Fanatec Black Friday 2025

Fanatec Black Friday 2025: Deals and What’s Worth Buying

Right then, chaps, the deals are live. After weeks of speculation, Fanatec’s Black Friday sale is now running through Cyber Monday (December 2nd, 12AM PST). Having watched three years of these sales play out, including 2023’s absolute disaster and 2024’s remarkable recovery, I’ve got some thoughts on what’s actually worth your money this year.

Before we dive in, the usual caveat: I’ve watched people make impulse purchases during website crashes for three years running. This approach gives everyone a fighting chance to make informed decisions rather than panic-buying during a site meltdown at 3am.

Table of Contents

• What’s on Sale
• CSL DD
• ClubSport DD and DD+
• Podium DD2
• Steering Wheels
• ClubSport GT Cockpit
• What’s Not on Sale
• How to Get Your Order Through
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Final Thoughts

What’s on Sale

Fanatec have done something refreshingly straightforward this year – the deals are live, the website’s holding up reasonably well (touch wood), and stock levels seem more realistic than previous years. Based on what’s currently showing:

• Direct Drive Bases: €50-€500 off depending on the model
• Steering Wheels: €20-€300 off across the range
• Cockpits: €40-€100 off, though stock is already limited
• Bundles: Ready2Race packages showing the strongest value proposition

The discounts range from sensible (20% on newer kit) to properly aggressive (33% on the DD2). More importantly, Corsair’s acquisition seems to have brought operational stability – orders from 2024’s sale all shipped within the advertised timeframes, which is frankly remarkable given Fanatec’s track record.

CSL DD: The Entry Point That Makes Sense

The CSL DD remains Fanatec’s volume play, and the pricing reflects that:

• CSL DD QR2 (5 Nm): €299.95 (was €349.95, save €50)
• CSL DD QR2 (8 Nm): €399.95 (was €449.95, save €50)
• Gran Turismo DD Pro (5 Nm) bundle: €599.95 (was €699.95, save €100)

That’s roughly $320/$425/$640 at current exchange rates, though UK and US pricing will vary slightly. The 8Nm variant is the sweet spot if you’re buying standalone – proper direct drive feel, QR2 compatibility, and room to grow your wheel collection.

Now, Moza have their R5 bundle at around $475 currently. You’re paying roughly $50-75 more for the Fanatec, but you get broader wheel compatibility – Fanatec supports 40+ wheels versus Moza’s more limited selection – and a clearer upgrade path to the Podium line. If you plan to expand your wheel collection over 12-24 months, that premium makes sense. If you’re buying once and done, the Moza R5 is hard to argue with.

Ready2Race Bundles: Best Overall Value

The Ready2Race packages remain the most sensible entry point for anyone building from scratch. These typically include the wheelbase, a wheel (P1 V2 or McLaren GT3 V2), pedals, and QR2 Lite connection – everything you need minus the rig itself.

The Gran Turismo DD Pro bundle at €599.95 deserves particular attention. That’s a complete PlayStation-compatible direct drive setup for about $640. Yes, it’s more than the Moza R5, but the PS5 compatibility alone justifies the difference if that’s your platform. The base sits at 5Nm, which is perfectly adequate for most driving. I run considerably more torque on my own rig, but my son uses similar levels and never complains about feel.

ClubSport DD and DD+: The Mid-Range Sweet Spot

This is where things get interesting:

• ClubSport DD: €599.95 (was €799.95, save €200)
• ClubSport DD+: €799.95 (was €999.95, save €200)

That’s €200 off both models, bringing them to roughly $640 and $850 respectively. The DD+ includes the newer electronics and slightly refined force feedback, but both deliver 12Nm of torque – more than sufficient for everything short of proper prototype racing.

Here’s my take: these weren’t included in last year’s sale because they’d only just launched. Seeing €200 off this early suggests Fanatec are serious about market share against Moza and Simagic in this segment. The ClubSport DD at €599.95 represents exceptional value if you want premium build quality without Podium pricing.

Podium DD2: High-End Territory

Podium Wheel Base DD2 QR2: €999.95 (was €1,499.95, save €500)

This is the headline deal – 33% off brings it to roughly $1,065. That’s Simucube 2 Sport pricing territory. Before we get excited though, let’s be clear about what 25Nm actually means in practice.

