Upgrade From Fanatec Wheel

[Ryan Spence]

So I've had a Fanatec Porsche GT3 RS v2 wheel for just over 2 years, when, doing a firmware update, the updater crashed and removed all firmware. Through backwards and forwards emails to a Fanatec assistant and trying various things, the motor has also now died. He's offered to replace the wheel for €120 (~£106).

However, with these issues, him confirming there is an issue with the Windows 10 firmware (as he also got the same error when trying it), and the fact I have bog standard CSR Pedals that I've been dying to upgrade, I'm very tempted to splash out and change brands.

The wheel I've been looking at most is the Thrustmaster TS-PC with T3PA-Pro pedals, currently on Amazon for £423 and £130 respectively. Reviews are mostly positive, but some people do have minor complaints and since I am unable to find any details on the GT3 v2 wheel mechanism or a comparison between that and any thrustmaster belt-driven wheel, it's very difficult to know what I'll be getting. And understandably I'm uneasy spending this amount of money without having a better idea of how it feels.

Thanks for any and all assistance on this matter!

 

[F Inferno]

So I've had a Fanatec Porsche GT3 RS v2 wheel for just over 2 years, when, doing a firmware update, the updater crashed and removed all firmware. Through backwards and forwards emails to a Fanatec assistant and trying various things, the motor has also now died. He's offered to replace the wheel for €120 (~£106).

However, with these issues, him confirming there is an issue with the Windows 10 firmware (as he also got the same error when trying it), and the fact I have bog standard CSR Pedals that I've been dying to upgrade, I'm very tempted to splash out and change brands.

The wheel I've been looking at most is the Thrustmaster TS-PC with T3PA-Pro pedals, currently on Amazon for £423 and £130 respectively. Reviews are mostly positive, but some people do have minor complaints and since I am unable to find any details on the GT3 v2 wheel mechanism or a comparison between that and any thrustmaster belt-driven wheel, it's very difficult to know what I'll be getting. And understandably I'm uneasy spending this amount of money without having a better idea of how it feels.

Thanks for any and all assistance on this matter!

It will be much better than the GT3, more powerful, better cooling and more detail, those Porsche wheels have long since been surpassed, whereas the TS-PC is on the same level as the CSL Elite.

If you want to stick with Fanatec then the CSL Elite package is about £50 more which gets you the much better CSL Elite pedals with loadcell, the Thrustmaster pedals are ok but the pro’s aren’t worth the extra over the standard T3PA, they just use more metal parts.

Or you could mix and match and get the Thrustmaster base with CSL elite pedals which are about £80 more expensive.

Another option would be to go with TS-XW which is the same base but has console support and better replica rim:
https://www.box.co.uk/Thrustmaster-...3mg9Qji1sErXUlIiurRxduKTUgZNgHJEaAtqgEALw_wcB

£550 from them same as your current option.

Final option wait for the 488GTB which also has rev lights like the CSL Elite.

 

[Ryan Spence]

Thank you for your reply! Some very interesting points.

I expected as much, but with regards to the smoothness etc it's difficult to compare without the specs from the gt3 wheel. Y'see I've heard comments that with the TS-PC you can feel a tiny bit of a notchy feel, but they could think my gt3 was incredibly notchy in comparison...

I'm leaning much more towards the Thrustmaster side of things, since I expected the pricier Fanatec to last a little longer (it hasn't exactly been under constant use) than it has done, and also their firmware update being what broke the wheel in the end..!

I did think the T3PA-Pro pedals were a bigger step up from the basic T3PA pedals than you're suggesting though, so that's an interesting point.

As to the last two, I actually prefer the TS-PC rim to the sparco one for some reason, and waiting isn't something I'm good at when I'm currently without a wheel at all

 

[F Inferno]

I believe most of the slight notchy feeling most people say they feel are those who’ve used the new Fanatec wheels which are perfectly smooth, everyone else won’t really notice.

As to the pedals I’d still recommend the Fanatec because load cell brakes are much better but it is a fairly large price difference but the £50 difference between to standard and pros is only really worth it if you want more metal construction but the mechanism is the same.

I’ve just found on the official Thrustmaster store they currently have a 20% discount offer. £472 with the T3PA or £520 with the T3PA pro and free delivery: http://shop.thrustmaster.com/en_gb/

The 488 model is also on there but £600 no discount.

 

[Ryan Spence]

Hmmmm. So if I go for the Thrustmaster TS-PC wheel (cheapest on Amazon atm for £423.77), then it's between the Thrustmaster T3PA pedals or the Fanatec CSL Elite pedals.

T3PA - £72
T3PA Pro - £120
CSL Elite - £219.33

(Including shipping)

A leap of £147.77 is a big jump, mostly just for the load cell! Hmm. There really aren't many pedals available in this price range, especially compared to the wheel market right now. Pedals seem to be cheap plastic 2 pedal sets, or high end £400+ just for some pedals..! Any other pedals you can think of, or is this my final choice do you reckon?

