For 2017, Auto Motor und Sport have tested ten 245/45 R18 ultra high performance tyres using a BMW 3 Series Estate.
This test is the first time the new Michelin Pilot Sport 4 and Continental Premium Contact 6 have appeared in the same test, which should give us some interesting data about the two big rivals.
Wet
Over the previous few years, Continental have been the masters of the wet testing, but this time the wet tests were largely dominated by Michelin. The French manufacturer won the all important wet braking and wet handling tests, scored well in the wet circle and straight aquaplaning tests, but showed weakness in the curved aquaplaning test, finishing ninth of ten.
Wet Braking
Wet braking in meters
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tyre | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 97 % | |
| 96 % | |
| 96 % | |
| 93 % | |
| 88 % | |
| 87 % | |
| 86 % | |
| 85 % |
The difference between best and worst was 15%.
The new Continental could only manage third overall in wet braking, and sixth overall in wet handling. Like the Michelin, the Continental struggled in aquaplaning tests, finishing last overall in curved aquaplaning.
Wet Handling
Wet Handling Average Speed
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tyre | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 97 % | |
| 97 % | |
| 96 % | |
| 95 % |
The difference between best and worst was 5%.
Dry
Pirelli and Michelin traded first and third position for the two key dry tests. Michelin won the dry braking, with Pirelli in third, and Pirelli posted the fastest dry lap time, with Michelin third.
Dry Braking
Dry braking in meters
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tyre | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 98 % | |
| 97 % | |
| 96 % | |
| 96 % | |
| 94 % | |
| 93 % | |
| 92 % |
The difference between best and worst was 8%.
Continental comparatively struggled again, fourth in dry braking, and could only match its wet handling result, finishing sixth fastest in dry handling.
Dry Handling
Dry Handling Average Speed
relative index, 100 = best in test ↑| Position / Tyre | Result |
|---|---|
| 100 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 99 % | |
| 97 % | |
| 97 % | |
| 97 % | |
| 96 % | |
| 96 % | |
| 96 % |
The difference between best and worst was 4%.
Under rolling resistance testing, the Continental proved best, a long way ahead of second place Vredestein. Michelin could only take seventh in this test, leading the testers to hypothesise Continental have traded too much rolling resistance in improved tread wear for wet grip.
The full results are below. Auto Motor und Sport weight the scores 50% wet, 40% dry and 10% rolling resistance / noise.
Results
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
245/45 R18
All discipline results (6)
| Test | % |
|---|---|
| Dry | — |
| Wet | — |
| Comfort | — |
| Rolling Resistance | — |
| Noise | — |
| Overall | — |
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
245/45 R18
All discipline results (6)
| Test | % |
|---|---|
| Dry | — |
| Wet | — |
| Comfort | — |
| Rolling Resistance | — |
| Noise | — |
| Overall | — |
Continental Premium Contact 6
245/45 R18
All discipline results (6)
| Test | % |
|---|---|
| Dry | — |
| Wet | — |
| Comfort | — |
| Rolling Resistance | — |
| Noise | — |
| Overall | — |
Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
245/45 R18
All discipline results (6)
| Test | % |
|---|---|
| Dry | — |
| Wet | — |
| Comfort | — |
| Rolling Resistance | — |
| Noise | — |
| Overall | — |
Falken Azenis FK510
245/45 R18
All discipline results (6)
| Test | % |
|---|---|
| Dry | — |
| Wet | — |
| Comfort | — |
| Rolling Resistance | — |
| Noise | — |
| Overall | — |
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
245/45 R18
All discipline results (6)
| Test | % |
|---|---|
| Dry | — |
| Wet | — |
| Comfort | — |
| Rolling Resistance | — |
| Noise | — |
| Overall | — |
Toyo Proxes Sport
245/45 R18
All discipline results (6)
| Test | % |
|---|---|
| Dry | — |
| Wet | — |
| Comfort | — |
| Rolling Resistance | — |
| Noise | — |
| Overall | — |
Vredestein Ultrac Satin
245/45 R18
All discipline results (6)
| Test | % |
|---|---|
| Dry | — |
| Wet | — |
| Comfort | — |
| Rolling Resistance | — |
| Noise | — |
| Overall | — |
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
245/45 R18
All discipline results (6)
| Test | % |
|---|---|
| Dry | — |
| Wet | — |
| Comfort | — |
| Rolling Resistance | — |
| Noise | — |
| Overall | — |
Maxxis Premitra HP5
245/45 R18
All discipline results (6)
| Test | % |
|---|---|
| Dry | — |
| Wet | — |
| Comfort | — |
| Rolling Resistance | — |
| Noise | — |
| Overall | — |
Hello, among Summer UH Performace Tyres, which one is the most quite and comfortable inside the same car?
