Following on from the fifty tire braking shootout, Auto Bild have more thoroughly tested the best twenty 245/45 R18 summer tires using a RWD BMW 5 Series.

The top three tires should come as no surprise, with Continental, Goodyear and Michelin proving to be the most rounded tires across all the testing. 

The Continental Premium Contact 6 and Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 tied for first place. As we found with our video comparison, both the Continental and Goodyear tires offer sporty handling, good levels of grip in the dry and wet, and good comfort levels. Both tires also topped the wear test, and when combined with their reasonable purchase price, offered some of the best value on test.

The Michelin Pilot Sport 4 was a close third, and like the Continental and Goodyear provided to have an excellent rounded performance in all conditions. One thing worth noting, he Michelin had significantly worse wear than the Contiental and Goodyear, which when combined with the most expensive purchase price on test, meant the French tire offered the worst value. An unusual situation for a Michelin tire.

Other notable performances again come from Vredestein and its parent company Apollo in fourth and fifth place, while Nexen and Falken round out the list of "highly recommended" tires in sixth and seventh. 

Dry

Michelin had its usual dry braking advantage, stopping nearly a meter shorter than any other tire. 

Michelin's dry braking advantage could not be carried over to dry handling, with the Vredestien Ultrac Vorti proving to be best on test.

Wet

Bridgestone highlight their wet grip improvements to the S001, winning the wet braking testing.

Bridgestone continued the wet advantage through to the wet handling test.

Michelin took a second test win, proving best during the straight aquaplaning testing.

Wear

Continental has again shown to have the lowest wear on test, with Goodyear and Falken extremely close behind.

 Thanks to the excellent wear and reasonable purchase prices, the Falken, Goodyear and Continental prove to be the value of all twenty tires.

Environment

The Fulda SportControl 2 had the lowest rolling resistance on test, with the Bridgestone having the highest by a margin.

The noise testing was relatively close, with the Nexen having the quietest pass-by noise levels.

The budget Zeetex tire was the cheapest on test, but also the worst overall.

