Don't Buy the MOZA R3 Until You Know This! (Review)
This is the all-new Moza Racing R3 bundle - arguably the most exciting product from Moza yet, and that’s for two main reasons. One, it’s the first-ever Xbox-compatible Moza wheelbase, and two, it’s priced at only $400 for a 3.9nm direct-drive wheelbase, a steering wheel, and a set of pedals. Sent over by Moza for me to review several months ago, I’ve been putting all this gear to the test and am now ready to give you all my review, going over the good, the bad, and whether this bundle could or could not be for you. I'll say it right now, I definitely don’t think it’s for everyone.
As is, the Moza R3 bundle comes with a table clamp, a 280mm steering wheel, and the SR-P Lite pedals we’ve seen before. To keep everything organized, I’ll begin by going over the pedals, followed by the steering wheel, and ending with the star of the show, the R3 bundle itself. Keep in mind that if you are interested in purchasing this, any other Moza product, or a sim racing product from many of the main companies in general, discount codes and my affiliate links can be found here. These can help you save some money and always incredibly help me out at zero extra cost to you, so a big thank you to all of you who use them. But anyway, let’s get started by talking about the SR-P pedals.
MOZA R3 Pedals
When it comes to the Moza Racing SR-P pedals included with the R3 bundle, you’ll immediately notice that there is no clutch. In addition to just having two pedals, the brake is not a load cell but a regular and far less desirable hall effect sensor with a spring providing some, but not much, resistance. However, I can confidently say that, compared to the competition in the entry-to-mid range Xbox-compatible offerings, these are actually really good.
Unlike the offerings from Thrustmaster and Logitech, whose pedals are almost entirely made of plastic, these, similar to the Fanatec CSL’s, are made entirely of metal with a solid look and feel. They can also be hard-mounted from underneath, and if you’re using them on carpet or a floor, sticky rubber pads are included to provide more grip.
The pedal performance as it is, is also decent for what you’re paying. The throttle has a comfortable travel and is very responsive, albeit with very little resistance. Similarly, the brake pedal does the job as intended and feels good under braking, but it does lack the confidence-inspiring feel you get when you’re comfortable and used to using stiffer load cell brakes.
Worth noting are the subtle adjustments you can make here. The pedals can move side to side, the pedal plates can be marginally adjusted up and down, and all pedals can be individually moved and swapped around for those who would want to invert them.
Overall, I can’t complain much here. The pedals did the job as intended, and for the price point, I honestly think they’re very solid. However, the biggest positive about these pedals is actually what’s not included. You see, although you only get this when purchasing the bundle, Moza offers upgrades that bring this entry-level pedal set well into the mid-range competition. With an optional load cell brake, an optional clutch pedal, an optional brake performance kit, and other accessories, these actually have a lot of potential for those who get into this bundle and are looking for upgrades down the road without needing to spend hundreds on a completely new pedal set.
It’s worth noting that if you are using the R3 bundle on Xbox, you need to connect these pedals directly to the wheelbase, and since you’re already locked into these pedals, it’s great that you can upgrade them while maintaining Xbox compatibility. For those who want to know more about the performance of this pedal set with all of those added accessories, check out my full review of the Moza SR-P pedals, linked in the description. Overall, again, I can’t complain much about the included pedals. On that note, let’s move on to the wheel rim, where I do have a bit more to complain about.
MOZA R3 Steering Wheel
The wheel included with the R3 bundle may seem exactly the same as the Moza ES wheel we’ve seen before with the R5 bundle; however, there are two main differences. The first is the presence of the Xbox logo, but the most immediately noticeable difference is the material the circular rim is made of. Unlike the ES wheel, which comes wrapped in synthetic leather, this one is made from a stiff rubber/plastic material called ISF polyurethane. Immediately, it looks and feels cheaper than its predecessor, but the on-hand grip is okay, and it comes with the benefit of not requiring as much maintenance as something like an Alcantara or suede wheel.
