Continental Sport Contact 3

The Continental Sport Contact 3 is a Max Performance Summer tyre designed to be fitted to Passenger Cars.

Tyre review data from 244 tyre reviews averaging 76% over 3,248,837 miles driven, and 12 tests with an average result of 3rd.

Dry Grip 88%
Wet Grip 80%
Road Feedback 81%
Handling 77%
Wear 62%
Comfort 74%
Buy again 68%

First On MarketDecember 2012
Wheel Size16 - 20"
Width195 - 285mm
Profile35 - 55
Rolling ResistanceC - D
Wet GripA - C
Noise (dB)71 - 75
Winter RatingNot Winter Rated

The Sport Contact 3 is ranked 46th of 77 Summer Max Performance tyres.

This tyre replaced the Continental Sport Contact 2 and this tyre has been replaced by the Continental Sport Contact 5.

Tests Included

12

Best Result

1st

Worst Result

10th

Average Result

3rd

Latest Tyre Test Results

2012 EVO Max Performance Tyre Test
1st of 10 tyres
  • The ContiSportContact 3s only weakness was a little subjective feel on the road. It dominated the wet tests and was extremely strong in the dry. EVO commented as "an impressively complete performance". The Sport Contact 3 has now been replaced by the Sport Contact 5, which should be an even more impressive tyre.
View Full Test >>
2011 Auto Express Ultra High Performance Tyre Test
6th of 10 tyres
  • Last years test king, and the now super-seeded Continental Sport Contact 3 had its joint worst result ever finishing in 6th. Like the Bridgestone it was extremely strong in the dry tests with excellent dry braking and a sharp turn in during the handling lap, but was let down by it’s wet performance finishing last during wet cornering. The new Conti Sport Contact 5 should reverse this trend when featured in tyre tests next year.
View Full Test >>
2011 AMS Ultra High Performance Tyre Test
2nd of 11 tyres
  • Great wet and dry grip, slightly higher rolling resistance than the Nokian
View Full Test >>

SizeFuelWetNoise
18 inch
245/40 R 18 93 YDB71
245/40 R 18 97 Y XLDB72
View All Sizes and EU Label Scores for the Continental Sport Contact 3 >>

Questions and Answers for the Continental Sport Contact 3

2022-08-23 - Are these standard tyres or they run flat or self sealing.

The Sportcontact 3 was made in certain runflat sizes, it will be denoted on the sidewall and at point of sale whether you're shopping for a runflat version.


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Size Price Range  
245/40 R18 £129.08 - £145.51 (8 Prices) Compare Prices >>
Available in 23 tyre sizes - View all.

Top 3 Continental Sport Contact 3 Reviews

Given 47% while driving a Audi A4 Quattro 220 bhp TFSI (255/35 R19 W) on a combination of roads for 16,000 spirited miles
These tyres came standard on my 2015 A4 S Line, very disappointed, at 22000 km the road noise is unbearable, they are not worn out but i'm so over the noise i'm prepared to drop 2k to get rid of them. (Australian review)
Helpful 184 - tyre reviewed on June 22, 2016
Given 100% while driving a Vauxhall Insignia CDTI 160 (245/45 R18) on mostly motorways for 10,000 easy going miles
the best all round premium tyres that ive ever bought , great grip in all weathers , good tread ware last for years
Helpful 44 - tyre reviewed on April 24, 2020
Renault (205/45 R17 V) on a combination of roads for 12,000 spirited miles
This tyres have not enough grip specially in curve, you can feel how the tire moves on the road outside of curve does not exactly a sport tyre
Helpful 42 - tyre reviewed on April 25, 2019
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Latest Continental Sport Contact 3 Reviews

Given 83% while driving a Vauxhall Astra GTC (240/45 R20) on a combination of roads for 52,000 spirited miles
They were great tyres for the rear of a front wheel drive car. They only lasted 12000 miles on the front but have lasted 52,000 on the rear. Fantastic tyres. Would buy again but only for the rear axle.
Helpful 33 - tyre reviewed on January 23, 2020
Given 40% while driving a Renault Megane RS250 CUP (235/35 R19 W) on a combination of roads for 6,000 spirited miles
Got a puncture and when having it replaced found a bubble in another tyre, at such short notice, there where the only "premium " tyre that were available I could afford...

I usually only use pilot sport tyres (recently started using eagle f1)

I was expecting them to be close to the mps.
I was very disappointed in the dry they are decent but nothing special the comfort road noise and rim protection are all in the same level as budget tyres, the wet performance is beyond appalling... yes the car is 300bhp + fwd but it has an lsd and Renault rs cars are the best handling cars point blank ... it was amusing sliding about and good practice for car control but for the price and brand these tyres are a joke and I would not recommend anyone using them for anything but off road tyre shredding....
They lasted 6k miles on front wheels
Pay the extra for pilot sports or the same for eagle f1.... if you cant afford these tyres god old rainsports will serve u well.

