several hundreds of dollars on the top is not a concern.

So what is your experience with this? Will I be missing a lot by ditching the Xbox compatibility and Forza in the future? Or perhaps there is a CSR E wheel rim swap option I am not aware of? Or even if there is one, the CSW is much better platform?

 

[Azure Flare]

The CSW base is derived from the CSR Elite, so they are very similar in appearance, I don't know about the internals though.

I too plan to move to PC, but even though I already own a T500RS, I wanted to at least sample the Fanatec option.

As far as Xbox compatibility, the CSW won't work with it, and Fanatec says it never will due to technical issues. If you mean Xbone compatibility, there is only the recent Mad Catz option. Missing out on Forza? That one will be up to you whether you want to continue playing.

Experience? Mine came just a few hours ago and I wish I bought it instead of the T500RS. If you go for the ClubSport bundle package, you'll pay $800 + shipping, but for the base, formula rim, and Clubsport V2 pedals, I think it is worth it.

 

[yegor]

Sounds good! I don't need the CSP 2 or the Formula 1 rim, but the CSW is the choice then. The guys on the ISR forms expressed the same opinion.

 

[amar212]

Everyone needs CSPV2 compared to V1. I happen to have both and difference in braking sensation is pretty noticeable. If you can bridge the difference in price (from selling current CSP and new V2) I will always recommend you the V2.

 

[Azure Flare]

Yes, the Clubsport V2 pedals are awesome, better than a T500RS's, and far better than unmodified G27 pedals.

 

[Blue028]

if you have some DIY skills it is relativly easy to change the rim on your csr elite with an automotive quick release to use after market steering wheels. all you need to make is a plate to bolt into the steering shaft of the wheel, replacing the black collar mount. modding can also make you get more attatched to your wheel too

 

[yegor]

Everyone needs CSPV2 compared to V1. I happen to have both and difference in braking sensation is pretty noticeable. If you can bridge the difference in price (from selling current CSP and new V2) I will always recommend you the V2.

Yes, the Clubsport V2 pedals are awesome, better than a T500RS's, and far better than unmodified G27 pedals.

Hmm... I didn't know, I thought they are very close in performance.

Do you guys know if the bases are the same? I will definitely go for the V2, however I spent more than one year building my rig and making major modifications is out of question, if the CSP V2 cannot be reverse mounted the same way as the V1. I'll do research to find out, but if you know just pitch in.

 

[Azure Flare]

From my understanding, they are both pretty much the same, except the CSW is more PC-ified. It's also got more stuff available for it, like the newly released universal hub and Porsche 918 RSR wheel.

 

[yegor]

if you have some DIY skills it is relativly easy to change the rim on your csr elite with an automotive quick release to use after market steering wheels. all you need to make is a plate to bolt into the steering shaft of the wheel, replacing the black collar mount. modding can also make you get more attatched to your wheel too

Ah, the "problem" is that I do have those skills but I afraid to hurt the resale value of my CSR E, as they are in perfect condition with less than 50 hours on them. Now you are making me thinking twice

 

[yegor]

From my understanding, they are both pretty much the same, except the CSW is more PC-ified. It's also got more stuff available for it, like the newly released universal hub and Porsche 918 RSR wheel.

I just downloaded the drilling template. The title states: "Clubsport Pedals V1 + V2 drilling template." So they are identical.

 

[Azure Flare]

You were talking about the pedals? I thought you meant the base...



That should answer for the pedals.

 

[Blue028]

Ah, the "problem" is that I do have those skills but I afraid to hurt the resale value of my CSR E, as they are in perfect condition with less than 50 hours on them. Now you are making me thinking twice

it wont hurt the resale value, as you can return it back to original if you do want to sell it

 

[yegor]

You were talking about the pedals? I thought you meant the base...

No-no, the base.

 

[Azure Flare]

Well then...

I still stand by what I said previously.

 

[Blue028]

this is all you need to change

you dont even need to hack up the wheel rim either to mount the buttons (like i foolishly did)

 

[yegor]

it wont hurt the resale value, as you can return it back to original if you do want to sell it

I've been thinking about that, it might even make it more valuable, if properly done. Please point to the instructions you're referring to, I wasn't able to find any clean mods.

