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SimRacingPicker
Fanatec Podium BMW M4 GT3 — forged carbon wheel with backlit buttons
Fanatec Podium BMW M4 GT3 — angled view
Fanatec Podium BMW M4 GT3 — rear with carbon shifters and clutch paddles
Fanatec Podium BMW M4 GT3 — detail of encoders and OLED
Fanatec Podium BMW M4 GT3 — QR2 Pro wheel-side
FanatecWheel
pcplaystation

Fanatec Podium Steering Wheel BMW M4 GT3

The real BMW M4 GT3 race car wheel in forged carbon, with QR2 Pro

Description

The Fanatec Podium Steering Wheel BMW M4 GT3 is not a replica: developed with BMW M Motorsport, it is the wheel Fanatec manufactures for every 2022 BMW M4 GT3 race car, and it is homologated for GT3 racing to FIA standards. The 308 mm body is an 8-layer forged carbon construction with an anti-reflective coating, overmolded rubber grips (Shore 60), and weighs about 1700 g including the quick release.

Paddles. Dual-action (push/pull) magnetic carbon shifters allow up- and down-shifts on one paddle or act as four separate inputs, with adjustable position. Two analog clutch paddles use dual-Hall sensors, have adjustable travel, and support advanced bite-point, clutch/handbrake, brake/throttle and mappable axis modes.

Controls. 14 buttons (12 front, 2 rear) with 700 g activation; the front buttons have color-adjustable, dimmable RGB backlighting and can act as RevLEDs. Two 12-step grip-mounted Hall-sensor encoders, three backlit 12-way multi-position switches, a 4-way D-pad under the BMW logo and a 1" OLED for telemetry and the Tuning Menu complete the layout. Lighting is customizable via FanaLab on PC.

QR2 Pro. Preinstalled CNC-machined billet aluminum QR2 Pro Wheel-Side that meets FIA standards. Firmware is updated through the included cable, not through the wheel base.

Compatibility. Works on Windows PC and on PS4/PS5 with a PlayStation-licensed base; not Xbox compatible. Compatible bases include Podium DD, Podium DD1/DD2, ClubSport DD/DD+, ClubSport V2/V2.5, CSL Elite bases, CSL DD and Gran Turismo DD Pro.

Features & highlights

Official BMW M Motorsport product used in the 2022 BMW M4 GT3
FIA-homologated for GT3 racing
8-layer forged carbon body, 308 mm
About 1700 g including quick release
Dual-action push/pull magnetic carbon shifters
Two analog clutch paddles with dual-Hall sensors and adjustable travel
14 buttons with RGB backlighting (12 front, 2 rear)
Two 12-step Hall-sensor grip encoders
Three backlit 12-way multi-position switches
1-inch OLED display
BMW logo 4-way D-pad
QR2 Pro Wheel-Side preinstalled
Same wheel Fanatec builds for the real BMW M4 GT3
QR2 Pro billet aluminum quick release included
Buttons can work as RevLEDs or tire-slip indicators
Firmware updates via included cable

Driving style

The Podium BMW M4 GT3 is an official BMW M Motorsport product and a homologated replica of the real GT3 wheel, built for drivers who compete in iRacing, Assetto Corsa Competizione and GT3 esports. The 308 mm full carbon body, moulded rubber grips and dual-action push/pull magnetic shifters put 14 RGB backlit buttons, two rear paddles and a 1-inch OLED exactly where the real car has them, while the forged carbon finish makes every unit unique. Best for GT3 competition and drivers chasing maximum authenticity; less suited for casual play, rally and formula cars.

Build quality

Premium build

The body is an eight-layer full carbon fibre tub with a forged carbon finish so every wheel has its own surface pattern, homologated to FIA standards for real GT3 racing and weighing about 1700 g including the quick release. Rubber hand grips at Shore 60 are moulded over the carbon structure, the dual-action magnetic shifters use carbon fibre paddles with adjustable position, and the 14 buttons are rated for 700 g activation with RGB backlighting and interchangeable inserts. QR2 Pro comes preinstalled for full direct-drive torque.

