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.
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Continental Premium Contact 6
- Vredestein Ultrac Satin
- Toyo Proxes Sport
- Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
- Pirelli P Zero PZ4
- Maxxis Premitra HP5
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
- Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
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.
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4
- Pirelli P Zero PZ4
- Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
- Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Continental Premium Contact 6
- Maxxis Premitra HP5
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
- Toyo Proxes Sport
- Vredestein Ultrac Satin
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.
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
- Pirelli P Zero PZ4
- Continental Premium Contact 6
- Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
- Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
- Maxxis Premitra HP5
- Falken Azenis FK510
- Vredestein Ultrac Satin
- Toyo Proxes Sport
Continental comparatively struggled again, fourth in dry braking, and could only match its wet handling result, finishing sixth fastest in dry handling.
- Pirelli P Zero PZ4
- Toyo Proxes Sport
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4
- Vredestein Ultrac Satin
- Maxxis Premitra HP5
- Continental Premium Contact 6
- Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
- Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
- Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
- Falken Azenis FK510
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
Excellent handling on dry and wet surfaces, precise steering response and predictable behavior under all conditions
Poor resistance to lateral hydroplaning
Highly recommended
Total: 53.7
Dry
9.8
Wet
9.5
Comfort
9
Rolling Resistance
6
Noise
10
Overall
9.4
Very good handling and precise steering response on dry roads, good levels of comfort
Relatively long stopping distances on wet surfaces, poor resistance to lateral aquaplaning, increased noise
Recommended
Total: 51
Dry
9.9
Wet
8.3
Comfort
10
Rolling Resistance
7
Noise
7
Overall
8.8
Good handling on dry roads
Relatively weak lateral stability and tendency to understeer in the wet
Recommended
Total: 51.3
Dry
8.8
Wet
8.1
Comfort
9
Rolling Resistance
10
Noise
7
Overall
8.4
Balanced performance, low noise level
Doesn't feel sporty when compared to the best
Recommended
Total: 49.1
Dry
8.5
Wet
8.4
Comfort
9
Rolling Resistance
5
Noise
10
Overall
8.2
Short braking distances and good handling on wet roads, comfortable
Slow steering during emergency maneuvers on dry surfaces
Recommended
Total: 47.4
Dry
7.7
Wet
8.7
Comfort
8
Rolling Resistance
5
Noise
10
Overall
8
Good handling and short braking distances on dry roads, good running comfort
Long braking distances and poor handling on wet roads
Conditionally recommended
Total: 49
Dry
9
Wet
7.1
Comfort
8
Rolling Resistance
7
Noise
10
Overall
7.9
Short braking distances and high overall wet traction, good handling in high-speed cornering on dry surfaces
Poor grip on wet surfaces, relatively low resistance to lateral aquaplaning, long braking distance on dry roads
Conditionally recommended
Total: 47.6
Dry
8.4
Wet
7.4
Comfort
8
Rolling Resistance
6
Noise
10
Overall
7.8
Acceptable handling and short braking distances on dry roads
Slow response to steering and a tendency to understeer on wet surfaces, poor resistance to aquaplaning
Conditionally recommended
Total: 44.3
Dry
7.9
Wet
7.7
Comfort
7
Rolling Resistance
7
Noise
7
Overall
7.7
Very good handling and precise steering response on dry roads
Long braking distance, poor lateral stability and a tendency to understeer on wet surfaces
Conditionally recommended
Total: 43.5
Dry
8.4
Wet
7.1
Comfort
7
Rolling Resistance
7
Noise
7
Overall
7
Short braking distances in the dry
Imprecise steering response on dry roads, long braking distances and a strong tendency to understeer on wet roads, high level of noise
Conditionally recommended
Total: 40
Dry
7.4
Wet
6.7
Comfort
6
Rolling Resistance
6
Noise
7
Overall
6.9
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