Plastic vs metal quick release for sim racing - what is better?

As is so often the case, the answer to a simple question is not yes or no, left or right. It depends! The question is what is more important to you as a sim racer! We took our time to create the best quality QR system for sim racing, and each QR2 (Lite, Standard & Pro) has its own advantages.

Perhaps we should start by debunking some of the myths surrounding plastic manufacturing before we start comparing. Not all plastics are the same, and you should know that plastics can be produced in different qualities, strengths, and from different materials. The production of plastics is not always cheaper or of poorer quality than parts made of metal. The production of high-quality carbon fibre-reinforced polyamide constructions can be just as expensive, or even more expensive, than the production of metal parts.

In general, all Fanatec QR2s have one thing in common besides their shape and design: The QR2 mechanical coupling was developed for use in real-world motorsport and was originally used in the 2022 BMW M4 GT3 race car. For example, the QR2 Lite shares the same fundamental design as the QR2 and QR2 Pro, which means they are fully compatible with each other.

With this out of the way, let’s have a look at the popular Quick Release options for your Fanatec CSL DD / GT DD Pro, ClubSport DD, or ClubSport DD+ Wheel Base and look at their advantages.

The QR2 Lite Wheel-Side uses a lightweight, carbon fibre-reinforced polyamide construction. It also shares the same mechanical connection as the metal versions. The advantage of the QR2 Lite is that it is a few hundred grams lighter than the QR2 or the QR2 Pro, adding less rotational mass to your steering wheel. This means you’ll be able to steer left and right just a little bit quicker compared to a steering wheel that has the QR2 or the QR2 Pro attached.

It’s worth noting that the QR2 Lite has taken a huge step forward compared to its predecessor, as it is stiffer and has almost no tolerances during manufacture.
Since you don’t have to worry about the strength of the carbon fibre-reinforced polyamide material and its long-lasting construction, you can save yourself 40% of the price compared to the QR2 if you prefer. Also, many of the popular CSL DD QR2 Bundles come with the QR2 Lite as default. So, you could save some money on your first sim racing bundle and then upgrade to the QR2 later.

Just note that certain CSL Elite steering wheel that come pre-attached with the QR2 Lite (unless you bought the GT DD Extreme) can limit your wheel base to operate in Low Torque Mode, and the amount of Low Torque Mode in Nm can vary from wheel base to wheel base.

The QR2 Wheel Side is made from a diecast aluminium with a CNC-machined and black anodised finish. The advantage of the QR2 is therefore its first-class haptic feel in your hand, as well as its super robust and ultra-durable construction. Thanks to the all-aluminium construction and the all-new mechanical design, the QR2 delivers rock-solid performance at the highest level. The tapered shape automatically ensures a tight fit, and precision manufacturing tolerances result in a robust connection between your Steering Wheel and Wheel Base. Of course, the self-aligning mechanism also ensures the electrical contacts are always protected.

Note that with the QR2 you can activate the High Torque Mode for your wheel base to utilise the maximum strength of the force feedback.

In black, it also has a clean and minimalistic look if you prefer this to the golden finish of the QR2 Pro. Due to the material used and the high torque mode, it costs a little more than the QR2 Lite.

If you want the absolute immersion, then you can even opt for the first quick release designed for both real and virtual racing applications. The QR2 Pro Wheel-Side was designed to meet FIA standards for use in real-world motorsport and was originally used for the 2022 BMW M4 GT3 race car. Since then it has seen further improvements for sim racing and for use in future motorsport applications.

Note that the tapered shape is milled from a single aluminium block, using 5-axis CNC technology! It doesn't get any better than this if you prefer the feel of high-quality materials and workmanship down to the smallest detail.

Last but not least, the QR2 Pro comes in a shiny gold colour, similar to the quick release systems in modern GT3 racing cars such as the BMW M4 GT3. If you want the best of the best with that extra level of immersion, the QR2 Pro won’t disappoint you.

You can decide what works best for you, but make sure to visit Fanatec.com so you don’t miss any exclusive offers or new product releases.