The 2020 Auto Motor und Sport summer tyre test tested eleven 225/45 R18 ultra high performance tyres using a BMW 3 Series.

While the group overall was extremely close, the winning Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 and second placed Michelin Pilot Sport 4 were almost inseparable overall, with the Goodyear narrowly taking the overall win.

The third and fourth placed Continental PremiumContact 6 and Pirelli P Zero PZ4 also finished with nearly the same overall score. This should be reassuring for Pirelli, whose PZ4 P Zero has seemed to be rather inconsistent since launch.

It was another good result for fifth placed Maxxis, with the Victra Sport 5 having a great all round performance, and the updated Bridgestone Turanza T005 performing well, but struggling a little in the wet.

The seventh placed Nokian PowerProof scored well in the dry, but struggled a little in the wet, while the Falken FK510 had its worth test result in a while thanks to poor wet grip.

The final three tyres in test were all from the cheaper end of the market, with Nexen proving to have a good dry performance and the lowest price on test, while Toyo and Giti struggled a little more in the wet.

Dry

 As usual, Michelin had a dry braking advantage, stopping the BMW 3 Series 0.4m shorter than the next nearest rival.

The Continental PremiumContact 6 is often one of the best tyres in dry handling, largely thanks to its excellent subjective feel. In this test, it wins both the dry handling test by a significant margin, and is subjectively one of the best tyres on test.

Wet

The test winning Goodyear has a small advantage during wet braking, with Michelin a close second place.

The top two results from wet braking swap places during wet handling, with the Michelin narrowly beating Goodyear.

Subjectively the Michelin has an advantage during wet handling, with the Goodyear and Continental close behind.

Michelin manages to keep this advantage during the aquaplaning testing.

Environment

The Goodyear scored the best result during the subjective comfort grading. This score assesses how the tyre feels and sounds inside the cabin.

The noise testing is the external drive by noise.

The Bridgestone Turanza T005 had a significant advantage in rolling resistance, meaning it will use the least fuel at the pumps.

As always, the Michelin was the most expensive tyre per set, with Goodyear looking to offer the best price / performance ratio.

