Continental WinterContact TS 850 P

The Continental WinterContact TS 850 P is a Ultra High Performance Winter tire designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars.

Tire review data from 19 tire reviews averaging 81% over 149,810 miles driven, and 17 tests with an average result of 3rd.

Dry Grip 84%
Wet Grip 86%
Road Feedback 84%
Handling 85%
Wear 82%
Comfort 79%
Buy again 82%
Snow Grip 82%
Ice Grip 64%

First On MarketMay 2014
Wheel Size15 - 22"
Width155 - 315mm
Profile30 - 75
Rolling ResistanceB - D
Wet GripB - C
Noise (dB)71 - 75
Winter Rating3PMSF Rated

The WinterContact TS 850 P is ranked 33rd of 43 Winter Ultra High Performance tires.

This tire replaced the Continental WinterContact TS 830 P and this tire has been replaced by the Continental WinterContact TS 860 S.

Tests Included

17

Best Result

1st

Worst Result

12th

Average Result

3rd

Latest Tire Test Results

2021 Auto Bild Sports Car Winter Tire Test
7th of 14 tires
  • Balanced winter tires with safe driving characteristics in all weather conditions, dynamic wet handling, short wet braking distances.
  • Long dry and snow braking.
View Full Test >>
2021 Auto Bild SUV Winter Tire Test
5th of 11 tires
  • All round talent with convincing winter qualities, stable wet and dry handling, fuel saving rolling resistance.
  • Slightly extended dry braking distances, high price.
View Full Test >>
2020 ADAC Winter Tire Test - 235/55 R17
12th of 13 tires
  • Especially good in the wet.
  • Relatively weak on dry roads, somewhat weak in snow.
View Full Test >>

SizeFuelWetNoise
15 inch
235/75 R 15 109 T XLCC72
16 inch
215/70 R 16 100 TDC72
215/70 R 16 104 H XLCC72
205/60 R 16 92 HCC72
205/60 R 16 92 HCC72
17 inch
265/65 R 17 112 TCC73
215/55 R 17 98 H XLCB72
235/65 R 17 108 V XLCB72
225/60 R 17 99 HCC72
265/65 R 17 112 HCC73
225/50 R 17 94 HCC72
225/50 R 17 98 H XLDC72
225/50 R 17 98 H XLDC72
235/65 R 17 104 HCC72
225/50 R 17 98 H XLDC72
215/55 R 17 94 HCC72
215/55 R 17 94 HCC72
235/65 R 17 108 H XLDC72
215/55 R 17 98 H XLCC72
215/55 R 17 98 V XLCC72
205/50 R 17 93 H XLCC72
205/50 R 17 93 V XLCC72
225/50 R 17 94 HDC72
225/60 R 17 103 V XLCB72
215/45 R 17 91 V XLCC72
215/45 R 17 91 H XLCC72
265/65 R 17 116 H XLCC73
18 inch
245/45 R 18 96 VDC72
245/45 R 18 96 VDC72
235/60 R 18 103 VCC72
235/60 R 18 103 VCC72
245/45 R 18 100 V XLCC72
235/60 R 18 103 HBB71
235/60 R 18 103 TCB72
235/60 R 18 103 TCB72
235/60 R 18 103 TCB72
235/60 R 18 103 TCB72
245/40 R 18 97 W XLCC72
245/40 R 18 97 V XLCC72
235/60 R 18 107 V XLCC72
225/40 R 18 92 V XLCC72
245/40 R 18 97 V XLCB72
235/60 R 18 107 H XLCC72
19 inch
235/35 R 19 91 W XLDC72
20 inch
255/45 R 20 101 TCB73
255/45 R 20 101 TCB73
255/45 R 20 101 VDC73
255/45 R 20 105 V XLCC73
View All Sizes and EU Label Scores for the Continental WinterContact TS 850 P >>

Questions and Answers for the Continental WinterContact TS 850 P

2019-11-12 - I recently had these tires (225/40/18 92V) fitted to my M140i based on your reviews for winter. So far these are living up to the test results beyond expectation. One aspect that seriously impresses is the added ride comfort the Contis have over the Michelin Pilot Super Sport normally fitted for the summer. So now I want this ride comfort in a summer tire too. So the question is what do I replace the MPSS with next spring to achieve this? Michelin Pilot Sport 4? Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5? Conti PremiumContact 6?

All three of those tires should be more comfortable than the PSS, personally I would choose the Asymmetric 5.