Results

1st: Continental Premium Contact 6
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 33.2 M 32.1 M +1.1 M 96.69% Dry Handling 2nd 116.8 Km/H 117 Km/H -0.2 Km/H 99.83% Wet Braking 5th 47.2 M 44.9 M +2.3 M 95.13% Wet Handling 6th 73 Km/H 74.6 Km/H -1.6 Km/H 97.86% Straight Aqua 15th 93.6 Km/H 99.1 Km/H -5.5 Km/H 94.45% Noise 19th 73.5 dB 71 dB +2.5 dB 96.6% Wear 1st 44900 KM 100% Value 3rd 12.81 Price/1000 11.9 Price/1000 +0.91 Price/1000 92.9% Price 19th 575 300 +275 52.17% Rolling Resistance 7th 7.63 kg / t 7.13 kg / t +0.5 kg / t 93.45% Balanced driving behavior at a high level. Dynamic handling with precise steering, short braking distances, best wear on test, low fuel use. None mentioned. Exemplary. Read Reviews    Buy from £132.14
1st: Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 33.2 M 32.1 M +1.1 M 96.69% Dry Handling 5th 116.2 Km/H 117 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 99.32% Wet Braking 9th 48.1 M 44.9 M +3.2 M 93.35% Wet Handling 2nd 74.3 Km/H 74.6 Km/H -0.3 Km/H 99.6% Straight Aqua 14th 93.9 Km/H 99.1 Km/H -5.2 Km/H 94.75% Noise 15th 72.8 dB 71 dB +1.8 dB 97.53% Wear 2nd 39063 KM 44900 KM -5837 KM 87% Value 2nd 12.29 Price/1000 11.9 Price/1000 +0.39 Price/1000 96.83% Price 12th 480 300 +180 62.5% Rolling Resistance 5th 7.55 kg / t 7.13 kg / t +0.42 kg / t 94.44% Sporty handling tires in the wet and dry, precise steering, short braking distances, very good mileage, affordable price. None mentioned. Exemplary. Read Reviews    Buy from £125.07
3rd: Michelin Pilot Sport 4
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 1st 32.1 M 100% Dry Handling 3rd 116.4 Km/H 117 Km/H -0.6 Km/H 99.49% Wet Braking 4th 46.5 M 44.9 M +1.6 M 96.56% Wet Handling 9th 71.9 Km/H 74.6 Km/H -2.7 Km/H 96.38% Straight Aqua 1st 99.1 Km/H 100% Noise 14th 72.5 dB 71 dB +1.5 dB 97.93% Wear 5th 33226 KM 44900 KM -11674 KM 74% Value 20th 20.01 Price/1000 11.9 Price/1000 +8.11 Price/1000 59.47% Price 20th 665 300 +365 45.11% Rolling Resistance 12th 8.09 kg / t 7.13 kg / t +0.96 kg / t 88.13% Sporty steering behaviour, excellent driving dynamics, good aquaplaning resistance, short braking distances. Expensive. Exemplary. Read Reviews    Buy from £182.76
4th: Vredestein Ultrac Vorti
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 6th 33.4 M 32.1 M +1.3 M 96.11% Dry Handling 1st 117 Km/H 100% Wet Braking 12th 48.9 M 44.9 M +4 M 91.82% Wet Handling 10th 71.5 Km/H 74.6 Km/H -3.1 Km/H 95.84% Straight Aqua 8th 95.5 Km/H 99.1 Km/H -3.6 Km/H 96.37% Noise 15th 72.8 dB 71 dB +1.8 dB 97.53% Wear 7th 32328 KM 44900 KM -12572 KM 72% Value 7th 14.07 Price/1000 11.9 Price/1000 +2.17 Price/1000 84.58% Price 7th 455 300 +155 65.93% Rolling Resistance 19th 9.16 kg / t 7.13 kg / t +2.03 kg / t 77.84% Good grip and excellent handling in the dry and wet, precise steering, good aquaplaning resistance, well priced. High rolling resistance. Exemplary. Read Reviews
5th: Apollo Aspire XP
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 13th 34.7 M 32.1 M +2.6 M 92.51% Dry Handling 9th 115.4 Km/H 117 Km/H -1.6 Km/H 98.63% Wet Braking 6th 47.3 M 44.9 M +2.4 M 94.93% Wet Handling 11th 70.6 Km/H 74.6 Km/H -4 Km/H 94.64% Straight Aqua 5th 96.6 Km/H 99.1 Km/H -2.5 Km/H 97.48% Noise 2nd 71.2 dB 71 dB +0.2 dB 99.72% Wear 5th 33226 KM 44900 KM -11674 KM 74% Value 5th 13.09 Price/1000 11.9 Price/1000 +1.19 Price/1000 90.91% Price 3rd 435 300 +135 68.97% Rolling Resistance 4th 7.43 kg / t 7.13 kg / t +0.3 kg / t 95.96% Good handling, short braking distances, low wear, good price / wear ratio. None mentioned. Exemplary. Read Reviews
