Fanatec Announcements: CSW V2 Reviews Out

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Just got myself a set of CS V2 pedals, what oil is higher in density? the 800 or 1200?

I'm guessing it's the 1200, but just wanted to ask first. :dopey:
 
Question for CSW owners...

Does your BWM-rim (also) have some play..?!

When turning the wheel in normal directions (right/left) nothing wrong but when I slightly "flex" it in a forward or sideward direction it has some noticable play which results in a lot of noise when hitting a high curb or if I crash.

I've already been in contact with CS and they've send me a stonger spring for the quick-release but the "problem" is still present.

If all (BWM-)rims have this issue I don't have to make another point to CS :sly:
 
Question for CSW owners...
Does your BWM-rim (also) have some play..?!

No, completely solid for me. I've seen this problem reported by other users and it was fixed by using a new spring from Fanatec. When did you purchase your CSW/rim?
 
No, completely solid for me. I've seen this problem reported by other users and it was fixed by using a new spring from Fanatec. When did you purchase your CSW/rim?
Installed the "upgraded" spring yesterday but the play is still the same....It feels like it's missing a rubber ring or something in the quick-release of the BWM-rim which causes the gap/play/noise..?!

The F1-rim doesn't move at all, so that's why I started to ask myself (and the community) if it's a fault or not.

Ordered the full CSW (+ CSP v2) a month ago and was delivered about a week later...

Guess I'll have to contact them again :indiff:
 
I have a little play, but I don't see it being a problem. At least I don't see wheel making any noises because of that.

On another note, I only have a BMW rim, so I don't have a reason to take the wheel off and haven't done so for few months. Some days ago I tried to take it off to clean a bit and it didn't want to come off, it took a bit of time and force to come off, even now it doesn't really want to come off, but as I don't really need to take it off it isn't a problem either at the moment.
 
Question for CSW owners...

Does your BWM-rim (also) have some play..?!

When turning the wheel in normal directions (right/left) nothing wrong but when I slightly "flex" it in a forward or sideward direction it has some noticable play which results in a lot of noise when hitting a high curb or if I crash.

I've already been in contact with CS and they've send me a stonger spring for the quick-release but the "problem" is still present.

If all (BWM-)rims have this issue I don't have to make another point to CS :sly:


ALL BMW rims have some play. Some more than others though.

When i received my CSW + rims, i wasn't happy about the play at all:grumpy:

So they send me a new BMW rim. Much, much better but I still wasn't satified and i send my wheelbase and both rims to the local Fanatec technician to check them out.

His conclusiong was : The play on the BMW rim was with specifications

The formula rims wasn't and was also replaced.

His advice was, if the play and rattling noise bother you, to use the screw all the time.

About two weeks ago i got a replacement BMW rim because something was lose in the BMW rim itself. The replacement had again a lot of play, more than the one i had. With approval from Fanatec i mounted the QR of my old BMW rim on the replacement.

My opnion on this : Something thas has play wears A LOT faster and the play will only become worse in time. That's why i use the screw everytime i switch rims, it only takes about 15 seconds more.

With the screw:
-ZERO play on both rims
-Better FFB
-No rattling noises
 
ALL BMW rims have some play. Some more than others though.

When i received my CSW + rims, i wasn't happy about the play at all:grumpy:

So they send me a new BMW rim. Much, much better but I still wasn't satified and i send my wheelbase and both rims to the local Fanatec technician to check them out.

His conclusiong was : The play on the BMW rim was with specifications

The formula rims wasn't and was also replaced.

His advice was, if the play and rattling noise bother you, to use the screw all the time.

About two weeks ago i got a replacement BMW rim because something was lose in the BMW rim itself. The replacement had again a lot of play, more than the one i had. With approval from Fanatec i mounted the QR of my old BMW rim on the replacement.

My opnion on this : Something thas has play wears A LOT faster and the play will only become worse in time. That's why i use the screw everytime i switch rims, it only takes about 15 seconds more.

