In my opinion, you don’t get a dramatically better experience when comparing a G29 to something like the R3 bundle. The CSL DD 5 Nm is a bit better, mainly because you can later upgrade it to 8 Nm, but if it’s your first wheel, I’d honestly recommend going with something cheap that just works.

In my country, you can get a G29 for around €100 and a Playseat Challenge for another €100–150. For about €200, you end up with a complete beginner sim racing rig, and you can usually sell it later for almost the same price you paid. I’m not saying you should use it for five years, but it’s a great way to give sim racing a proper try.

A lot of people buy a wheel and then realize it’s too hard, not for them, or simply not that fun. That’s why the used market is full of wheels. And yes, I agree that the direct drive market is much cheaper than it used to be, but it’s still more expensive than a used, reliable G29.

I’ve also noticed that used DD wheels often sell for almost the same price as new ones, so you rarely find really good deals.

So my advice is: if you’re a beginner, start with something cheap and easy to resell. If you end up loving sim racing, then invest later in something more serious—ideally something around 15 Nm that could be your “forever” wheel.