EDIT: grammar/spelling fixes
> It's basically a decision between the TX and the Fanatec Wheel base plus a wheel
For that, we'll really have to get into the little details separating your options.
For reference, the Fenatec wheel bases are the CSL Elite and the Clubsport V2.5 (CSW), for $299.95 and $499.95 respectively. The TX base is currently at $302.32 on Amazon, and the TX kits come in at $349 for the standard Ferrari wheel and $469.99 for the Leather Edition.
For the way the wheels feel to the driver, Inside Sim Racing has done reviews for each of them (TX, Clubsport V2.5, CSL Elite), and the CSL review features a segment comparing these wheels (9:43 - 13:29), to give you a better idea of the differences between them. The main difference noted in that comparison is the FFB. The reviewer notes that TX is the weakest, and the CSW is the strongest, with the CSL between them, but from what it sounds like, the TX doesn't lag too far behind the CSW. On top of that, he notes that the TX has a better "on-centre" feel than the Fanatec bases to the reviewer; the wheel doesn't resist against you for slight turns, whereas the Fanatec wheels resist even those. The Fenatec wheels also feature on-wheel tuning (FFB settings, brake strength, etc), whereas the TX is only degree-adjustable (270-1080°) on wheel, and everything else must be done in-game. Based on these, I would say that the main consideration should be between the TX and CSL Elite, since their servo bases fall into the same price range (~$300). The CSL Elite and CSW V2.5 have minor differences, but have a $200 gap between them.
As for the main accessories, from stock, Fanatec's large selection of rims and more advanced pedals gives you more options to choose from. Thrustmaster on the other hand only has a few select rims, only one of which being an F1 rim, and 2 pedals options, the T3PA and T3PA Pro, though what Thrustmaster offers is arguably all you'd need. However, there are adapters that have been made for the Thrustmaster products that allow them to be compatible with non-Thrustmaster accessories, such as the CPX adapter for plugging in Fanatec pedals to Thrustmaster wheel bases, and steering wheel adapters that allow Thrustmaster bases to be compatible with custom/real racing rims.
Thrustmaster and Fanatec both feature a 7 gear + R shifter, but the Thrustmaster shifter can also be used as a handbrake. Fanatec is the only one with a dedicated handbrake, and although the handbrake is only natively compatible with Fanatec bases, it could be plugged into the PC directly with the club sport adapter, allowing use with the Thrustmaster wheel. The accessory options really balance on both sides out if you consider the adapters available for Thrustmaster wheels, the only difference being that the Fanatec rims are only compatible with Fanatec bases, so if you want those for the on-wheel buttons, then you'd have to go with Fanatec.
Of course, one thing to go back to is cost. Let's assume for a moment that you wanted to go one way or the other, Thrustmaster or Fanatec. If you got the TM Leather Edition, featuring a pair of T3PAs, along with the TH8A shifter, then you'd be spending about $630 total. On the other hand, if you got the CSL Elite Base and Wheel, the CSL Elite Loadcell pedals (the standard ones only feature two pedals), and the Clubsport Shifter, then you'd be spending about $670 total. Plus, if you wanted an F1 rim on the side, for more immersive F1 experiences, The Thrustmaster F1 rim is $150, and the Clubsport Formula Black F1 rim is $200, totaling each kit to $780 for Thrustmaster and $870 for Fenatec. Material and spec differences in mind, these would be the main options I would say you should consider.
However, on the Fanatec side, the cost becomes a problem when you consider their alternative options. Want the Clubsport pedals instead of the CSL? Only about $100 more, or $770 - $ 970 (depending on the optional F1 rim) for the kit option above. Not too bad... but what about a Clubsport base with the CSL wheel and pedals? $870 - $1,070. What about a full Clubsport set, featuring the Clubsport Base and BMW wheel, Clubsport Pedals V3, and, of course, the Shifter? $1,250 - $1,450. That's not even considering the more expensive options past that, or even the $120 handbrake.
With all of that in mind, what it all boils down to are the following:
Then you should consider either the TX Leather Edition + shifter for $630 - $780, or the the CSL set + shifter for $670 - $870, the range depending on the F1 rim option. At this point, it becomes a question of: do you spend more money for somewhat better quality, or do you save money by going with the Thrustmaster set?
If so, then one one hand, the Fanatec set is considerably more customizable, but the further you stray past the basic CSL set, the much more expensive it gets. One the other hand, you could use adapters to customize the TX quite a bit, but does mean you now have to rely on off-brand products, which has it's pros and cons. You could also plug the parts into your PC separately, meaning you could have a Thrustmaster wheel with Fanatec pedals with no adapter required, but not all games support this (though I have heard of some software that could fix that, although I couldn't point you in the right direction for that).
The TX and Fanatec bases are both compatible with Xbox One, so if you're playing on that as well, you can't plug your parts in separately. Meaning, if you want to use a TX with Fanatic pedals, then you'd have to use the CSX adapter. Plus, you wouldn't be able to use products outside of the Thrustmaster and Fanatec brands (well, Hori, but the Overdrive doesn't have FFB), unless you're doing a custom rim for the TX. If you want a handbrake on Xbox, you'd have to use Fanatec; you have more options on PC since you could plug them in separately.
