Drivers generally describe the Continental Sport Contact 3 as a strong-performing UHP summer tire with confident handling, strong braking, and notably good wet-road grip with good resistance to aquaplaning. The most consistent complaint is rapid tread wear (especially on front axles/FWD cars), with many also reporting higher road noise/firm ride and premium pricing. A smaller but recurring theme is tramlining/steering pull on certain cars or as the tire wears, and some note wet/cold performance can deteriorate later in the tire's life.
What owners mention most counted across 189 reviews
Excellent choice. recommended by my local Audi dealer. and I cant fault them, probably the best tire I have had in 35 years of motoring. as for previous comment about poor grip in snow and ice, USE WINTER TYRES! I bought some winter wheels and tires last year and never looked back. there is a reason why they are mandatory in European countries that have bad winters. It's not rocket science
I changed my Dunlop Sports Max off my Audi A5 - I always found dunlops rubbish to be honest and before the snow even with 4mm of tread they slipped in the corners, so when the snow came I was the only car in my cul de sac not to get out -Dunlops ever again -erh no!
I have run Conti Spt contact 3 on my last three M3's and they never missed a heart beat always making me feel secure and sure footed.
Back from the garage with my new Conti SC3 and a vast improvement, better ride comfort and immediately getting me across patches of snow and ice that the Dunlop S max wouldnt grip earlier. For me these or even Bridgestone's have always been the best. Cost £235 per tire fitted while not cheap is not even a consideration when safety for myself and my family is key.
Check out how the BEST all seasons tires perform against premium summer and winter tires!
I have nothing but praise for these tires in every driving condition except snow and ice where they are awful.
They seem prone to lock up and traction levels are appalling....I have never been stuck so many times.
Presumably, all of the tread design (especially the large deep grooves around the tire that contribute to its otherwise excellent grip levels) do not offer any king of purchase on the snow and ice.
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Overall a very good tire!! I have owned/driven many performance cars and I like to experience with different brands of tire. Like all soft compound tires that give you great grip in the dry they tend to wear quicker than others which is the only downside to this tire. If you want the best then its gonna cost you unfortunatly you cant have your cake and eat it with tires as demand keeps the prices up.
Just replaced the Dunlop SP Sport Maxx on A5 after 12500 miles, they still had nearly 4mm on them but they were dangerous in the snow. I have replaced them with Continental SC5 and even allowing for 8mm v 4mm the difference is night and day, they cost a fortune £226 each (I could have got Dunlops for £190)but we can now go out in the snow and ice.
They will still spin on hard packed ice but they appear to be more controlled and (touch wood) we havent had to dig out yet.
These tires are fine in the dry and grip well around bends but they are the worst tires I have ever had for driving in snow or on icy roads inspiring very little confidence, I replaced michelin pilot HPs with these which were much better in winter weather.
Fitted a full set 7 months ago and have racked up 14,000 miles so far. The fronts have less that 1mm left. The rears have plenty left - 5mm ish.
Will be replacing the fronts with the CSC3's again next week as I have found them pretty good all round for the price (?100 per tire). They were inflated with nitrogen and the center of the tire has worn more than the outside so not sure if this is the reason? I do a 30 mile commute (each way) with 23 miles on motorway + 7 miles on fast back roads with several roundabouts. I would discribe my driving as very fast when safe to do so!! I cruise at about 100 on the motorway and usually manage 30 miles in 30 mins.
Fronts are 225/40 R18Y. I recently changed the OE Bridgestone RE050A run flats on my BMW for the SC3's. I'd read about the differences people had noticed, but still wasn't prepared for quite such a transformation. Immediately noticed they were smoother, quieter, less 'crashy' over pot holes and (cursed) speed bumps. Much more feel in the corners - the run flats almost "lock out" once the shoulder gets loaded up in a corner, and any bumps in the bend will be transmitted through to the wheel. Not any more. I've not had them long, so this isn't a thorough review, but I'm 100% pleased with my choice and definitely would choose these tires again. Run flats just aren't there yet IMHO. I'd rate these SC3 on a par with Michelin PS2's - these feel better on wet roads, and not quite as good in the dry.
These came as standard on my 2010 VW Passat (with the 18" wheel package)
I commute 85 miles a day to work, mostly motorway miles but with one 5 mile stretch of back road.
In the dry these tires just grip and grip even with some very spirited driving.
In the wet/damp conditions it gets a little worse with moderate under steer and some lift off over steer for roundabout fun but really nothing dangerous unless your really pushing it... which you wouldn't be in the wet... right ;)?!
Am currently on 12000 miles and the tires are showing plenty of life left!