Results

1st: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
225/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 34.4 M 34 M +0.4 M 98.84% Dry Handling 6th 125.3 Km/H 126.9 Km/H -1.6 Km/H 98.74% Subj. Dry Handling 4th 8 Points 9 Points -1 Points 88.89% Wet Braking 1st 30.6 M 100% Wet Handling 2nd 83.1 Km/H 83.6 Km/H -0.5 Km/H 99.4% Subj. Wet Handling 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Straight Aqua 2nd 88.3 Km/H 88.7 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.55% Subj. Comfort 1st 10 Points 100% Noise 2nd 69.5 dB 69.3 dB +0.2 dB 99.71% Price 5th 468 396 +72 84.62% Rolling Resistance 7th 8.9 kg / t 7.1 kg / t +1.8 kg / t 79.78% Good balance and easy to control with high levels of grip in the wet. Good aquaplaning resistance. Short dry braking distances, low noise and good comfort. Slightly reduced dry traction, slightly reduced dry handling. Very good - Top-performances on all surfaces. Read Reviews    Buy from £124.99
2nd: Michelin Pilot Sport 4
225/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 34 M 100% Dry Handling 2nd 126.2 Km/H 126.9 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 99.45% Subj. Dry Handling 1st 9 Points 100% Wet Braking 2nd 30.8 M 30.6 M +0.2 M 99.35% Wet Handling 1st 83.6 Km/H 100% Subj. Wet Handling 1st 10 Points 100% Straight Aqua 1st 88.7 Km/H 100% Subj. Comfort 3rd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Noise 5th 70.1 dB 69.3 dB +0.8 dB 98.86% Price 11th 704 396 +308 56.25% Rolling Resistance 4th 8.4 kg / t 7.1 kg / t +1.3 kg / t 84.52% Very high grip and good handling in the wet, good aquaplaning resistance, confident and sharp handling in the dry, quiet. Only slightly high rolling resistance. Very good - Strong braking in the dry and wet. Read Reviews    Buy from £145.20
3rd: Continental Premium Contact 6
225/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 35 M 34 M +1 M 97.14% Dry Handling 1st 126.9 Km/H 100% Subj. Dry Handling 1st 9 Points 100% Wet Braking 4th 31.3 M 30.6 M +0.7 M 97.76% Wet Handling 4th 83 Km/H 83.6 Km/H -0.6 Km/H 99.28% Subj. Wet Handling 2nd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Straight Aqua 4th 86 Km/H 88.7 Km/H -2.7 Km/H 96.96% Subj. Comfort 8th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70% Noise 10th 72.3 dB 69.3 dB +3 dB 95.85% Price 10th 612 396 +216 64.71% Rolling Resistance 3rd 8.2 kg / t 7.1 kg / t +1.1 kg / t 86.59% Very balanced summer tyre with no significant deficits in dynamics or safety. Very direct steering and good handling suit the test BMW well. Slightly weak aquaplaning resistance, slightly increased rolling resistance and external noise. Very good - Sporty premium summer all-rounder. Read Reviews    Buy from £141.56
4th: Pirelli P Zero PZ4
225/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 34.6 M 34 M +0.6 M 98.27% Dry Handling 2nd 126.2 Km/H 126.9 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 99.45% Subj. Dry Handling 4th 8 Points 9 Points -1 Points 88.89% Wet Braking 3rd 31.2 M 30.6 M +0.6 M 98.08% Wet Handling 5th 82.9 Km/H 83.6 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 99.16% Subj. Wet Handling 4th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80% Straight Aqua 8th 83.6 Km/H 88.7 Km/H -5.1 Km/H 94.25% Subj. Comfort 3rd 9 Points 10 Points -1 Points 90% Noise 4th 70 dB 69.3 dB +0.7 dB 99% Price 9th 560 396 +164 70.71% Rolling Resistance 7th 8.9 kg / t 7.1 kg / t +1.8 kg / t 79.78% Good grip on wet roads at lower speeds. Very neutral balance with excellent cornering and traction in the dry. Comfortable and quiet. Average aquaplaning resistance, direct steering can result in oversteer, high rolling resistance. Very good - Confident summer tyres with strengths on dry roads. Read Reviews    Buy from £188.38
5th: Maxxis Victra Sport 5
225/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 4th 34.7 M 34 M +0.7 M 97.98% Dry Handling 5th 125.8 Km/H 126.9 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 99.13% Subj. Dry Handling 4th 8 Points 9 Points -1 Points 88.89% Wet Braking 6th 31.9 M 30.6 M +1.3 M 95.92% Wet Handling 2nd 83.1 Km/H 83.6 Km/H -0.5 Km/H 99.4% Subj. Wet Handling 4th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80% Straight Aqua 5th 85.9 Km/H 88.7 Km/H -2.8 Km/H 96.84% Subj. Comfort 5th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80% Noise 5th 70.1 dB 69.3 dB +0.8 dB 98.86% Price 1st 396 100% Rolling Resistance 10th 9.1 kg / t 7.1 kg / t +2 kg / t 78.02% Well balanced in the dry and wet. Well priced. Compared to the best on test, a little weak in wet braking and higher rolling resistance. Good - Excellent new tyre with good level of performance. Read Reviews
6th: Bridgestone Turanza T005