With the screw:
-ZERO play on both rims
-Better FFB
-No rattling noises

Fully agree about the wear part, it will never become less only more...

Do you mean the "storage screw"..? How does that help when the wheel is installed..? (I'm not at home at the moment, otherwise I'd check instead of ask)
If you mean another screw, I'll use that because to me it's very annoying even just knowing there is play :ouch:

I bought the value-pack so if the play will become worse over time I'll use my premium-service :sly:
 
Fully agree about the wear part, it will never become less only more...

Do you mean the "storage screw"..? How does that help when the wheel is installed..? (I'm not at home at the moment, otherwise I'd check instead of ask)
If you mean another screw, I'll use that because to me it's very annoying even just knowing there is play :ouch:

I bought the value-pack so if the play will become worse over time I'll use my premium-service :sly:

In the box of both rims there is a special metal screw in a bag enclosed.
You can use this to fasten the wheelrim to the wheelbase.

Not the black plastic pin holding the QR inplace.
 
In the box of both rims there is a special metal screw in a bag enclosed.
You can use this to fasten the wheelrim to the wheelbase.

Not the black plastic pin holding the QR inplace.

Thanks..! That will be my standard from now on 👍
 
I wish Fanatec would improve their specifications in this regard.

The only thing I can think of is this video. As much as I don't want to drive with a rim that bends like that ebay rim, I do not want to drive with play either. Sim driving isn't life threatening but we do like to be just as much in control of our vehicles.
(Fanatec reduced the size of the hub diameter on the CSW after Community Tests, which is the reason for the play since my beta wheel doesn't have it)

Anyway, let the video do the talking. Better don't do what they do here with the plastic rims on sim wheels out there (remembers the CSR E rim flex still).

 
My CSW base would break/snap before the BMW or F1 rim would even remotely/possibly bend.

1 Question to all. What are people's thoughts on the "push down" function to go into R & 7th gear on the CSS? I just worry that the added function could wear down internals that was not necessary, imho grant you. I hate to be a "debbie downer", it just has me puzzled. If anyone could put those fears to bed, I would be all for the CSS. Looks mean for sure. Would love to put it up against my TH8 & SST, more the SST.
 
My CSW base would break/snap before the BMW or F1 rim would even remotely/possibly bend.

1 Question to all. What are people's thoughts on the "push down" function to go into R & 7th gear on the CSS? I just worry that the added function could wear down internals that was not necessary, imho grant you. I hate to be a "debbie downer", it just has me puzzled. If anyone could put those fears to bed, I would be all for the CSS. Looks mean for sure. Would love to put it up against my TH8 & SST, more the SST.

Apart from wear. The fact that you have to go into seventh by pushing down is idiotic but understandable for reverse.

Here is my reason why. When you wish to go from sixth into seventh and you forget to push down, you will go into fifth. In the haste of racing you will end up engaging the clutch and thus over-revving the engine, with engine damage and maybe a blow up as a result.
Thomas says it was designed as per Porsche example. However, to me this makes both parties idiots. Porsche for not thinking about engine damage, and Fanatec as a company for simply following without thinking.

Also the reason that seventh in a Porsche is currently just an overdrive is a horrible excuse to implement it as well. As we know from manual gearbox development a new gear is always first an overdrive, while in later designs it becomes a proper gear to accelerate the car with. This happened to how 5th stood to 4th in the late 70s and 80s, as well as for 6th standing to 5th in the 90s and 2000s.
So in the course of the upcoming future seventh will become a normal gear too. Thus shortening the life cycle of the CSS because of this push down on seventh function. It will just become a hindrance.

On a last note. On the cars my dad had with overdrive, the overdrive never required a push down/pull up function. Only reverse at most.


So yeah, my question is mainly. Can this annoying function be disabled for seventh gear?
 
So, the last feature is out - sequential!
Nice to read that, but I'm still wondering how it will work without using tools..