If you'll be on PC exclusively, then this opens the flood gates in terms of what wheels you could choose, as literally every wheel is compatible with PC. However, in terms of price point... there isn't much past what's already discussed. The T150/TMX are about half the cost of a CSL or TX, but don't have removable rims, and since they use a mixed gear/belt system, they're not as smooth. The T300 is a popular go-to wheel, but doesn't differ much from the TX, all things considered. The T500 is incredibly popular and comes with a T3PA-Pro pedals set, but the pedals doesn't come with the canonical brake mod, and as you may have heard in the ISR review of the TX, isn't all that stronger than the TX.
I've mentioned before that the Clubsport is past the price point of the TX and CSL Elite, but if you're willing to consider it anyway, then you could also considerThrustmaster TS-PC racer, which is also within the Clubsport's price range. It's basically a T300/TX, but stronger and smoother, and comes with an F1-style rim. ISR has done a comparison video between it and the Fanatic wheels here. Even so, it's $200 more than the CSL and TX, though unlike the Clubsport, it comes with a rim. Though and you'd have to pay extra for the pedals that it doesn't come with, and even still... I wouldn't recommend it over the CSL or TX.
What I suggest is either the CSL Elite set or the TX set, listed above. As you've seen, they're within $50 of each other (not counting the F1 rim), and the differences they have reflect that, to some extent. I know I didn't really give you much of a definitive answer, but I hope I've helped you decided what you'd like to do.
Sidenote: All of the accessories I mentioned but didn't put links on are linked in the main post.
yes. But go for the TX not the TMX. Nothing wrong with the TX, just your budget can afford the TX and its a BIG step up.
Though, you may go over budget a little:
https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-Racing-Wheel-Servo-Base-Xbox/dp/B014US043A/
https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-VG-Open-Wheel-Add-PC/dp/B07N9M9DBL/
https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-T-3PM-Racing-Pedals-PS5-Xbox/dp/B096D5JTZX/
This is going to be your cheapest option:
https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-Racing-Wheel-Servo-Base-Xbox/dp/B014US043A/
But you'll need to have a microcenter local as they dont ship this item.
your next option is this which is technically cheaper, but the wheelbase is completely out of stock:
https://fanatec.com/us-en/racing-wheels-wheel-bases/wheel-bases/csl-dd-5-nm
https://fanatec.com/us-en/steering-wheels/csl-elite-steering-wheel-mclaren-gt3-v2
Thrustmaster Tx Servo + Sf1000 rim/TM Open wheel rim + T3PA pedals, and then throw it on whatever rig you want.
Going off of Amazon prices, that's $230+330/170+100, or $660/500 depending on which wheel rim you go for. Alternatively, you can look for a modded version of the logitech G29, which is cheaper, but will have worse FFB and you won't be able to swap out wheel rims.
Wait what? You can look up the prices online
Base = https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-Racing-Wheel-Servo-Base-Xbox/dp/B014US043A
Wheel = https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-F599XX-Wheel-Alcantara-playstation-4/dp/B014US048A
pedals = t3pas are $200-$250
Am I missing something here?
229 200 250 225
That's a little over a grand all brand new, unless I found an item wrong why is he asking for $600 more?
Mine can get pretty expensive, but i upgraded gradually:
Base: https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-Racing-Wheel-Servo-Base-Xbox/dp/B014US043A
Wheel:vhttps://www.amazon.com/ThrustMaster-Sparco-Steering-Playstation-Carbon/dp/B076HVX1QL/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=sparco+wheel&qid=1597930134&s=videogames&sr=1-3
Pedals: https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-T3PA-Add-xbox-one/dp/B00KX75W9O/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=t3pa&qid=1597930156&s=videogames&sr=1-1
Shifter: https://www.amazon.com/Thrustmaster-PC-PS3-PS4-Xbox-One/dp/B005L0Z2BQ/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=t8ha&qid=1597930209&s=videogames&sr=1-2
Knob: https://www.amazon.com/Shifter-Replacement-Logitech-Thrustmaster-EasyJakeBrake-Windows/dp/B07DVW2WYK/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=simuride+knob&qid=1597930250&sr=8-1
Parking Brake/ Extra Buttons: https://www.amazon.com/Extreme-3D-Pro-Joystick-Windows/dp/B00009OY9U/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=logitech+joystick&qid=1597930274&sr=8-1
Extra Buttons: https://www.amazon.com/Numeric-Jelly-Comb-Portable-Computer/dp/B01E8TTWZ2/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=keypad&qid=1597930320&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&smid=APUW1GSXXZINZ&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExRDE1QTBBRlhIUU44JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMTkyNTgwMkZZM1JYTFZYR1lEMSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNzM5MTcwMUJQWDVDQ0U1TUVQSyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
Wheel base: $220
Shifter: $180
Pedals: $150
Wheel rim: $200
Grand total: $750
It's really not that far off when you consider that Fanatec is broadly considered higher quality than Thrustmaster. I was ready to go all-in on Thrustmaster before I added it all up and realized I might as well keep saving and get the Fanatec stuff.