Auto Bild's second summer tire test of 2019 has tested eleven 245/45 R18 tire patterns using a BMW 5 Series. This tire and vehicle combination isn't an often tested setup, and has yielded some interesting results!

The Pirelli P Zero PZ4 (Sports Car variant) dominated the testing, with the shortest dry and wet braking, fastest wet handling lap and second fastest dry handling lap.

With the Pirelli dominating, that left the usual top three trio battling out for second place overall, which went in favour of the new Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5, whos only draw back was a mid table rolling resistance score. The last of the podium spots went to the Continental PremiumContact 6 which proved to be a little noisy compared to the best.

The fan favourite, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4, had to settle for a joint fourth place overall with the Vredestein Ultrac Vorti.

Dry

The Pirelli P Zero SC had a huge dry braking advantage, 0.6 meters ahead of the next best.

The Vredestein Ultrac Vorti took its regular spot at the top of the dry handling testing, with the P Zero a close second.

Wet

The Pirelli once again proved its braking dominance, stopping 2 meters shorter than the second placed Asymmetric 5.

This time the Pirelli carried through the performance advantage to wet handling, as the fastest tire on test.

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 took its first win of the test during straight aquaplaning testing.

Environment

Three tires proved to be the most comfortable subjectively.

The Bridgestone continued its run of extremely low rolling resistance scores by having the lowest fuel use on test.

The Maxxis had the quietest internal noise.

The Maxxis was also the cheapest tire on test.