I run a Simucube 2 Pro on my own rig, and I rarely use anywhere near its maximum torque. My son uses the same base at even more modest levels. Unless you’re competing in top-split iRacing or driving high-downforce prototypes where you genuinely need that torque, you’ll never use 25Nm. You’ll also need a robust rig – anything less than a P1-X or equivalent will flex noticeably at those forces.

That said, at €999.95, this represents excellent value if you’re building a no-compromise setup. The Fanatec ecosystem integration, wireless connectivity, and upgrade path make this compelling against similarly-priced Simucube options.

Steering Wheels: Where the Real Savings Are

Podium BMW M4 GT3

Podium Steering Wheel BMW M4 GT3: €1,199.95 (was €1,499.95, save €300)

Now this, my friends, is serious kit. That’s roughly $1,280 for what remains one of the finest GT3 replicas available. The magnetic shifters are sublime, the rotaries are proper quality, and the carbon construction feels every bit as premium as the price suggests.

At €300 off, you’re still looking at significant money, but if you’re serious about GT3 racing and already running Podium hardware, this wheel justifies its pricing. The alternative is waiting for Cube Controls or Ascher Racing sales, which might save you €100-200 but won’t give you the same ecosystem integration.

CSL Elite Porsche Vision GT

CSL Elite Steering Wheel Porsche Vision GT: €299.95 (was €349.95, save €50)

This represents excellent value at €50 off. The Vision GT sits in that awkward middle ground – too expensive to be an impulse buy, not premium enough to feel special against the Podium range. At €299.95 (roughly $320), it becomes much more palatable.

The dual-clutch system works beautifully, the grips are comfortable for extended stints, and the build quality sits firmly in the “good enough” category. If you’re running CSL or ClubSport hardware and want something prettier than the McLaren GT3 V2 without Podium pricing, this makes sense.

Formula Wheels

• ClubSport Formula V2.5: €299.95 (was €359.95, save €60)
• ClubSport Formula V2.5 X: €309.95 (was €369.95, save €60)
• CSL Elite WRC: €199.99 (was €219.95, save €19.96)

The Formula V2.5 at €299.95 represents exceptional value – that’s roughly $320 for a proper carbon F1-style wheel with metal paddle shifters and proper button quality. The V2.5 X adds Xbox compatibility for an extra tenner, which is frankly a no-brainer if you’re in that ecosystem.

The WRC at €199.99 gets a token discount, but it’s still solid value for a rally-focused wheel. The sequential shifter integration works brilliantly for rally stages, though the plastic construction feels less premium than the Formula range.

ClubSport GT Cockpit: Stock Issues Already

ClubSport GT Cockpit (Both colours): €814.95 (was €914.95, save €100) – Currently Unavailable

GT Cockpit Seats: €299.95 (was €339.95, save €40) – Backorder: Mid-December

Here’s where Fanatec’s stock management becomes frustrating. The cockpit frames are already showing “Currently Unavailable” whilst the seats are on backorder until mid-December. That suggests either conservative stock ordering or stronger demand than anticipated.

At €814.95 (roughly $870), this represents decent value for an aluminium profile rig with integrated mounting points. However, you can build equivalent functionality from 8020 profiles for similar money with more flexibility. The Fanatec offering makes sense if you value the aesthetic and don’t want to design your own mounting solutions.

What’s Not on Sale: QR2 and Recent Launches

As expected, the QR2 system and recent wheel launches aren’t included. Multiple sources confirmed this before the sale, and it makes commercial sense – Fanatec won’t discount products with barely six months of retail history.

What we’re seeing instead are bundle deals that effectively discount QR2 when purchased with a wheelbase. The Ready2Race packages include QR2 Lite, which is perfectly adequate for anything short of the DD2.

How to Actually Get Your Order Through

Based on three years of watching these sales, here’s my defensive purchasing strategy:

Before You Click “Buy”

1. Create your account now – Don’t try registering during checkout. Have your account ready with saved address and payment details.
2. Know your cart total – Work out your total including shipping and taxes beforehand. The last thing you want is surprise fees during checkout.
3. Have alternatives ready – If your first choice sells out, what’s your backup? Don’t freeze.
4. Screenshot everything – Order confirmation, payment confirmation, order number. If things go sideways, you’ll need evidence.

