These are my first impressions after a few days with the Thrustmaster Ferrari 488 GT3, which I bought to form my own opinion. I use it here on the T818, after driving at Spa among other sessions. Its size and grip immediately appealed to me. This review focuses on feel, controls and mounting; it is not yet a wear assessment or a timed comparison.
Size and construction
At 31 cm, the wheel seemed more substantial than expected once installed. I compare its presence in my hands with the 30 cm MOZA KS and my SF1000. The rubbery grip is particularly pleasant and provides a secure hold without feeling like a toy.
The quoted price is €249, and my purchase in Réunion cost €279. Materials and functions need to be considered in that context: the front includes a carbon plate, but the whole assembly is not carbon. The central logo is plastic. Nevertheless, I find the wheel compact and solid, without the hollow resonance that bothered me on the Fanatec McLaren I previously owned.
Controls and paddles
I like the button feel. They are coloured but not backlit, and the control options remain fairly straightforward. The directional controls shown are joysticks. There is no pair of analogue clutch paddles.
The magnetic gearshift paddles are adjustable. Their position and travel can be adapted, and small pads are supplied to reduce noise. I demonstrate the clicks in the video to compare their feel with other wheels. The result seems firm and consistent with the wheel’s construction.
The available lighting provides race information, including flags and the pit limiter. It takes a little getting used to. In GT driving, I already have plenty of information on the car’s dashboard, so I do not miss an integrated screen for this use.
T818 mounting and moving from a belt-driven base
The T818 fitting slots directly into the back of the wheel and is secured with screws. Once locked onto the base, I notice no play in that connection. The slight movement visible when I apply force comes more from my cockpit support, which is not especially rigid.
The 488 sits closer to the base than an older wheel using the T818 adapter. This changes hand position and deserves attention during installation. Compatibility with older Thrustmaster bases mainly interests me as a gradual upgrade path: you can change the wheel and consider a Direct Drive base later while retaining your hardware.
A few laps and driving impressions
I drive with the T818 in Sport mode and reduced power to make large kerbs less tiring. Feedback nevertheless remains strong and present. Grip contact and the assembly’s rigidity contribute greatly to immersion.
The filmed laps illustrate those impressions rather than measuring performance. I am still learning the week’s circuit and talking while driving. My times had improved at Spa in the preceding days, but that is not enough to attribute the improvement to the wheel: practice remains essential.
What we liked
- The 31 cm diameter and comfortable grip.
- Construction without a hollow sound and a firm connection to the T818.
- Adjustable paddles and continuity within the Thrustmaster ecosystem.
What we liked less
- No illuminated buttons or analogue paddles.
- The choice to reproduce the 488 when I would have liked the newer Ferrari 296’s wheel.
