How's your GT2 wheel holding up?

[Raymond_Tengen]

I'm still very much a noob in the world of sim racing. I used to own a used Fanatec Porsche 911 Turbo S until I sold it later on. The leather on the rim was burning my palm from the force feedback the moment I don't grip it hard enough (turning down the force feedback was no fun). I sold it for the price I bought so no monetary loss there, and I was playing on PC at the time.

Now, I'm about to get an XBox and PS3 to play both Forza4 and GT5. I tried those games at friends' places and I really like them both. I couldn't decide which one to get and which one to forget, so I've decided to get both. I'm pretty much decided on getting the Fanatec GT2 instead of the CSR wheel even though it's an upgrade from the GT2. I don't really like the faceplate of the CSR and I've seen images of the deteriorated CSR rim (plastic coming off, alcantara pads peeling...). The CSR-E is just too expensive for me, and I'm not yet a fan of a flat-bottom rim.

Even though I've decided on the GT2, I recall the various problems this wheel suffered when it was first released. Lots of people were disappointed. If there are too many "common" complaints now, this might just be a deal breaker to walk away from the "XBox + Forza" world. So to past and current GT2 owners, how is your wheel holding up?

 

[the_greeze]

I've had mine nearly two years and it's held up perfectly. No complaints here 👍

 

[Synthbent715]

I had the same descision to make as far as GT2 vs CSR and I asked around a lot. I have also seen those pics of the CSR falling apart and all I hope mine doesn't. I went for the CSR because the CSR Value Pack XL was a lot cheaper than the GT2 + CSR Elite Pedals + CSR Shifter Set, plus SRT gave the CSR such a great review. I still like the way the GT2 looks more, but I will tell you the pictures don't do the CSR justice.

You have chosen the GT2 so I won't try to change your mind, some of the feedback I got on the GT2 was that it feels a bit heavy at times, and the rim flexes a bit under the leather. I have never seen a falling apart GT2 though.

PS3 + 360 is a great setup. On top of Forza and GT5, you have console specific racers that are actually really good and very cheap now like Race Pro (ps3) and Ferrari Challenge (ps3)

 

[Raymond_Tengen]

I had the same descision to make as far as GT2 vs CSR and I asked around a lot. I have also seen those pics of the CSR falling apart and all I hope mine doesn't. I went for the CSR because the CSR Value Pack XL was a lot cheaper than the GT2 + CSR Elite Pedals + CSR Shifter Set, plus SRT gave the CSR such a great review. I still like the way the GT2 looks more, but I will tell you the pictures don't do the CSR justice.

Yeah, the value pack is definitely tempting. If it wasn't because of Forza, I'd get the GT3RS pack with Elite pedals. As for shifters, I'm going to wait to for the reviews of the CSS. I tried the standard and CSR shifters and they don't feel that great. I'm picking when it comes to feel, but you get what you pay for.

You have chosen the GT2 so I won't try to change your mind, some of the feedback I got on the GT2 was that it feels a bit heavy at times, and the rim flexes a bit under the leather. I have never seen a falling apart GT2 though.

Well, I'm opened to options. I don't mind it being heavy at times as I was okay with the Turbo S. I remember my hands sweating and was sticking to the leather, so the Alcantara leather rim would probably be best VS plastic rim. But how is your CSR wheel so far?

PS3 + 360 is a great setup. On top of Forza and GT5, you have console specific racers that are actually really good and very cheap now like Race Pro (ps3) and Ferrari Challenge (ps3)

Yeah, there's those for PS3 and I had my eye of Dirt3 for 360 (and PC) as well. I like driving and I like racing.

 

[Synthbent715]

But how is your CSR wheel so far

Well, I had some issues with it the first two days I had it where it wouldn't stay on, but since then it has worked flawlessly. I have only had it for a month but I use it almost every day, mostly on dirt 3. I set the degree to 540 and full FFB so the wheel takes quite a thrashing every day as I yank it around hairpins and all that. The lightness of the wheel really comes in handy trying to countersteer out of a hairpin!

So far it is staying together. The plastic bit is not coming apart and the leather is still tight.

 

[12thgear]

I've had mine since they existed (I won one of the first ones) and haven't had any issues with it. It's been great, but it hasn't seen much use since the CSR Elite arrived.

