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
Feels difficult to quantify the tires as previous car was a Clio 182 and it was easier to push pass the limit than the 200.
Tires were rotated around 9000 which was really a bit too late as one rear is now down to 2mm but front is at 4mm. Ideally I'd replace all four in one go.
The tires + cup suspension make it hard going on London's pot holed & humped roads. Feels like I'm driving a caged beast in London with all the 20mph limits.
Check out how the BEST all seasons tires perform against premium summer and winter tires!
OEM fitment tire on our 2012 Mercedes C class estate. Rear tires lasted 18500 miles which is ok but not exceptional. Grip was good throughout the 3 years on the car and was still good when replaced at 2.3 mm. Fronts only half worn, still have 4.5 mm after 20000 miles so expect to see circa 30000 from them. Most use has been local driving or long distance motorway use but on the odd occasion I have driven them spiritedly on A roads they have gripped well in both wet and dry conditions and feedback has been good and predictable. My only observation is that they have suffered micro cracking on the shoulder which I would not have expected on a premium tire that has been maintained at the correct pressure throughout it's life. No deterioration in performance but it looks a little unsightly. Overall a good tire but now superseded by the Contisport 5.
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The Continental Sport Contact 3s replaced CSC 2s about 32 months ago in December 2012 and with regular balancing and rotation (every 10,000 kms / 6,250 miles / 6 months)) have travelled 42,000 kms (c. 25,000 miles). I live in Johannesburg, and our roads are not particularly well maintained. I have driven to/from Durban at least 4 times (say 800 miles round trip)during this period as well as off-road in the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve a couple of times, and a few other long distance trips (about 200 miles each one). No flat tires at all (surprisingly!) and these tires have lasted me the 'longest'. They are though quite 'noisy' now, and I shall be replacing them at 45,000km (28,125 miles), and in all likelihood with CSC 5s.
Jest had first service car has 9924 miles on clock told will have to renew tires in 2000 miles. that's jest 12000 miles
66%
Member
Vauxhall
225/45 R17
10,000 miles
A Combination of Roads
Spirited
Great dry grip and really progressive through bends, car slides progressively when driven on the edge of the tires performance. Dry breaking amongst the best, wet performance is average. The wear rate is poor though, managed 10k on the fronts and they're in the wear indicators. The backs have worn around 2mm in comparison as a non-driven pair.
Superb in the dry, good enough in the wet. Wear far too quickly.
The grip levels are great but i cannot stand how quickly they wear. I have done 6000 miles from new and i have to replace them soon. I know i drive hard some times (great grip then) but i couldn't buy again based on the wear rate and high price.
These came as standard on a new A4 Technik (225/50/R17).
Its difficult to separate the harsh ride that comes with sport suspension from the tire performance but I felt the tires were adequate.
They felt a little soft and imprecise at the limits of cornering and in wet weather but never caused any concerns. Prone to wheel spin from a standing start in some conditions. Good braking in wet and dry. Tire noise was on the limit of acceptable.
One thing I can say for sure is that the wear rate was problematic. I got less than 17000 from the front pair (FWD) with faster wear on the shoulder. However, if you want performance tires you're going to get a softer compound and faster wear. Its all compromise.
Despite the disappointing wear rate I replaced the front pair with ContiSportContact 5 hoping the newer tire is better. It probably won't.
the CSC3 came standard with my E300 front 245/40 rear 265/35. I've had them for a year a I am now considering changing to Michelin Pilot SS. They wore out very fast, after 30k km I started noticing the difference in how the car grips. I wouldn't recommend this tire
I had these on the front of my Volvo V70 R, Completely useless in the wet, traction was more or less non existent. The grip on dry roads wasn't too bad but not what you would expects from a premium tire. What finished it for me was under steer on a roundabout in rush hour with the kids in the car. No more conti's for me
For the price they are not very good. I had cheaper tires on previously which wear much better in all categories. Disappointing tire which I won't buy again. Grip is not very good. I lost control on a muddy road and narrowly missed going into a hedge. I have lost confidence driving at higher speeds with these tires.
My new Citroen DS5 came with these. I know the DS5 gets mixed reviews due to below par ride and steering. However, after 4k miles I became convinced the Continentals were partly to blame.
Took the plunge and changed wheels and tires for 17" Falken EuroAll Season AS200's. Transformation! No more tramlining, or strong pulling with the camber, way less steering kickback over bumps, softer, quieter ride. Why Citroen fit the Continentals I cannot imagine, perhaps they got a job lot? (Contact 3's still being supplied in 2014?)
I have sampled Sport Contacts on other FWD cars in the past and not been impressed. I think, reading some of the reports here, that the tires are better suited to RWD cars? Oh and the wear rate is awful, after 4K miles fronts will be shot at 12 to 15k miles.