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Top 3 Continental WinterContact TS 850 P Reviews

Given 80% while driving a BMW M135i (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 1,000 spirited miles
I was really impressed with these tires, surpringly good even on warmer days in the dry, very secure in the wet and seemed very reliable on the few days of snow we had. If anything the car was less tail happy on these than on normal summer tires in the summer
Helpful 57 - tire reviewed on April 2, 2021
Given 79% while driving a Volkswagen (225/45 R18) on a combination of roads for 5,000 spirited miles
The car I used was a Golf GTI mk7.5 and it worked extremely well! Living on the west coast of Sweden the weather during winter time is mostly rain with some snow and temperatures ranging from around -5 to +5 degrees celsius. Extremely good grip with a lot of control and predictability. Could actually push the tires a lot going out of corners, with good grip in the corners and really good braking performance! Really good tire!
Helpful 20 - tire reviewed on December 16, 2023
Given 61% while driving a Mercedes Benz E350 (225/55 R16) on mostly town for 1,000 average miles
Very bad wet grip
Helpful 29 - tire reviewed on December 28, 2022
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Latest Continental WinterContact TS 850 P Reviews

Given 80% while driving a BMW M135i (225/40 R18) on a combination of roads for 2,000 spirited miles
Another winter season over on these tires and I am again very impressed. Although we did not get snow this winter, we did get plenty of weather below 7C including ice and a lot of cold wet weather and I found these tires both grippy and extremely progressive. Wear has once again been good. The tires are noisier and grumblier than my summer tires, and the steering is lighter so feedback is not as good as in summer. On days where temperatures were over 7C the tire was still good, but you could feel on corning that it was not as firm as usual.
Helpful 9 - tire reviewed on May 10, 2024
Given 84% while driving a BMW 535xd (245/45 R18) on a combination of roads for 10,000 average miles
Ideal tire for my BMW. Dry and wet handling is excellent also at warmer temperatures around 10/15 degrees. Low wear, low noise but quite stiff and rigid sidewall especially if compared to Goodyear tires. I would highly recommend it
Helpful 36 - tire reviewed on October 28, 2021
What to know the BEST All Season Tires for 2024? Click to find out!
Given 90% while driving a Volvo XC70 D5 (225/45 R17) on mostly country roads for 25,000 average miles
I have used 215/65 R16 on XC70 for 10 years, winter only on separate alloys. Balanced feedback from the road, no understeer (as had with Pirellis). Very good on snow, wet and dry, okay on ice. Good contol at speed and stable on mixed surfaces. Comfortable ride, slight noise on some surfaces. Will be replacing them with the same again.
Helpful 38 - tire reviewed on June 17, 2021
Given 92% while driving a Mercedes Benz E350 (265/35 R18 W) on mostly motorways for 16,000 easy going miles
Brilliant tires , much quieter than my summer Pirelli P Zerros . Much better tire overall full stop. I have them on a heavy Mercedes E350 estate and the ride and everything else is sublime . My tire sizes are 265/35/18 rear and 245/40/18 front. Wear seems excellent too, I do 80% motorway driving so it is to be expected .
Helpful 44 - tire reviewed on April 15, 2020
Given 71% while driving a SEAT Leon Cupra 290 (225/45 R17 V) on mostly country roads for 3,000 average miles
Tires deliver good feedback and do well in the dry and wet. They seem a bit harsh. Braking distance in the dry is alright. Could do better.

Wear is my problem with this tire. I do drive mostly average. Like 10% of my drives are spirited.
Front tires are already down to 5-5.5mm.

Not quiet sure if i would buy them again. Since wear is quiet high
Helpful 38 - tire reviewed on February 2, 2020
Given 71% while driving a Opel Astra H OPC (235/45 R18) on mostly motorways for 25,000 spirited miles
We bought these winter tires for Astra OPC (VXR) petrol 2.0. It is not the sportiest car but still fast enough to require (even in winter) something tolerating the speed in excess of 200km/h (well, occasionally). Our car was originally equipped with Michelin Super Sports. Compared to them, the ContinentalWinter 850P is very comfortable. The first thing to notice was its noise level almost equal (or even lower) to the summer Super Sports. Well, winter Continentals are not very quick when pushed hard on the dry and not as precise when braking. Still, Conti does the job on the dry and sunny road. I like them on the wet and they are reasonably good on the snow. They cannot cope with too much snow, in which case I have snow chains (had to use them once in the Alps when going uphill to a remote skiing station).

