This may add some input to recent tire discussions here: German mag "sport auto" published a tire test in its latest issue with BF Goodrich G-Force Profiler, Continental SportContact 2, Dunlop SP Sportmax, Kumho Ecsta KU 19, Micjelin Pilot Sport PS2, Pirelli P Zero Nero and Toyo Proxes T1-R - all in 235/35 ZR 19 on a BMW Z 4 and an Audi A 4. Various tests where done at Continental/General Tire in Uvalde/Texas.
Short result: There was no real allround talent. The Pirelli was best on wet surfaces and mediocre on dry, the Michelin was best on dry but mediocre on wet pavement, hard to control there (the same tendency for the BF Goodrich - a Michelin company - but it was even worse on wet). The Kumho was one of the best on wet but the worst on dry. The Toyo was best at Aquaplaning but always one of the two worst tires in all other disciplines. Dunlop and Continental had no real weak points and where okay for all conditions.
Here just 2 of the disciplines: Handling wet on a 1,555 meter track:
Pirelli 72 sec.
Continental 72.6
Kumho 74.7
Dunlop 75.2
Michelin 75.7
Toyo 76.3
BF Goodrich 77.5
Handling dry on a 1,363 meter track:
Michelin 47.2 sec.
BF Goodrich 48.1
Continental 48.3
Pirelli 48.4
Dunlop 48.5
Toyo 49.0
Kumho 49.0
I would have loved to see other brands too (Bridgestone, Yokohama etc.) but they where not on the list, sorry.
Short result: There was no real allround talent. The Pirelli was best on wet surfaces and mediocre on dry, the Michelin was best on dry but mediocre on wet pavement, hard to control there (the same tendency for the BF Goodrich - a Michelin company - but it was even worse on wet). The Kumho was one of the best on wet but the worst on dry. The Toyo was best at Aquaplaning but always one of the two worst tires in all other disciplines. Dunlop and Continental had no real weak points and where okay for all conditions.
Here just 2 of the disciplines: Handling wet on a 1,555 meter track:
Pirelli 72 sec.
Continental 72.6
Kumho 74.7
Dunlop 75.2
Michelin 75.7
Toyo 76.3
BF Goodrich 77.5
Handling dry on a 1,363 meter track:
Michelin 47.2 sec.
BF Goodrich 48.1
Continental 48.3
Pirelli 48.4
Dunlop 48.5
Toyo 49.0
Kumho 49.0
I would have loved to see other brands too (Bridgestone, Yokohama etc.) but they where not on the list, sorry.
