Fanatec CSL Elite P1 or CSL Elite WRC Which One To Choose?!

[@Simenthusiast]

Nice comparison! I like light weight rims, especially on less powerful bases like my clubsport wheel base 2.5.

[@RetroSnakey]

Thanks Jean! Yes, both are super light! The small updates on the WRC makes it worth that extra $30 in my opinion. :)

[@Fabio-wc6rv]

MEN NICE VIDEO!!! FUCK YES!! FINALY I CAN SEE THE FKN DIFERENCE BETWEEN BOTH!!! now its just choosing between csw and csl wrc...but seems cls is very good for someone like me that is using a g25

[@ericxueAAA]

The problem is I do not like the WRC one look, especially the tire marks on the steering wheel, and also the colored paddle shifters, and any brand logo on the simulator steering wheel. The tire mark just makes the steering wheel look childish. I know Fanatec has BMW, Porsche, WRC and NASCAR logos on steering wheels, but I feel weird if I drive a Ferrari in the game but use a BMW steering wheel. We spend pro level money on the setup, I want it looks like a pro too.

[@RetroSnakey]

You mentioned the “driving a Ferrari and seeing a BMW logo and feel weird”. I’m the same way. 😂 I just try not to pay attention as much as I used to. Or use VR so the wheel looks identical to the real one. 😁

[@andrewberg3148]

I’m not an Xbox guy but the Xbox guide button on the WRC wheel seems too close to other buttons. I see it could accidentally be pushed and the the guide pulls up right in the middle of your race.

[@RetroSnakey]

Hi Andrew! While I don’t use the rim for Xbox, makes sense! On Windows, I do not have anything bound to the Xbox button at all. It’s the only one on the rim It just sorts of sit there.. But since the buttons on the console cannot be changed, definitely something to keep in mind!

[@kristaps2010]

I am lucky owner of DD1 F1 Playstation edition now. Paypal pay in 3 helped! For many years I had T300 Ferrari 599XX very good wheel but fanatec DD is simply amazing. I want rim for Assetto Corsa (not ACC) and rally. Tried F1 wheel on rally, not fun :) Is WRC wheel best option? I could buy podium hub and try install T300 rim but Chris Hay youtube video ‘which simracing wheel is right for you’ 7:20 says it might not work.

[@RetroSnakey]

Hey Kris! So in my personal opinion, I would go with the WRC rim. I like the fact that it’s rather simple and not full of extra buttons and gadgets that you normally don’t need on a rally wheel. Plus the price difference! The Hub alone is quite expensive, although you could use other rims, but I am a fan of a single connection point. You don’t get the full FFB force with the WRC but it still works great with the “standard FFB”. I also use the WRC on IRacing NASCAR series and it’s a blast!

[@kristaps2010]

@@RetroSnakey thank for time you spent for reply. I agree with you, seems value for money comparing with buying podium hub+wheel. I thought about fanatec bmw gt2 m3 wheel what is discontinued, it has built in vibro motors, but it’s more expensive. Yes wrc is way to go. Thank you

[@EmanVsEmmanueL]

If only the wrc rim didn't have the tire tread carved into the rim!

[@RetroSnakey]

Well… if you race in VR… no need to worry. 😂 But in all seriousness, while you’re racing and focused on the screen, the look on the rim is the last thing on your mind. Great value for such rim!

[@ThatGuy-mn2gg]

What is this difference between the WRC wheel and the 400 Forza wheel? Any added functionality? Everything is justifiably priced except for that wheel. Am I gonna gain anything by spending the money. If I understood what I read correctly all of the wheels are pretty much the same price, it's the hub that carries the expense. The WRC had the CSL Elite hub and the GT Wheel has the Club sport hub. So I guess the better question would be what are the differences between the hubs?

[@markubiak]

Looks like it's worth the extra bit over the P1, thanks! I recently got a CSW 2.5 + universal hub. Previous owner had a 320mm round wheel from eBay on it, not a fan. It's too small for Dirt Rally 2.0 and too large for my Lexus in ACC (I use VR and find it off-putting. For ACC, do you recommend the WRC wheel, McLaren GT3 wheel, or Formula V2? The diameter on the formula wheel is significantly smaller than GT3 cars but it seems more functional. The McLaren GT3 wheel looks nice but is supposed to have build quality issues and is limited to the used market. Thoughts?

