Auto Bild's second summer tire test of 2019 has tested eleven 245/45 R18 tire patterns using a BMW 5 Series. This tire and vehicle combination isn't an often tested setup, and has yielded some interesting results!

The Pirelli P Zero PZ4 (Sports Car variant) dominated the testing, with the shortest dry and wet braking, fastest wet handling lap and second fastest dry handling lap.

With the Pirelli dominating, that left the usual top three trio battling out for second place overall, which went in favor of the new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5, whos only draw back was a mid table rolling resistance score. The last of the podium spots went to the Continental PremiumContact 6 which proved to be a little noisy compared to the best.

The fan favorite, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4, had to settle for a joint fourth place overall with the Vredestein Ultrac Vorti.

Dry

The Pirelli P Zero SC had a huge dry braking advantage, 2 feet ahead of the next best.

Dry Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Pirelli P Zero PZ4	115 ft	Best
2Maxxis Premitra HP5	117 ft	+2 ft
3Vredestein Ultrac Vorti	117 ft	+2 ft
3Bridgestone Turanza T005	117 ft	+2 ft
5Nokian PowerProof	118 ft	+3 ft
6Continental Premium Contact 6	118 ft	+3 ft
6Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5	118 ft	+3 ft
8Hankook Ventus S1 evo2	120 ft	+5 ft
8Michelin Pilot Sport 4	120 ft	+5 ft
10Fulda SportControl 2	123 ft	+8 ft
11Toyo Proxes Sport	123 ft	+8 ft

The difference between best and worst was 6.8% (8 ft ≈ 0.5 Car Lengths).

The Vredestein Ultrac Vorti took its regular spot at the top of the dry handling testing, with the P Zero a close second.

Dry Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Vredestein Ultrac Vorti	62.1 mph	Best
2Pirelli P Zero PZ4	62.0 mph	-0.1 mph
3Continental Premium Contact 6	61.6 mph	-0.5 mph
3Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5	61.6 mph	-0.5 mph
5Michelin Pilot Sport 4	61.5 mph	-0.6 mph
6Toyo Proxes Sport	61.1 mph	-1.0 mph
7Nokian PowerProof	61.1 mph	-1.0 mph
8Maxxis Premitra HP5	61.0 mph	-1.1 mph
9Hankook Ventus S1 evo2	60.7 mph	-1.4 mph
10Fulda SportControl 2	60.4 mph	-1.7 mph
11Bridgestone Turanza T005	60.1 mph	-2.0 mph

The difference between best and worst was 3.3% (2 mph).

Wet

The Pirelli once again proved its braking dominance, stopping 7 feet shorter than the second placed Asymmetric 5.

Wet Braking
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Pirelli P Zero PZ4	153 ft	Best
2Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5	160 ft	+7 ft
3Continental Premium Contact 6	163 ft	+10 ft
4Michelin Pilot Sport 4	167 ft	+14 ft
5Vredestein Ultrac Vorti	173 ft	+20 ft
6Hankook Ventus S1 evo2	175 ft	+22 ft
7Nokian PowerProof	178 ft	+25 ft
8Fulda SportControl 2	179 ft	+26 ft
9Maxxis Premitra HP5	182 ft	+29 ft
10Bridgestone Turanza T005	183 ft	+30 ft
11Toyo Proxes Sport	184 ft	+31 ft

The difference between best and worst was 20.3% (31 ft ≈ 2.1 Car Lengths).

This time the Pirelli carried through the performance advantage to wet handling, as the fastest tire on test.

Wet Handling
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Pirelli P Zero PZ4	54.7 mph	Best
2Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5	54.5 mph	-0.2 mph
3Continental Premium Contact 6	53.1 mph	-1.6 mph
4Michelin Pilot Sport 4	53.1 mph	-1.6 mph
5Vredestein Ultrac Vorti	52.8 mph	-1.9 mph
6Hankook Ventus S1 evo2	51.3 mph	-3.4 mph
7Maxxis Premitra HP5	51.1 mph	-3.6 mph
8Nokian PowerProof	50.3 mph	-4.4 mph
9Bridgestone Turanza T005	50.2 mph	-4.5 mph
10Fulda SportControl 2	49.9 mph	-4.8 mph
11Toyo Proxes Sport	49.6 mph	-5.1 mph

The difference between best and worst was 9.4% (5.1 mph).

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 took its first win of the test during straight aquaplaning testing.

