Continental Sport Contact 3 Reviews - Page 7

Given 83% while driving a Audi A4 2.0 TDI 140 SLine (255/35 R19) on mostly motorways for 26,000 spirited miles
Great grip in the wet and dry. Great at reducing under steer in a heavy fwd car. Wearing well too. You MUST rotate them though as fronts wear much faster than rear, will prob get 30,000 miles out of them.

Very poor grip in snow so have purchased a set of winter wheels and tyres, Dunlop 3d are Audi original equipment so have gone with those.
Helpful 9 - tyre reviewed on October 1, 2013
Given 86% while driving a MINI Cooper S (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 1,000 spirited miles
Driven for a very short period, this is my impression. Tires looks as they are going to last but they do not fit very well if you track them, although there is no bubbles in the tire, it sure lost a little traction after 15 laps ( 5 laps at a time, with resting time ). Probably the heat from where i live was too much for them, as we normaly stay at 35-40 celcius all day long ( air, track should be way hotter ).
I am still looking for a option that can withstand a lot of heat.
Helpful 8 - tyre reviewed on September 27, 2013
Given 94% while driving a Audi S3 (225/40 R18 W) on a combination of roads for 30,000 average miles
Fantastic tyre on a performance car
Helpful 8 - tyre reviewed on September 21, 2013
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Given 83% while driving a Mazda RX8 (235/40 R18) on a combination of roads for 500 spirited miles
Just fitted a set of these to the rear of our RX8, replacing a set of Kumho Ecsta KU31's that had reached the legal limit and were scary. Power is put down better, dry grip is incredible and wet grip is outstanding at the rear, very planted. Just about to fit two more to the front too.

Comfort is improved despite changing down from 225/45 to 235/40 as is road noise. Progressive at the limit and noise is lower for sure.

Cant comment on wear as only been on a few hundred miles but certainly a cut above the other tyres ive had on this car.
Helpful 8 - tyre reviewed on September 10, 2013
Given 67% while driving a Peugeot (235/45 R18) on mostly country roads for 10,000 easy going miles
Had these tyres from new. Only got 9500 miles on the front and 12000 on the rear. Pathetic really for tyres that cost so much. Will be looking for tyres that reflect what the 3008 is for,(family motoring not formula one!!) I've had some mid range tyres recommended and have yet to decide which ones to go for.
Helpful 9 - tyre reviewed on May 22, 2013
Given 87% while driving a Alfa Romeo 147 (215/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 10,000 spirited miles
When You buy a new car and want to tune it to the maximum level of cornering grip and want to keep comfort as well, I think you would do it as follows.

1) Buy good Shock absorbers. How harder the tyre got pressed on the road how better the grip. But when you want to have comfort as well buy progressive chock absorbers, the Koni FSD or the cheaper Monroe Reflex. On bad roads they give a smooth ride and on good roads with sharp corners they got ferry stiff and sporty and less body roll. You can buy the best tyre, but when he is not on the road, because he lifts up by every puddle, you don’t get all out of it.
2) Place progressive springs as well because of the same reason.
3) Check your wheel mount and replace arms.
4) Check you wheel bearings.
5) Check the alignment.

After doing this then starting to search the best tyres to feel what your car needs and try different combinations.
1) When you feel to much tramlining, buy tyres with softer sidewalls on the front. I replaced the Pirelli Pzero Nero 91Y on the front for the Dunlop SportMaxx RT's. Also 91Y, but with softer sidewalls. Tramlining was gone. No minor corrections anymore, but a very good driving in straight line. And keeping very strong cornering grip as well. The Pirellis are good in cornering but the Dunlops are a big step forward.
2) On the back I replaced the Pirelli’s 91Y for Continental Sport Contact 3 87V. On the front you have the engine and you need 91, but on the back with 87 the weight balance got a little better, and the car got less bumpy and more comfortable.
The Pirellis where better in the wet but with the Conti’s on the rear axle I felt progression in sharper steering feel and more stability. The car now drives very very sharp in cornering and is very comfortable and quiet as well. Totaly perfect.
3) Search for the exact tyre pressure, by experience, and keep them on it every week. It makes much difference.

So I found the right finetuned combination for my car.
Helpful 9 - tyre reviewed on April 20, 2013
Given 80% while driving a SEAT Leon FR tdi (225/40 R18 W) on a combination of roads for 31,000 average miles
Good tyres in dry conditions, incredible grip in the wet, really.
Dry conditions: normal level, nothing expecial. I used these tyres during trackdays too, and they had good grip but at high temperature it fells down rapidly.
Wet conditions: incredible! Never used tyres like this! I driven to low and high speed and they never "gave up" the street!
Over 31000 miles with 5 trackdays...very good, I say.
Helpful 8 - tyre reviewed on April 18, 2013
Given 89% while driving a Vauxhall Zafira 1.9 tdi (225/45 R17 W) on a combination of roads for 17,000 average miles
A good choice on the Zafira with good rim protection to help reduce kerb damage. Good Grip. Useless in snow!!
Helpful 8 - tyre reviewed on April 9, 2013
Given 45% while driving a Vauxhall Insignia CDTI 160 (245/45 R18 W) on a combination of roads for 10,000 average miles
10 months later at around 1,000 miles per month, these tyres need replaced. At 200 quid per tyre you'd think it's a good investment, but no. This time round I am buying some cheaper tyres and seeing how they go. If they also need replaced after 10,000 then fine, but heck they're cheaper so I don't really care. In fairness I do drive country roads to work and back (usually 40-50mph since there is always other traffic on the road - vans, lorries etc), but I clock up most of my miles on the motorway and was hoping for more than what I got.
Helpful 9 - tyre reviewed on April 3, 2013
Given 59% while driving a Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDi R Line Estate (235/45 R17 W) on a combination of roads for 15,000 easy going miles
These tyres on this car are a nightmare on the front of the Passat but brilliant on the rear.

I have now covered 44000 miles in my 10 plate Passat. The rear tyres are still the original pair from when the car was new, outstanding! They still have 3mm left on them so I think they should be good for up 50000 miles.

But......these tyres on the front are just crap. I am ready now to change to the 4th, yes 4th pair of front tyres. I have had 2 sets on Conti sport contact 3 and a set of Kumho which I am not reviewing here but are even worse on the wear front.

I will not be buying Conti's again because the wear I road noise for me is just too high in my opinion unless your sticking them on a rear axle.
Helpful 8 - tyre reviewed on March 17, 2013
Given 97% while driving a Audi A6 2.7tdi Saloon 2008 (255/35 R19 W) on a combination of roads for 10,000 average miles
Had them as OEM for Audi A6/S-Line/Lemans/2.7 TDI .. changed them now will all 4 new from tyreshopper which is a bargain compared to kwikfit around 200 £+ difference .
The response and speed is very good. All the way grip and cornering is excellent.

Helpful 8 - tyre reviewed on March 12, 2013
Given 80% while driving a Mercedes Benz 320CDi (275/35 R18 W) on a combination of roads for 20,000 spirited miles
As an automotive design engineer I know how much development effort goes into tuning car's suspension for the recommended tyres. With that in mind I returned the tyres on my used CLS to Conti Sport Contact 3 when I bought it.

The tyres are great and have lasted very well. I'm just replacing the rears after over 18000 miles of mixed driving which I think is very reasonable for performance tyres on a powerful rear drive car. The front's look like they'll last another 10000 which will bring me to next winter when I'll be fitting some Kumho KW27's as snow and ice wasn't one of the Conti's strong points!
Helpful 8 - tyre reviewed on February 11, 2013