225/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 7th 34.9 M 34 M +0.9 M 97.42% Dry Handling 8th 125 Km/H 126.9 Km/H -1.9 Km/H 98.5% Subj. Dry Handling 4th 8 Points 9 Points -1 Points 88.89% Wet Braking 10th 32.6 M 30.6 M +2 M 93.87% Wet Handling 6th 82.8 Km/H 83.6 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 99.04% Subj. Wet Handling 4th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80% Straight Aqua 7th 83.9 Km/H 88.7 Km/H -4.8 Km/H 94.59% Subj. Comfort 5th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80% Noise 11th 72.4 dB 69.3 dB +3.1 dB 95.72% Price 8th 536 396 +140 73.88% Rolling Resistance 1st 7.1 kg / t 100% Confident wet handling and safe, easily controllable dynamics in the dry. Highest fuel saving potential, quiet and relatively comfortable. Average wet braking, highest external noise. Good - Comfortable all-rounder with a very low rolling resistance. Read Reviews    Buy from £124.16
7th: Nokian PowerProof
225/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 5th 34.8 M 34 M +0.8 M 97.7% Dry Handling 7th 125.2 Km/H 126.9 Km/H -1.7 Km/H 98.66% Subj. Dry Handling 9th 7 Points 9 Points -2 Points 77.78% Wet Braking 5th 31.5 M 30.6 M +0.9 M 97.14% Wet Handling 7th 82.4 Km/H 83.6 Km/H -1.2 Km/H 98.56% Subj. Wet Handling 8th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70% Straight Aqua 11th 82.2 Km/H 88.7 Km/H -6.5 Km/H 92.67% Subj. Comfort 10th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60% Noise 9th 71.3 dB 69.3 dB +2 dB 97.19% Price 7th 496 396 +100 79.84% Rolling Resistance 2nd 7.9 kg / t 7.1 kg / t +0.8 kg / t 89.87% Good dry handling, short dry braking, low rolling resistance. Not very precise handling in the wet, average wet braking, weak aquaplaning resistance, high noise. Good - A mid-range summer tyre with only slight weaknesses. Read Reviews
8th: Falken Azenis FK510
225/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 9th 36.2 M 34 M +2.2 M 93.92% Dry Handling 10th 124.6 Km/H 126.9 Km/H -2.3 Km/H 98.19% Subj. Dry Handling 9th 7 Points 9 Points -2 Points 77.78% Wet Braking 7th 32.1 M 30.6 M +1.5 M 95.33% Wet Handling 8th 81.3 Km/H 83.6 Km/H -2.3 Km/H 97.25% Subj. Wet Handling 8th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70% Straight Aqua 6th 84.6 Km/H 88.7 Km/H -4.1 Km/H 95.38% Subj. Comfort 8th 7 Points 10 Points -3 Points 70% Noise 7th 71 dB 69.3 dB +1.7 dB 97.61% Price 6th 494 396 +98 80.16% Rolling Resistance 5th 8.5 kg / t 7.1 kg / t +1.4 kg / t 83.53% Decent braking performance in the dry, balance handling. Weak cornering and traction in the wet, average aquaplaning resistance, poor traction and poor stability in fast corners, slightly noisy. Good - Affordable product at a reduced level of performance, but without serious defects. Read Reviews    Buy from £140.70
9th: Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
225/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 5th 34.8 M 34 M +0.8 M 97.7% Dry Handling 9th 124.9 Km/H 126.9 Km/H -2 Km/H 98.42% Subj. Dry Handling 9th 7 Points 9 Points -2 Points 77.78% Wet Braking 8th 32.3 M 30.6 M +1.7 M 94.74% Wet Handling 10th 79.9 Km/H 83.6 Km/H -3.7 Km/H 95.57% Subj. Wet Handling 10th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60% Straight Aqua 10th 82.4 Km/H 88.7 Km/H -6.3 Km/H 92.9% Subj. Comfort 1st 10 Points 100% Noise 1st 69.3 dB 100% Price 1st 396 100% Rolling Resistance 9th 9 kg / t 7.1 kg / t +1.9 kg / t 78.89% Good dry braking, comfortable with good internal damping, low external noise. Poor handling with understeer and oversteer, long wet braking distances, slow steering in fast corners, high rolling resistance. Ok - Very quiet and comfortable with weaknesses in the wet. Read Reviews
10th: Toyo Proxes Sport
225/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 10th 36.4 M 34 M +2.4 M 93.41% Dry Handling 10th 124.6 Km/H 126.9 Km/H -2.3 Km/H 98.19% Subj. Dry Handling 4th 8 Points 9 Points -1 Points 88.89% Wet Braking 9th 32.4 M 30.6 M +1.8 M 94.44% Wet Handling 9th 80.9 Km/H 83.6 Km/H -2.7 Km/H 96.77% Subj. Wet Handling 4th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80% Straight Aqua 3rd 87.6 Km/H 88.7 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 98.76% Subj. Comfort 10th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60% Noise 8th 71.1 dB 69.3 dB +1.8 dB 97.47% Price 4th 432 396 +36 91.67% Rolling Resistance 11th 9.4 kg / t 7.1 kg / t +2.3 kg / t 75.53% Balanced wet handling, good steering feel in the dry. Reduced wet grip, high noise, high rolling resistance. Ok - Despite the sporty feel, the Toyo lacks performance. Read Reviews
11th: Giti GitiSport S1
225/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 10th 36.4 M 34 M +2.4 M 93.41% Dry Handling 4th 126.1 Km/H 126.9 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 99.37% Subj. Dry Handling 1st 9 Points 100% Wet Braking 11th 33.8 M 30.6 M +3.2 M 90.53% Wet Handling 11th 78.9 Km/H 83.6 Km/H -4.7 Km/H 94.38% Subj. Wet Handling 10th 6 Points 10 Points -4 Points 60% Straight Aqua 9th 83.4 Km/H 88.7 Km/H -5.3 Km/H 94.02% Subj. Comfort 5th 8 Points 10 Points -2 Points 80% Noise 3rd 69.6 dB 69.3 dB +0.3 dB 99.57% Price 3rd 404 396 +8 98.02% Rolling Resistance 5th 8.5 kg / t 7.1 kg / t +1.4 kg / t 83.53% Sporty, direct tyres in the dry with good steering feel. Long wet braking distances, understeer in wet handling. Sufficient - Strong in the dry but too little wet performance. Read Reviews