6th: Nexen N Fera Sport SU2
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 3rd 33.2 M 32.1 M +1.1 M 96.69% Dry Handling 9th 115.4 Km/H 117 Km/H -1.6 Km/H 98.63% Wet Braking 11th 48.3 M 44.9 M +3.4 M 92.96% Wet Handling 13th 70 Km/H 74.6 Km/H -4.6 Km/H 93.83% Straight Aqua 13th 95 Km/H 99.1 Km/H -4.1 Km/H 95.86% Noise 1st 71 dB 100% Wear 9th 30083 KM 44900 KM -14817 KM 67% Value 8th 15.12 Price/1000 11.9 Price/1000 +3.22 Price/1000 78.7% Price 7th 455 300 +155 65.93% Rolling Resistance 17th 8.98 kg / t 7.13 kg / t +1.85 kg / t 79.4% Safe driving behavior in the dry and wet,short braking distances, low noise, good comfort. High rolling resistance. Exemplary. Read Reviews
7th: Falken Azenis FK510
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 19th 36 M 32.1 M +3.9 M 89.17% Dry Handling 15th 114.8 Km/H 117 Km/H -2.2 Km/H 98.12% Wet Braking 8th 48 M 44.9 M +3.1 M 93.54% Wet Handling 16th 69.2 Km/H 74.6 Km/H -5.4 Km/H 92.76% Straight Aqua 8th 95.5 Km/H 99.1 Km/H -3.6 Km/H 96.37% Noise 8th 72.1 dB 71 dB +1.1 dB 98.47% Wear 2nd 39063 KM 44900 KM -5837 KM 87% Value 1st 11.9 Price/1000 100% Price 10th 465 300 +165 64.52% Rolling Resistance 15th 8.45 kg / t 7.13 kg / t +1.32 kg / t 84.38% Safe handling, short wet braking distances, low noise, low wear, very good price / performance ratio. None mentioned. Exemplary. Read Reviews    Buy from £152.15
8th: Nokian PowerProof
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 2nd 32.9 M 32.1 M +0.8 M 97.57% Dry Handling 8th 115.9 Km/H 117 Km/H -1.1 Km/H 99.06% Wet Braking 3rd 45.4 M 44.9 M +0.5 M 98.9% Wet Handling 3rd 73.9 Km/H 74.6 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 99.06% Straight Aqua 17th 92.7 Km/H 99.1 Km/H -6.4 Km/H 93.54% Noise 17th 73.2 dB 71 dB +2.2 dB 96.99% Wear 13th 27389 KM 44900 KM -17511 KM 61% Value 14th 17.53 Price/1000 11.9 Price/1000 +5.63 Price/1000 67.88% Price 12th 480 300 +180 62.5% Rolling Resistance 9th 7.77 kg / t 7.13 kg / t +0.64 kg / t 91.76% Good handling and short braking in the wet and dry, precise steering. Average wear. Good. Read Reviews
9th: Firestone RoadHawk
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 11th 34.3 M 32.1 M +2.2 M 93.59% Dry Handling 9th 115.4 Km/H 117 Km/H -1.6 Km/H 98.63% Wet Braking 9th 48.1 M 44.9 M +3.2 M 93.35% Wet Handling 7th 72.3 Km/H 74.6 Km/H -2.3 Km/H 96.92% Straight Aqua 5th 96.6 Km/H 99.1 Km/H -2.5 Km/H 97.48% Noise 17th 73.2 dB 71 dB +2.2 dB 96.99% Wear 13th 27389 KM 44900 KM -17511 KM 61% Value 11th 16.61 Price/1000 11.9 Price/1000 +4.71 Price/1000 71.64% Price 7th 455 300 +155 65.93% Rolling Resistance 10th 7.83 kg / t 7.13 kg / t +0.7 kg / t 91.06% Well priced tires with balanced behavior in the wet and dry. good aquaplaning resistance. Average wear. Good. Read Reviews
9th: Fulda SportControl 2
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 10th 34.2 M 32.1 M +2.1 M 93.86% Dry Handling 13th 115 Km/H 117 Km/H -2 Km/H 98.29% Wet Braking 14th 49.5 M 44.9 M +4.6 M 90.71% Wet Handling 12th 70.5 Km/H 74.6 Km/H -4.1 Km/H 94.5% Straight Aqua 19th 91.7 Km/H 99.1 Km/H -7.4 Km/H 92.53% Noise 5th 71.5 dB 71 dB +0.5 dB 99.3% Wear 13th 27389 KM 44900 KM -17511 KM 61% Value 18th 19.9 Price/1000 11.9 Price/1000 +8 Price/1000 59.8% Price 17th 545 300 +245 55.05% Rolling Resistance 1st 7.13 kg / t 100% Stable driving in the wet, short dry braking distances, good comfort, low rolling resistance. Average wear, high price. Good. Read Reviews
11th: Bridgestone Potenza S001