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Regarding this wheel, it’s actually fairly decent. Twenty-two total customizable buttons are included along with a telemetry shift light, and overall, the ergonomics are good. Although the wheel is very small at 280mm in diameter, I personally didn’t find much of a problem with its size. In fact, this, along with its lightweight, allowed me to feel more detail from the R3 wheelbase, especially compared to using much heavier Moza wheels. Though I didn’t have a problem with the size of this wheel, it’s also because I don’t have large hands and I don’t do things like drift or rally where a bigger rim is more necessary.
That’s a necessary consideration for those who might, but in that case, Moza has thought that through as they also offer the 12” wheel mod as well as a formula-style mod for this exact wheel. I didn’t have the time to test these out, but I will be making 60-second reviews of them on my YouTube Shorts channel and social media platforms, so stay on the lookout for that. I just wanted to mention this here for those who may be looking for a different size or shape for this bundle. Overall, this wheel rim isn’t much to brag about, but it does the job. The praised Moza quick release is found on the back, along with metallic paddle shifters that have a very clicky, albeit almost obnoxious, sound. Conversely, all the buttons on the wheel rim feel almost identical to any Xbox controller, again, not much to brag about.
When it comes to this wheel rim, I really only have two major complaints. The first is the lack of any rotary encoders or switches, which are very useful for managing things like ABS and traction control. The second is the slight flex you can both see and feel when applying pressure, especially on the top and outer parts of the rim. I confirmed that this flex comes from the wheel itself and not the quick release. Although I would be lying if I said I noticed it or it impacted me in-game, it is still there and may be more noticeable to those rallying or drifting where you are putting much more constant pressure and force on the wheel at different angles. Ultimately though, that really is just me nitpicking, and this isn’t something I would be too worried about.
Overall, the wheel included here is decent for what you’re paying, and it’s also great that modifications are available for it. With all of that said, now there really is only one thing left to talk about, and that is the star of the show, the R3 wheelbase itself.
MOZA R3 Wheelbase
Strikingly small in size, the Moza R3 wheelbase is shorter in height than a regular phone and about the same width, making it absolutely tiny. I believe it’s the smallest ever direct-drive sim racing wheelbase. Despite its small size, Moza has done an amazing job making it look good. In fact, I think the Xbox X silhouette they managed to incorporate into the metal housing looks incredible. The rest of the metal body also looks good with several grooves and indents. Underneath, four hard mounting holes are included where you’d also attach the optional but included table clamp, which I didn’t use. On the top of the base, two mounting holes are available, likely for the CM digital dash display. On the back, you’ll find the power button, which really should be at the front, along with all the connections for the pedals, shifters, power cord, etc. Of course, the quick release system is here, which easily connects the included rim, as well as the Moza KS and CS wheels I tested it with. This system gave no flex or movement and honestly, it’s as good as ever, so no complaints there.
This wheelbase will work like any other on a PC, but on Xbox, it does have some important compatibility restraints on certain titles. I didn’t test this base on Xbox, but if you are planning on using it exclusively on that console, make sure to carefully review the full compatibility guide Moza has illustrated on their website.
Taking this out on track, there is a lot to talk about, first and foremost, the limited torque output of this base. The advertised 3 to 3.9nm torque output does sound like little, and that’s because it really is - and it actually makes for a very interesting on-track feel. The best way I can put it is like having a Ferrari except it’s stuck in first gear; you know there’s so much potential, but you just can’t quite make the most of it. On track, the direct-drive characteristics of this wheelbase are immediately noticeable. You feel the wheel react faster, small granular details pop out, and little things that belt and gear-driven wheels often mute are definitely noticeable here. However, the only bad thing is that although you can notice those effects and they feel good, I wasn’t able to make them pop out and be as prominent as I would like. So in that sense, I felt like I had the detail that I wanted, but I just wanted more of it and couldn’t quite get there.
That goes without saying, yes, the R3 is quite good. The wheel is fast, a lot of detail is present here considering the torque restrictions, and the driving experience is very smooth. However, it does lack that kick that really brings everything to life and makes the experience so much better. It’s worth noting that heavier steering wheels like the Moza CS mute all effects even further as the base just isn’t able to convey the details as prominently on a heavier and larger wheel.