 

[Synthbent715]

Well looks as if I spoke too soon. Stick with the GT2, my CSR has started to come apart on the left grip. Still trying to decide If I should just take it apart and glue it back or send it in under warranty...don't want to be wheel-less though

 

[II-zOoLoGy-II]

Well looks as if I spoke too soon. Stick with the GT2, my CSR has started to come apart on the left grip. Still trying to decide If I should just take it apart and glue it back or send it in under warranty...don't want to be wheel-less though

I have had 4 CSR's and it had occurred on all of them.

Just take the rim apart and glue the grip back on. Use industrial strength super glue. If you contact Fanatec they will most likely advise you to do the same. I can assure you if you RMA the wheel it will happen again in the replacement wheel.

 

[Raymond_Tengen]

Well looks as if I spoke too soon. Stick with the GT2, my CSR has started to come apart on the left grip. Still trying to decide If I should just take it apart and glue it back or send it in under warranty...don't want to be wheel-less though

Sorry to hear that. Man, that sucks.

I have had 4 CSR's and it had occurred on all of them.

4 wheels already? They should send you the CSR-E as a replacement then~

 

[Caz]

Had my gt2 for since. January 2011.I bought used from a friend during the ridiculous long wait period. Heavy use up until around November with atleast a couple hours a week since then. Have not had a single issue with it. It would get unbolted from my rig, stuffed in a bag with my csp and brought to work at least once a week for an 8 hour overnight shift ( minus smoke breaks)
I have no problems with any peeling or creaking in the wheel.

 

[Raymond_Tengen]

Had my gt2 for since. January 2011.I bought used from a friend during the ridiculous long wait period. Heavy use up until around November with atleast a couple hours a week since then. Have not had a single issue with it. It would get unbolted from my rig, stuffed in a bag with my csp and brought to work at least once a week for an 8 hour overnight shift ( minus smoke breaks)
I have no problems with any peeling or creaking in the wheel.

That sounds promising~

 

[Synthbent715]

I have had 4 CSR's and it had occurred on all of them.
.h
Just take the rim apart and glue the grip back on. Use industrial strength super glue. If you contact Fanatec they will most likely advise you to do the same. I can assure you if you RMA the wheel it will happen again in the replacement wheel.

I wanted to go ahead and just glue them back anyways. My only worry is that is will mess up my warranty for the whole wheel if I do.

 

[II-zOoLoGy-II]

I wanted to go ahead and just glue them back anyways. My only worry is that is will mess up my warranty for the whole wheel if I do.

No it won't. They will not know about anything minor like that unless you tell them. Like I said, tech support will most likely advise you to do it anyways.

 

[Franjo]

I've had zero issues since when I received my wheel around June 2011. I have nothing but good things to say about it.

 

[Raymond_Tengen]

I've had zero issues since when I received my wheel around June 2011. I have nothing but good things to say about it.

Since you're in BC, do you remember how much you had to pay for shipping and custom? I'm in Québec, so I assume it'll be more or less the same.

 

[Franjo]

here you go. I grabbed this from a post awhile back. Sorry I cant say how much it was for the 2nd order, I remember it being reasonable:

I've made 2 seperate orders with Fanatec, the following one I received already:

1 x RennSport Wheel Stand Shifter Adapter-Porsche Wheels and G25/G27 $19.95
1 x RennSport Wheel Stand V2 $129.95

Sub-Total: $149.90
Zone Rates (Shipping to CA : 22.07 lb(s)): $28.00
Total: $177.90

I paid 19 dollars in Customs fee's. You can pay by Visa when the mailman delivers it.

Here is my shipping for the other order:


1 x Porsche wheel Shifter set $49.95
1 x Porsche Wheel pedal/shifter cable 2.5 m $2.00
1 x Porsche 911 GT2 Wheel - US $249.95
1 x Clubsport Pedals - USB $199.95

Sub-Total: $501.85
Zone Rates (Shipping to CA : 29.52 lb(s)): $38.00
Total: $539.85

No Clue how much Customs fee's will be for this. I'm guessing anywhere between 40 to 60 dollars. So I hope I helped you out a bit.

 

[Raymond_Tengen]

You helped a bunch. Thanks a lot ^^

 

[AGP5000]

My GT2 has held up very well. I have owned it since Feb. 2011. I had a loss of center issue and sent it in for repair last October. Since then, no issues to report.