Straight Aqua
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Michelin Pilot Sport 4	57.2 mph	Best
2Vredestein Ultrac Vorti	56.7 mph	-0.5 mph
3Hankook Ventus S1 evo2	56.5 mph	-0.7 mph
4Toyo Proxes Sport	56.4 mph	-0.8 mph
5Maxxis Premitra HP5	55.6 mph	-1.6 mph
5Continental Premium Contact 6	55.6 mph	-1.6 mph
7Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5	55.2 mph	-2.0 mph
8Pirelli P Zero PZ4	55.1 mph	-2.1 mph
9Bridgestone Turanza T005	54.9 mph	-2.3 mph
10Nokian PowerProof	54.4 mph	-2.8 mph
11Fulda SportControl 2	54.1 mph	-3.1 mph

The difference between best and worst was 5.5% (3.1 mph).

Environment

Three tires proved to be the most comfortable subjectively.

Subj. Comfort
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Vredestein Ultrac Vorti	7 Points	Best
1Michelin Pilot Sport 4	7 Points	Best
1Bridgestone Turanza T005	7 Points	Best
4Hankook Ventus S1 evo2	6 Points	-1.00 Points
4Continental Premium Contact 6	6 Points	-1.00 Points
4Pirelli P Zero PZ4	6 Points	-1.00 Points
4Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5	6 Points	-1.00 Points
8Maxxis Premitra HP5	5 Points	-2.00 Points
8Fulda SportControl 2	5 Points	-2.00 Points
8Nokian PowerProof	5 Points	-2.00 Points
11Toyo Proxes Sport	4 Points	-3.00 Points

The difference between best and worst was 42.9% (3 Points).

The Bridgestone continued its run of extremely low rolling resistance scores by having the lowest fuel use on test.

Rolling Resistance
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best	Extra fuel / year
1Bridgestone Turanza T005	7.31 kg/t	Best	$0
2Fulda SportControl 2	7.63 kg/t	+0.32 kg/t	$13
3Continental Premium Contact 6	8.01 kg/t	+0.70 kg/t	$28
4Maxxis Premitra HP5	8.09 kg/t	+0.78 kg/t	$31
4Nokian PowerProof	8.09 kg/t	+0.78 kg/t	$31
6Michelin Pilot Sport 4	8.3 kg/t	+0.99 kg/t	$40
7Pirelli P Zero PZ4	8.74 kg/t	+1.43 kg/t	$57
8Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5	8.95 kg/t	+1.64 kg/t	$66
9Hankook Ventus S1 evo2	9.04 kg/t	+1.73 kg/t	$70
10Vredestein Ultrac Vorti	9.54 kg/t	+2.23 kg/t	$90
11Toyo Proxes Sport	9.69 kg/t	+2.38 kg/t	$96

The difference between best and worst was 32.6% (2.38 kg / t). Over 12,000 miles a year at $3.60/gal, the Toyo Proxes Sport uses about 27 gal ($96) more fuel than the Bridgestone Turanza T005.

Adjust the assumptions

Calculated estimates, not additional measurements. Use the controls to explore the assumptions.

Gas/Diesel Electric

Annual Mileage

12,000 mi

km (L)

miles (US gal)

Fuel Price

$3.60/gal

GBP (£)

EUR (€)

USD ($)

Set my vehicle consumption

Estimates based on typical driving conditions. Rolling resistance accounts for approximately 20% of IC vehicle fuel consumption and 25% of EV energy consumption. Actual savings vary based on driving style, vehicle weight, road conditions, and tire age. For comparative purposes only. Lifetime savings based on a 40,000km / 25,000 mile tread life.

The Maxxis had the quietest internal noise.

Noise
Position / Tire	Result	Gap to best
1Maxxis Premitra HP5	71.6 dB	Best
2Hankook Ventus S1 evo2	71.7 dB	+0.10 dB
3Fulda SportControl 2	71.8 dB	+0.20 dB
4Michelin Pilot Sport 4	72.1 dB	+0.50 dB
5Vredestein Ultrac Vorti	72.4 dB	+0.80 dB
5Toyo Proxes Sport	72.4 dB	+0.80 dB
7Pirelli P Zero PZ4	72.9 dB	+1.30 dB
7Bridgestone Turanza T005	72.9 dB	+1.30 dB
7Nokian PowerProof	72.9 dB	+1.30 dB
10Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5	73.2 dB	+1.60 dB
11Continental Premium Contact 6	73.9 dB	+2.30 dB

The difference between best and worst was 3.2% (2.3 dB).

The Maxxis was also the cheapest tire on test.

Results

Exemplary / Test Winner.

Dry99.9%

Wet99.3%

Comfort92%

Rolling Resistance83.6%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (8)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	1^st / 11	115 ft	Best in this discipline
Dry HandlingHigher is better	2^nd / 11	62.0 mph	-0.1 mph
Wet BrakingLower is better	1^st / 11	153 ft	Best in this discipline
Wet HandlingHigher is better	1^st / 11	54.7 mph	Best in this discipline
Straight AquaHigher is better	8^th / 11	55.1 mph	-2.1 mph
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	4^th / 11	6 Points	-1.00 Points
NoiseLower is better	7^th / 11	72.9 dB	+1.30 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	7^th / 11	8.74 kg/t	+1.43 kg/t

Price: 560.00

Exemplary.