[@RetroSnakey]

Thanks for the feedback! ACC is the one title I spend most of time on (We also have a league for it at this moment!). I would recommend the Formula V2 rim which is also the one I use, due to a few reasons. First, the build quality on the V2 vs. the other 2 rims in question is quite higher. Second, the functionality due to the extra rotary encoders and switches makes things much easier to change, such as ABS, TC, Brake Bias or Engine Map. The McLaren GT3 rim also has enough buttons for most of what you'd need, but the one issue I had with the McLaren GT3 rim is the "buttlerfly style" shifter. As you mentioned, the build quality isn't near the V2 and I used to have a few issues with not shifting or double-shifting in a race. I contacted Fanatec about it and they "needed to see it happen" for them to create an RMA for me to send it in. It didn't happen at all times but enough to throw a few "Ughs!" in a race. It is a slightly larger than the V2 but I find the V2 is perfectly fine for all GT cars (and F1 of course). The WRC I swap into it when I hop into a title like Assetto Corsa and go into an old school F1 car or generally anything else that doesn't use the GT style rim. It's a great rim for sure, the best round rim for the price you can get since others are so pricey (like the mid-range Porsche one , and the BMW isn't fully round..). The McLaren GT3 rim seems to be discontinued, maybe a licensing expiration or they just couldn't build it well enough. The used market for it is most likely one that "has some sort of an issue" so I wouldn't recommend going for it. It looks great though, so it is now on display on my wall. :)

[@markubiak]

@@RetroSnakey that's a very thorough reply, thanks! I checked out your channel and saw the GT4 league races, cool stuff. Your reasoning for the Formula V2 is pretty solid and I'm glad to hear it feels good for GT cars, I think I'll put it on my list to save up for.

[@RetroSnakey]

@@markubiak Absolutely! The one I use is the V2 "PS4 Edition" since I purchased the Podium PS4 F1 bundle which has the magnetic shifters, extra analog paddles, etc, but it's practically the same as the V2 they sell standalone on the website (Mine has an open bottom for that F1 style and the magnetic paddle module). I used to own the "standard V2" when I started out with the ClubSport V2.5 base and I absolutely loved it. I wanted the magnetic module for it but no way I was going to spend an additional $200 or so for it so I found a few folks who did a 3D print magnetic mod for it and it worked amazing! The other 2 paddles (analog and the one on top of the module, I never even use...). If you want to pick a few other brains and you use Discord, join to chat with us at discord.link/srgeek Lots of drivers willing to share more opinions and a few eSports Pro Drivers as well. :)

[@AngryAverageGo-Karter]

All issues with McLaren are fixed in the v2 It has the same quick release that is on the one in this video as standard and has better shifters

[@wostrick2259]

Thanks for this comparison. One thing I am not sure there...is the thickness of those rims identical, or is the WRC a bit bulkier?

[@RetroSnakey]

Hi Wo, No difference at all! Identical rims. :)

[@jonathanparle8429]

@@RetroSnakey That actually isn't true. The WRC rim is noticebly thicker than the Elite P1. I own both.

[@Luca-pg5mj]

What do you think about using snapdome keys to change fanatec p1 crowns? Is it reliable enough? I know some have had problems

[@RetroSnakey]

Hey Gino! That’s an interesting idea for sure. As far as reliability, I have not had any issues with them. I use it weekly for some NASCAR sessions and the keys have worked just fine! They don’t have the same tactile feedback their more expensive rims have (think of it like a standard console push button) but it does the job for the price!

[@stewrtcullom7924]

I am buying the CSL elite with a WRC Well I thought the quick connect came with it it does not?

[@RetroSnakey]

The “new quick connect” that you rotate, made out of the more “plastic” material is what it comes with (I showed that on the video attached to my McLaren rim). It’s much better than the old style with the bolt that’s for sure! The full metal, quick connect, does not come with it. It’s quite expensive too and I wouldn’t recommend spending extra on that and save it for a shifter!

[@jonathanparle8429]

Does the WRC rim fitted with the metal quick release adapter provide better force feedback fidelity than the Xbox Elite rim?