Results

1st: Pirelli P Zero PZ4
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 35.1 M 100% Dry Handling 2nd 99.8 Km/H 100 Km/H -0.2 Km/H 99.8% Wet Braking 1st 46.7 M 100% Wet Handling 1st 88.1 Km/H 100% Straight Aqua 8th 88.6 Km/H 92.1 Km/H -3.5 Km/H 96.2% Subj. Comfort 4th 6 Points 7 Points -1 Points 85.71% Noise 7th 72.9 dB 71.6 dB +1.3 dB 98.22% Price 6th 560 460 +100 82.14% Rolling Resistance 7th 8.74 kg / t 7.31 kg / t +1.43 kg / t 83.64% Test winner with no obvious flaws, excellent dry and wet handling, accurate steering, short braking distances. None mentioned. Exemplary / Test Winner. Read Reviews    Buy from £156.48
2nd: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 36 M 35.1 M +0.9 M 97.5% Dry Handling 3rd 99.2 Km/H 100 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 99.2% Wet Braking 2nd 48.7 M 46.7 M +2 M 95.89% Wet Handling 2nd 87.7 Km/H 88.1 Km/H -0.4 Km/H 99.55% Straight Aqua 7th 88.9 Km/H 92.1 Km/H -3.2 Km/H 96.53% Subj. Comfort 4th 6 Points 7 Points -1 Points 85.71% Noise 10th 73.2 dB 71.6 dB +1.6 dB 97.81% Price 6th 560 460 +100 82.14% Rolling Resistance 8th 8.95 kg / t 7.31 kg / t +1.64 kg / t 81.68% Excellent handling in the dry and wet, accurate steering, short braking distances, good aquaplaning resistance. High rolling resistance. Exemplary. Read Reviews    Buy from £125.07
3rd: Continental Premium Contact 6
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 36 M 35.1 M +0.9 M 97.5% Dry Handling 3rd 99.2 Km/H 100 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 99.2% Wet Braking 3rd 49.8 M 46.7 M +3.1 M 93.78% Wet Handling 3rd 85.5 Km/H 88.1 Km/H -2.6 Km/H 97.05% Straight Aqua 5th 89.4 Km/H 92.1 Km/H -2.7 Km/H 97.07% Subj. Comfort 4th 6 Points 7 Points -1 Points 85.71% Noise 11th 73.9 dB 71.6 dB +2.3 dB 96.89% Price 10th 590 460 +130 77.97% Rolling Resistance 3rd 8.01 kg / t 7.31 kg / t +0.7 kg / t 91.26% Good handling on dry and wet surfaces, good wet handling, high braking performance. Increased noise level. Exemplary. Read Reviews    Buy from £132.14
4th: Michelin Pilot Sport 4
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 36.6 M 35.1 M +1.5 M 95.9% Dry Handling 5th 99 Km/H 100 Km/H -1 Km/H 99% Wet Braking 4th 50.9 M 46.7 M +4.2 M 91.75% Wet Handling 4th 85.4 Km/H 88.1 Km/H -2.7 Km/H 96.94% Straight Aqua 1st 92.1 Km/H 100% Subj. Comfort 1st 7 Points 100% Noise 4th 72.1 dB 71.6 dB +0.5 dB 99.31% Price 11th 675 460 +215 68.15% Rolling Resistance 6th 8.3 kg / t 7.31 kg / t +0.99 kg / t 88.07% Good handling in all conditions, highest aquaplaning resistance, good level of comfort. High price, average lateral stability in the wet. Exemplary. Read Reviews    Buy from £186.50
4th: Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 35.8 M 35.1 M +0.7 M 98.04% Dry Handling 1st 100 Km/H 100% Wet Braking 5th 52.8 M 46.7 M +6.1 M 88.45% Wet Handling 5th 85 Km/H 88.1 Km/H -3.1 Km/H 96.48% Straight Aqua 2nd 91.2 Km/H 92.1 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 99.02% Subj. Comfort 1st 7 Points 100% Noise 5th 72.4 dB 71.6 dB +0.8 dB 98.9% Price 5th 535 460 +75 85.98% Rolling Resistance 10th 9.54 kg / t 7.31 kg / t +2.23 kg / t 76.62% Accurate steering, very good handling and short braking distances in the dry, good levels of comfort. Increased rolling resistance. Exemplary. Read Reviews
6th: Hankook Ventus S1 evo2
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 36.6 M 35.1 M +1.5 M 95.9% Dry Handling 9th 97.7 Km/H 100 Km/H -2.3 Km/H 97.7% Wet Braking 6th 53.4 M 46.7 M +6.7 M 87.45% Wet Handling 6th 82.5 Km/H 88.1 Km/H -5.6 Km/H 93.64% Straight Aqua 3rd 91 Km/H 92.1 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 98.81% Subj. Comfort 4th 6 Points 7 Points -1 Points 85.71% Noise 2nd 71.7 dB 71.6 dB +0.1 dB 99.86% Price 4th 510 460 +50 90.2% Rolling Resistance 9th 9.04 kg / t 7.31 kg / t +1.73 kg / t 80.86% Good aquaplaning resistance, short dry braking, good levels of comfort. Relatively long wet braking. Good. Read Reviews    Buy from £122.20
7th: Nokian PowerProof
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 5th 35.9 M 35.1 M +0.8 M 97.77% Dry Handling 7th 98.3 Km/H 100 Km/H -1.7 Km/H 98.3% Wet Braking 7th 54.3 M 46.7 M +7.6 M 86% Wet Handling 8th 80.9 Km/H 88.1 Km/H -7.2 Km/H 91.83% Straight Aqua 10th 87.6 Km/H 92.1 Km/H -4.5 Km/H 95.11% Subj. Comfort 8th 5 Points 7 Points -2 Points 71.43% Noise 7th 72.9 dB 71.6 dB +1.3 dB 98.22% Price 9th 585 460 +125 78.63% Rolling Resistance 4th 8.09 kg / t 7.31 kg / t +0.78 kg / t 90.36% Good handling and short stopping distances in the dry, low rolling resistance. Understeer and long braking distances in the wet. Satisfactory. Read Reviews
8th: Bridgestone Turanza T005
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 35.8 M 35.1 M +0.7 M 98.04% Dry Handling 11th 96.7 Km/H 100 Km/H -3.3 Km/H 96.7% Wet Braking 10th 55.8 M 46.7 M +9.1 M 83.69% Wet Handling 9th 80.8 Km/H 88.1 Km/H -7.3 Km/H 91.71% Straight Aqua 9th 88.3 Km/H 92.1 Km/H -3.8 Km/H 95.87% Subj. Comfort 1st 7 Points 100% Noise 7th 72.9 dB 71.6 dB +1.3 dB 98.22% Price 6th 560 460 +100 82.14% Rolling Resistance 1st 7.31 kg / t 100% Good aquaplaning resistance, short dry braking, good level of comfort, low rolling resistance. Slow steering response and understeer in the dry and wet, long wet braking distances. Satisfactory. Read Reviews    Buy from £130.00
8th: Maxxis Premitra HP5
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 35.7 M 35.1 M +0.6 M 98.32% Dry Handling 8th 98.2 Km/H 100 Km/H -1.8 Km/H 98.2% Wet Braking 9th 55.4 M 46.7 M +8.7 M 84.3% Wet Handling 7th 82.3 Km/H 88.1 Km/H -5.8 Km/H 93.42% Straight Aqua 5th 89.4 Km/H 92.1 Km/H -2.7 Km/H 97.07% Subj. Comfort 8th 5 Points 7 Points -2 Points 71.43% Noise 1st 71.6 dB 100% Price 1st 460 100% Rolling Resistance 4th 8.09 kg / t 7.31 kg / t +0.78 kg / t 90.36% Short dry braking, low noise, low rolling resistance, low price. Long wet braking, low wet grip, understeer in the dry and wet. Satisfactory. Read Reviews
8th: Toyo Proxes Sport
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 11th 37.5 M 35.1 M +2.4 M 93.6% Dry Handling 6th 98.4 Km/H 100 Km/H -1.6 Km/H 98.4% Wet Braking 11th 56.2 M 46.7 M +9.5 M 83.1% Wet Handling 11th 79.8 Km/H 88.1 Km/H -8.3 Km/H 90.58% Straight Aqua 4th 90.8 Km/H 92.1 Km/H -1.3 Km/H 98.59% Subj. Comfort 11th 4 Points 7 Points -3 Points 57.14% Noise 5th 72.4 dB 71.6 dB +0.8 dB 98.9% Price 2nd 470 460 +10 97.87% Rolling Resistance 11th 9.69 kg / t 7.31 kg / t +2.38 kg / t 75.44% Good aquaplaning resistance, good dry handling, low noise, low price. Poor wet handling, long wet braking, reduced comfort levels, high rolling resistance. Satisfactory. Read Reviews
11th: Fulda SportControl 2
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 10th 37.4 M 35.1 M +2.3 M 93.85% Dry Handling 10th 97.2 Km/H 100 Km/H -2.8 Km/H 97.2% Wet Braking 8th 54.6 M 46.7 M +7.9 M 85.53% Wet Handling 10th 80.3 Km/H 88.1 Km/H -7.8 Km/H 91.15% Straight Aqua 11th 87 Km/H 92.1 Km/H -5.1 Km/H 94.46% Subj. Comfort 8th 5 Points 7 Points -2 Points 71.43% Noise 3rd 71.8 dB 71.6 dB +0.2 dB 99.72% Price 3rd 495 460 +35 92.93% Rolling Resistance 2nd 7.63 kg / t 7.31 kg / t +0.32 kg / t 95.81% Low price, low rolling resistance, low noise. Slow steering, long wet braking. Satisfactory. Read Reviews