2013 Auto Bild Sports Winter Tyre Test

Test Summary
Wet BrakingNokian WR D3
Dry BrakingPirelli Winter Sottozero 3
Continental WinterContact TS 850
Wet HandlingPirelli Winter Sottozero 3
Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D
Rolling ResistanceRockstone Ice plus s210
NoiseContinental WinterContact TS 850
Michelin Alpin A4
Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D
Toyo Snowprox S953
Hankook Winter i cept evo
Snow HandlingRockstone Ice plus s210
Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Performance
Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D
Nine different performance winter tyres on an F10 3 Series in 225/50 R17 have been put through their paces by Auto Bild magazine.

The surprise this year is Pirelli have finally produced a strong winter tyre, with the updated Sottozero 3 winning the test thanks to a strong snow and wet performance. The excellent Continental WinterContact TS850 has been relegated to an unusual second, with the new Goodyear Ultragrip Performance rounding out the top three.

As proven countless times, budget tyres just don't work in the wet, with the Rockstone S210 Ice+ being regarded as dangerous, despite a good snow performance. With wet braking from 100km/h over 20 metres longer than the best in test, this is one to avoid for the wet UK winters...

Results

1st: Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3

Pirelli Winter Sottozero 3
  • 225/50 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 41
  2. Dry: 6
  3. Wet: 7
  4. Snow: 9
  5. Comfort: 6
  6. Rolling Resistance: 7
  7. Noise: 6
A top class winter tyre with excellent handling and short braking on snowy and wet roads. Comfortable steering feel, good safety margins when aquaplaning, low rolling resistance
Slightly longer dry braking distances

Read Reviews    Buy from £156.38

2nd: Continental WinterContact TS 850

Continental WinterContact TS 850
  • 225/50 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 41
  2. Dry: 7
  3. Wet: 7
  4. Snow: 8
  5. Comfort: 7
  6. Rolling Resistance: 7
  7. Noise: 5
A strong winter tire with good road handling in all weather conditions. Stable cornering and short braking distance in snowy and dry conditions. Fuel Efficient rolling resistance, optimal comfort
Slightly louder than the best in the test

Read Reviews

3rd: Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Performance

Goodyear UltraGrip 8 Performance
  • 225/50 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 40
  2. Dry: 6
  3. Wet: 6
  4. Snow: 7
  5. Comfort: 6
  6. Rolling Resistance: 6
  7. Noise: 9
A convincing all-rounder with good winter properties. Balanced handling with safe and good steering response on wet and dry roads. Very quiet
Only average snow handling

Read Reviews

4th: Michelin Alpin A4

Michelin Alpin A4
  • 225/50 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 40
  2. Dry: 6
  3. Wet: 5
  4. Snow: 8
  5. Comfort: 7
  6. Rolling Resistance: 7
  7. Noise: 7
Top handling qualities on snowy slopes. Good steering precision and short braking distances on dry roads and snowy slopes. Pleasant ride comfort, with a low rolling resistance
Average in the wet

Read Reviews

5th: Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D

Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D
  • 225/50 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 42
  2. Dry: 5
  3. Wet: 6
  4. Snow: 9
  5. Comfort: 7
  6. Rolling Resistance: 6
  7. Noise: 9
Excellent traction and shortest braking distances on snow. Stable running with safe driving characteristics on wet roads, smooth ride
Slight oversteer on dry roads

Read Reviews    Buy from £181.99

6th: Nokian WR D3

Nokian WR D3
  • 225/50 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 38
  2. Dry: 8
  3. Wet: 6
  4. Snow: 6
  5. Comfort: 5
  6. Rolling Resistance: 7
  7. Noise: 6
Dynamic sporty handling qualities with precise steering on dry roads, short dry braking distances. Balanced safe driving in the wet. Low rolling resistance
Reduced cornering and driving balance on snow

Read Reviews

7th: Toyo Snowprox S953

Toyo Snowprox S953
  • 225/50 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 34
  2. Dry: 6
  3. Wet: 6
  4. Snow: 5
  5. Comfort: 7
  6. Rolling Resistance: 5
  7. Noise: 5
Best safety margins when aquaplaning. Stable cornering and safe handling qualities on dry roads. Good comfort
Average winter properties. Delayed steering response and driving behavior on wet and snowy roads

Read Reviews

8th: Hankook Winter i cept evo

Hankook Winter i cept evo
  • 225/50 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 36
  2. Dry: 6
  3. Wet: 4
  4. Snow: 6
  5. Comfort: 7
  6. Rolling Resistance: 6
  7. Noise: 7
Short braking distances and stable handling on snowy roads. Good ride comfort, quiet pass-by noise
Delayed steering response and driving behavior in wet and dry conditions, slightly longer wet braking distances

Read Reviews

9th: Rockstone Ice plus s210

Rockstone Ice plus s210
  • 225/50 R17
  • 3PMSF: no
  1. Total: 33
  2. Dry: 5
  3. Wet: 1
  4. Snow: 6
  5. Comfort: 3
  6. Rolling Resistance: 9
  7. Noise: 9
Stable running and short braking distances on snow, low rolling resistance
Very limited capability with low aquaplaning resistance, long braking distances on dry and wet roads and inharmonious understeering handling

Read Reviews


Discussion:

comments powered by Disqus