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
I've got a Toyota Chaser which is basically a baby supra putting out just over 200 rwkw. Going from Nankang which is well known for being the tire you put on just before selling your car I paid more then double the price and expected more then double the grip. In the dry there is noticeably more grip. The car is used mixed driving including track work. Goes around the corners really well impressed by it. Where this tire struggles is under hard acceleration especially in the wet. Going around the corners is fine as long as you are careful with the throttle. Actually goes really quick around the corners and the tires stick. Make the road wet and you can't do anything except baby the throttle. They are no better then the cheap tire seriously. And giving it some stick in the dry in first can spin the wheels so although slightly better then the cheap tires not worth the extra bucks and the excessive wear. For my car (rear wheel drive with lots of pwr) this doesn't seem to be a good choice of tire. Was recommended the tire by AWD with big pwr and the tire does seem to grip like crazy since the pwr is distributed around. Will try the goodyear f1s next.
The Audi A4 Avant is a very heavy at the front. These Continentals are a soft rubber compound, so while give excellent grip and feedback, they didn't last long at all - the front pair has done 9,000 miles over a year and now need replacing. The rears still have significant life left. In summary a great performing tire, but avoid unless you want your tire fitter to become your best friend!
had contisport contact 2s 195/65/15 on my mercedes c220cdi 2002 for 2/3 yrs 25000mls+ no uneven wear, but 20000mls max on our 2005 c180coupe conti 3s 225/45/17front 245/40/17rear so for mercedes 203 chassis a good allround tire, was original manufacturers fitment from new.
I had a problem with my XJR tramlining. I changed the standard Pirelli P zeros for Conti sport contact 3's. I placed the part worn Pirellis on the rear axle with 3mm left, thinking I would wear them out reasonably quickly and had the new Conti's on the front. I've only done about 8,000 miles and the Conti's are shot to bits, the Pirellis on the driven axle still have 1.8mm.
The tires gripped well in both the wet and dry. I was very happy with them for the last eighteen months. Its not until I checked them recently and found they were due for replacement.
On the plus side they cured the tramlining but that has since returned and I have been told its a Jag thing down to being very fussy for correct geometry.
I would buy the tires again if they didn't cost ?200 each for 8,000 miles. I'm a traffic cop so I stick to speed limits religously in the towns but in the twisties I like to take advantage of the cars performance. Having said that they should have lasted twice as long as they did.
I've got the main dealer to fit four new Pirellis P zeros and sort the geometry. My flexible friend has had another spanking this month.
Bought these as a replacement to the factory fitted Michelin Pilot Primacy tires. Michelin have been unable to supply tires in this size for 2 months and have not delivery date. The replacements were a big and expensive mistake. I read the reviews and thought the tire would be OK. In use, they are noisy and make it hard to enjoy the drive. The fuel consumption appears to be 5% lower than the Michelins. There is vibration through the steering wheel despite having the balancing re-checked. They are also an 'ugly' tire that would not look out of place on a tractor. I am replacing the two front tires as soon as I can get hold of some Michelin's. Another ?300 down the drain. Driven on a Mercedez E280 CD1. May suit other cars but not this one.
Fitted 2 new Conti Sport Contact 3s (225/45 91W) when I bought my Saab 93 Aero in June 08. Less than 21 months & 10k miles later (mostly gentle town driving - honest!), both tires are at the wear indicators. Grip, particularly wet-weather, has deteriorated significantly over time to the point that you now have to drive like a saint in the wet or risk understeering off the road. While front wheel drive Saabs are known to be hard on front tires, I'd expected a longer life for a tire which is in excess of ?100 a corner - especially when there is so much cheaper competition available.
When newer, grip (dry & wet) and comfort has generally been ok although a little noisy when new until they wore in (which didnt take long!). Feedback through the steering was always a bit "dead" although that may be as much the car as the tires. (The next tire change will confirm.)
On the whole, a disappointing effort from Continental. Am currently looking to replace with Uniroyal Rainsport 2s based on the glowing feedback on this site.
This is a very good tire and after owning Michi's PS2's I can say they are as good as you can buy. Its more down to personal preference. The only issue is wear. I drive a Porsche Cayman s and the car eats tires - Michi's are far superior in this arena as I managed 12000miles before I needed a change!
I find it hard to believe anyone has actually given a good reciew of this tire, for the money they cost they are terrible. Michellin exalto or pilot are far far superior, even Pirelli p zero nero are better. The dry grip is not good at all, do all these audi RS 4/6 whatever drivers have real rs versions. I have a modest 150 BHP laguna coupe, the tires don't even grip well when I sprint from standing on an anti skid patch of road at my wifes work which is a busy intersection. in the wet the feedback screams help i'm losing grip and your going to die, hell it screams that in the MOIST. this is a premium rip off. I had P zero neros's on my 207 GT and they were FAR FAR superior offered more than enough grip in dry wet or whatever but didn't last long. Michy exalto lasted the distance and would stick to a road woth no gravity. Don't waste your cash on the conti sport rip off
I drive a very powerful car and drive very, very aggressively at any chance I can, so I needed a tire that would not let me down at the limits. My car is an Audi RR4, which has a brilliant chassis with tremendous grip and allows me to drive at a level of speed and forcefulness in excess of other more normal cars. I am very impressed with the grip and progression of these tires up to and beyond the (extremely high) limit of adhesion. The only problem for me, really, is other drivers!
Depending on which is the best value at the time all the above tires give excellent grip in the dry and wet and feel very progressive on the limits.
In the dry I think the Michelins just shade the Bridgestone's, Continentals are best for preventing aquaplaning in a bend or straight line.
The Michelins are best in the wet too with again Bridgestone just behind in second. So all three are superb tires but I find the Michelins last the longest with Bridgestone 2nd and the Continentals 3rd.
In terms of value for money I would say the Continentals and Bridgestone are good with the Michelin being pricey and in 3rd place.
