After waiting (and hoping) for this upgrade to arrive closer to the end of December, the Moza R5 bundle showed up unexpectedly on the 21st—and the timing couldn’t have been better. If you’ve seen my old sim racing setup, you’ll know it was long overdue for an upgrade.

This post covers the full unboxing, first impressions, and my very first drive with a direct drive wheel. If you’re thinking about upgrading your sim racing setup or considering the Moza R5 as your entry into direct drive, this one’s for you.

Unboxing the Moza R5 Bundle

Inside the main box is… another box. Clean, solid packaging, and everything feels properly protected. Once the corner clips come off and the seals are cracked, you immediately realize this thing means business.

The first thing that hits you?

The weight.

At around 12 kg, this is no toy. This is easily the heaviest and most premium sim racing hardware I’ve owned so far—and it instantly feels like a serious upgrade.

What’s Included in the Box?

Here’s what comes with the Moza R5 bundle:

• Moza R5 direct drive wheel base

• Moza steering wheel

• Pedal set (throttle & brake – no clutch)

• Power cable

• Mounting brackets and screws

• Instruction manuals

The pedals don’t include a clutch by default, but they’re adjustable. You can reposition them easily, and future upgrades are definitely on the cards.

Steering Wheel & Build Quality

The steering wheel itself feels incredibly solid straight out of the box. Cold to the touch, reassuringly heavy, and built like it’s meant to last. Buttons feel well-placed and tactile, and the overall design screams quality.

This was my first brand-new sim racing purchase in a long time, and honestly, it felt like the most expensive Christmas present I’ve ever bought myself.

No regrets.

Moza R5 Wheel Base – First Impressions

Now to the main event: the direct drive base.

Once unwrapped, it’s immediately clear this is a serious piece of kit. Compact, clean design, and surprisingly quiet considering the power it delivers. Everything about it feels premium and purpose-built.

This was my first-ever experience with direct drive, so expectations were high—but even then, it exceeded them.

Pedals Setup & Adjustments

The pedals are solid but definitely need some adjustment out of the box. Initially, they sat a bit too far away, which made positioning awkward.

That said, they’re modular and adjustable, and once dialed in properly, they’ll do the job. A pedal upgrade will likely come later—but for now, these are more than enough to get started.

First Drive – Direct Drive Changes Everything

Three hours later… it was time.

Same test track I always use. Same car—the BMW M4. The only difference? The Moza R5.

And wow.

The first thing you notice is how quiet everything is. No belt noise. No rattling. Just pure feedback. The force feedback is on another level—stronger, smoother, and far more detailed than anything I’ve used before.

You don’t just steer the car.

You feel it.

• Road texture is clearer

• Steering resistance feels realistic

• Precision is dramatically improved

Suddenly, everything feels more controlled—and somehow, you feel like a better driver almost instantly.

Things I Noticed Right Away

• Steering rotation was set to 900°, which took a bit of adjustment after coming from a lower-angle wheel

• My handbrake is now the loudest thing in the setup

• Pedal positioning needs refinement

• Feedback detail is unreal compared to belt-driven wheels

Once dialed in properly, this setup is going to be dangerous.

Is the Moza R5 Worth It?

If you’re coming from an entry-level wheel and want to experience true direct drive, the Moza R5 feels like a perfect stepping stone.

It’s:

• Powerful without being overwhelming

• Compact and well-built

• Quiet and incredibly precise

For anyone serious about sim racing—or looking to take that next step—this setup delivers.

Final Thoughts

The Moza R5 bundle completely transformed my sim racing experience in one session. The jump to direct drive is real, and once you feel it, there’s no going back.

This was just the beginning. More testing, tuning, and upgrades are coming—but first impressions?

Absolutely incredible.

If you’ve been on the fence about direct drive, consider this your sign.