FANATEC BMW M4 GT3

Our rating : 9.7/10

Fanatec has for many years been considered the Go-To for anyone looking to build a sim-racing setup. It has to be said that the German brand has worked hard to achieve this status, notably by expanding its range of sim-racing peripherals.

The German sim-racing giant’s catalog is divided into 3 ranges: the CSL for entry-level and Sunday drivers, the ClubSport for amateur and semi-pro riders, and the Podium for the elite. As you can imagine, price goes hand in hand with range, and this is true of all the products Fanatec sells.

The German brand is renowned for its ecosystem of never-ending products, especially wheels. Its wheel catalog contains over 50 entries, spread across the 3 ranges, and it’s clear that you’ll find what you’re looking for. What’s more, many wheels are officially licensed or partnered with prestigious automotive brands such as Sparco, Porsche or BMW.

Speaking of the latter, Fanatec has developed with the M division from the Bavarian manufacturer of a specific steering wheel used for sim-racing, but also on M4 GT3 racing cars. To my knowledge, this is the first time such an alliance has been formed, and the first time such a steering wheel has been produced: the Fanatec BMW M4 GT3. Dans ce qui suit, je vais vous présenter ce volant et vous dire ce que j’en pense.

Main and technical features of the steering wheel

• Steering wheel compatible with Playstation and PC
• 12 backlit buttons, 2 rotary switches, 2 rear steering wheel buttons and 3 encoders
• 2 magnetic carbon-fiber paddles with Push-Pull configuration, and 2 analog paddles
• Complete forged carbon fiber structure
• One-inch OLED screen
• 308 mm diameter with rectangular shape
• QR2 Pro rear
• Weight approx. 1.5 kg

Design

The design of the M4 GT3 is very racing, and very beautiful too I must say. The structure uses forged carbon fiber, giving it a breathtaking design. It’s more than beautiful: it’s magnificent.

The steering wheel’s rectangular shape is typical of racing cars, especially GT3s. The BMW logo is in the center, surrounded by encoders that are backlit, as are the buttons.

At the rear of the M4 GT3, it’s not like other Fanatec steering wheels where you have a back-plate that’s screwed to the steering wheel structure. On the M4 GT3, it’s all one piece, and that’s what you’d expect from a steering wheel of this calibre.

Customized assembly

There are two versions of the M4 GT3 assembly: the first used the gold QR1 when the steering wheel was released some 2 years ago. But since the release of the QR2 Pro, Fanatec has upgraded the M4 GT3 Quick Release.

The wheel can therefore be mounted on any base with the QR2 Base Side, simply by pulling on the ring and inserting the steering wheel into its slot. However, you’ll still find the pins inside the QR2, so you’ll need to be careful when inserting the wheel. This new Fanatec Quick Release is much better than the old one, especially in terms of movement. But then, pins can be a problem, and especially cause damage to peripherals.

Manufacturing and finishing

This is a product that uses forged carbon fiber for its entire structure. From the front to the back-plate and paddles, everything is forged carbon fiber. This choice of material was dictated by the simple fact that this steering wheel is used in BMW M4 GT3 racing cars. It’s not a scale replica, no. It’s a steering wheel developed in partnership with BMW for its GT3 cars and also for sim-racing.

The structure is ultra solid, designed to take the abuse of motor racing. And the finish is ultra-premium (as is the price, and I warn you, it will surprise you).

As for the finish, it’s pure Fanatec, with a sprinkling of BMW. In other words, it’s superbly finished, premium in every sense. The grips are not in alcantara or leather, but in a material that provides a very high level of grip, with no need for maintenance.

Handling the steering wheel

The diameter of the M4 GT3 is just under 31 cm (30.8 to be precise), with a shape very characteristic of GT3 steering wheels. As a result, the grip is very good, especially when you see the placement of the controls.

At the front, there are 12 buttons spread around your thumbs, making them easily accessible in full stroke. At index finger level, we have 2 more buttons, and 4 paddles at the rear of the steering wheel too, including 2 magnetic ones.

There are 2 rotary switches above the grips, and 3 encoders on the faceplate. The ergonomics of the M4 GT3 are excellent, as we’ve come to expect from a steering wheel used in competition on the BMW M4 GT3.

Sensations during play

Once the M4 GT3 steering wheel is in place on its base, and don’t even try to install it on anything other than a Podium DD2, or at a pinch a DD1, because this little jewel is designed for maximum driving sensations. So, it’s either a Podium base or nothing. So, once you’ve got the steering wheel installed and set up (if you want to, of course), you’ll be taking on the world’s circuits with GT3 category cars to maximize immersion.

In-game feel is excellent, and I wouldn’t expect anything less from such a steering wheel, to be honest. Although the Podium DD2 base does most of the work, the M4 GT3’s exemplary rigidity makes a major contribution. What’s more, its highly intuitive handling means you’ll be able to smash all lap times, without an ounce of confusion when selecting a command.

The material on the grips gives you a very high level of grip, without making your hands sweaty. I’m not saying that racing gloves are necessary to drive with this wheel, but the material chosen by Fanatec is usable both with and without gloves, and over long periods too, unlike the Thrustmaster SF1000 for example, where having racing gloves is necessary to avoid sweating and turning the wheel into a bathroom after a shower.

Compatibility

This steering wheel is compatible with all Fanatec bases, provided you have the right QR Base Side. I say this because the M4 GT3 was upgraded with the QR2 when the latter was introduced. Early versions of the steering wheel had the QR1 in gold, so you had to have the QR1 Base Side to attach it to a base. To put it simply: if you buy it new now, you’ll get the QR2 Pro. But if you opt for a used wheel, it may come with the QR1.

As far as sim-racing titles are concerned, you can use this steering wheel with all those available on PC and Playstation 4/5.

Value for money

The BMW M4 GT3 is listed at €1,499.95 on the Fanatec website, making it the most expensive steering wheel of the brand to my knowledge. Its value for money is frankly not good, especially as the German brand’s catalog is full of excellent entries at much lower prices.

My verdict

The M4 GT3 is clearly an elitist steering wheel, designed to satisfy the sim-racing and racing desires of a very specific, and not very numerous, audience. Let’s face it: €1,500 can buy you a complete Fanatec setup, if you’re shopping on the ClubSport. Mais les gens qui peuvent se permettre un volant à 1 500 € sont à la recherche des facteurs wow, exceptionnel, unique et surtout compétition.

Admittedly, the pool of buyers is very limited in number, but it does exist. Fanatec isn’t going to sell these steering wheels by the bucketload, but they’ll always find a car enthusiast to have them, whether for racing in their living room or on the track.