MOZA 12-inch Round Wheel Mod for ES: full review after testing

The MOZA 12-inch Round Wheel Mod for ES is aimed at a very specific category of simracers: those with an ES base (or an ES steering wheel) who want a real, more versatile round wheel, without blowing their budget. This is a mod, not a complete new wheel, but in a setup, this kind of change can transform the driving sensation.

On paper, this 12-inch promises greater comfort for disciplines that are best driven with a round steering wheel: rallying, drifting, cruising, GT "road car" or simply chill sessions. It's the natural evolution of the original ES, sometimes considered a little too "small GT" and not versatile enough.

For my part, I looked at three things in particular: perceived quality for the price, how it felt in the hand over long sessions, and the real added value in play compared to the original ES rim. In short, is this mod worth the investment, or is it just a nice but dispensable accessory?

I might as well say it straight away: this is a simple, targeted product, but one that plays a very concrete role in a setup. No technological revolution, but a change in feel that can make all the difference if you do a lot of driving with a round steering wheel.

Design and manufacturing

Visually, the MOZA 12-inch Round Wheel Mod remains sober. The rim adopts a classic round design, with a diameter of around 30 cm, very similar to that of a sports road car steering wheel. In hand, that's exactly what it felt like: a familiar, easy-to-tame format that doesn't surprise, but immediately reassures.

The structure exudes seriousness. The rim is rigid, with no perceptible torsion, even with a little pressure. You can feel the metal base under the covering, which gives the impression of density you'd expect from a steering wheel worthy of the name. It's not up to the level of top-of-the-range steering wheels costing several hundred euros, but in its category, it's clean.

The coating offers a good compromise between grip and comfort. Not too abrasive, but not soft either. You can ride without gloves without ruining your hands, which is important for long sessions. The feel is closer to a "serious consumer" sim racing wheel than to a hardcore competition wheel, but for the target audience, it's coherent.

What struck me was the consistency with the existing ES hub / steering wheel. Once the rim is fitted, the whole thing retains a homogeneous aesthetic, and doesn't feel like a DIY job or an add-on stuck there by chance. The assembly remains clean, with no parasitic play or suspicious noises when handling the wheel.

Where it disappoints slightly is in the "wow" factor of the materials. If you're coming from a very high-end premium leather steering wheel or a more expensive rim, you'll quickly feel that the 12-inch Round Mod remains in an intermediate range. The finish is decent, but not luxurious. At this price, it's hard to ask for more, but it's good to know if you're looking for something really high-end.

Compared to other entry/mid-range round rims on the market, MOZA competes well. Stiffness is up to scratch, as is comfort. It's not a showpiece, it's a simracing tool designed for frequent, stress-free use.

Settings, customization and compatibility

Since we're talking about a mod, the "settings" part is played out mainly via the MOZA Pit House software and the possibilities offered by the ES steering wheel to which it's attached. The 12-inch Round Wheel Mod doesn't add buttons, screens or electronic functions: it modifies the shape, diameter and therefore the way in which the base is operated.

Installation is straightforward for anyone already familiar with the MOZA ecosystem. You dismantle the original ES rim, install the round mod, and immediately find your profiles in Pit House. The learning curve is therefore more physical than software: it takes a few sessions to adjust seat position, steering wheel height and, sometimes, FFB intensity to suit the new lever.

The really useful adjustments to make concern overall force and rotation speed. With a larger diameter, the efforts felt in the arms change slightly, especially on an ES base. I've found it a good idea to lower the brute force a little, so as to maintain the same muscular fatigue on long runs, while benefiting from better control finesse.

As far as customization is concerned, the mod itself is fairly limited. You can, of course, adjust the position of the steering wheel in the cockpit, the angle and distance, and add a quick release if you haven't already, but the rim isn't designed to accept add-ons or extra buttons. It's a clear statement: we're staying within an accessible framework.

In terms of compatibility, we remain fully within the MOZA ecosystem. The mod is designed to work with the ES steering wheel and therefore with MOZA bases that support it, essentially on PC and, depending on configuration, on certain consoles via solutions provided by the brand. It doesn't magically transform your setup into a universal system, but rather integrates well with what MOZA already offers.

In terms of upgradeability, I see it as a clever stepping stone: you can start with a standard ES, then add this mod to open up your field of use (rally, road, drift), without immediately moving on to a more expensive high-end wheel. If one day you move upmarket, logic will probably dictate that you go for another, more premium rim, but in the meantime, this mod may well last several seasons.

Sensations in play

It's on the track that this MOZA 12-inch Round Wheel Mod really comes into its own. Simply switching to a diameter closer to that of a real-car steering wheel clearly changes the relationship with the FFB, especially on an ES basis.

