Continental Sport Contact 6 Reviews - Page 8

So big caveat - this is a 20 mile first impression on a brand new tire. Also posting as i switched from factory fit michelin primacy HP "run flats" and have been thinking about doing so for some time as the ride on the 530d M Sport on 19"s is pretty brutal in my view. I only do about 5000 miles a year of mixed driving - the 530d is the "trophy car" on the drive, and the day to day driving gets done in a rather good Focus Titanium X 180 we've had for 3 years or so.
Given cost for the run flats would have been much higher I decided to go for a great regular sports tire and just fortunate that the Conti 6s had just launched. Tough to get hold of them based on current stock levels but managed to find a set in our local tire place in Swanley, Kent.
First impression: ride quality is much improved. The key point with the non-run flats is they don't "bounce off" pot holes and the like in quite the same way. In terms of grip (and noting this is from a quick blast for 20 miles) the grip levels are phenomenal - the Michelin's still had life left in them although not loads (probably 4-5 months) but the difference is pretty astonishing. Wet grip is also good too. Frankly this tire is designed for much more grunt than the 530d has and it shows. Noise doesn't seem too bad - was a bit worried based on specs that noise levels would be noticeably up. Not a huge diff to the Michelin's to be honest. Great start. More to follow....

First 15miles with tires not run in driving on wet roads light rain. Miles split evenly between motorway/A road and winding B road with a short distance town driving.
Previously the recently purchased car had been fitted with four budget tires and had generous tread levels. Why people scrimp on the main component that holds your vehicle on the road is beyond me. In my opinion purchasing such tires for any car let alone fitting to a performance car should result in the mandatory wearing of a kamikaze head band and a man wearing a tall hat waving a red flag walking in front of the car. The steering with the budget tires was unresponsive with very little feedback even in sport mode. The rear end had slipped out on three occasions while driving at sensible speeds so kicking the electronics in reducing the car to a near standstill with a red faced embarrassed driver. Hard acceleration in the wet promoted dashboard lights flashing and back end twitching.
First thoughts of the Continental SP6. Outstanding! Completely transformed the car. Road noise is acceptable, you are aware but it is not intrusive, I mean come on, it's a car not a hovercraft. Steering feedback I would estimate a 200% improvement, adjustments at all speeds is positive and confident. Hard acceleration from standstill in the wet is outstanding, no flicker from traction control lights or a hint of being anything other than sucked firmly down to the Tarmac. Hard late breaking can be performed with confidence and cornering ability simply a fantastic improvement with the car now able to handle hard acceleration out of the apex feeling like a 4x4 car should. It is important to remember that this is a large heavy powerful family saloon not a hot hatch but by fitting these tires which I knew would be an improvement has allowed this car to unleash some serious power to the Tarmac.
In short I have another new car. After weighing up the pros and cons I opted for these summer tires taking the gamble of a reasonably mild winter. Yes I've read all the hype for winter and all weather. I have first hand experience spending some time in Canada driving with winter tires, they are outstanding. But having driven for some 27years in the UK in some very extreme conditions with summer tires I take the option of sticking to summer tires and simply adjusting my driving to suit the conditions. Simples. I will give these Continentals a few months and report on low temp, snow and ice with of course some dry weather comments. I hope this is of some help to any readers.
P.S. you get what you pay for ladies and gents