Drivers generally describe the Continental Premium Contact 2 as a confidence-inspiring summer tire with strong dry grip, capable wet grip, and communicative handling/feedback when pushed. Many higher-scoring reviews also mention stable braking and predictable behavior, with some reporting very long life on lighter cars or predominantly motorway use. However, a large portion of users complain about rapid treadwear (especially on the driven axle) and noticeable road noise, and several note that wet grip/aquaplaning resistance can deteriorate as the tire wears. Overall, it's viewed as a strong performer when fresh, but often expensive to run due to wear and (for some) noise.
What owners mention most counted across 155 reviews
I have a 57 plate clio campus sport and these were standard. I have kept with these and now 36,000 miles later I have only just changed the last 2 of the original 4. My fronts have got another 6k at least (now swapped onto rear). I don't think that's bad wear at all. I know when they get low they are not meant to be too good in the wet but they held up great in the wet and snow last year. My last 2 cost me £64 each and I think thats a good price.
I like the sound of the uniroyal rain expert but these would have cost more. I recommend these.
I changed from Goodyear Excellence (a directional summer all rounder) to these when the Goodyears were unavailable (just on the front). I've been driving 20+ years and fairly keen on my driving. These are on my daily driver. The short version of this review is that these were so bad on my car that I booked the car in to get suspension checked.
The problem was that the planted feeling I had from the Goodyears disappeared. The car felt vague to the point of dangerous. I'm talking about even at legal speeds on motorways where it felt like there were crosswinds (it was also more tramliney). On the twisties I was getting torque steer over any slight bumps (I'm a progressive but smooth IAM type driver) and even with gentle turn-in it felt like the tire was folding under the wheel slightly - just horrible.
I've never felt such a dramatic effect from changing tires on a car and have been through most brands (Pirelli, Contisports, Goodyear, Toyo, Michelin, Bridgestone, Falken etc). I can only put it down to the fact that this is a tire designed for "premium" motor cars and perhaps for comfort before anything else. It may be better with lower profile sidewalls or in a higher speed rating, but I'd have to recommend staying well clear whatever your style of driving if you're choosing for this size. I got to the stage where I was pricing up replacements despite these only having 2100 miles on them.
I have since rotated the tires on to the back (today) and having taken it for a longish spin over a motorway, town, twisties test route - the car's back to how it was before.
Check out how the BEST all seasons tires perform against premium summer and winter tires!
Bought Continentals as thuoght at £160 a time would be a good tire and they have performed well mostly but, having them on the front of my Sharan with front wheel drive and steering has seen them last for a little over 10K miles. I am in no way a heavy footed driver and manage pretty good fuel returns of around 45-48 MPG. I was hopping to find some good recommendations on this site......
Which tires do you drive?
Researching the Continental Premium Contact 2? Rate the tires you actually drive - and help the next buyer choose.
These tires were not my first choice, but turned out to be the best performance tires I could get for the original 14" rims on the car. I was very pleased with the comfort and low noise. When I bought them they were only available in "H" rated. I would definitely select the V rated version to get the stiffer side walls next time. Unfortunately they only appear to be available for my larger rear tires. After getting used to the way they handle I find them very good. Just don't make quick steering adjustments while going through turns at brisk speeds.
Had these from new on my 2.L Automatic Dodge.Found them fantastic on both wet and dry.found that they were prone to tramlining as tread wore. Shocked at the speed to which they have worn, I drive light,and mostly motorway..Have another set on my car right now, have been to Scotland and France and they are just running down on the tread.good tire and had them fitted for 94.00 each.just a shame they are not longer lasting. I'm switiching to budget tires next,for cost purposes,and also to see the difference in handling and wear.
I fitted a set of 4 to my 2.0 D4D Avensis Estate @ 82000 miles and I have just been advised to replace them when I MOT'd the vehicle yesterday. The car has now done 118700 Miles so that is about 36700 miles usage. The tires were switched from front to back after about 15000 miles or so to even up the wear, and the vast majority of the mileage is motorway mileage. Noise levels were acceptable and at no point in the dry or rain did I feel that I was not in control of the car. In short, I have no concerns about the tires but would consider reading reviews of other premium brands if I felt that they would perform as well but last longer.
Not particularly cheap, but very good value for money - have replaced the full set of 4 on two occasions, each time they covered 23,000 miles (according to the mileage stated on my previous sales invoices) - works out at £0.003 per mile per tire. Braking and cornering excellent and progressive in wet and dry. Low road noise, and good fuel economy - 37 mpg in town, 52 mpg on motorway (1.2 liter, petrol Clio, 2003). Excellent for most of their life, but towards the end of their life they become aquaplaney.
they are great when new, but once they have half the tread, they like to aquaplane in the wet like made. About to swap they to Uniroyal Rainexpert, got them on the front already and they are excellent! And cheaper too.
Happy with tires - after 17k just about legal, thou now getting problems in the wet. Not the cheapest but happy as seem to last as not the kindest on tires but when compared to my wife's car who's Dunlops had to be replaced after 12k, I'm happy, but where I get my tires there's a 5 week wait so as planning to use car alot in next month, will go for P Zeros...
I've got 45K for front set and 25K for the rear set on my BMW 523i SE Auto, Very hapy with these results. These are mostly motorway miles and I do not drive hard at all. My wife's car (2.8 liter car) also have Conti Prem 2 tires fitted, with bigger rim size and lower profile, they also last over 25K. I would recommended this make to anybody.
Great tire - great in wet and dry. I would say it is an extremly expensive tire to run, had to change over after 12,000 miles.... wheels were alligned and suspension checked before and after tire fitting. Terrible if you ask me from a major tire brand.
