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2017 AMS Summer UHP Tire Test

Jonathan Benson
Data analyzed and reviewed by Jonathan Benson
6 min read Updated
Contents
  1. Introduction
  2. Wet
  3. Dry
  4. Results
  5. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
  6. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
  7. Continental Premium Contact 6
  8. Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
  9. Falken Azenis FK510
  10. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
  11. Toyo Proxes Sport
  12. Vredestein Ultrac Satin
  13. Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
  14. Maxxis Premitra HP5

Test Summary
Wet Braking Pirelli P Zero PZ4
Dry Braking Michelin Pilot Sport 4
Wear Michelin Pilot Sport 4
Rolling Resistance Continental Premium Contact 6
Noise Pirelli P Zero PZ4
Snow Handling Michelin Pilot Sport 4
Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
Falken Azenis FK510
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
Toyo Proxes Sport
For 2017, Auto Motor und Sport have tested ten 245/45 R18 ultra high performance tires 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)
  1. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    100 %
  2. Falken Azenis FK510
    98 %
  3. Continental Premium Contact 6
    97 %
  4. Vredestein Ultrac Satin
    96 %
  5. Toyo Proxes Sport
    96 %
  6. Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
    93 %
  7. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    88 %
  8. Maxxis Premitra HP5
    87 %
  9. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
    86 %
  10. Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
    85 %

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)
  1. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    100 %
  2. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    99 %
  3. Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
    99 %
  4. Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
    99 %
  5. Falken Azenis FK510
    99 %
  6. Continental Premium Contact 6
    98 %
  7. Maxxis Premitra HP5
    97 %
  8. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
    97 %
  9. Toyo Proxes Sport
    96 %
  10. Vredestein Ultrac Satin
    95 %

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)
  1. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    100 %
  2. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
    99 %
  3. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    98 %
  4. Continental Premium Contact 6
    98 %
  5. Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
    97 %
  6. Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
    96 %
  7. Maxxis Premitra HP5
    96 %
  8. Falken Azenis FK510
    94 %
  9. Vredestein Ultrac Satin
    93 %
  10. Toyo Proxes Sport
    92 %

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)
  1. Pirelli P Zero PZ4
    100 %
  2. Toyo Proxes Sport
    99 %
  3. Michelin Pilot Sport 4
    99 %
  4. Vredestein Ultrac Satin
    99 %
  5. Maxxis Premitra HP5
    97 %
  6. Continental Premium Contact 6
    97 %
  7. Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
    97 %
  8. Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
    96 %
  9. Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
    96 %
  10. Falken Azenis FK510
    96 %

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

1st

Michelin Pilot Sport 4

245/45 R18
Michelin Pilot Sport 4
2nd

Pirelli P Zero PZ4

245/45 R18
Pirelli P Zero PZ4
Continental Premium Contact 6
4th

Hankook Ventus S1 evo2

245/45 R18
Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
5th

Falken Azenis FK510

245/45 R18
Falken Azenis FK510
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3
7th

Toyo Proxes Sport

245/45 R18
Toyo Proxes Sport
8th

Vredestein Ultrac Satin

245/45 R18
Vredestein Ultrac Satin
9th

Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2

245/45 R18
Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
10th

Maxxis Premitra HP5

245/45 R18
Maxxis Premitra HP5

Discussion

16 comments
  1. E eyadom archived

    Hello, among Summer UH Performace Tires, which one is the most quite and comfortable inside the same car?

    #3224
    1. TireReviews E eyadom archived

      Look at the "noise" rating score in this test, and how users have scored the comfort of the tires.

      #3225
  2. NNicky archived

    hey tirereviews.
    Ive really been looking into tires a lot lately, because i need new tires (225/40r18) for my A3 1.8t with 215bhp. I want the continentals, since i want a good sporty tire 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?

    #2776
    1. TireReviews NNicky archived

      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 tires.

      #2777
      1. nick TireReviews archived

        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

        #3165
        1. TireReviews nick archived

          While I've driven on both tires, 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 tires, the Michelin will probably last a little longer, but looks like it's a little noiser.

          #3166
          1. nick TireReviews archived

            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

            #3169
  3. Scherz Keks archived

    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

    #2592
      1. Scherz Keks TireReviews archived

        I have driven the Premium Contact 6 the complete summer, and the rest of october.

        These tires 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.

        #2919
        1. TireReviews Scherz Keks archived

          Interesting, thank you for coming back and leaving your thoughts. Interesting feedback, as one of the tires Conti benchmarked the PC6 against was the SC5, and back to back it showed an increase in handling qualities.

          #2922
          1. Scherz Keks TireReviews archived

            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 tires 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 tire.

            #2942
  4. Semnoz archived

    So why the hell does the Premium Contact 6 score an 'A' EU rating for it's wet weather grip ?

    #2499
    1. TireReviews Semnoz archived

      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 tires can't brake better, these tires will also fall into the A category.

      #2500
      1. Semnoz TireReviews archived

        Ah yes, fair point (and sorry for sounding annoyed).
        I also notice (as with other tires) 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 ;)

        #2506
        1. TireReviews Semnoz archived

          Let us know how you get on! They're a really good tire

          #2507
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