The Alcantara has held up well. It is not fresh anymore in the spots I typically hold it with (10-3:30, Primarily Oval Racer) But, it does not affect my performance. I try to freshen the alcantara up, but, even with a damp cloth and brush, it doesn't do much. Helps a little.

Now I have a new toy , and will likely be shelving the GT2...............

 

[Forcone]

Have been using the GT2 with G25 pedals and H-shifter since last September. No issues apart the full-lock glitch while using Microsoft Headset connected to the wheel.

 

[Raymond_Tengen]

My GT2 has held up very well. I have owned it since Feb. 2011. I had a loss of center issue and sent it in for repair last October. Since then, no issues to report.

The Alcantara has held up well. It is not fresh anymore in the spots I typically hold it with (10-3:30, Primarily Oval Racer) But, it does not affect my performance. I try to freshen the alcantara up, but, even with a damp cloth and brush, it doesn't do much. Helps a little.

Now I have a new toy , and will likely be shelving the GT2...............

Have been using the GT2 with G25 pedals and H-shifter since last September. No issues apart the full-lock glitch while using Microsoft Headset connected to the wheel.

That's good to know

 

[ZSPaulus]

I upgraded from a DFGT with wheelstand pro to a GT2 with the rennsport wheelstand about a year ago..
Quality wise its a big upgrade.

Ive not had any issues with it yet..

 

[Raymond_Tengen]

Too bad Fanatec does not have any more bundles with the GT2 anymore. With the new upcoming product releases, I doubt any bundle would be "compiled" with the GT2. Still waiting for the CS Pedals V2 and the CSS...

 

[skazz]

I've had my GT2 since summer 2011. I had the centring loss issue straight away, got the code wheel sensor replaced, and since then it's worked perfectly. The alcantara wears very well, probably as well as the leather on my G25.

My clubsports pedals need some oil every so often, but otherwise have also behaved perfectly.

 

[Raymond_Tengen]

I keep hearing and reading this "centering loss/alignment" issue. What is it anyway? Is it a problem of when centering the steering wheel but the car in the game is actually steering slightly to the side (similar to a tire wheel alignment problem in a real car)?

 

[skazz]

I keep hearing and reading this "centering loss/alignment" issue. What is it anyway? Is it a problem of when centering the steering wheel but the car in the game is actually steering slightly to the side (similar to a tire wheel alignment problem in a real car)?

In my case, the wheel would gradually become uncentered during 15 mins after turning it on. So at first dead straight in game would match the wheel, then it gradually changed so that 30 degrees turned on the wheel was straight in game. It was most visible when making large movements in game, particularly Forza 3. The problem was a faulty codewheel sensor. The replacement worked perfectly and has continued to do so.

 

[AGP5000]

I keep hearing and reading this "centering loss/alignment" issue. What is it anyway? Is it a problem of when centering the steering wheel but the car in the game is actually steering slightly to the side (similar to a tire wheel alignment problem in a real car)?

For me Raymond, on Forza/ Nascar 09(when it was still online)/ and iRacing. At the beginning of the race, the wheel would be on center. then every 5-10 minutes, it would shift 5 or so degrees to the right. On a longer green flag run on either road or oval, it gets continually worse.......

On top of that, only on iRacing/PC could I re-center it on a pit-stop! On hi-banked ovals, it was nearly impossible to drive on a full green flag run with the center sometimes getting to 30 degrees to the right.

However, once sent in for repair, and it was fixed. It has been nothing but perfect! Better than new basically. I felt like a whole new driver once it came back!!!

I have switched over to PC only, and the GT2 has been great. It took me a while to find the perfect settings across the board, but, I was able to make it work quite well(Bumps, vibration, weight, feedback, & feel )
The alcantara has held up quite well. You can tell the spots where I hold my hands though. Not so fresh. I do try and freshen it up to the best it can be, have had it for about 15 months. I plan on keeping it as a backup for some time to come!

Anthony

 

[Raymond_Tengen]

skazz, AGP5000,

Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[Carrera1963]

I just noticed that Fanatec still has the GT2 wheel for sale on their site! That’s some decent product longevity!

It’s almost a tempting option for a cheap but high quality wheel...