So, at the start of this review, I mentioned that the R3 isn’t for everyone, and this is exactly what I’m talking about. I think that if you are a very casual sim racer who doesn’t want to drop a lot of money on a simulator, perhaps just wants to drive on a desk while also being able to use their PC or console setup for other things, this is phenomenal. It’s also great for kids, for Xbox users who want a better experience on Forza and similar titles, and anyone who wants a nice sim racing experience but doesn’t care about immense immersion or being the absolute fastest on track. However, if that’s not you, then I would highly recommend looking at slightly higher-end offerings like the Moza R5, R9, or the Fanatec CSL DD bundles, which are offered at 5 and 8nm. I can’t put into words how much of a difference it makes.
So, in conclusion, the Moza Racing R3 bundle is a noteworthy entry into the market, particularly for its affordability and unique features tailored for Xbox compatibility. The SR-P pedals, though lacking a load cell brake, offer solid performance with robust metal construction and the potential for future upgrades. The steering wheel, while not premium in feel, provides adequate functionality and customization options. The true highlight, the R3 wheelbase, delivers impressive direct-drive characteristics in an exceptionally compact form factor. However, its limited torque output may leave more serious sim racers wanting more.
This bundle is ideally suited for casual sim racers, younger users, and Xbox enthusiasts seeking a quality experience without breaking the bank. The biggest drawback of this bundle is the inability to get more torque output from the wheelbase with something like a stronger optional power supply, similar to what Fanatec offers with the CSL DD. At the end of the day, whether the Moza R3 bundle is or is not for you, I think it’s a great and very solid offering. It delivers something the sim racing community has never seen before: a $400, Xbox-compatible direct-drive bundle with lots of optional accessories for future upgradability.
With all that said, this has been my full review of the all-new Moza Racing R3 bundle. Remember that if you are interested in purchasing, using my affiliate links helps me out at zero extra cost to you.
OC Score: 6.7
MOZA R3 FAQ:
What is included in the Moza Racing R3 bundle? The Moza Racing R3 bundle includes the R3 direct-drive wheelbase, a 280mm steering wheel, SR-P Lite pedals, a table clamp, and all necessary cables and connectors.
Is the Moza R3 bundle compatible with Xbox? Yes, the Moza R3 bundle is designed to be compatible with Xbox, making it a unique offering in the sim racing market.
What is the torque output of the R3 wheelbase? The R3 wheelbase has an advertised torque output of 3 to 3.9Nm.
Can I upgrade the pedals included in the bundle? Yes, Moza offers several upgrades for the SR-P Lite pedals, including an optional load cell brake, an optional clutch pedal, and a brake performance kit.
What materials are the pedals made from? The SR-P Lite pedals are made entirely of metal, providing a solid and durable construction.
Are there any compatibility issues with certain Xbox titles? There are some compatibility restraints with certain Xbox titles. It is recommended to review the full compatibility guide provided by Moza on their website if you plan to use the R3 bundle exclusively on Xbox.
What is the diameter of the included steering wheel? The included steering wheel has a diameter of 280mm.
Does the steering wheel have rotary encoders or switches? No, the included steering wheel does not have rotary encoders or switches, which may be useful for managing things like ABS and traction control.
Can the R3 wheelbase be hard-mounted? Yes, the R3 wheelbase has four hard mounting holes underneath for secure attachment, and a table clamp is also included for alternative mounting options.
Is the R3 wheelbase compatible with other Moza steering wheels? Yes, the R3 wheelbase is compatible with other Moza steering wheels, such as the KS and CS models.
How does the R3 wheelbase perform compared to higher torque wheelbases? While the R3 wheelbase provides impressive direct-drive characteristics and a smooth driving experience, its limited torque output may not satisfy more serious sim racers who seek higher levels of force feedback and immersion.
Who is the Moza Racing R3 bundle best suited for? The R3 bundle is ideal for casual sim racers, younger users, and Xbox enthusiasts looking for a quality sim racing experience without a significant financial investment.
Can I use this bundle on a PC as well? Yes, the Moza R3 bundle is compatible with PC, providing a versatile option for sim racing enthusiasts.
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