Errrm I think you are doing MSFX down a bit too much.
RANT is excellent if only for the fact ADF Dip is simulated well. But you are flying an aircraft using buttons and not using a real panel.
For my money MSFX (kingair with HSI does well) coupled with a stick is a very very very cheap FNTPII simulator. You can fly all of the approaches you need to with good accuracy which is great for remembering the headings and let down heights and running through your checks. 20 or 30 hours on this before a renewal will cost you £15 and set you up nicely for the test.
Each to his own but when a test cost £1000+ I see no downside to the benefits of MSFX.