Decent, comfortable tyres for a loaded campervan. The tyres have lasted about 17-20k miles, which is amazingly good for a VW transporter. They are quiet, surefooted and not in the least noisy.
255/45 R18 Tyres
Everything we know about the 255/45 R18 tyre size: 62 owner reviews covering 1,138,215 miles of driving, and EU label data for the tyres you can actually buy in it.
- 62owner reviews
- 1,138,215 milescovered on them
- 396tyres made in this size
The quick answer
| Season | Owners' pick | Owner rating | Latest test winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Continental Sport Contact 3 8 Current version: Continental SportContact 7 | 75% from 3 reviews | - |
Owner picks are the highest weighted owner score in 255/45 R18; test winners come from the most recent independent test conducted in this size. The full evidence is below.
The best rated 255/45 R18 tyres
Rated only by drivers running this size. Each tyre needs at least 3 reviews in 255/45 R18 to be ranked; the order weights a tyre's score by how many reviews back it, so one glowing review cannot top a table.
Summer tyres
The highest rated Summer tyre in 255/45 R18 is the Continental Sport Contact 3 - 75% from 3 owner reviews in this size. The current tyre in that line is now the Continental SportContact 7.
| # | Tyre | Owner rating | Reviews | Distance reviewed | TR Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Continental Sport Contact 3
Replaced by Continental SportContact 7
|
75% | 3 | 6,000 miles | 8 |
| 2 |
Dunlop SP Sport 01
Replaced by Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
|
57% | 3 | 20,150 miles | 7.1 |
| 3 |
Hifly HF805
|
52% | 3 | 41,000 miles | 6.3 |
Want test data as well as owner opinion? Best Summer Tyres →
TR Score is the tyre's overall Tyre Reviews rating out of 10, built from independent test results and every owner review of that tyre - not just the reviews from this car. The owner rating column is this car only.
255/45 R18 EU tyre label data
EU label values are declared for each individual size, so the figures here are exact for 255/45 R18 rather than a range across a model. 266 tyres carry label data in this size. The most common load index is 103 (up to 875 kg per tyre). Speed ratings on offer: (Y) (301 km/h), Y (300 km/h), W (270 km/h), V (240 km/h), H (210 km/h), T (190 km/h), S (180 km/h), Q (160 km/h). 89 tyres in this size carry the 3PMSF severe snow marking.
A Best wet grip
72 tyres in this size hold the top EU wet grip rating, class A. The highest scoring on Tyre Reviews:
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 Summer 9.7
- Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF3 All Season 9.6
- Continental PremiumContact 7 Summer 9.5
- Bridgestone Potenza Sport Evo Summer 9.5
- Hankook Ventus Evo Summer 9.4
- Michelin Pilot Sport 5 Summer 9.4
A Lowest rolling resistance
The most fuel efficient choice: 3 tyres in this size reach rolling resistance class A. The highest scoring on Tyre Reviews:
- Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 Summer 8.9
- Pirelli P Zero Summer 8.8
- Bridgestone Turanza T005 Summer 8.6
69dB Quietest tyres
The quietest 255/45 R18 tyres are labelled at 69 dB external noise:
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 Summer 9.7
- Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 Winter 9.5
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4 Summer 9.3
- Falken Azenis FK520 Summer 9.1
- Nokian Seasonproof 2 All Season 9.1
- Sailun Atrezzo ZSR2 Summer 8.9
Label values come from the EU EPREL database and apply to the EU market versions of each tyre. Wet grip and rolling resistance run from class A (best) to E; noise is the measured drive-by figure. A good label is a floor, not a verdict - the tests and owner ratings above tell you far more.
How long do 255/45 R18 tyres last?
Across 11 end of life reviews in this size, a typical set of tyres was worn out after 15,000 miles. Half of all worn-out sets lasted between 12,000 miles and 17,000 miles.
Distances are self-reported by drivers whose review marked the set as worn out; figures are medians, so a single unusual report cannot move them. Driving style and the car matter more than the size itself.
What does 255/45 R18 mean?
