Why the Fanatec CSL DD 8Nm is still a GREAT purchase | Long Term Review

After almost 20 Direct Drive wheelbase reviews on my YouTube channel, I finally review my first Fanatec wheelbase. I analyse build quality, price, quick releases, force feedback and I've got BAD NEWS for some of you. I actually LOVED it... for what it is...

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Start: 0:00
1. Introduction: 0:38
2. First Impressions: 1:45
3. Price: 2:47
4. Installation - Hardware: 5:06
5. Installation - Software: 6:02
6. Shipping, RMA & Returns: 7:09
7. Quick Release: 8:20
8. Steering Wheel Options: 10:11
9. Force Feedback: 13:50
10. Final Thought: 14:45

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[Fanatec_Official]

Thank you for reviewing the CSL DD, Laurence. We’d like to highlight that we currently offer the CSL DD (5Nm) and (8Nm) at a reduced price. The CSL DD is now 199.95€ when paired with any Steering Wheel and any Pedals. The "CSL DD (8 Nm)" also has 50€ off the Boost Kit, so that is now 299.90€ when paired with any Steering Wheel and any Pedals. Greetings, your Fanatec Team

[SimRacersArms]

Great honest review, thank you!
I've had no issues at all with my 2 year old 8nm CSL DD and the support with other items has been great.

[FilthyCasualRacing]

To be honest I'm holding off on upgrading to the 8nm. I was surprised at just how stout 5 nm felt to me in ACC, but I'm a newbie so it'll take me a while to get a more refined feeling for it.

[pelekanis__]

Thanks for the review man !
You helped me decide on If I want to buy it

[BOBOTHEBANDIT]

It's great to see how far simracing has come since i got my first wheel. I got a fanatec csr in 2012 and loved it for 12 years until it finally broke. I then got the csl dd bundle and it was crazy how much the quality is compared to my csr. Also simracing is much more affordable now which is great to see. Great channel mate 👍

[wwjnz]

This is the best review of the CSL-DD and these two steering wheels. The only thing I'll say about getting the metal QR1 over the plastic QR1L is, the metal quick release does not degrade over time. In the year I had both wheels and the plastic QR1L, I had to stop using the McLaren wheel in fear of the QR1L breaking and taking my wheelbase and steering wheel with it. I ordered a metal QR1 and was lucky enough to win the Fanatec QR tolerance Lottery. The QR1 I go has absolutely no slop at all. Its rock solid.

Eventually my confidence with the WRC's QR1L faded, and I began feeling excess slipping and hearing noise from the QR. I got another metal QR1 but wasn't so lucky with the lottery. The QR has a hair of play, and does make chattering sound when the FFB is intense, but it is still 1000% more sturdy than the plastic QR1 it replaces.

Other than this, your review is pretty much my sentiment on the products, Fanatec, and what I think the company needs to do.

Hell of a review, sir!

[TugboatTony]

When I first got into sim racing I always wanted to own a Fanatec wheel setup but couldn't afford them. It's sad that now that I can afford one, they don't offer wheel bases with the price to performance to match my needs. I do hope they can figure the market out and make something that makes a big splash in the market. The CSL DD was just that when it came out but the competition has caught up and they need to do something to put their name back on top. Great review as usual LD.👍🏿

[kaceydm]

Csl dd owner here. Have the wrc wheel with plastic qr. After about 3 weeks of use the wrc wheel has connection issues that are caused by the plastic qr slipping on the shaft.

Edit: also the qr collar sticks and takes an exorbitant amount of force to undo after use.

[tonyf]

I have been a G29 setup racer for years, got bored of it on and off. Never got really excited for sim racing as flight sims are my main passion. The wife gave the nod when the ready to race bundle came out and here in the UK I grabbed the BMW wheel, 8nm upgrade csl dd and the wife added a McLaren GT3 wheel in the cart for me. At 58 I’ve found what it seems is a main second passion. For newbies the csl dd is a fantastic entry into the world of damn good sim racing. My tuppence worth. Thx for the vid mate. Edit* ohhh and new sub 😊

[SergejGrabun]

I own CSW 2.5 since for ever and I tried this DD in the SimShow at Nurburgring for the first time. It did not convince me to fork out money for it. I am super happy with 2.5 and would only upgrade if it dies or my older son is in to simracing soon.
Nice review

[GUN_]

Even though I am not looking for the new wheelbase but I watched that video with pleasure. CLS DD has had a lot of the praise when it was launched and it is really good to see long term review how this product compares to the competition. Out of curiosity - is the garbage collector included in the video at 11:00 an intentional pun? 😅

[YayDanMan]

7:00 not sure this was a feature issue at the time of footage capture Lawrence, but profile saving happens over on the "Game Profile" tab in Fanalab (on the right end of the submenus) and thanks to more recent versions including profile auto-loading based on car and sim, it's a very good spot to get acquainted with!

[DiogoChannels]

The most honest sim racing reviewer out there IMO. Thank you Laurence!

[tommyzz]

Great review Laurence, thank you very much. I'm pretty much sold on getting the CSL and i was looking exactly at those two wheels, one for GT (ACC and so on) and one for more general purpose.

[matthewpham]

It's good to see competition against Fanatec in the wheelbase market. I was set on Fanatec for a long time, but the dealbreaker for me is locking their FFB behind their own wheels or (expensive) wheel hub. There's also extensive complaints against their QR, and wait times on support, which doesn't help. For the asking price, I would rather look elsewhere even if that means saving for longer and jumping up a price tier for a higher quality of product.

[UpTrbl]

Unrelated, but what game & track is that at 6:45 (when you were drifting with the WRC rim?)

[DazDaz]

I've just added the QR2 to my 8Nm DD Pro wheelbase and CSL WRC rim and it really has taken things up another notch. I think the QR1 lite itself as well as the sloppy interface with the base-side QR1 was dampening some details. The whole setup feels more alive with QR2.

[clc]

I was on the fence about this exact bundle and wheel with v2 pedals vs Moza r9 and S-RP pedals. I think me being in the US will influence my decision for Fanatec as well. That being said I do think Fanatec is ramping up and new products are on the way. All these deals to get rid of stock and hopefully put the money into and R&D and new products. They are now the official partner of GT7 as well so they will be coming out with more GT spec rims. All in all I feel like we will see their next gen sometime next year spring. With a heavy emphasis on entry and mid level.

[phelanpritchardgaming]

Hahaha love how the advantage of the push pull shifter on the McLaren V2 is the fact you can have a drink on the straight. Like a shifter would stop you😝

[kevinmurray]

Excellent review once again Lawrence think you hit the nail on the head with the Build quality and Fanatec having catch up with different DD strenghts. For these reasons that why im swaying towards the Asetek La Prima bundle. Hurry up and get that reviewed please ! Keep uo the top work 👍