[@RetroSnakey]

Hello! I do not have experience with the Xbox Elite rim but I could say the metal quick release you purchase separately for the WRC makes things a lot more sturdier than the plastic QR it comes with! The FFB is more dependent on the base you’re using and how much torque and feedback you adjust.

[@jonathanparle8429]

@@RetroSnakey I was able to answer my own question as I have just upgraded from the old Xbox Elite P1 to the WRC with the clubsport adapter. To say it is chalk and cheese is an understatement. Despite not changing one single setting on the wheelbase or in the sim, the fidelity of the force feedback has dramatically improved and that is no exaggeration. I am actually astounded how something as simple as the interface between the rim and the wheelbase can make such a dramatic difference since it is not as if the old interface wasn't sturdy - it was!

[@drinkenbus6813]

hey, nice vid but i have a question. can i buy your mclaren gt3 rim( if so for how much) also im on a tight budget, thanks!

[@RetroSnakey]

Hey thanks for the feedback! But unfortunately I’m not selling my rim. :( Once in a while I do use it and it’s unfortunate that Fanatec discontinued it. :(

[@SIMRIG412]

Not discontinued

[@Stormz.1337]

Not sure if you did mention and I just missed it; how are the haptics of the two compared? I own a P1 and it feels a little too "slim" in hand. I'm looking for a thicker rim with a better grip. Is the WRC any better in that aspect?

[@RetroSnakey]

Hello! As far as haptics, they’re identical, same grip and Alcantara around. The primary difference really is on the Quick Connect support and a few different button placements. I would look into the ClubSport RS for a slightly larger rim. It’s also leather but has the Quick Connect with it and magnetic paddle shifters. It is an extra $100 USD though..

[@Stormz.1337]

@@RetroSnakey alright then. Thanks mate

[@jonathanparle8429]

The grip on the WRC wheel is noticeably thicker than on the P1. I own both and have directly compared them. The difference is not subtle at all.

[@wwjnz9263]

Is the WRC wheel rim a little bigger than the P1? In the video, that appears to be the case.

[@RetroSnakey]

Hello! It actually isn’t. It just looks that way due to my camera angle I would say. But the rim itself is identical.

[@Niloc1922]

No need to make the choice anymore, they've stopped selling the CSL Elite P1

[@DouglasThompson]

Interesting... Im assuming they feel they will make more money because people are able to upgrade and change certain parts of the wheel.

[@Fabio-wc6rv]

I noticed that...shit...850 eur now...i will need more time of savings my wife had back surgery so most savings are gone...ten years from today maybe i can fullfill the dream

[@RoquetteAttaquer]

Can wrc attach to my dd1 ps5?

[@RetroSnakey]

The DD1 isn’t compatible with the PS4/PS5. You’d need the Podium PS4 base that is also compatible with the PS5. 😢

[@stewrtcullom7924]

I have the WRC wheel play station Capatable But the wheel does not have a PS button for PlayStation maybe you can help me out?

[@RetroSnakey]

Hey Stewrt, So using the different rims on consoles is a bit tricky since the limitation isn't on Fanatec's side but on how the manufacturers handle things. I believe the WRC rim (and the P1 also) are both only for PC and Xbox so no PS button to make it work as far as I know. :(

[@stewrtcullom7924]

@@RetroSnakey I thought the WRC was a fanatec wheel?

[@RetroSnakey]

It is. But Fanatec has to design it according to the specifications Microsoft and Sony provides to them since they use different software. Xbox and Windows are both Microsoft so most Xbox rims are also compatible with a PC since Windows is the operating system and Xbox closely resembles it when it comes to the code. Sony, however, is a different story so different approach must be taken to implement the proper parts in order for it to work on Sony products. In the end, the customers end up suffering due to the competition and having to have different sets for different systems.

[@stewrtcullom7924]

@@RetroSnakey Well I did that complicated why even sell it to the consumers so what you’re telling me is WRC is compatible with PS4 but you got to be a electrician to learn how to run it LOL

[@RetroSnakey]

I guess that would be one way to go by but would require some modification most likely.. I would also assume it would void the warranty Fanatec provides. 🙁

[@FormulaProg]

P1 has been discontinued now haha

[@RetroSnakey]

Hey Carl! It’s still available on the Fanatec US Website. But considering the new quick release system is much better they might just do that..