Continental Max Contact 6 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4: Continental’s Max Contact 6 is a well known premium UHP product which serves the APAC market exclusively. Looking at the pricing table, the Max Contact 6 and Michelin’s Pilot Sport 4 actually shares 21 sizes together making them a direct competitor. The sizes are mainly from the 17-19″ as shown below.
| 17″ | 18″ | 19″ |
| 205/45R17 | 225/40R18 | 245/40R19 |
| 215/45R17 | 225/45R18 | 245/45R19 |
| 215/50R17 | 225/50R18 | |
| 215/55R17 | 235/40R18 | |
| 225/45R17 | 235/45R18 | |
| 225/50R17 | 245/40R18 | |
| 235/45R17 | 245/45R18 | |
| 245/40R17 | 255/35R18 | |
| 245/45R17 | 255/40R18 | |
| 265/35R18 |
It is clear that the Pilot Sport 4 is marketed at a different class/price compare to the Max Contact 6, however the question still remains:
What is the performance difference between the Continental Max Contact 6 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4?
Table of Contents
Press test
Results below were taken from the Autohome press test results in conjunction with Autobild. 10 tires were tested in the in the Contidrom proving ground. The graph below shows the comparison between Max Contact 6 vs Pilot Sport 4 based on the relevant performance category. The Max Contact 6 was set as a reference hence at the 100% mark. Note that for subjective comfort evaluation, we equate 1 point as 5%. Hence for example if the tire A is graded 8 while tire B is graded 7, A is better than B by 5%. The natural scaling does not really make sense in evaluation whereby the max number is 10.
Wet
Wet being the main focus for Max Contact 6, it managed fairly well against the Pilot Sport 4. The Pilot Sport 4 managed a small 0.6% advantage in wet braking but was slightly worse in the wet handling. However the Pilot Sport 4 totally dominates when it comes to aquaplaning being 5.6% better than the Max Contact 6.
Pilot sport 4:
- +0.6% in wet braking
- –0.3% in wet handling
- +5.6% in aquaplaning
Dry
Knowing the Pilot Sport 4 to be a dry focus product, it is astonishing that it trails the Max Contact 6 in dry braking while both of them are evenly match when it comes to dry handling.
Pilot sport 4:
- -1.1% in dry braking
- 0% in dry handling
Rolling Resistance
For a maximum performance tire, you would expect rolling resistance to be a low priority for Pilot Sport 4. This was reflected from the test results as Pilot Sport 4 has a deficit of 14.3% against Max Contact 6.
Pilot sport 4:
- -14.3% in rolling resistance
Noise
Max contact 6 was slightly quieter by 0.7 dB in combination for both the 80km/h and 50km/h test while it also holds a 5% advantage when it comes to comfort.
Pilot sport 4
- -0.5% in interior noise
- -5% in comfort
Price
Due to its product positioning of Pilot sport 4, it priced at a much higher premium compare to Max Contact 6. From the 21 sizes shown above, the Pilot Sport 4 is averagely 30% more expensive than the Max Contact 6. For example:
Tire size: 225/45R17
Max Contact 6: RM 352
Pilot Sport 4: RM 480
Difference: +36% more expensive for Pilot Sport 4.
Summary
Pilot Sport 4 being a premium high end performance tire did not managed to outclass the Max Contact 6. Apart for the slight advantage in wet braking and great aquaplaning, the Pilot Sport 4 has lost out on the other testing categories. With Max Contact 6 being 30% cheaper and couple with its good performances, it is clearly our winner here !