NEXT LEVEL RACING MOTION PLATFORM V3 PROBLEM

I repair motion platforms as a hobby, particularly
the popular NEXT LEVEL RACING MOTION PLATFORM V3, also known as the HS-203. 
We also run vreal.pl, a company that rents out driving simulators for events, so I found a way to repair these devices myself. 
These platforms came in R1.1, R1.2 and R1.3 versions. They are manufactured by Motion Systems, a Polish company: motionsystems.eu.
You can also download the latest software for the platforms from their website: https://motionsystems.eu/software/downloads.

SERVICE & REPAIRS

If your platform has clocked up more than 500 hours, that is a good result.
These are not industrial machines.
They are fairly delicate, but reasonably priced.
We should keep our expectations realistic.
People write to me complaining that their device does not last forever, but unfortunately, that is how it is. 
The device was sold throughout Europe, the USA and other parts of the world, including Australia and Japan.
I have seen used units listed on auction sites and online marketplaces in the following countries:

Germany, Czechia, Slovakia, Poland, Italy, France, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Portugal, as well as Scandinavian and Nordic countries such as Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland.

NEXT LEVEL RACING MOTION PLATFORM V3 is a very good product, and I believe it is unrivalled in its class.

That is enough background — now let’s get down to the details.

SERVICING IN EUROPE AND NLR REPAIRS

There are two types of NEXT LEVEL RACING MOTION PLATFORM V3: with an arm and without an arm. The latter last considerably longer, although the R1.1 and R1.2 versions are good too. Every unit can be repaired, and I believe it can be restored to its original condition. What goes wrong? Most commonly, the motors’ planetary gear assemblies fail. More specifically, the shaft breaks due to metal fatigue. There is little you can do about it. You can take corners more slowly, but unfortunately, time will eventually take its toll. If the shaft in one motor has broken, there is a 99% chance that the other motor also needs replacing. Sometimes it can be salvaged, but not always, as this is a very time-consuming process.

The electromagnetic brake also needs checking, along with the circuit board, encoder, thermal pads, transistors, resistors, optical components and other parts.
Disassembly, diagnosis and cleaning alone take around two days. Reassembling the entire unit and testing it under load take another two-three days. New planetary gear assemblies can be purchased, preferably from China, but suppliers will not sell you just two — they want to sell you 200 pcs.
Damaged motors can also be upgraded, although this is not always possible. 

NEXT LEVEL RACING MOTION PLATFORM V3 currently uses 12 mm shafts, but these can be upgraded to 15 mm. This can significantly extend its operating life, although the upgrade costs approximately €500 extra.

This option works well on NEXT LEVEL RACING MOTION PLATFORM V3 versions 1.1 and 1.2 without shaft supports.

I OFFER TWO OPTIONS

I can buy your damaged NEXT LEVEL RACING MOTION PLATFORM V3 for approximately €350, plus shipping within the European Union, which costs around €100. If you have several units, I can buy them at an agreed price.
I can repair your damaged platform for approximately €1,100–€1,300, depending on the damage, plus €100 for shipping within the European Union.
Please note: I am not an authorised service provider, nor do I run a repair business. I do this as a hobby, so I do not provide a warranty.
Sometimes a unit is not economical to repair, but I will gladly buy it for spare parts.

 1. SELL ME YOUR DAMAGED NEXT LEVEL RACING MOTION PLATFORM V3, V2 OR V1 FOR APPROXIMATELY €350, PLUS SHIPPING WITHIN THE EUROPEAN UNION: AROUND €100

Take photos of the damage, pack the unit and send it to me. Send the photos to +48 501 807 007. WhatsApp is the best way to contact me. Once I receive the parcel, I will transfer the agreed amount to your bank account or PayPal.
Please do not call to ask how to repair the device — I do not provide this information!

Address:

Arkadiusz Makula
ul. Nad Stawem 8
84-207 Koleczkowo, Poland
tel. +48 501 807 007
arek@vreal.pl

2. REPAIR OF A DAMAGED PLATFORM FOR APPROXIMATELY €900–€1,300, DEPENDING ON THE DAMAGE, PLUS SHIPPING WITHIN THE EUROPEAN UNION: AROUND €100

Before shipping the device, send photos of it via WhatsApp to +48 501 807 007.
Send me the parcel containing the unit. I will assess its condition, diagnose the faults and provide a repair quote. If I take on the repair, you will receive all the photos via WhatsApp. We will agree on the price before I proceed with the repair. As mentioned above, repair costs may vary. I also offer an optional €500 upgrade involving the installation of larger, stronger 15 mm shafts, particularly for NEXT LEVEL RACING MOTION PLATFORM V3 versions R1.1 and R1.2 without shaft supports.

What does the repair price include? Replacement or repair of the planetary gear assemblies, lubrication, inspection of the main circuit board and replacement of faulty components. Installation and welding of the arms. Approximately 2–3 hours of testing under an 80 kg load.
Once the repair is complete, I will notify you via WhatsApp and confirm the amount due. After receiving payment, I will ship the unit back to you.
Repairs can sometimes take a while, so please be patient.

Address:

Arkadiusz Makula
ul. Nad Stawem 8
84-207 Koleczkowo, Poland
tel. +48 501 807 007
arek@vreal.pl

Finally, a word of advice.

Do not buy a used platform without checking the shafts, particularly on versions 1.1 and 1.2. If the device has clocked up 400 hours, you can be sure that something is likely to go wrong soon. If the person using it weighed 110 kg, the shafts and motors will already need repair. If you are looking for a used NEXT LEVEL RACING MOTION PLATFORM V3, the R1.3 version is your best choice. I know that the new QS-H13 models are now available for around €3,200, but unfortunately, I have not tested them yet.

Feel free to get in touch.