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 7th 33.5 M 32.1 M +1.4 M 95.82% Dry Handling 12th 115.3 Km/H 117 Km/H -1.7 Km/H 98.55% Wet Braking 1st 44.9 M 100% Wet Handling 1st 74.6 Km/H 100% Straight Aqua 7th 95.8 Km/H 99.1 Km/H -3.3 Km/H 96.67% Noise 20th 73.6 dB 71 dB +2.6 dB 96.47% Wear 11th 27838 KM 44900 KM -17062 KM 62% Value 19th 19.94 Price/1000 11.9 Price/1000 +8.04 Price/1000 59.68% Price 18th 555 300 +255 54.05% Rolling Resistance 20th 9.82 kg / t 7.13 kg / t +2.69 kg / t 72.61% A wet specialist with a good balance and safe handling properties, good aquaplaning reserves, short braking distances. Average wear, high rolling resistance. Satisfactory. Read Reviews
12th: Hankook Ventus S1 evo 3
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 13th 34.7 M 32.1 M +2.6 M 92.51% Dry Handling 5th 116.2 Km/H 117 Km/H -0.8 Km/H 99.32% Wet Braking 6th 47.3 M 44.9 M +2.4 M 94.93% Wet Handling 8th 72.1 Km/H 74.6 Km/H -2.5 Km/H 96.65% Straight Aqua 10th 95.4 Km/H 99.1 Km/H -3.7 Km/H 96.27% Noise 11th 72.2 dB 71 dB +1.2 dB 98.34% Wear 16th 26042 KM 44900 KM -18858 KM 58% Value 13th 16.9 Price/1000 11.9 Price/1000 +5 Price/1000 70.41% Price 4th 440 300 +140 68.18% Rolling Resistance 13th 8.15 kg / t 7.13 kg / t +1.02 kg / t 87.48% Convincing performance on wet and dry roads, short braking distances, good aquaplaning resistance, good price. Average wear. Satisfactory. Read Reviews    Buy from £122.22
13th: Laufenn S Fit EQ+
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 8th 34 M 32.1 M +1.9 M 94.41% Dry Handling 7th 116.1 Km/H 117 Km/H -0.9 Km/H 99.23% Wet Braking 18th 51 M 44.9 M +6.1 M 88.04% Wet Handling 17th 68.9 Km/H 74.6 Km/H -5.7 Km/H 92.36% Straight Aqua 12th 95.2 Km/H 99.1 Km/H -3.9 Km/H 96.06% Noise 3rd 71.3 dB 71 dB +0.3 dB 99.58% Wear 11th 27838 KM 44900 KM -17062 KM 62% Value 10th 15.99 Price/1000 11.9 Price/1000 +4.09 Price/1000 74.42% Price 6th 445 300 +145 67.42% Rolling Resistance 8th 7.65 kg / t 7.13 kg / t +0.52 kg / t 93.2% Sporty handling qualities, good dry grip, low rolling resistance. Understeer in the wet, average wear. Satisfactory. Read Reviews
14th: Dunlop SportMaxx RT 2
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 11th 34.3 M 32.1 M +2.2 M 93.59% Dry Handling 16th 114.6 Km/H 117 Km/H -2.4 Km/H 97.95% Wet Braking 19th 51.6 M 44.9 M +6.7 M 87.02% Wet Handling 18th 68.8 Km/H 74.6 Km/H -5.8 Km/H 92.23% Straight Aqua 16th 93.2 Km/H 99.1 Km/H -5.9 Km/H 94.05% Noise 8th 72.1 dB 71 dB +1.1 dB 98.47% Wear 10th 29634 KM 44900 KM -15266 KM 66% Value 12th 16.87 Price/1000 11.9 Price/1000 +4.97 Price/1000 70.54% Price 16th 500 300 +200 60% Rolling Resistance 3rd 7.4 kg / t 7.13 kg / t +0.27 kg / t 96.35% Good lateral grip, short dry braking, low rolling resistance. Understeer handling and long wet braking. Satisfactory. Read Reviews    Buy from £122.10
15th: Kleber Dynaxer UHP
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 9th 34.1 M 32.1 M +2 M 94.13% Dry Handling 18th 114.2 Km/H 117 Km/H -2.8 Km/H 97.61% Wet Braking 16th 50.5 M 44.9 M +5.6 M 88.91% Wet Handling 19th 68.7 Km/H 74.6 Km/H -5.9 Km/H 92.09% Straight Aqua 18th 92.5 Km/H 99.1 Km/H -6.6 Km/H 93.34% Noise 11th 72.2 dB 71 dB +1.2 dB 98.34% Wear 8th 31879 KM 44900 KM -13021 KM 71% Value 9th 15.21 Price/1000 11.9 Price/1000 +3.31 Price/1000 78.24% Price 14th 484 300 +184 61.98% Rolling Resistance 11th 7.94 kg / t 7.13 kg / t +0.81 kg / t 89.8% Short dry braking, low wear, low rolling resistance, low price. Average wet performance. Satisfactory. Read Reviews
16th: Uniroyal RainSport 3