During Checkout

1. Don’t refresh frantically – If the page is loading, let it load. Refreshing triggers new requests and slows everything down.
2. PayPal if possible – Fewer fields to fill, faster checkout, better purchase protection.
3. Off-peak timing – US midnight is EU morning. Consider ordering during US working hours when European traffic is lower.
4. Mobile vs Desktop – Last year’s sale handled mobile traffic better. Have both ready.

After Ordering

1. Check your email immediately – You should get order confirmation within minutes. No email means no order.
2. Monitor your account – Log into Fanatec and verify the order shows in your account history.
3. Check your bank – Payment should process within 24 hours. If it processes but you have no order confirmation, contact support immediately.
4. Don’t panic if backorder – Estimated dates have been reliable since the Corsair acquisition. Trust the timeline unless you hear otherwise.

The 2023 Disaster: What Not to Expect

For context, the 2023 sale was catastrophic. The DD2 was advertised at €799 (47% off), orders went through, payments processed, then Fanatec cancelled them after the fact and offered a measly 10% voucher as compensation. The real problem, and what created lasting resentment, is that some orders were honoured whilst others weren’t, seemingly at random.

Many switched to Moza or Simagic after that debacle. Last year’s sale, by contrast, saw all orders fulfilled within the advertised timeframes. Corsair’s acquisition appears to have brought proper inventory management and operational discipline.

I’m cautiously optimistic that 2025 continues the 2024 trend, but the defensive purchasing strategy above assumes nothing. Better safe than sorry.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do deals end?

Cyber Monday, December 2nd at 12AM PST. That’s 8AM GMT, 9AM CET. Don’t wait until the last hour – stock levels on popular items are already moving.

Will stock be replenished?

Historically, no. Once items show “Currently Unavailable” during the sale, they typically don’t return. Backorder items usually ship but may arrive after Christmas.

QR1 vs QR2?

QR2 if you can afford it. The metal-on-metal connection is noticeably more rigid, installation is genuinely tool-free, and it’s the future of the platform. QR1 works fine but feels plasticky and requires tools for proper installation. Given you’ll likely keep your wheelbase for 3-5 years, the QR2 premium is worth it.

CSL DD vs ClubSport DD?

For most people, the CSL DD 8Nm is sufficient. The ClubSport DD offers more torque (12Nm vs 8Nm), better cooling, and premium construction, but you need a solid rig to use that torque properly. If you’re upgrading from a G29 and using a desk mount, save your money. If you’re on a P1-X running high-downforce GT3s, the ClubSport DD makes sense.

Which wheel should I buy?

Depends entirely on what you drive. GT cars? Formula V2.5 or Porsche Vision GT. Rally? WRC. F1? Formula V2.5. Everything? McLaren GT3 V2 (not on sale but versatile). Serious GT3 competition? BMW M4 GT3 if budget allows.

Should I wait for Cyber Monday?

No additional discounts expected. Popular items are already on backorder. If you see what you want at a price you’re comfortable with, buy it. Waiting for an extra 5% off means risking stock altogether.

Final Thoughts

Fanatec’s 2025 Black Friday sale represents genuine value across most of the range. The CSL DD ecosystem remains the best entry point for newcomers, the ClubSport DD offers excellent mid-range performance, and the Podium DD2 at €999.95 is genuinely compelling for high-end builds.

The operational improvements since Corsair’s acquisition are evident – stock levels seem more realistic, the website’s handling traffic properly, and backorder dates are actually believable. That said, I’d still recommend defensive purchasing strategies given Fanatec’s historical track record.

What constitutes “good value” depends entirely on your current setup, budget, and racing preferences. A CSL DD won’t satisfy someone running a Simucube on a P1-X, but it’s absolute magic for anyone coming from a Logitech G29. Similarly, the Podium BMW M4 GT3 at €1,199.95 is still serious money, but it’s €300 less than last week.

The deals are live, the stock is moving, and Cyber Monday arrives faster than you think. Do your research, know your budget, and don’t panic buy during website slowdowns.

Good luck, and happy racing. See you in the virtual paddock.

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Topic: Sim Racing Black Friday