Anyway, as this was the last feature it means... no force feedback in the CSS.. :/


CSS Feature Preview #5

Thanks for sharing your favorite knobs with us, we’ve made a note of those! Just to clear any doubts, the shifter features a standard mount for “real knobs”, so any of your preferences will fit!

But enough of the knobs, it is time to release the last (much anticipated) feature of our ClubSport Shifter.

You hoped for it, you wished it and we? We made it!
The ClubSport Shifter features a sequential mode as well as an H-Pattern mode. You can switch to the mode of your choice without having to unplug or reboot the shifter, without having to remove the knob and even without needing a tool. Plus, the sequential mode is compatible with all our Fanatec racing wheels. How cool is that?

Stay tuned as we have something special coming up for you.

150118_458742377535097_492473047_n.jpg
 
Well, it's good news that it includes both modes although we thought it would. It's nice to know that you don't have to do anything special to switch modes. I've already gotten bored of changing between my two Porsche shifters, as it is kind of a hassle on CSL seat.

Now you can probably also screw on original BMW M gear knob to go with a BMW rim.
 
So this being the last feature, it means seventh gear push down can not be removed. For me that sucks too much and will mean that I will stick with my current shifter. Maybe adding a dedicated sequential down the line, but for now it's not my point of interest for an upgrade of the rig.

The only final point of interest (for everyone) would be the feel and seeing this in action I think. Which is what it mostly is about.

Also the much anticipated feature from Fanatec for this shifter would have been a gear grinding FFB implementation. Unfortunately that is not to be.

Last thing I want to voice is that in my opinion this shifter will be on par with the TH8, and depending on its performance (which we haven't seen yet) it will possibly be slightly better but also a bit more annoying to use in some other areas.
Would it be worth an upgrade if you already have a TH8? It depends on the price point, but I don't see it being cheaper than a TH8. So I do not think its worth it unless it's at least ten to twenty times better when it comes to shifting feel.

Much much joy to those that will get one when its released of course. :)
 
"Plus, the sequential mode is compatible with all our Fanatec racing wheels."

What about H mode?
 
"Plus, the sequential mode is compatible with all our Fanatec racing wheels."

What about H mode?

Good point. I read past that part.

I am guessing here, but I think that the CSS will use the same electronic signals for sequential mode. However, for H-pattern mode it requires the wheels to support the extra 2 button signals via a firmware update (since you need to calibrate it on their wheels). This probably means that they will first begin to offer support with the CSW and then backlog their products. So CSR E, CSR, Porsche GT2, GT3... Etc.
In other words people will need to wait for a firmware update for their wheels to offer CSS support before they can use it.

Also I haven't heard about the CSS using USB, so it can't be used by itself with other wheels either. Cause from what I read Thomas says it is compatible with Fanatec, where he usually would also mention "other wheels" as well if that was the case.


Many mysteries still I suppose... =/
 
Again, there's a little more details in his blog than on facebook page:

This feature of the ClubSport shifter is probably the most anticipated one. We have implemented a proper sequential mode.

It is not a cheap compromise which was requested by the marketing department to fill up the feature list but an authentic sequential mode with strong haptic feedback and the correct movements. The technical effort to do this was huge and it is one of the reasons for the long development time.

It is also not very useful to have such a mode and force the user to use tools and disassemble half of the shifter so we made it easy and added a switch on both sides so you can quickly change between the modes.

I know that you still miss price and an availability date but come on. If a new car appears, the first thing you see are prototype pictures "leak" accidentially. Then the car is shown on official pictures or a car show and what is the very last thing they tell you? Wink

The next teaser will be a video with some shifting action.
 
Apart from wear. The fact that you have to go into seventh by pushing down is idiotic but understandable for reverse.

Here is my reason why. When you wish to go from sixth into seventh and you forget to push down, you will go into fifth. In the haste of racing you will end up engaging the clutch and thus over-revving the engine, with engine damage and maybe a blow up as a result.
Thomas says it was designed as per Porsche example. However, to me this makes both parties idiots. Porsche for not thinking about engine damage, and Fanatec as a company for simply following without thinking.