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 18th 35.7 M 32.1 M +3.6 M 89.92% Dry Handling 19th 113.7 Km/H 117 Km/H -3.3 Km/H 97.18% Wet Braking 17th 50.6 M 44.9 M +5.7 M 88.74% Wet Handling 20th 67.7 Km/H 74.6 Km/H -6.9 Km/H 90.75% Straight Aqua 11th 95.3 Km/H 99.1 Km/H -3.8 Km/H 96.17% Noise 7th 71.8 dB 71 dB +0.8 dB 98.89% Wear 4th 35920 KM 44900 KM -8980 KM 80% Value 6th 13.78 Price/1000 11.9 Price/1000 +1.88 Price/1000 86.36% Price 15th 495 300 +195 60.61% Rolling Resistance 6th 7.56 kg / t 7.13 kg / t +0.43 kg / t 94.31% Low wear, low rolling resistance. Understeer handling, slow steering in the wet. Satisfactory. Read Reviews
17th: Kumho Ecsta PS71
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 16th 34.9 M 32.1 M +2.8 M 91.98% Dry Handling 17th 114.3 Km/H 117 Km/H -2.7 Km/H 97.69% Wet Braking 2nd 45.3 M 44.9 M +0.4 M 99.12% Wet Handling 5th 73.2 Km/H 74.6 Km/H -1.4 Km/H 98.12% Straight Aqua 2nd 98.5 Km/H 99.1 Km/H -0.6 Km/H 99.39% Noise 13th 72.4 dB 71 dB +1.4 dB 98.07% Wear 20th 22450 KM 44900 KM -22450 KM 50% Value 16th 19.15 Price/1000 11.9 Price/1000 +7.25 Price/1000 62.14% Price 2nd 430 300 +130 69.77% Rolling Resistance 18th 9.05 kg / t 7.13 kg / t +1.92 kg / t 78.78% Good aquaplaning resistance, short wet braking. Understeer in the dry, average wear, high fuel use. Conditionally Recommended. Read Reviews    Buy from £113.24
18th: Maxxis Victra Sport 5
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 15th 34.8 M 32.1 M +2.7 M 92.24% Dry Handling 4th 116.3 Km/H 117 Km/H -0.7 Km/H 99.4% Wet Braking 20th 52.2 M 44.9 M +7.3 M 86.02% Wet Handling 4th 73.3 Km/H 74.6 Km/H -1.3 Km/H 98.26% Straight Aqua 3rd 97.2 Km/H 99.1 Km/H -1.9 Km/H 98.08% Noise 8th 72.1 dB 71 dB +1.1 dB 98.47% Wear 18th 23348 KM 44900 KM -21552 KM 52% Value 15th 18.85 Price/1000 11.9 Price/1000 +6.95 Price/1000 63.13% Price 4th 440 300 +140 68.18% Rolling Resistance 16th 8.86 kg / t 7.13 kg / t +1.73 kg / t 80.47% Sport handling, good aquaplaning safety, short braking distances. Long wet braking, high wear. Conditionally Recommended. Read Reviews
19th: Toyo Proxes Sport
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 17th 35.4 M 32.1 M +3.3 M 90.68% Dry Handling 14th 114.9 Km/H 117 Km/H -2.1 Km/H 98.21% Wet Braking 13th 49.2 M 44.9 M +4.3 M 91.26% Wet Handling 14th 69.6 Km/H 74.6 Km/H -5 Km/H 93.3% Straight Aqua 4th 96.7 Km/H 99.1 Km/H -2.4 Km/H 97.58% Noise 3rd 71.3 dB 71 dB +0.3 dB 99.58% Wear 17th 23797 KM 44900 KM -21103 KM 53% Value 17th 19.75 Price/1000 11.9 Price/1000 +7.85 Price/1000 60.25% Price 11th 470 300 +170 63.83% Rolling Resistance 14th 8.3 kg / t 7.13 kg / t +1.17 kg / t 85.9% High aquaplaning resistance, short wet and dry braking distances. Understeer in the wet, poor wear. Conditionally Recommended. Read Reviews
20th: Zeetex HP2000 vfm
245/45 R18 3PMSF: no	Test # Result Best Difference % Dry Braking 19th 36 M 32.1 M +3.9 M 89.17% Dry Handling 20th 112.5 Km/H 117 Km/H -4.5 Km/H 96.15% Wet Braking 15th 49.7 M 44.9 M +4.8 M 90.34% Wet Handling 15th 69.5 Km/H 74.6 Km/H -5.1 Km/H 93.16% Straight Aqua 20th 90.7 Km/H 99.1 Km/H -8.4 Km/H 91.52% Noise 6th 71.7 dB 71 dB +0.7 dB 99.02% Wear 18th 23348 KM 44900 KM -21552 KM 52% Value 4th 12.85 Price/1000 11.9 Price/1000 +0.95 Price/1000 92.61% Price 1st 300 100% Rolling Resistance 2nd 7.34 kg / t 7.13 kg / t +0.21 kg / t 97.14% Short wet and dry braking distances, low price, low rolling resistance. Understeer in the dry and wet, low aquaplaning resistance, high wear. Conditionally Recommended. Read Reviews