Look at the "noise" rating score in this test, and how users have scored the comfort of the tyres.
hey tyrereviews.
Ive really been looking into tyres a lot lately, because i need new tyres (225/40r18) for my A3 1.8t with 215bhp. I want the continentals, since i want a good sporty tyre thats also good for cruising. However, the nexen n'fera SU4 gets amazing reviews here, and the EU ratings are great aswell. Would the conti's be worth the extra 1,5x the price?
Without actually seeing the Nexen in a test, it would be hard to say how good the new SU4 is.
As an approximate rule, you get what you pay for with tyres.
now, things have changed a little bit. i went to 17" wheels, but i cant decide if i wanna go for the PS4 or the PC6. Im reading a lot of contradicting things, with one review saying the michelin is more comfortable, while others say the conti is etc. Could you enlighten me on what the difference between these two tires is, and which you would pick. I just cant figure it out with the mixed results of all the reviews.
edit: are the Dunlop sportmaxx RT2 and Goodyear asy 3 proper rivals to these two, or are they in a league of their own
While I've driven on both tyres, I've not compared them directly so I'm afraid I don't have much more information to go on than you!
The reality of the situation is both will be excellent tyres, the Michelin will probably last a little longer, but looks like it's a little noiser.
i'll go for the conti's then, since i prefer low noise to wear, and the conti's wear seems to be quite good aswell. thanks
Bought 4 in 225 45 R17 91Y
For a RWD 1 Series.
Will report later. I am very fussy driver.
--> Rainsport 3 failed in my rating
--> Ventus Prime ³ failed too
We look forward to the report!
I have driven the Premium Contact 6 the complete summer, and the rest of october.
These tyres are definitely not superior. Sure they are more quite than the uniroyals, sure they are not that much indirect like the Uniroyal/Hankooks. But they are nothing special.
The Continentals feel very much like an EcoContact 5!
Before my Uniroyal/Hankook experiment i have driven the SportContact2, SportContact 3 and Sportcontact 5. These were way better in "sportiness", they felt different.
Thats just my opinion. But as objective Tests are coming, my opinion seems to be fitting to the tests.
Interesting, thank you for coming back and leaving your thoughts. Interesting feedback, as one of the tyres Conti benchmarked the PC6 against was the SC5, and back to back it showed an increase in handling qualities.
But it is very noticeable, that Conti has traded grip for wear and rolling resistance. I have a second car, not rwd, but with 195 45 R16 Conti EcoContact 5. And the tyres do feel quite the same.
The PC6 has a bit better handling in the dry, but this might just be because its the new version.
The EcoContact 5 is obsolet now with this PC6 tyre.
So why the hell does the Premium Contact 6 score an 'A' EU rating for it's wet weather grip ?
A on the EU wet braking label score is currently the highest grade (there is no A+ etc yet).
Just because the Premium Contact 6 meets the A rating doesn't mean other tyres can't brake better, these tyres will also fall into the A category.
Ah yes, fair point (and sorry for sounding annoyed).
I also notice (as with other tyres) that comparative test results differ slightly with wheel size. The Premium Contact 6 seems to do better in 225/50/17, which is great news as I'm having 4 of those fitted to my car tomorrow morning ;)
Let us know how you get on! They're a really good tyre