A 255/45 R18 tyre is 255 mm wide, its sidewall is 45% of that width (115 mm) tall, and it fits a 18 inch wheel. That gives an overall diameter of roughly 687 mm.
| Section width | 255 mm |
|---|---|
| Sidewall height | 115 mm |
| Rim diameter | 18" (457 mm) |
| Overall diameter | ≈ 687 mm |
| Circumference | ≈ 2,157 mm |
| Revolutions per km | ≈ 464 |
| Revolutions per mile | ≈ 746 |
Also written as
255/45R18 255/45 ZR18 255-45-18 255 45 18
Figures are calculated from the nominal size. A loaded, rolling tyre runs a few percent smaller, and true widths vary slightly between makes.
What cars use 255/45 R18 tyres?
The cars most often running this size in our owner reviews. Each links to the best rated tyres for that exact car.
Volkswagen Transporter
12 reviews in this size
BMW E38 7 Series
6 reviews in this size
Mercedes Benz S500
4 reviews in this size
BMW X3 2.0d Sport
4 reviews in this size
Jaguar XKR
3 reviews in this size
Audi A7 3.0TDi Auto
3 reviews in this size
Jaguar XK8
2 reviews in this size
BMW 520i
1 reviews in this size
BMW I4 e40
1 reviews in this size
Mercedes Benz W221 S350 Long
1 reviews in this size
Every tyre reviewed in 255/45 R18
The complete record, including discontinued tyres and tyres with too few reviews to rank, ordered by the amount of evidence. A further 45 tyres have a single review each; they count toward the totals but are not listed.
| Tyre | Season | Owner rating | Reviews | Distance reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continental Sport Contact 3 Replaced by Continental SportContact 7 | Summer | 75% | 3 | 6,000 miles |
| Dunlop SP Sport 01 Replaced by Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2 | Summer | 57% | 3 | 20,150 miles |
| Hifly HF805 | Summer | 52% | 3 | 41,000 miles |
| Davanti DX640 | Summer | 97% | 2 | 3,500 miles |
| Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric Replaced by Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 | Summer | 95% | 2 | 20,000 miles |
| Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3 Replaced by Hankook Ventus Evo | Summer | 87% | 2 | 28,000 miles |
| Falken FK452 Replaced by Falken Azenis FK520 | Summer | 78% | 2 | 14,000 miles |
Reviews only cover part of the market: 396 tyres are made in 255/45 R18. Browse every 255/45 R18 tyre →
What drivers say about their 255/45 R18 tyres
The most recent owner reviews fitted in this size, in their own words.
They were fitted to my coach converted VW T6 on collection, and lasted 20,000 and four and a half years before really bad wear and splitting on tyres walls. They are a budget tyre and you get what you pay for. I've replaced them with Royal Black Royal Explorer II's, again a budget tyre but I only do 4,500 miles a year.
Before purchase I liked the idea of a tyre that I could trust in the snow but also performed well in the summer. I confess that, whilst I felt that the Cross Climate 2 / Cross Climate SUV would handle the snow, I worried that it might feel "soft" in warmer weather. Nevertheless, I went ahead.
As a BMW owner I tend to drive like an old man to work, then quite spirited on parts of a journey - then back to motorway speeds on motorways. It was for the moments of spirited driving, especially in hot weather, that I had concerns.
So, after almost 9 months, how have these stacked up? I am impressed, very impressed. Admittedly, last winter I didn't get to test the snow capabilities, but the all important summer, hot days, hot tarmac performance was exemplary. My fears were well and truly cast into the oblivion of potholes of which there are many locally. That brings me to comfort and noise. The tyres proved both quieter and more comfortable than the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5's previously fitted, and they, themselves were better than BMW's run-flat choice. So, all in all, a win all around.
Currently, too, wear is good although they have needed one re-balance.
In summary, a great tyre. Hopefully we'll get some snow this winter to try them at the other extreme, but as an excellent, all weather tyre, working well in the cold, in heavy rain and on hot summer days I have no hesitation in recommending them. Would I buy them again if I change vehicle? Absolutely.
As a BMW owner I tend to drive like an old man to work, then quite spirited on parts of a journey - then back to motorway speeds on motorways. It was for the moments of spirited driving, especially in hot weather, that I had concerns.
So, after almost 9 months, how have these stacked up? I am impressed, very impressed. Admittedly, last winter I didn't get to test the snow capabilities, but the all important summer, hot days, hot tarmac performance was exemplary. My fears were well and truly cast into the oblivion of potholes of which there are many locally. That brings me to comfort and noise. The tyres proved both quieter and more comfortable than the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5's previously fitted, and they, themselves were better than BMW's run-flat choice. So, all in all, a win all around.
