In probably the largest tyre test of its type, the German magazine Auto Bild have tested 50 leading tyres in both dry and wet braking.
Designed to allow Autobild to take the best 15 tyres through to their 2012 max performance summer tyre test, the entire table makes for a very interesting overview of the tyre market.
Highlighting the difference in 225/45 R17 tyres, the best tyre (Nokian Z G2) stopped in just 44 meters in the wet from 100kph, while the worst tyre on test, the Rockstone F105, required nearly 28 metres further to stop at 71.7 metres! The Nokians wet braking distance was only a little longer than the worse dry braking score, at 42 metres for the Runway.
There were no real surprises in the top 15, other than Nexen beating brands such as Falken, Yokohama and Toyo, and a disappointing result for both Vredestein and Avon, in 22nd and 33rd respectively.
Unsurprisingly the table was rounded out exclusively by tyres from the far east, again showing at the budget end of the market you really do get what you pay for.
The Results
(total braking distance listed, the lower the better)5 tyres not in our database featured in the 50.
34: Pneumant Tritec Sport: 39.7 / 51.1m
37: Westlake SA05: Same as Goodride SA05 in 38th
43: Autoguard SA802: 40.8 / 60.1
47: BCT S800: 39.9 / 62.6
49: Rapid P609: 41 / 66.1