Thanks again for your help so far, you've been epic.

 

[F Inferno]

Unfortunately options are limited when it comes to load cell pedals the CSL Elites are the best load cell pedals you can get for the price and all metal construction and then it just ramps up from there with the Fanatec V3, ProtoSimTech PT-2 (which aren’t available yet) V3 Inverted, Heusinkveld Pro and then in the £1000+ bracket Heusinkveld Ultimates and HPP PRX.

To be honest if you are used to standard potentiometer pedals and like them you’ll be happy with either of those two, it’s just the loadcell pedals will make you more consistent and potentially faster as they work like a real brake with more pressure giving more brake force rather than pedal travel deciding brake force.

The TS-PC from Thrustmaster is £400 on their site with 20% off but for £24 more I can understand wanting to go through Amazon instead since they have much better customer service.

I’ve seen lots of people complain about broken Thrustmaster pedals whereas the Fanatec pedals are much more durable which is something to consider in the cost comparisons if they last twice as long, though obviously no guarantees on that front. Though who knows could just be more people have them.

However consider Thrustmaster haven’t really updated the pedals outside of the conical brake mod since the T500 which is over 7 years old.

 

[gt_fan]

I've had the Porsche GT2 wheel and CSR Elite pedals for a number of years. Also used a CSR wheel for a while. They were a great upgrade over the Driving Force GT.

I've recently upgraded to a Fanatec CSW V2.5 and CSL Elite LC pedals. The difference between the wheels is like night and day - stronger, smoother and quieter. Pedals differences not as noticeable as both are LC pedals but the CSL Elite is smoother and better travel on all pedals especially the LC brake.

Cost more but you get better value. My 2 cents.

 

[Ryan Spence]

Appreciate both your comments a tonne, thanks a lot.

You guys think Thrustmaster are going to bring out new pedals soon, or think they'll stick with the current pair on offer?

 

[PocketZeven]

Appreciate both your comments a tonne, thanks a lot.

You guys think Thrustmaster are going to bring out new pedals soon, or think they'll stick with the current pair on offer?

No news yet. There has been an official TRS load cell mod floating around since 2013. The product never seemed to have made it in to retail stores. It does however show that Thrustmaster has been experimenting with a loadcell brake. They are doubling down on esports so it should be a matter of time... the biggest events of last year (fia F1 2017 esports Championship and the 2017 Vegas e-race were al Thrustmaster gear)

 

[seslab]

the biggest events of last year (fia F1 2017 esports Championship and the 2017 Vegas e-race were al Thrustmaster gear)

The only reason for that is Thrustmaster sponsoring these events with big money and nothing else.

 

[seslab]

So I've had a Fanatec Porsche GT3 RS v2 wheel for just over 2 years, when, doing a firmware update, the updater crashed and removed all firmware. Through backwards and forwards emails to a Fanatec assistant and trying various things, the motor has also now died. He's offered to replace the wheel for €120 (~£106).

Thrustmaster wheels aren't the most reliable out there, even the opposite is the case. Also the after sales service isn't very smart. To be honest I find the move from Fanatec to replace the wheel for €120 pretty nice. Don't expect such a proposal from Thrustmaster in the same case.
I would ask Fanatec if they would make a financial move on the CSL bundle, you never know

 

[Ryan Spence]

I would ask Fanatec if they would make a financial move on the CSL bundle, you never know

Already tried that, but he stated they could only replace like-for-like.

 

[PocketZeven]

The only reason for that is Thrustmaster sponsoring these events with big money and nothing else.

I know that. My point was, if someone wants to prepare for esports, to give yourself an edge one should use the same gear that is used in those kind of events.

 

[AdamA998]

I believe most of the slight notchy feeling most people say they feel are those who’ve used the new Fanatec wheels which are perfectly smooth, everyone else won’t really notice.

As to the pedals I’d still recommend the Fanatec because load cell brakes are much better but it is a fairly large price difference but the £50 difference between to standard and pros is only really worth it if you want more metal construction but the mechanism is the same.

I’ve just found on the official Thrustmaster store they currently have a 20% discount offer. £472 with the T3PA or £520 with the T3PA pro and free delivery: http://shop.thrustmaster.com/en_gb/

The 488 model is also on there but £600 no discount.

Anyone review the 488 wheel yet?

 

[F Inferno]

Anyone review the 488 wheel yet?

Not that I’ve seen but all the parts are basically already on sale, the only unknown is the LED shift lights and what support they will offer.

As long as it works with basic telemetry data and not some stupid Thrustmaster proprietary code which needs game support that should all work out the box too.