Ice... In fact Conti 850 Ps are not for the ice at all. I was a keen user of studded Nokian Hakkapeliittas on my previous car. The Hakkapeliitaas used to give me real winter confidence. Now, the Conties give me speed on the dry winter road. And comfort. Lots of it.

When I changed back for my Michelin Super Sports this spring I really hated them first. Compared to Conti 850 Ps, super Sports were so rigid and unforgiving on the cobblestone surface so much loved in my city.

Well later, Super Sports proved themselves again on a highway. They are created for speed and stability.

Verdict? Well, Continental Winter Contact 850 P is not what I call a winter tire. But if you drive a kind of sporty car, do not have much choice, then go for them. They are nice, comfortable winter tires which allow you to drive closer to 200km/H at some reckless occasions.

Wear? Yes, they are Conties. They wear fast. After two winter seasons, I am not sure they are likely to last through another one.
Helpful 37 - tire reviewed on May 3, 2019
Given 63% while driving a Subaru BRZ (215/45 R17 V) on mostly country roads for 2,000 spirited miles
Very good winter tire for a sportscar in dry condition. Pretty pricy and it wears very fast. Snow grip is good but I had loads of problems on ice and very cold temperatures. I expected more from this tire expecially considering the price.
Helpful 48 - tire reviewed on January 4, 2019
Given 77% while driving a Volkswagen Mk7 Golf R (225/40 R18 W) on mostly country roads for 500 spirited miles
Brought a set of alloys wheels + TS850P (225/40 R18)s for winter use. Swapped out ContiSportContact 5Ps (230/35 R19)s which are great but stop working at temperatures lower than 10degC.

These are really confidence inspiring on the ungritted roads that I have to transit every morning and evening. Great grip, steering feel and comfort. Can't comment on snow traction yet.

On previous Jag XF I ran Nokian WR A4 which were good in snow but only okay in other conditions. Can't do a direct comparison as new car is AWD but TS850Ps feel far superior in the wet and cold that is more common in
UK than full on snow.

Would probably have gone for TS860Ss had they been available but these TS850Ps I'm sure are nearly as good. Only downside is that they are a bit pricey so shop around. If you can go for a wheel + tire package for best value and minimizing chance of denting your posh summer wheels. I keep my cars typically for 7+years so I'll get the usage out of them in that time.

Bring on the snow !
Helpful 32 - tire reviewed on December 5, 2018
Given 100% while driving a Renault grand espace 2.0 dci 175 (235/55 R17) on a combination of roads for 10 average miles
Bought these tires with the alu-rims, used, from some guy for 100 euros a piece. What a great deal this was!!! Excellent tires, drove them for about 10.000 miles now, and they still look and behave like new.
Especially pleased with low noise and easy rolling. Great tires. Ok, new ones are probably very expensive.
Helpful 33 - tire reviewed on November 24, 2018
Given 100% while driving a Nissan Qashqai (215/60 R17) on a combination of roads for 10,000 average miles
I have it for 3 winters on nissan qashqai. It is excellent winter tire!!!
Helpful 45 - tire reviewed on July 20, 2018
Given 97% while driving a BMW 525xd (225/55 R17) on a combination of roads for 300 average miles
What can I say. This must be the perfect tire for the xdrive system.
10/10 dry and wet grip. Breaking on mixed surface also good !
Cannot talk about wear for now. We'll see later.
Helpful 47 - tire reviewed on January 10, 2017
Given 90% while driving a Peugeot 208 XY 1.6 HDI (205/55 R16 V) on a combination of roads for 5,000 average miles
I fitted these to my 208 XY a couple of years back (now sold due to needing a larger car), they had a lovely trip out to the Highlands of Scotland in late December to early January so were put to the test on snow/ice and wet roads.
There were 3 cars, 2 were 4x4 and my fwd, it performed amicably in comparison to the 4x4's, grip was fantastic on bad surfaces with snow and ice patches, even hit an ice patch on a corner and only needed a slight correction of the steering to regain composure.

In snow they also performed excellently, standing water on motorways is not a problem, absolutely no aquaplaning.

The down side to winter tires is the tread blocks, it takes some of the feedback off you and can make the car feel a little less responsive in corners, but the benefits of a winter tire seriously out weigh that of a summer tire in winter.

These will perform better below 10 degrees Centigrade, after that you will have longer braking distances due to the heat in the tires and a little more squirming under hard braking.
Helpful 41 - tire reviewed on July 21, 2016