2011 Auto Zeitung Winter Tire Test

In 2011, the excellent German Auto Zeitung have tested 14 winter tires throughout Europe. Running the popular 205/55 R16, fitted to a BMW 3 Series, the tires have been thoroughly tested on snow, wet roads and in dry conditions.

The Results

Click here to view Results as a single table and adjust the score weighting based on your own driving needs!

1st: Goodyear UltraGrip 8
205/55 r16 3PMSF: no	Total: 381 Dry: 116 Wet: 136 Snow: 129 Dry:Very stable, strong braking. Average rolling resistance. Wet:Strongest tire in the wet with class leading grip and braking. Snow:Flawless in the snow makes the Goodyear an extremely safe tire with great balance. The new Goodyear Ultragrip 8 is convincing in every respect, and confidently wins the test. Read Reviews
2nd: Semperit Speed Grip 2
205/55 r16 3PMSF: no	Total: 374 Dry: 127 Wet: 129 Snow: 118 Dry:Lowest rolling resistance, short braking distances and good steering precision. Wet:Super precise turn in, very stable, good grip. Slightly weakness with aquaplaning. Snow:Very good traction and braking. The new Semperit Speed Grip 2 has impeccable precision meaning a strong 2nd place. Read Reviews
3rd: Nokian WR D3
205/55 r16 3PMSF: no	Total: 365 Dry: 112 Wet: 111 Snow: 142 Dry:One of the strongest tires under dry braking, excellent load change reactions. Wet:Fast times and high levels of security when driving in the wet. Average aquaplaning. Snow:If it's snowing the WR D3 leaves them all behind. Best grip and good neutral balance. Excellent handling on snow and good overall handling characteristics leave the Nokian WR D3 in a strong 3rd. Read Reviews
4th: Dunlop SP WinterSport 4D
205/55 r16 3PMSF: no	Total: 363 Dry: 118 Wet: 130 Snow: 115 Dry:Lots of feedback, good handling. Average rolling resistance value. Wet:Good wet grip. Snow:Good values for traction, braking and handling. Dynamic tire with high safety reserves. The new Dunlop Winter Sport 4d runs well under all conditions and is always safe and sporty. Read Reviews
5th: Continental WinterContact TS830
205/55 r16 3PMSF: no	Total: 359 Dry: 123 Wet: 135 Snow: 101 Dry:Good driving safety in the dry, low noise. Wet:Neutral handling, fast and safe. Snow:Slightly weak traction. Due to be replaced soon, the Continental WinterContact TS830 is still a leading winter tire. Read Reviews
6th: Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3
205/55 r16 3PMSF: no	Total: 351 Dry: 113 Wet: 118 Snow: 120 Dry:Good rolling resistance values, lots of front grip, slightly sluggish on the rear axle. Wet:High degree of driving safety, but only average aquaplaning properties. Snow:Good on slush, strong braking. Compared to the predecessor, the Pirelli Winter Snow Control Series 3 is a better all round tire. Read Reviews
7th: Michelin Alpin A4
205/55 r16 3PMSF: no	Total: 350 Dry: 114 Wet: 120 Snow: 116 Dry:High pass by noise, but very stable and precise. Wet:Leading aquaplaning results, excellent braking. Snow:Even on a RWD car the A4 is a safe stable tire. Average slush performance. The Michelin Alpine A4 shows a good all round performance. Read Reviews
8th: Vredestein Snowtrac 3
205/55 r16 3PMSF: no	Total: 336 Dry: 108 Wet: 111 Snow: 117 Dry:Fast times in handling and slalom, largely smooth ride. Average rolling resistance. Wet:Good braking performance and agile handling. A little oversteer on the limit. Snow:Average slush performance, otherwise clear feedback. The Vredestein Snowtrac 3 is a good all round performer. Read Reviews
9th: Sava eskimo hp
205/55 r16 3PMSF: no	Total: 321 Dry: 93 Wet: 111 Snow: 117 Dry:Average dry performance. Wet:Not sport tires, but a good level of grip for safe driving. Well balanced road holding. Snow:Good snow performance, in particular braking and feedback. The Sava Eskimo HP is a well balanced winter tire. Read Reviews
10th: Bridgestone Blizzak LM32
205/55 r16 3PMSF: no	Total: 304 Dry: 97 Wet: 104 Snow: 103 Dry:Good dynamically, good ride comfort. Average rolling resistance. Wet:Slight aquaplaning weakness, slightly numb feeling. Snow:Good slush control, good braking, below average traction. The Bridgestone Blizzak LM32 has excellent slush control, slightly let down by its rolling resistance. Read Reviews
11th: Fulda Kristall Control HP
205/55 r16 3PMSF: no	Total: 296 Dry: 100 Wet: 96 Snow: 100 Dry:A little sluggish but otherwise a good safe performance in the dry. High noise. Wet:Tendency to understeer leaves the Fulda feeling sluggish, however once sliding it's very predictable. Snow:Good grip but slightly unbalanced. The Fulda Kirstall Control HP is unremarkable in any category, but no major weaknesses. Read Reviews
12th: Firestone Winterhawk 2 EVO
205/55 r16 3PMSF: no	Total: 290 Dry: 98 Wet: 83 Snow: 109 Dry:Fast slalom and quick handling, sometimes too quick resulting in oversteer. Wet:Poor aquaplaning and long braking. Snow:Good braking and excellent in slush. Moderate traction. The Winterhalk 2 EVO is good in the snow, not enough wet grip leaves the Firestone 12th. Read Reviews
13th: Apollo Acelere Winter
205/55 r16 3PMSF: no	Total: 276 Dry: 114 Wet: 77 Snow: 85 Dry:Surprisingly strong dry braking. Average rolling resistance. Wet:Good traction, however poor aquaplaning and nervous cornering. Snow:Long braking distances and random violent oversteer. Other than an excellent dry braking performance, the Apollo Acelere leaves a lot to be desired. Read Reviews
14th: GT Radial Champiro Winterpro
205/55 r16 3PMSF: no	Total: 243 Dry: 97 Wet: 63 Snow: 83 Dry:Long stopping distances and poor balance. Wet:Traction and cornering are the weak points of the GT Radial. Poor aquaplaning results. Snow:Poor balance leaving the car often unpredictable. Poor snow and wet grip leave the GT Radial in last place. Read Reviews