Dry98.4%

Wet97.5%

Comfort91.8%

Rolling Resistance81.7%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (8)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	6^th / 11	118 ft	+3 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better	3^rd / 11	61.6 mph	-0.5 mph
Wet BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 11	160 ft	+7 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better	2^nd / 11	54.5 mph	-0.2 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better	7^th / 11	55.2 mph	-2.0 mph
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	4^th / 11	6 Points	-1.00 Points
NoiseLower is better	10^th / 11	73.2 dB	+1.60 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	8^th / 11	8.95 kg/t	+1.64 kg/t

Price: 560.00

Exemplary.

Dry98.4%

Wet95.7%

Comfort91.3%

Rolling Resistance91.3%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (8)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	6^th / 11	118 ft	+3 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better	3^rd / 11	61.6 mph	-0.5 mph
Wet BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 11	163 ft	+10 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better	3^rd / 11	53.1 mph	-1.6 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better	5^th / 11	55.6 mph	-1.6 mph
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	4^th / 11	6 Points	-1.00 Points
NoiseLower is better	11^th / 11	73.9 dB	+2.30 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	3^rd / 11	8.01 kg/t	+0.70 kg/t

Price: 590.00

Exemplary.

Dry97.5%

Wet95.4%

Comfort99.7%

Rolling Resistance88.1%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (8)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	8^th / 11	120 ft	+5 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better	5^th / 11	61.5 mph	-0.6 mph
Wet BrakingLower is better	4^th / 11	167 ft	+14 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better	4^th / 11	53.1 mph	-1.6 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better	1^st / 11	57.2 mph	Best in this discipline
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	1^st / 11	7 Points	Best in this discipline
NoiseLower is better	4^th / 11	72.1 dB	+0.50 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	6^th / 11	8.3 kg/t	+0.99 kg/t

Price: 675.00

Exemplary.

Dry99%

Wet93.6%

Comfort99.5%

Rolling Resistance76.6%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (8)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 11	117 ft	+2 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better	1^st / 11	62.1 mph	Best in this discipline
Wet BrakingLower is better	5^th / 11	173 ft	+20 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better	5^th / 11	52.8 mph	-1.9 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better	2^nd / 11	56.7 mph	-0.5 mph
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	1^st / 11	7 Points	Best in this discipline
NoiseLower is better	5^th / 11	72.4 dB	+0.80 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	10^th / 11	9.54 kg/t	+2.23 kg/t

Price: 535.00

Good.

Dry96.8%

Wet92%

Comfort92.8%

Rolling Resistance80.9%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (8)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	8^th / 11	120 ft	+5 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better	9^th / 11	60.7 mph	-1.4 mph
Wet BrakingLower is better	6^th / 11	175 ft	+22 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better	6^th / 11	51.3 mph	-3.4 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better	3^rd / 11	56.5 mph	-0.7 mph
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	4^th / 11	6 Points	-1.00 Points
NoiseLower is better	2^nd / 11	71.7 dB	+0.10 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	9^th / 11	9.04 kg/t	+1.73 kg/t

Price: 510.00

Satisfactory.

Dry98%

Wet90%

Comfort84.8%

Rolling Resistance90.4%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (8)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	5^th / 11	118 ft	+3 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better	7^th / 11	61.1 mph	-1.0 mph
Wet BrakingLower is better	7^th / 11	178 ft	+25 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better	8^th / 11	50.3 mph	-4.4 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better	10^th / 11	54.4 mph	-2.8 mph
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	8^th / 11	5 Points	-2.00 Points
NoiseLower is better	7^th / 11	72.9 dB	+1.30 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	4^th / 11	8.09 kg/t	+0.78 kg/t

Price: 585.00

Satisfactory.

Dry97.4%

Wet89.2%

Comfort99.1%

Rolling Resistance100%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (8)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	3^rd / 11	117 ft	+2 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better	11^th / 11	60.1 mph	-2.0 mph
Wet BrakingLower is better	10^th / 11	183 ft	+30 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better	9^th / 11	50.2 mph	-4.5 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better	9^th / 11	54.9 mph	-2.3 mph
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	1^st / 11	7 Points	Best in this discipline
NoiseLower is better	7^th / 11	72.9 dB	+1.30 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	1^st / 11	7.31 kg/t	Best in this discipline

Price: 560.00

Satisfactory.

