7 min read
Updated
Error: Article not found
Similar Tire Tests
Show All winter tire tests2025 High Performance Winter Tire Test
January 2026
275/35 R19
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
7 tires
2025 TUV Test of Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3 vs Rivals
October 2025
Pirelli Cinturato Winter 3
5 tires
2025 Studded, Friction and European Winter Tire Test
October 2025
235/45 R18
Continental VikingContact 8
20 tires
2025 AZ Performance Winter Tire Test
October 2025
245/45 R19
Goodyear UltraGrip Performance 3
10 tires
2025 Autobild Winter Tire Test
October 2025
225/40 R18
Michelin Pilot Alpin 5
22 tires
2025 Winter Tire Braking Test - 52 Sets!
October 2025
225/40 R18
Dunlop Winter Response 2
52 tires
Fascinating and interesting how much better the summer tire is in those niche areas...would love to know which summer tire was used out of interest, suspect a Conti?
I haven’t seen any coverage of Continental WinterContact 8 S yet.
Would it be a better choice than Michelin PA5 in wider sizes - 255 and 275/35R19?
The S range are intended for OE, we need to wait for the 8P sadly
Hmmm, interesting. Because i see it available for purchase already, without any special OE markings.
Meanwhile, I’m struggling to find aftermarket non OE marked PA5 in those two sizes.
I have asked Continental and they said there will be no non-OE marked 8S made, so it seems like it would be a retailer listing error. Maybe have them double check.
I'm looking at the official Continental page (for Germany) as well as different retailers. Looks to me it's the opposite of being OE-only. Not sure what's happening. I'm kind of willing to go for it, to try them instead of Michelin PA5. I'm running a larger size than usual for 330e - 255/35R19 in the front, and 275/35R19 in the back.
Continental WinterContact 8 S product range here .
Direct link to a label without OE mention:
https://www.contimediacenter.com/eulabel/en/03202300000/
Another label with mention of OE (a different tire) as an example: https://www.contimediacenter.com/eulabel/de_DE/03143590000/
https://uploads.disquscdn.c...
I don't disagree with your findings, I'm just telling you what I know.
What I'm assuming is that it is basically an OE based tire without the marking. It sounds like in the sizes you're running, that probably wouldn't be a bad thing as I'm assuming you have a big / powerful car. An OE winter tire like this will be more focused on good handling in the dry and wet so would give up some snow performance to an pure aftermarket tire, but will be much more stable on big powerful applications. Depending on your target use that could be a big win. But then so could the ASC2.
Personally I like new and shiney so I'd get the 8S
Thank you for your insight and feedback! As well as wealth of knowledge you’re sharing with us!
I’ll pull the trigger on the 8S, I too like new and shiny! I’ll definitely leave a review how 8S handles 420HP and 750Nm on the rear axle. :)
Excellent, look forward to the review!
Jonathan, I am quite sure I am missing something here. The Cross Climate 2 is basically on the same level as the best winter tires in snow/ice and better/way better in wet/dry.
The CrossClimate was only the reference for the snow as it wasn't the best in the dry and wet, they are other tires
A winter tire test without Nokian is like a German car test without Mercedes.
What's the point testing a winter tire in 23,5 Celsius?
For comparison with best case conditions of summer tires.
But I agree, dry testing at 0C would be more beneficial for the test
inability to control the weather
Great review, just ordered Pirelli P Zero Winter 2 for my E 53 AMG, to be installed next week.
On my previous car, for 5 years had Pilot Alpin 5, fantastic tire.
Probably a decent choice. I had the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 on my E53 AMG Coupé and they were fantastic. Wet grip and snow performace was the best i have ever experienced on any of my cars. Once it was dry though they worn down super fast although driving 240 kph with winter tires did not help either.
nice, let me know how you like them!
What is the reference all season?
Just what I needed - a review on low-profile all-seasons! After watching the review I'm torn between the Continentals and the Bridgestones for my Mk2 Audi TTS (Quattro) to replace the Goodyear Assym's which very slowly slid me into the curb last snowfall here in the S.E of England... however, I'm still curious about the Hankook Kinergy 4S2 as I just 'like' Hankook, although they don;t appear to be available in a Y rating (can't find a legal answer on dropping the speed rating) - What would you recommend?
I've not tried the hankook in this size, but you can drop speed ratings, just not load ratings.
Why should anyone still buy a pure winter typre (like the winning Alpin5) when the all-season tire CrossClimate2 is even better in snow & ice as the best winer typre ?
It's an interesting question.
That really looks like a testing/measurement error. How can it be that all season tire is better on ice than the best dedicated winter tire?
Compound is key on ice, and a lot of all season tires use a winter compound just with less siping
What about Alpin 7?
Wasn't available in time for this test
Michelin Alpin (insert number) is a touring level tire.
Michelin Pilot Alpin (insert number) is a performance tire.
This test is for performance tires.
What is difference between 870 and 870P?
P is performance versions
Which was the reference AllSeason tire used in the test?
It's the best from each category which can be found in the all season test on this site.
You need to refer to the All-Season test that was done at the same time - the reference all-season tire is the top rated tire for each of the test categories. In other words, it varies. In most cases, it is the Pirelli Cinturato All Season SF-3.
What would you guys recommend for a Mini Cooper in Central Europe?
I just got the car and I've absolutely no idea whether I should get all-season tires, or should I use winter+summer. Any ideas? And if so, what would be the best choice in terms of price and performance?
The data from the winter and all season tests should give you the information to answer this yourself based on your own needs.
Having had time to figure out why are you testing winter tires on dry @ 25C degrees. How about 5 or 0C, which is more realistic usage case...
The answer isn't overly complicated, I've not yet mastered the ability to control the weather sadly.
Hi, in text you mention what is the all season tire you compare to, but I couldn't find info about what was the reference summer tire.
If all season tires are showing so good performance I also consider switching to them, but would like to better understand how they perform comparing to summer ones.
He mentions next article/video will be giving comparison between AS/Winter and Summer - looking forward to see this :)
You can cross reference the best all season tire from each test on this site
So why I should buy winter tires now? If Allseasons are better in dry and wet and on par in snow and ice, I don't see the reason why to buy special winter tires. The best solution seems to be to fit Allseason from oct to april and from may to september fit summers.
No Vredestein Wintrac Pro/Pro+ included?
Sadly there was limited space and as I've tested it a bunch before I thought it would be ok to leave it out. There will be new data on the site in the coming week from other tests.
Just watched the video on YT and also wondered why for example the Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 was left out. But it was in last year's review and I just compared some of the tests, seems to be not too far off from the winning duo. Anyways, great test again this year thanks for the work!
Plus probably Bridgestone are rolling out Blizzak 6 currently - not sure this size was available at time of test ... and LM005 might not be on the market for very long with Blizzak 6 arriving right now on the market.
Autobild tested Blizzak 6 very recently on 205/55R16 (not sporty mount I know :( )
I tried to get the B6 but I couldn't get it in time