2013 AMS Sports Winter Tyre Test

225/50 R17, a BMW 3 Series and 8 sets of the latest winter tyres summarise the 2013 Auto Motor Und Sport winter tyre test.

Test Summary
Wet BrakingNokian WR D3
Dry BrakingContinental WinterContact TS 850
Wet HandlingContinental WinterContact TS 850
Rolling ResistancePirelli Winter Sottozero 3
NoiseContinental WinterContact TS 850
Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D
Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Performance
Michelin Alpin A4
Snow HandlingDunlop SP WinterSport 4D
Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Performance
Fulda Kristall Control HP
The results in the snow tests were extremely close, with the best snow braking tyre (Fulda) stopping from 50 km/h in 27.3 metres and the worst (Goodyear) just over a metre further, at 28.6 metres. The gap was equally as close during snow handling, with the quickest tyre (Dunlop) posting a 73.5 second lap, and the slowest (Toyo) 2.4 seconds behind at 75.9.

In the wet the gap opened a little more, with Continental winning both wet braking and wet handling. This time, the worst tyre (Toyo) stopped 6 metres behind the Continental, and the slowest tyre around the wet handling circuit (Fulda) was 5.3 seconds slower.

In the dry the Nokian reigned supreme, convincingly winning dry braking and handling. The Fulda again showed a comparative weakness, losing both the dry tests, stopping 3.9 metres further than the Nokian and taking 1.9 long to do the dry handling lap.

The Results

While the Continental only won three of the eleven tests, it rarely finished out of the top three places to take another convincing win. Pirelli placed a strong second thanks to an excellent wet showing (other than aquaplaning), and Dunlop rounded out the top three with a comfortable quiet tyre which worked well in all conditions.

1st: Continental WinterContact TS 850

Continental WinterContact TS 850
  • 225/50 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 277
  2. Dry: 50
  3. Wet: 99
  4. Snow: 95
  5. Comfort: 10
  6. Rolling Resistance: 14
  7. Noise: 9
Short braking distances on snow and wet surfaces, very high wet grip, very balanced ride quality
Relatively weak results for the dry
Particularly recommended

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2nd: Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
  • 225/50 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 270
  2. Dry: 50
  3. Wet: 92
  4. Snow: 90
  5. Comfort: 10
  6. Rolling Resistance: 20
  7. Noise: 8
Very good grip on snow, high level of safety and neutral behavior, low rolling resistance, short braking distances on wet surfaces
Relatively weak resistance to aquaplaning
Particularly recommended

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3rd: Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D

Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D
  • 225/50 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 258
  2. Dry: 54
  3. Wet: 84
  4. Snow: 87
  5. Comfort: 10
  6. Rolling Resistance: 13
  7. Noise: 10
High level of comfort, low noise, high lateral grip on the snow, short braking distances on wet surfaces
Handling on wet surfaces
Particularly recommended

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4th: Nokian WR D3

Nokian WR D3
  • 225/50 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 253
  2. Dry: 60
  3. Wet: 75
  4. Snow: 83
  5. Comfort: 8
  6. Rolling Resistance: 18
  7. Noise: 9
The shortest braking distances and best handling on dry surfaces, confident behavior in the snow, although with a tendency to understeer
Relatively weak performance in the wet
Particularly recommended

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5th: Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Performance

Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Performance
  • 225/50 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 248
  2. Dry: 47
  3. Wet: 85
  4. Snow: 87
  5. Comfort: 10
  6. Rolling Resistance: 9
  7. Noise: 10
Good grip and handling on wet surfaces, and especially in the snow
Relatively poor braking performance, high rolling resistance
Recommended

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6th: Michelin Alpin A4

Michelin Alpin A4
  • 225/50 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 240
  2. Dry: 52
  3. Wet: 72
  4. Snow: 85
  5. Comfort: 10
  6. Rolling Resistance: 12
  7. Noise: 9
Short braking distances and good handling on snow, high level of comfort
Relatively long braking distances on wet surfaces, low resistance to aquaplaning
Recommended

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7th: Fulda Kristall Control HP

Fulda Kristall Control HP
  • 225/50 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 228
  2. Dry: 39
  3. Wet: 67
  4. Snow: 91
  5. Comfort: 9
  6. Rolling Resistance: 12
  7. Noise: 10
The shortest braking distances and excellent handling on snow
Weak results in the wet
Recommended

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8th: Toyo Snowprox S953

Toyo Snowprox S953
  • 225/50 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 218
  2. Dry: 50
  3. Wet: 67
  4. Snow: 79
  5. Comfort: 9
  6. Rolling Resistance: 4
  7. Noise: 9
High resistance to aquaplaning, good handling on dry surfaces
Low brake performance, high rolling resistance , poor handling on snow and wet surfaces
Conditionally recommended

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