I will use another continental tyre again... avoid
Helpful 37 - tyre reviewed on January 8, 2020
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Given 69% while driving a Honda Prelude 2.2vtec (215/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 8,000 average miles
Bought them used for my vehicle, but despite that they have showed great wet and especially dry grip. For normal everyday driving wear was OK. If you would push them everytime they would go out very quick.
Helpful 34 - tyre reviewed on February 22, 2019
Given 76% while driving a Renault Clio 172 Cup (195/45 R16 W) on mostly country roads for 10,000 spirited miles
These came on my Clio when I bought the car. They are a great all round tyre.

They did not last a very long time however, around 9,000 miles on the front. However, they were very good up front, and gripped very well in the dry, with a good subjective feel. Clios don't tend to be great with steering communication and these Contis weren' too bad.

The wet performance was interesting. It felt like it wouldn't grip in the wet at all, especially when they wore close to the limit. However, push on with them and the tyres would surprisingly grip very well in the wet, alot better than the Toyo T1-Rs did with plenty of tread left.

195/45R16 is a size that has a limited choice for tyres, so for that reason, I'd buy these again. I would next try Uniroyal RainSport 3s in 195/50R15 guise and preferred the car on the Contis straight away.
Helpful 38 - tyre reviewed on November 2, 2018
Given 74% while driving a Opel Vectra C GTS (215/50 R17) on a combination of roads for 7,000 spirited miles
So as i was looking for some new tyres on my opel vectra c gts, searched ar checked diferent tyres, found these continental contisport contact 3 tyres. Checked some reviews and made a decision to buy it, because of the performance they make. Tyres perform very well on dry and specially on wet road (had aquaplaning at 120-130 km/h and almoust hadn't felt, no steering wheel pulling). The grip is very well, at sharp corners goes without any squeek or scream, accelerating from a green light (depending on an engine) will make some spin but immediately grips and pulls away. Now searching for some pilot sport 4's, but would defenitely recommend and buy again.
Helpful 31 - tyre reviewed on October 17, 2018
Given 81% while driving a Audi (225/45 R17) on mostly town for 15 miles
Very agressive sporty tyre.I have never seen such a good grip on the wet.I had them in december in Germany and it very cold,time for winter tires but they surprised me,they were very good.For people who like sporty agresive drive I would recomend.They are little bit noisy and sidewalls are very stiff but dry braking and grip unseen before.Wear is quite high but nothing special
Helpful 41 - tyre reviewed on February 25, 2018
Given 91% while driving a Volkswagen Golf Mk4 V6 4Motion (225/45 R17) on mostly country roads for 12,000 spirited miles
12k on my Golf V6 - they will need replacing at round about 15k - cant fault them - surefooted even in the wet. Probably the best car tyre I have used.
Helpful 30 - tyre reviewed on December 15, 2017
Given 71% while driving a Toyota Mark X (240/45 R17 W) on a combination of roads for 28,000 spirited miles
Decent UHP tire but already old model and therefore comparatively not as good performance anymore compared to F1D5, F1A2, and CSC5. Dry & wet performance is not as good as those others I've used/am using now, but still pretty decent and still is a true UHP tire and better than many other tires in the lower performance categories or those cheapo brands, certainly still well beyond most normal drivers ability to push, and reasonably well controlled over the limit. Comfort wise, it's good ride quality, maybe a bit noisy only. Wear rate is the same as CSC5, so it wore out a bit faster, lasting over 40k km for my driving but with minimal chipping only, not as much as the F1D5.
Helpful 27 - tyre reviewed on November 14, 2017
Given 61% while driving a Audi A4 Quattro 220 bhp TFSI (255/35 R19) on a combination of roads for 0 average miles
Tyres were fine when new but over time because way too noisy as they wore down. Ended up changing them early due to noise.
Helpful 27 - tyre reviewed on November 5, 2017
Given 50% while driving a Audi Audi A6 Avant 3.0 TDI Quattro (255/45 R19 W) on for 10,000 easy going miles
Almost down to the indicators after 10k on an Audi A6 Allroad and not driven hard. About half motorway miles. Tramlines alarmingly on road markings and odd cambers.

Would not buy these again.
Helpful 30 - tyre reviewed on October 30, 2017
Given 53% while driving a BMW m2 (265/35 R19 W) on mostly country roads for 7,000 spirited miles
Had these fitted on my car from new ,not many are .i can say these just about do the job .I am now needing to change and i am not happy with 7000 miles from 2 rear tyres i am a 'spirited driver' but these are not great on any level.Front tyres have possibly 2000 left in them, the car now tramlines terribly i would not recomend or buy again conti sport6 or mich 4s for me.
Helpful 27 - tyre reviewed on October 25, 2017
Given 84% while driving a Ford Falcon BFII XR6 (245/40 R18) on a combination of roads for 16,000 spirited miles
Great tyre, punctures easily.
Helpful 20 - tyre reviewed on August 12, 2017