Continental Eco Contact 3

Bought these to fit my small sports car. You might think odd choice to buy an "Eco" tyre, but because I was looking to keep the same size and profile as factory standard, there's very little choice, usually each brand only has one model, which I think is the case with Continental too.

Anyway, replaced all four tyres at once with Continental Eco 3, chosen mainly because of a good review in Which? magazine that praised the fact that this is a completely new design, unlike the other regular European brands (you know the ones), whose designs are 10-20 years old. Good handling in the dry or wet and good wear they stated, got me thinking these where the ones to go for.

Unfortunately the immediate impression from driving the car out from the tyre fitter was lack of grip, which has persisted to this day, and 18 months later its still the same. Compared with the old tyres (Michelin Energy's which were the same size and profile) the change in handling of the car is staggering. I thought that because the Michelins where an "energy" model they would be similar to the Continentals "Eco" model, but I have found that is not the case.

I replaced all four because the cars' engine is at the back the front tyres don't wear at all - but were nearing 10 years old (and were showing small visible cracks), the rears needed replacing because they were nearing their wear limits.

Where it used to give that sports car feeling of driving on rail tracks round high speed corners, all that is now gone, replaced with just nagging understeer, vagueness and general softness.

I would thought they would be great for car models where low noise is a factor though, but that's pointless for my application!

I'm not happy at all and will replace them as soon as they show a little wear. A waste of money for me.

Simply no other rival. My car now feels like it has powers steering.

Grip levels are incredible, tyres squeel very comfortably and giving amazing feedback. Stick like glue in dry and wet conditions

Significantly reduced my braking distances and fuel consumption. After buying these for my car (first car) i will, from now on, buy the top of the range tyres and these are just that. 10/10 for almost everything and definatly recommeneded

Always gets good reveiew from magazines and I can see why.

But no discernible effect on fuel consumption and faster wearing than any other tyre I've had.

I'm not going there again.

Great responsive tire providing excellent grip in all conditions except no experience in snow as I'm living in South Africa. They came as OE on my 2006 Ford KA Lux and I would probably have fitted them again as far as comfort, safety, responsiveness and handling is concerned. But I have never had tires that have given me as much grieve as far as reliability goes! The smallest pothole in the road will cause sidewall bubbles and I should know as I have replaced 3 of the four tires before 15000 miles due to this problem- on seperate occasions! Will not buy this again!