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The Bottom Line

The Asetek Aluminum Button Color Kit focuses on enhancing the physical touchpoints of your steering wheel, while the Thrustmaster T818 Black Metal Plate Add-On is a purely aesthetic fix for a brightly colored wheelbase. Your choice depends entirely on which ecosystem you own and whether you prioritize tactile feel or rig aesthetics.

Note

These are ecosystem-specific accessories with zero cross-compatibility. The Asetek kit only fits Asetek SimSports steering wheels, while the Thrustmaster plates are designed exclusively for the T818 wheelbase.

Why choose Aluminum Button Color Kit

7.5
Value Rating
  • It significantly improves the tactile feel, grip, and overall build quality compared to standard plastic caps.
  • It provides a premium look that allows you to "de-orange" your Asetek steering wheel.

Why choose T818 Black Metal Plate Add-On

8.0
Value Rating
  • It replaces the polarizing default "classic" blue plates to better match a clean, blacked-out rig setup.
  • The swap is incredibly straightforward, requiring only a 2 mm Allen key to remove four screws on each side.

The Verdict

If you are already in the Asetek ecosystem, the Aluminum Button Color Kit is a premium tactile upgrade, though the $89.00 price tag is steep for cosmetic changes and lacks matching thumb rotaries. For Thrustmaster T818 owners, the Black Metal Plate Add-On is a highly recommended, budget-friendly $40.54 fix to eliminate the default blue plates.

Spec comparison

Brand
Ecosystem
Starting Price $89.00 £29.99 (~$41)
Price trend Unchanged over 90 days Cheapest retailer changed — see product page
Type Steering wheel customization kit Customization plates
Connectivity None None
Compatibility Asetek SimSports steering wheels Thrustmaster T818

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