When cornering, steering feels more progressive. Hand travel is more natural, especially on hairpins or long, constant-radius bends. You don't have the impression of "breaking" the steering as you would with a small rim, and corrections are made with greater finesse. For clean driving, it's really appreciable. You get a better sense of where the car is in the steering angle.

When it comes to grip reading, the rim doesn't create FFB of course, but it does influence the way it's interpreted. The larger diameter acts as a slight mechanical filter: small oscillations are a little less dry, but more legible. I found it easier to feel when the front starts to stall, especially on GT or high-performance road cars.

On the vibrators, behavior depends very much on your basic settings, but one thing stands out: the blows are less violent, less "slamming" into the wrists, while still being clearly perceptible. It's more comfortable while remaining informative. Physically, you can get through long sessions without feeling like you're fighting against the base.

In drifting and rallying, the round steering wheel comes into its own. Counter-steering movements become more fluid, and the hand finds its natural place. Even on an ES base, which isn't the most powerful on the market, the sensation of letting the steering wheel come back and catching up is closer to that of a real car. You immediately understand what the car is doing when you lose grip.

Over long sessions, consistency is good. No hot spots in the grip, no areas that tire the hands. The rim remains stable, no play appears, no strange noise. You get the impression of a reliable tool that can be abused in a full rally or endurance race without question.

Compared with a smaller rim mounted on the same base, you lose a little in the sensation of raw liveliness, but you clearly gain in precision when making small adjustments. On a less powerful base, this mod almost helps to make the most of the available torque, smoothing out reactions a little to make them more controllable.

Compared to a more powerful setup with a large, high-end direct drive base and premium rim, we have to be clear: we're not playing in the same league in terms of FFB detail and absolute realism. But in its category, the MOZA 12-inch Round Wheel Mod offers a truly perceptible added value for most disciplines, especially when you leave the pure F1/single-seater circuit behind.

The overall impression is one of immersion, comfort and confidence. You feel more "in a car" and less "on a toy". For many simracers, this is exactly what they're looking for when they switch from a basic rim to a more realistic round rim.

Who's it for? What we like / What we don't like

This mod is clearly aimed at MOZA ecosystem users already equipped with an ES base and standard ES steering wheel. The ideal profile is that of the motivated beginner or intermediate simracer who's starting to try out several disciplines, not just F1 or hyper-racing GT. If you alternate between circuit racing, rallying, drifting and road cruising, and if you drive regularly, you're in the heart of the target.

What I appreciate most is the increased versatility. We've gone from a rather "compact" sim racing wheel to a rim that works well in almost any context. Then there's the comfort: the diameter and round shape make a real difference to fatigue and the natural feel of your movements. Finally, the price/feel ratio is interesting: without investing in a complete new steering wheel, you're really changing the driving experience.

But there are limits to keep in mind. The first is that this is only a mod: if you're hoping for more buttons, rotaries, screens or a spectacular upgrade, you're likely to be disappointed. You change the rim, not the whole wheel. Secondly, materials and finish remain in the mid-range. For a demanding simracer who comes from a very expensive premium steering wheel, the feel and look may seem a step below. Thirdly, the real interest of the product depends totally on your current base: if you're not on ES, or if you're planning to change base in the short term, this may not be the most pertinent investment.

In terms of perceived value, I see it as a smart investment rather than an unreasonable passion purchase. We're not talking about a cosmetic accessory, but something that changes control and comfort. For a MOZA setup centered around the ES base, the money is spent on something you'll feel at every turn.

Verdict

The MOZA 12-inch Round Wheel Mod for ES doesn't revolutionize a setup, but it clearly changes its DNA. We go from a compact wheel that's a bit "versatile by default" to a true round wheel, closer to a real car, more comfortable and better suited to a wide range of uses. It's the kind of small change that, in practice, makes sessions more enjoyable and more consistent.

On the market, it is positioned as a mid-range product, designed to reinforce the MOZA ecosystem around the ES base rather than to appeal to the ultra-premium. Its role is simple: to offer a logical evolution for those who want to take their sensations to the next level, without having to go back to a much more expensive complete steering wheel.

I'd recommend it above all to PC simracers already installed at MOZA, who ride regularly and like to vary the disciplines. For someone aiming in the very short term for a more powerful base with a top-of-the-range steering wheel, this mod will be more of a transitional stage than a definitive solution. For a very occasional player, the gain may be less obvious than the expense.

If you're looking to make your ES steering wheel more realistic, more comfortable and better suited to rallying, drifting and "road" driving, this product can clearly make the difference in your setup.