Dry98.3%

Wet90.3%

Comfort85.7%

Rolling Resistance90.4%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (8)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	2^nd / 11	117 ft	+2 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better	8^th / 11	61.0 mph	-1.1 mph
Wet BrakingLower is better	9^th / 11	182 ft	+29 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better	7^th / 11	51.1 mph	-3.6 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better	5^th / 11	55.6 mph	-1.6 mph
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	8^th / 11	5 Points	-2.00 Points
NoiseLower is better	1^st / 11	71.6 dB	Best in this discipline
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	4^th / 11	8.09 kg/t	+0.78 kg/t

Price: 460.00

Satisfactory.

Dry96%

Wet89%

Comfort78%

Rolling Resistance75.4%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (8)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	11^th / 11	123 ft	+8 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better	6^th / 11	61.1 mph	-1.0 mph
Wet BrakingLower is better	11^th / 11	184 ft	+31 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better	11^th / 11	49.6 mph	-5.1 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better	4^th / 11	56.4 mph	-0.8 mph
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	11^th / 11	4 Points	-3.00 Points
NoiseLower is better	5^th / 11	72.4 dB	+0.80 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	11^th / 11	9.69 kg/t	+2.38 kg/t

Price: 470.00

Satisfactory.

Dry95.5%

Wet89.4%

Comfort85.6%

Rolling Resistance95.8%

Category scores (% of best)

All discipline results (8)

Discipline positions compare the ranked tires in this test, not the whole market. These are individual measurements, not weighted overall scores.

Test	Position in discipline	Result	Gap to best
Dry BrakingLower is better	10^th / 11	123 ft	+8 ft
Dry HandlingHigher is better	10^th / 11	60.4 mph	-1.7 mph
Wet BrakingLower is better	8^th / 11	179 ft	+26 ft
Wet HandlingHigher is better	10^th / 11	49.9 mph	-4.8 mph
Straight AquaHigher is better	11^th / 11	54.1 mph	-3.1 mph
Subj. ComfortHigher is better	8^th / 11	5 Points	-2.00 Points
NoiseLower is better	3^rd / 11	71.8 dB	+0.20 dB
Rolling ResistanceLower is better	2^nd / 11	7.63 kg/t	+0.32 kg/t

Price: 495.00

Discussion

10 comments

1hp Apr 10, 2019 archived

External noise on the graph, internal on the comment above. Which is it, as there is not much correlation between the two? Wanting to buy the premium contact 6 (PC6) for low INTERNAL noise, autoexpress testing it on a GTI (similar to my car) was good for internal noise and significantly better than PS4, this result makes me wonder...
When you tested the PC6 recently, did you run it over rough asphalt/concrete? Was it noisy? Thanks!
(buying 235/40R18 size)

#4663
1. TireReviews 1hp Apr 10, 2019 archived
  
  Internal, our database can only show external at the moment. I'll get that updated.
  If you watch the video NVH is discussed near the end. The Asym 5 was the best internally. The PC6 maybe a tiny bit better than the Asym 3
  
  #4664
  1. 1hp TireReviews Apr 13, 2019 archived
    
    Thanks, better to rely on the noise test done with a similar cars and don't get scared off by these very different results... on a very different car. Noise is very difficult overall, so many variables.
    Now taking a gamble with a much more intesting tire for me, the GYF1SS :)
    
    #4674
    1. TireReviews 1hp Apr 14, 2019 archived
      
      Amazing, let me know how you find them! :)
      
      #4678
Lukica Stipetić Apr 6, 2019 archived

The Autobild sports car has already used the Bmw 5 Series vehicle in the UHP winter tires of the same size:
http://www.tirereviews.co.u...
It is a surprise that the Falken Azenis 510 has not been included in this test. This tire is very popular among Bmw drivers in my homeland.

#4634
4cvg Apr 2, 2019 archived

A strange mismatch of summary remarks & graph results at times - ???

#4599
1. TireReviews 4cvg Apr 2, 2019 archived
  
  I'm a little overloaded with work at the moment so rushing but of the smaller tests out, have you examples? I just scanned the article and couldn't see anything obvious.
  
  #4602
  1. 4cvg TireReviews Apr 3, 2019 archived
    
    Two examples might suffice:
    1. AS3 & PC6 are described as excellent & good dry handlers respectively. The bar graph scores are identical.
    2. PZ4 & UV are described as excellent & very good dry handlers respectively. The bar graph scores reverse this order.
    
    #4609
    1. TireReviews 4cvg Apr 4, 2019 archived
      
      Ah you meant the tire notes!
      I'll look into this further, I feel like the translation sometimes gets things a little different from the original intent.
      
      #4614
      1. 4cvg TireReviews Apr 4, 2019 archived
        
        yep; ta.
        
        #4622

Menu

Tire shortlist

The evidence behind the verdict

Dry

Wet

Environment

Results

Cross-check this test