This:
https://www.fanatec.com/au-en/steering-wheels/csl-elite-steering-wheel-mclaren-gt3-aus.html
Is incredible.
Ordered this bad boy in Nov last year when they were taking pre-orders for just one weekend. Delivery due March, then April, then after emotionally painful delays was finally delivered yesterday. And it's so fantastic.
Replica of the McLaren 650 GT3 wheel using McLaren CAD files. One big win there is the ergonomics of the grips is superb, moulded with funky shapes and incredible to hold.
A bit bigger than the Clubsport - the perfect wheel size IMO. Can't see myself using anything else for a long time.
Doesn't have motors in it like the other wheels but that's a good thing I've discovered, lets you really feel the wheel force and you just dial up the effects if you want strong ripple strips.
The P and N buttons are REALLY stiff to push, apparently authentic. So not so useful for stuff you tap quickly like DRS/KERS. Still useful.
Weight is light, lighter than Clubsport on paper but feels much lighter - so FFB feels better than ever. It made me really discover how good the 2.5 base is - it's better than the Clubsport for FFB. And pretty much everything else.
It's compatible with all Clubsport bases though I hear V1 may have issues.
It's cheaper than others a bit because the default adaptor is the CSL version but you can (and I did) buy the quick release. The fake carbon fibre looks cool enough and build qualit and materials are flawless. Of course. Fanatec.
Comes with a bunch of button caps too with various icons etc on them as well as a useful sticker sheet of labels. Mine as in the pics below has just the base buttons, no caps on it, I think it looks amazing just like that.
OLED display looks great.
Rotary dials unique - each switch position registers as a separate button so nothing really supports it at the moment, not worried.
And, it has dual analogue paddles under the shifters than can be used as an F1 style launch control, you pre-set bite points for your cars and store them in memory. Pull them both back just before the start and put it in first and floor it, on go release the right one quickly and the car is rolling, then let the second one out fairly quickly to get it going with minimal slip and spin. Still need to get your movements and bite point right so it's not an exploit
If you're considering moving to a Fanatec ecosystem, this is the wheel to get, it can conceivably be the only wheel you need. It's incredibly beautiful to look at, to hold, and to race with. It's also remarkably good value. Sim racing's new best buy wheel for sure.
Some pics on my rig and compared in size to Clubsport: https://imgur.com/a/e2JKZsz
Last edited: May 24, 2018