Software

The Podium BMW M4 GT3 has no driver of its own: firmware, Tuning Menu and force feedback settings run through the Fanatec wheel base it mounts to, configured in the Fanatec App for Windows PC, which also delivers firmware updates for the base and the wheel modules. On console, compatibility follows the base: pair it with a PlayStation-licensed base for PS4 and PS5, while PC works with any Fanatec base. The 1-inch OLED and the RGB buttons can act as RevLEDs, driven by FanaLab or the game through the Fanatec SDK. Telemetry and inputs reach the wheel through the Fanatec SDK in supported games, FanaLab programs LED behaviour, and SimHub can drive displays with custom dashboards.

Specifications

Buttons14 buttons (12 front RGB, 2 rear), 700 g
Display1" OLED
Shifter PaddlesDual-action push/pull magnetic carbon paddles
Diameter308 mm
Construction8-layer forged carbon fiber, FIA-homologated
GripOvermolded rubber (Shore 60)
Quick ReleaseQR2 Pro (preinstalled)
LEDsRGB button backlighting (usable as RevLEDs)
Switches3 x backlit 12-way multi-position switches
Encoders2 x 12-step Hall-sensor grip encoders
Paddle Mode2 analog clutch paddles: bite-point, handbrake, brake/throttle, axis
SoftwareFanaLab (PC) / on-wheel Tuning Menu
Weight~1700 g (incl. quick release)

Pros

  • Genuine motorsport wheel with FIA homologation
  • Forged carbon build with essentially no flex
  • Excellent ergonomics and tactile, distinct controls
  • Dual-action magnetic shifters and dual analog clutch paddles
  • RGB-backlit buttons visible in any lighting
  • Premium QR2 Pro included

Cons

  • Very high price for the feature set
  • Small 1" OLED display
  • Rear buttons awkward to reach
  • Center rotaries are plastic
  • Grips attract dust and debris
  • Not compatible with Xbox

What's in the box

  • Podium Steering Wheel BMW M4 GT3
  • QR2 Pro Wheel-Side (preinstalled)
  • QR2 update cable
  • Quick Guide

Frequently asked questions

Is this really the wheel used in the BMW M4 GT3 race car?

Yes. Fanatec states it co-developed the wheel with BMW M Motorsport and manufactures it for every 2022 BMW M4 GT3; it is homologated for GT3 racing and communicates with the car via CAN bus. Reviewers confirm it is the same wheel used in the race car.

Which platforms and wheel bases does it support?

Windows PC, and PS4/PS5 when connected to a PlayStation-licensed base; it is not Xbox compatible. Fanatec lists Podium DD, DD1/DD2, ClubSport DD/DD+, ClubSport V2/V2.5, CSL Elite bases, CSL DD and Gran Turismo DD Pro.

How do I update the firmware?

Because of the race car's electronic requirements, firmware cannot be updated through a Fanatec wheel base. Fanatec includes a QR2 update cable for this purpose.

How do the paddles and controls feel?

OC Racing describes the carbon shifters as large, firm and crisp, the metal clutch paddles as long-travel and fairly stiff, and the rubberized encoders as tactile. Its main complaints are awkward rear buttons and plastic center rotaries.

Is the build durable?

Fanatec says it is tested to the same extremes as the race car, with an 8-layer forged carbon body. OC Racing found no flex and excellent build quality, but notes the rubber grips attract dust and need regular cleaning.

Is it worth $1,599.99?

OC Racing recommends it for buyers who value motorsport authenticity and build, but says rivals at this price often offer larger screens and more features. It is sold at Fanatec ($1,599.99 US, €1,499.95 EU).

How does it compare with the CSL Steering Wheel GT3?

Both are GT3-style wheels with dual analog clutch paddles, but the CSL GT3 is a plastic 300 mm wheel with QR2 Lite and Xbox support at a fraction of the price. The Podium BMW M4 GT3 adds forged carbon, RGB-backlit buttons, Hall-sensor encoders, push/pull shifters and a QR2 Pro, but no Xbox support.