| Test Summary | |
| Wet Braking |
Continental Premium Contact 6 Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue |
| Dry Braking |
Continental Premium Contact 6 |
| Rolling Resistance |
Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue |
| Noise |
Yokohama Advan Fleva V701 |
| Snow Braking |
Continental Premium Contact 6 |
| Snow Handling |
Sava Intensa UHP 2 Michelin Primacy 3 |
| Ice Braking |
Leao Nova Force |
As a change from the usual FWD hatchback used for testing, Auto Bild tested the 225/50 R17 size using a RWD BMW 3 Series.
As there are a lot of tyres on test, we will keep the commentary to a minimum and just provide the key data and final results. It is worth keeping in mind, only the Kumho in twentieth place was classified as "not recommended" due to a weak wet performance, and the Yokohama in nineteenth place "conditionally recommended", again for a poor wet performance. All the other tyres at least achieved a "recommended" rating.
One of the unique tests Auto Bild perform is a wear test. Continental, who have struggled in the past with average wear seem to have fixed their only problem, and now have a tyre that has wet grip, dry grip and excellent wear properties.
The Results
The full results are below, with the data underneath the results. Please note, the "cost" field relates to the purchase price VS predicted miles.
- 3PMSF: no
Excellent results on dry and wet surfaces for braking and handling, precise steering response, good wear
Relatively low resistance to aquaplaning
Exemplary / Test Winner
Total: 56
Dry
9
Wet
9
Comfort
6
Rolling Resistance
9
Noise
6
Wear
10
Cost
7
- 3PMSF: no
Very good premium tire with no obvious weaknesses, good handling on wet and dry surfaces, precise steering response and good feedback, very high resistance to aquaplaning, good wear
Relatively high rolling resistance
Exemplary
Total: 49
Dry
8
Wet
7
Comfort
6
Rolling Resistance
6
Noise
6
Wear
9
Cost
7
- 3PMSF: no
Good controllability, high lateral stability and short braking distances on dry surfaces, well priced
Relatively high rolling resistance
Exemplary
Total: 44
Dry
7
Wet
8
Comfort
6
Rolling Resistance
4
Noise
6
Wear
6
Cost
7
- 3PMSF: no
Good handling on wet roads, fast and accurate steering response, lowest rolling resistance
Lowest resistance to aquaplaning
Exemplary
Total: 49
Dry
9
Wet
7
Comfort
7
Rolling Resistance
10
Noise
6
Wear
6
Cost
4
- 3PMSF: no
Good handling and short braking distances on dry and wet roads, attractive price, low noise
Low resistance to aquaplaning
Exemplary
Total: 48
Dry
8
Wet
7
Comfort
6
Rolling Resistance
6
Noise
8
Wear
6
Cost
7
- 3PMSF: no
Balanced performance and good handling in all conditions, short braking distances on dry and wet surfaces, good comfort, low rolling resistance, well priced
Average wear
Exemplary
Total: 46
Dry
7
Wet
6
Comfort
7
Rolling Resistance
7
Noise
7
Wear
6
Cost
6
- 3PMSF: no
Good handling on dry and wet roads, high resistance to aquaplaning
Poor value due to high purchase price and average wear
Good
Total: 42
Dry
6
Wet
8
Comfort
6
Rolling Resistance
7
Noise
6
Wear
6
Cost
3
- 3PMSF: no
Good handling on dry and wet roads, high resistance to aquaplaning, short braking distance on dry roads
Average value due to high purchase price and average wear
Good
Total: 43
Dry
7
Wet
7
Comfort
6
Rolling Resistance
6
Noise
7
Wear
6
Cost
4
- 3PMSF: no
Excellent wear, short braking distances on dry roads, low rolling resistance
Average wet grip, limited resistance to aquaplaning, highest price
Recommended
Total: 53
Dry
7
Wet
6
Comfort
8
Rolling Resistance
9
Noise
9
Wear
8
Cost
6
- 3PMSF: no
The highest resistance to aquaplaning, good handling and short braking distances on wet roads
Inaccurate response to steering and a tendency to understeer on dry surfaces, average travel comfort, increased rolling resistance
Recommended
Total: 41
Dry
5
Wet
8
Comfort
4
Rolling Resistance
4
Noise
8
Wear
6
Cost
6
- 3PMSF: no
Good handling on wet surfaces, high braking performance, low rolling resistance
Average levels of grip and a tendency to understeer on dry surfaces
Recommended
Total: 45
Dry
5
Wet
6
Comfort
6
Rolling Resistance
9
Noise
7
Wear
6
Cost
6
- 3PMSF: no
Short braking distances on dry and wet roads, good value for money
Poor steering response and a tendency to understeer on wet surfaces
Recommended
Total: 47
Dry
7
Wet
6
Comfort
6
Rolling Resistance
6
Noise
9
Wear
6
Cost
7
- 3PMSF: no
Good controllability on dry and wet surfaces, low noise level
Poor value
Recommended
Total: 39
Dry
6
Wet
6
Comfort
6
Rolling Resistance
6
Noise
8
Wear
4
Cost
3
- 3PMSF: no
Good handling in the dry, excellent wear
Average resistance to aquaplaning, limited wet grip
Recommended
Total: 44
Dry
7
Wet
4
Comfort
6
Rolling Resistance
6
Noise
6
Wear
7
Cost
8
- 3PMSF: no
Short braking distances on dry roads
Slow steering response in the dry and wet, long wet braking distances
Recommended
Total: 41
Dry
5
Wet
6
Comfort
7
Rolling Resistance
4
Noise
6
Wear
6
Cost
7
- 3PMSF: no
Good handling on dry roads
Tendency to understeer and a relatively long braking distance on wet surfaces, poor wear, high rolling resistance
Recommended
Total: 33
Dry
7
Wet
6
Comfort
3
Rolling Resistance
4
Noise
6
Wear
4
Cost
3
- 3PMSF: no
Good value
Unbalanced behavior in the dry, average comfort, high rolling resistance
Recommended
Total: 36
Dry
5
Wet
6
Comfort
4
Rolling Resistance
3
Noise
6
Wear
6
Cost
6
- 3PMSF: no
Low noise level, cheap to buy
Slow response to steering and reduced grip on dry and wet surfaces, poor wear
Recommended
Total: 41
Dry
5
Wet
6
Comfort
4
Rolling Resistance
6
Noise
7
Wear
3
Cost
10
- 3PMSF: no
Short braking distances in the dry
Very poor aquaplaning resistance, slow steering response and low grip in the wet and dry
Conditionally recommended
Total: 46
Dry
7
Wet
4
Comfort
9
Rolling Resistance
9
Noise
7
Wear
6
Cost
4
- 3PMSF: no
Good resistance to aquaplaning
Slow response to steering and reduced grip on dry and wet roads, worst wear on test
Total: 35
Dry
5
Wet
4
Comfort
4
Rolling Resistance
6
Noise
7
Wear
3
Cost
6