Best Tyres for the Opel Astra H OPC

Hi there,
I was testing the brand-new Conti Sport 7 against worn-out Conti Sport 6. In my opinion, tyres should serve far below 3-mm groove depth. I finally discarded my previous Continentals with slightly below 1.6-mm groove depth in the rear and slightly over in the front. When driving the tyres in this condition on the wet road through the rain, some amount of caution is always needed, but, in my experience, you can easily afford speeds in excess of 100 km/h as long as no sharp turns are expected. I love confident grip and do my best to avoid losing it. I mean, I'm not a racer. Also, tyres with shallower groove are sportier to drive, which was especially the case with Conti Sport 6 which I found comfort-leaning a bit too much.
Unlike their predecessors, the Conti Sport 7 feels much like the good old Michelin Super Sport. The Sport 7 feels stiff with no delay as you push the throttle. The Conti Sport 6 sort of told me every time I tried to push them harder: wait a second, do not rush things, comfort comes first! After a while, they would come to their senses and begin to deliver on their sportiness. There is no such thing with Continental Sport 7. They accelerate immediately and are much sportier than the previous generation.

Basically, my review is about the brand-new Continetal WinterContact TS 860 S vs old TS 850 P with less than 3mm of tread depth remaining. I felt no need to replace them earlier as we have not had much snow (i.e. no snaw at all) up until now. Today, with the snow depth measuring some 10 to 15 centimetres, I found it next to impossible to drive out of my apartment bloc to a high street (relatively well-groomed). I my put snow chains on, which gave me confidence in deep snow but were a nuisance on the more or less clean road. In short, the TS 860 S is a real upgraded version of its predecessor. First, it is no-way as wobbly as TS 850 P used to be. When your drive a hot hatch brandishing 280 horse powers and then have to change from summer to winter tyres, you notice immediately that a part of those powers is suddenly gone at the expense of some added comfort. The TS 860 S is closer to a summer tyre. For me it is a much better trade-off (compared to 850 P) as far as its ability to navigate wintery roads is concerned. The brand-new TS 860 S coped decently with snow, sleet and even occasional ice, let alone clean black tarmac. Quite importantly, it was manageable on ice (just drop you speed a bit to regain control). Surprisingly, I could not notice any benefits of its much-advertised low rolling resistance. Subjectively, the same route (about 90km) has taken me as much fuel as when I had my good old Continental TS 850 Ps. To be consistent with winter tyre test results, I will assume that my driving style has become sportier 😊. Otherwise, I am happy. Not least because I did not need snow chains to park my car at my apartment. We are expected to have a week of the real, pre-climate-change, winter! Safe winter motoring to all!

Michelin Pilot Super Sport, below 3mm tread depth left My point is to agree with Michelin about no need to rush to change tyres with the tread depth of 3mm and less. I have not noticed any dramatic changes in wet grip when caught by a torrential downpour on the highway (repeatedly). Dropping the speed to 80-90 km/hour is always enough, no metter how heavy it rains. As the rain exhausts its energy, I go up to 120-130 km/hour. After the rain stops but the highway is still wet you can go back to your 150 km/h. My wife and me are recreational drivers, sometimes having to cover 600 km a day. Safety is a concern for us. The car is Astra OPC (VXR). Cheers, YK

I run these on an astra vxr 280bhp these tyres equal in every way the goodyear eagle f1 s I have used for years got these to get though mot at Christmas time on a budget I'm glad I found these tyres they are Not ditch finders as people say

We bought these winter tyres for Astra OPC (VXR) petrol 2.0. It is not the sportiest car but still fast enough to require (even in winter) something tolerating the speed in excess of 200km/h (well, occasionally). Our car was originally equipped with Michelin Super Sports. Compared to them, the ContinentalWinter 850P is very comfortable. The first thing to notice was its noise level almost equal (or even lower) to the summer Super Sports. Well, winter Continentals are not very quick when pushed hard on the dry and not as precise when braking. Still, Conti does the job on the dry and sunny road. I like them on the wet and they are reasonably good on the snow. They cannot cope with too much snow, in which case I have snow chains (had to use them once in the Alps when going uphill to a remote skiing station).

Ice... In fact Conti 850 Ps are not for the ice at all. I was a keen user of studded Nokian Hakkapeliittas on my previous car. The Hakkapeliitaas used to give me real winter confidence. Now, the Conties give me speed on the dry winter road. And comfort. Lots of it.

When I changed back for my Michelin Super Sports this spring I really hated them first. Compared to Conti 850 Ps, super Sports were so rigid and unforgiving on the cobblestone surface so much loved in my city.

Well later, Super Sports proved themselves again on a highway. They are created for speed and stability.

Verdict? Well, Continental Winter Contact 850 P is not what I call a winter tyre. But if you drive a kind of sporty car, do not have much choice, then go for them. They are nice, comfortable winter tyres which allow you to drive closer to 200km/H at some reckless occasions.

Wear? Yes, they are Conties. They wear fast. After two winter seasons, I am not sure they are likely to last through another one.

Best tyre for wet contitions but not as good in the dry.Whe you try to be fast at the corners is slippery.Good tyre for low profile drivers.

I HAVE HAD THE TYRES A FEW TIMES ON MY CAR AND ON MY WIFES CAR THE TYRES ARE GREAT FOR THE PRICES U PAY FROM THEM. AND I DRIVE A 2.0L TURBO COUPE
THERE IS ALOT OF POWER AND I HAVE GREAT GRIP ON THE ROAD. PEOPLE CAN SAY WHAT THEY WANT I DO RECOMMEND THEM

In my car they last 20 to 27k once they heat up they roll the car that much grip..i had to install new anti-roll bars front and near to compensate the grip!! Get them while stocks last i think michelin is discontinuing!!! what a shame..Need to work them hard though..only in standing water you have a problem

I don't know what the fuss is all about for this tyre. In my opinion its way overpriced for what it offers. Its an all around good tyre, but does not excell in any area. For a tyre that wears that fast I would be expecting a much better grip.