Thus shortening the life cycle of the CSS because of this push down on seventh function. It will just become a hindrance.

On a last note. On the cars my dad had with overdrive, the overdrive never required a push down/pull up function. Only reverse at most.


So yeah, my question is mainly. Can this annoying function be disabled for seventh gear?

Seventh will never be a real gear on a h pattern gearbox. Everything is going sequential and paddles. The only real players with an h pattern 7 speed are Chevy and Porsche. The rest of the market has gone with a double clutch or similar and for Porsche the 7 speed is an option. The future is legacy H pattern with 6 gears and paddles/sequential.

Porsche is not thinking about it because the 7 speed was an afterthought. They probably considered dropping it just like Lamborghini said it would in 2011. Only 7% of new cars sold have a H pattern gearbox.

Also this shifter will IMHO, in stock form, far outperform the TH8 in shifter throw. Thomas said the throw of the CSS is like a Porsche. (I consider Porsche to have a relatively short throw). The TH8 on the other hand is great if you like simulating American cars with long throws. Obviously throw is personal preference and I don't like long throw shifters. It seems antithetical to performance to spend more time shifting than less. Then again I guess if I really wanted to do that I would always use paddles.
 
The throw on my M5 and my GTI are just as long as the TH8RS...

However, many people like to buy short shift kits for their cars of course. :) You can get short shift plates for the TH8RS too, though I doubt you can lengthen the throw of the CSS.

Speaking of CSS... That's really not a great initialism for something if you want it to be searchable. Do a search on Google for "CSS" over 710 million results, almost all of which are likely about Cascading Style Sheets. :)

Anyhow, I'll be interested to see the video of it as well as the price and release date. Looks good so far, mostly. The price will mean quite a lot... Given how many people got sick of waiting for 3 years and purchased something else.
 
I wonder if the shifter will be hackable and able to be wired to a leo bodnar board? I don't have a Fanatec wheel only an ECCI wheel and CST pedals.
 
They claimed at one point that it would be USB or maybe that it would have a USB dongle thing. I can't remember.
 
They claimed at one point that it would be USB or maybe that it would have a USB dongle thing. I can't remember.

Something to that degree... But you know as well as I, that what Fanatec says and does are two different things. We will have to wait till they are in impartial hands to find out the true results of their work.

I will say this... when Fanatec is on, they make great gear. So if this is a hit, it will be amazing.
 
Seventh will never be a real gear on a h pattern gearbox. Everything is going sequential and paddles. The only real players with an h pattern 7 speed are Chevy and Porsche. The rest of the market has gone with a double clutch or similar and for Porsche the 7 speed is an option. The future is legacy H pattern with 6 gears and paddles/sequential.

Porsche is not thinking about it because the 7 speed was an afterthought. They probably considered dropping it just like Lamborghini said it would in 2011. Only 7% of new cars sold have a H pattern gearbox.

Also this shifter will IMHO, in stock form, far outperform the TH8 in shifter throw. Thomas said the throw of the CSS is like a Porsche. (I consider Porsche to have a relatively short throw). The TH8 on the other hand is great if you like simulating American cars with long throws. Obviously throw is personal preference and I don't like long throw shifters. It seems antithetical to performance to spend more time shifting than less. Then again I guess if I really wanted to do that I would always use paddles.

We will see what happens with the boxes in the future. I am still not too sure if this is all we will see in terms of amount of gears.
Personally I hate to have seventh blocked at least. Though I will look forward to reviews/opinions of the buyers that used it for some time.

I hope you know that there are short throw plates out there for the TH8?
What I mean by performance of the shifter is how it behaves going in and out of gears and how the feel of resistance is through neutral. Tactile feel is important for a shifter to let you know where the gates are by memory as well as how far you are of from actuating the virtual button for the gear you want to go into.


Let's wait for the action video of the shifter as promised by Thomas above/on his blog to come next. Than we will know a bit more.
 
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