Reading about all the problems others have experienced with their Fanatec products, I really can't believe I've never had a single issue that wasn't completely of my own doing, and even those have been minor hiccups.
After buying my first wheel & pedals, a CSR-E + CSP V1 setup, in January 2012, solely for use with Forza 3, I was looking to PC racing within months, mostly because of my desire for a CSW V1 with BMW M3 GT2 rim.
During Summer 2013, I made the switch. Built a PC, bought an Obutto R3volution, finally got my hands on the CSW V1, and upgraded to the CSP V2 as well. I later added the CSS shifter, Universal Hub (for a Sparco P310), and Porsche 918 RSR rim.
A month or so ago, my CSW V2 arrived.
All those Fanatec products, and I've never had to RMA any of them. Crazier still, I'm one of those for whom these sorts of purchases etc. never end well.
So how do I show Fanatec my undying gratitude?
After noticing that not only must prospective CSW V2 owners wait until May, at the earliest, for delivery of their pre-orders, I realized that CSW V1s weren't even available for purchase. Same deal with the CSS shifters.
On a lark, I listed my CSW V2 and CSS Shifter V1 (H-only) on eBay a few days ago, with ludicrously high starting prices ($900 and $250, respectively), figuring I'd either sell them for ridiculous money, or simply continue using them without even unplugging anything. I wouldn't even have to pay eBay listing fees.
So what happened?
My CSS Shifter sold for $310, after a 3 day auction, to a very quick gentleman from Finland. After discussing our mutual sim racing interests, he's now helping me with my driving technique in Assetto Corsa and iRacing.
With 6 hrs. left, my CSW V2 is at $920. Although that is already substantial, I'm feverishly hoping for a last minute bidding war, all the while pretending to chastise myself for being greedy.
Finally, I ask myself what wheel I should now invest in, and after some thought I realize that I really shouldn't push my luck with Fanatec. It's been a great run, but part of me knows, my next V2 would somehow blow up in my face. After all, as I said earlier, I'm always the unlucky guy in these situations.
Accuforce, here we come!
Henk
P.S. - If it's any consolation for "Terrible" Tommy Jackermaier, while dancing with the "girl whut brung me" (my CSW V1) for the interim, I'll be waiting, with baited breath, for the Germaneering Gods to take a dump on my head.