The Top 3
| Test Summary | |
| Wet Braking |
Nokian WR D3 |
| Dry Braking |
Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3 Continental WinterContact TS 850 |
| Wet Handling |
Continental WinterContact TS 850 Barum Polaris 3 |
| Rolling Resistance |
Continental WinterContact TS 850 Semperit Speed Grip 2 |
| Noise |
Michelin Alpin A4 Continental WinterContact TS 850 Semperit Speed Grip 2 |
| Snow Braking |
Michelin Alpin A4 |
| Snow Handling |
Apollo Alnac Winter Continental WinterContact TS 850 Semperit Speed Grip 2 |
Second place was taken by the new Pirelli SnowControl Serie 3, which is proving to be a strong winter tyre for 2013. Let down by wear and price, the Pirelli can't quite match the Michelin in the snow but beats it in the wet.
Rather unusually, third place went to the Continental WinterContact TS850. Having been used to first places finishes since its launch, the TS850 was marked down for its dry performance and high wear compared to the winning Michelin, but was still extremely strong in the wet and on snowy roads.
The Rest
The Bridgestone Blizzak LM32 continued it’s strong 2013 showing with a fourth place finish. Like the Michelin, the Bridgestone wore extremely well while keeping a balance of performance, so while the purchase price might be higher than some, the overall pound per mile make it good value.Nokian finished fifth with the WRD3, continuing it’s dry road dominance and Barum finished sixth thanks to its low purchase price and balanced performance in all tests.
A disappointing show from Goodyear and Dunlop, finishing eighth and ninth respectively with the Goodyear having a hard time in the dry, and the Dunlop suffering in both the dry and having high wear when compared to the best tyres in the test.
The Results
- 3PMSF: no
Excellent winter tyres with balanced handling qualities in all weather conditions. Good characteristics and excellent wear
A relatively high level of noise
Exemplary
Total: 47
Dry
6
Wet
6
Snow
8
Comfort
7
Rolling Resistance
6
Noise
4
Wear
10
- 3PMSF: no
A balanced winter tyre with a sporty, dynamic wet handling qualities, precise steering response, and shortest braking distances on snowy and wet roads
High wear
Exemplary
Total: 41
Dry
6
Wet
8
Snow
7
Comfort
6
Rolling Resistance
5
Noise
5
Wear
4
- 3PMSF: no
Strong handling qualities on snowy and wet roads, high safety reserves with aquaplaning, a fuel efficient rolling resistance
Understeering handling in the dry, high wear
Recommended
Total: 48
Dry
5
Wet
8
Snow
9
Comfort
7
Rolling Resistance
8
Noise
7
Wear
4
- 3PMSF: no
Sporty, safe handling on wet and dry roads, short snow and wet braking distances, good value for money
Average traction and cornering on snow
Recommended
Total: 43
Dry
6
Wet
7
Snow
6
Comfort
4
Rolling Resistance
6
Noise
6
Wear
8
- 3PMSF: no
Good steering precision and short braking distances on snow and dry roads, good aquaplaning performance, low rolling resistance
High Wear, slightly longer wet braking distances
Recommended
Total: 43
Dry
8
Wet
6
Snow
8
Comfort
5
Rolling Resistance
7
Noise
5
Wear
4
- 3PMSF: no
Excellent cornering and impressive driving properties on snow, low price
Poor aquaplaning result, high wear
Recommended
Total: 38
Dry
5
Wet
5
Snow
9
Comfort
4
Rolling Resistance
6
Noise
6
Wear
3
- 3PMSF: no
A balanced winter tyre with short braking distances and balanced handling qualities, pleasant ride comfort, fuel efficient rolling resistance
High wear, excessive price/performance ratio
Recommended
Total: 44
Dry
5
Wet
6
Snow
8
Comfort
7
Rolling Resistance
8
Noise
7
Wear
3
- 3PMSF: no
Best tyre in the aquaplaning tests, good traction and short braking distances on snow, very low wear
Average dry handling, high price
Satisfactory
Total: 41
Dry
4
Wet
7
Snow
7
Comfort
5
Rolling Resistance
5
Noise
5
Wear
8
- 3PMSF: no
Sporty handling on snow and wet roads, precise steering, good aquaplaning resistance, high level of comfort
Weak in the dry, high wear
Satisfactory
Total: 38
Dry
4
Wet
7
Snow
8
Comfort
5
Rolling Resistance
4
Noise
6
Wear
4
- 3PMSF: no
Good handling on snowy and dry roads, low wear, very good value for money
Average wet performance, long dry braking distances
Satisfactory
Total: 40
Dry
5
Wet
5
Snow
6
Comfort
5
Rolling Resistance
7
Noise
4
Wear
8
- 3PMSF: no
Short braking distances on snow, high aquaplaning resistance, low price
Understeering handling and long braking distances on wet roads, high rolling resistance
Satisfactory
Total: 39
Dry
5
Wet
5
Snow
7
Comfort
6
Rolling Resistance
4
Noise
6
Wear
6
- 3PMSF: no
Short braking distances on snow, excellent price-performance ratio, low wear, low rolling resistance
Only average wet and aquaplaning properties, long dry stopping distances, high level of noise
Satisfactory
Total: 40
Dry
5
Wet
4
Snow
6
Comfort
4
Rolling Resistance
7
Noise
6
Wear
8
- 3PMSF: no
Snow specialist with short braking distances and good traction on snowy slopes, low price
Poor ride comfort, very high wear, high rolling resistance
Satisfactory
Total: 33
Dry
5
Wet
6
Snow
8
Comfort
3
Rolling Resistance
4
Noise
3
Wear
4
- 3PMSF: no
High resistance to aquaplaning, dynamic handling performance on dry slopes, low wear
Poor cornering and driving behavior on snowy and dry roads
Satisfactory
Total: 38
Dry
6
Wet
5
Snow
5
Comfort
5
Rolling Resistance
7
Noise
5
Wear
5
- 3PMSF: no
Good handling in all weather conditions, short braking distances on snow, high level of comfort
Low resistance to aquaplaning, high wear, poor value for money
Satisfactory
Total: 34
Dry
7
Wet
5
Snow
7
Comfort
3
Rolling Resistance
3
Noise
7
Wear
2