I'm still leaning towards buying the CSW, but will do the conversion with a pleasure.

 

[Blue028]

i posted some of my work in the CSW/CSRelite modder thread, theres not really any instructions per se but there is alot of good info and good helpful people here on this forum

 

[yegor]

i posted some of my work in the CSW/CSRelite modder thread, theres not really any instructions per se but there is alot of good info and good helpful people here on this forum

Yes, I already saw that. What I understand from the posted photos the buttons section is separated and must be mounted somewhere on the rig. What I am thinking is keeping the same layout as the original wheel by just replacing the rim. And I won't care at that point if I hack the wheel as long as the execution is perfect, then any future buyer will appreciate that. I'll read more that thread and gather the information I need, it's just 77 pages

 

[Blue028]

also look in the OP of that thread for the link to the japanese modder, he has done a mod that seems more akin to what your looking for, looks very very neat

edit:
here: http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/rmjhj650/GALLERY/show_image.html?id=32373169&no=0

 

[Azure Flare]

Spend $430 on Clubsport V2 pedals and the formula rim for the CSR Elite and you can pretend you have a CSW.

 

[yegor]

also look in the OP of that thread for the link to the japanese modder, he has done a mod that seems more akin to what your looking for, looks very very neat

edit:
here: http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/rmjhj650/GALLERY/show_image.html?id=32373169&no=0

That looks better, I'm going to explore it and if anything comes up, will post on the Modder's thread.

 

[yegor]

Spend $430 on Clubsport V2 pedals and the formula rim for the CSR Elite and you can pretend you have a CSW.

Hmm, I don't know if the formula wheel will fit to my needs, but will consider it

 

[LeMansAid]

I will definitely go for the V2, however I spent more than one year building my rig and making major modifications is out of question, if the CSP V2 cannot be reverse mounted the same way as the V1. I'll do research to find out, but if you know just pitch in.

V2 pedals can be inverted, but it's a bit more work than with V1. The issue is that the clutch and accelerator are not the same and therefore have to be completely switched rather than just switching springs and electrics.

 

[yegor]

V2 pedals can be inverted, but it's a bit more work than with V1. The issue is that the clutch and accelerator are not the same and therefore have to be completely switched rather than just switching springs and electrics.

Ah, I see. It's not a big deal, probably will take about 15 minutes.

 

[yegor]

What is your experience with the Formula rim guys? Azure's suggestion has grown on me Is it perfectly useful with all the cars or just F1?

 

[BLACK86]

Everyone needs CSPV2 compared to V1. I happen to have both and difference in braking sensation is pretty noticeable. If you can bridge the difference in price (from selling current CSP and new V2) I will always recommend you the V2.

i guess that depends on how much throw you have chosen for your brake pedal, my throw used to be long, now i have it where the pedal hardly moves. i dont think that extra damper spring would be used very much at all with my setting.

 

[12thgear]

What is your experience with the Formula rim guys? Azure's suggestion has grown on me Is it perfectly useful with all the cars or just F1?

The Formula rim is pretty awesome and it performs well with a lot of cars that don't require a lots of steering input/hand over hand steering. Obviously it's great in F1 cars and other open wheelers. It sometimes feels wrong using the Formula rim with a car that has a larger wheel. The build quality of the Formula rim is excellent. It's just very solid. The buttons have really good feedback and the the paddle shifters feel great and use really robust mechanisms.

My only real concern is that the CSR-Elite isn't designed for constant wheel swapping. There are two retaining screws on the steering column, and both the holes in the steering column as well as the holes in the steering wheel hub are threaded. It's kind of a dumb design. It requires patience and care to re-install the retaining screws properly so you don't ruin the threads. There's also a small plastic shim between the steering column and wheel hub, so make sure you don't lose that.

If there was any way to pull it off, I'd love to mod the CSR-Elite to accept CSW quick release rims, but I don't think that's possible while retaining the active electronic capabilities in the CSW rims. I've seen some nice looking mods with passive rims though.

 

[yegor]

The Formula rim is pretty awesome and it performs well with a lot of cars that don't require a lots of steering input/hand over hand steering...

Great info. If I decide to buy the F1 wheel, I guess it will be the only wheel I will use, the stock wheel is really bad.