Currently, too, wear is good although they have needed one re-balance.
In summary, a great tyre. Hopefully we'll get some snow this winter to try them at the other extreme, but as an excellent, all weather tyre, working well in the cold, in heavy rain and on hot summer days I have no hesitation in recommending them. Would I buy them again if I change vehicle? Absolutely.
Installed on an always fully laden LWB VW T6 Transporter with lowered uprated suspension.
I am stunned at how well they have lasted and only one puncture and that was a nail, the van is driven off road onsite during the day. I use these rims and tyres between March and October and then switch to winter rims and tyres.
Only slight weakness is during torrential rain, but that probably says more about me than the tyres; I will certainly buy again shortly.
I am stunned at how well they have lasted and only one puncture and that was a nail, the van is driven off road onsite during the day. I use these rims and tyres between March and October and then switch to winter rims and tyres.
Only slight weakness is during torrential rain, but that probably says more about me than the tyres; I will certainly buy again shortly.
My BMW 520 i F10 already had Continental Premiuncontact 3 runflat (SSR) about 5 years ago. They were already in a position to change due to wear and tear, perhaps it could have driven about 10,000 km more, but I preferred to change them and decided on the NEXEN Nfera SU1 and the change was total.
Much smoother and quieter than the Continentals, my driving is in the city and on the highway from time to time and the comfort is much better, 100% recommended, plus its price has nothing to do with the Continentals, the value of the NEXEN in Chile At least it is 50% of the value of the Continental.
I am very happy and satisfied, I recommend them.
Much smoother and quieter than the Continentals, my driving is in the city and on the highway from time to time and the comfort is much better, 100% recommended, plus its price has nothing to do with the Continentals, the value of the NEXEN in Chile At least it is 50% of the value of the Continental.
I am very happy and satisfied, I recommend them.
This is an update on previous review. Wonderful tyre. Travelled in rain, ice, dry, no issues at all at least for my lazy driving. Quiet, comfortable, breaks and corners as well as I would like. Wear not too good, down to 5 mm from 8 mm in 11k miles, I guess I am lucky to get 20k miles. Overall I d absolutely buy again unless another tyre is equally good but with better wear
Excellent tyre, road noise is minimum and give a good firm but comfortable ride in all conditions ,these are fitted to a Mercedes S class limousine long wheel base and are the best tyres I’ve had , better than the premium brands . The car has been driven in all conditions other than deep snow and fully do what is required .As a former professional driver who has had to drive in some awful weather conditions I fully recommend these tyre and would certainly buy again and again. Don’t waste money on labels that are not as good , it’s money down the drain, these are made in the same factory as Michelin tyres!!!
Fitted these tyres onto my black Mercedes S class on 25 January 2020 with, I assume, 8-9mm of tread. Just had car serviced, March 2022, & advised that tread depth now 1.9/2.1mm after 16,000 miles!!!!!
They are on the rear & it's rwd BUT in January 2020 I was 73, not a boy racer. Oh, this is a high day/holiday car plus works as a funeral vehicle. I have another "banger" for general use/car park pings & dings!
So, mostly driving reverently or motorway distances, (France/Germany). OK, on motorways abroad, when traffic permits, I'm cruising at 80/85mph, but surely that should be the easy bit for a tyre.
Anyway, as they're on the back, they felt fine but I've clearly left a 16,000 mile skid mark behind me!
Advice, don't touch them with a barge pole, I won't again.
Drive on 255/45 R18 tyres?
Review your tyres and help the next driver choose. It takes about five minutes, and every review on this page came from a driver who took them.
Where this data comes from
Owner ratings are submitted through the review form on this site, naming the tyre, the size and the distance covered, and are checked by hand before publication. Test results come from independent published tyre tests indexed by size, and label values from the EU EPREL database.
About the TR Score
The Tyre Reviews Score rates each tyre out of 10 using independent test results and the full body of owner reviews, so you can check a car-specific ranking against the wider evidence.
Who does the testing
Every test published as a Tyre Reviews test is run by Jonathan Benson, who has been testing tyres independently since 2007.