Continental Winter Contact TS 850 P SUV

I have had the Conti's for 4-5 years on all my cars (high powered SUVs) both 235/65/17 as well as 265/55/19 in XL. The only positive is that they are truly balanced across all dimensions and adequate performers for both dry, wet (although lousy aquaplaning) with worst performance (but still ok if you are careful) on snow and winter slush. On the other side would love to change them but have not found a better performer (in all categories) and especially better in aquaplaning and winter slush. I strongly differentiate between snow tires and winter tires. Snow tires are winter tires but not all winter tires are snow tires. When I go skiing I mount a totally different set of tires (from another manufacturer). The Conti's are outstanding in terms of their durability. Heavy driving in mixed conditions and with SUVs weighing between 2800 and 3500 kg. 25'000 km and only used 3 mm of tread (6.5 left) although I never run winter tires under 4mm. ,With no other alternative (although I am testing some tires selectively will probably also buy them next time.

Have had these tyres on since October 2014, covered around 2,000 miles, so have driven in pretty much all conditions. Excellent handling and grip on wet, muddy, roads. Was really impressed with their grip on snow, felt really safe and positive feedback when turning. When the snow really came down and most of my neighbours stayed at home, we headed off up to the mountains to try them out on Virgin snow and ice covered roads! Superb grip, nothing thrown at them fazed them, brilliant performance. Their performance on wet surfaces is stunning, throwing the car around sharp bends and roundabouts at speed, not one moment of slip, stuck like glue, I cannot praise them enough. Would definitely recommend them without hesitation!

Rather disappointed with these tyres, having driven to Scotland for Christmas. They have been used in snow, on ice and in heavy rain and overall grip I would rate as poor. They are of course, better than summer tyres but nowhere near the performance of my previous 2 sets of continental winter tyres. The rear wheels spin up easily in all but the driest of conditions, causing the torque on demand system to kick in prematurely. I would not recommend these tyres and look forward to changing back to summer tyres when practical.

I have driven through snow on estate roads, country roads and motorways with no slip or wheel-spin whatsoever. Cold weather tyres are a no-brainer. Buy a set, and enjoy being able to drive regardless of whether a gritting lorry has been down your road. Don't take my word for it, check https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfuE00qdhLA and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7l2cMlNRX_A
Car manufacturers don't give a to$$ if your tyres won't hold the road in winter, as long as they get better emissions results, by fitting hard compound summer tyres as standard.