Conti sport contact 5 and 6

Pondy

Pondy

Muppet
 At the summit of the picturesque fens
My new tyre sizes are seemingly a problem to find matching tyres for the front and rears.

After a long conversation with my local tyre place (a national chain), there are only two makes that do both sizes. One is Michelin PS4S, but they are stupidly expensive; over a grand for 4 wheels.

I can get Conti SC 5s on the front and Conti SC 6s on the rears. I have looked up the differences online but really can't find much information. Is there any potential problem with putting 'different' tyres on the fronts and rears, albeit the same make?
I have seen some threads which sing the praises of Continentals, but presume they are the same spec tyres front and rear.

Disclaimer: I know I have argued before that a 'tyre is a tyre', but even I won't put £60 Chinese 'ditchfinders' on a 360bhp car. That is the only other option for my sizes.
 
I’ve used the 5 and 5P together…

Technically they are probably a bit behind the MP4S whereas the 7 is clearly ahead…

I’ve always like the feel that all the Contis have on E89s..obviously the 4 is different but it’s another rear wheel drive car..

They wore pretty fast under my foot..but then again all tyres do…

What sizes do you need?
 
I've never seen the need to match front and rears.

Axle sets left to right makes sense, but since the front and back of cars are doing different things, supporting different weights, are attached to different suspension setups and are located at opposing places, mandatorily having one set of tyres all round seems odd to me.

Indeed, if one was needing/wanting certain driving characteristics then different axle sets will instantly do this. Sir wants a slightly more of an oversteery setup, have these and these. Slightly more neutral, try these with those.
 
B21 said:
What sizes do you need?
Click to expand...
235/40/19 fronts
265/35/19 rears

I have done a lot of research (will they fit.com) and these are the optimum sizes front and rear for the width of rims and rolling radius difference compared to standard. If I went 275 rears, it would be less of a problem for tyre choice but more for RR.

I never knew it would be so complicated TBH.
 
smorris_12 said:
I've never seen the need to match front and rears.

Axle sets left to right makes sense, but since the front and back of cars are doing different things, supporting different weights, are attached to different suspension setups and are located at opposing places, mandatorily having one set of tyres all round seems odd to me.

Indeed, if one was needing/wanting certain driving characteristics then different axle sets will instantly do this. Sir wants a slightly more of an oversteery setup, have these and these. Slightly more neutral, try these with those.
Click to expand...
Appreciate your comments, thanks. I am new to all this "modifying".
 
Pondrew said:
B21 said:
What sizes do you need?
Click to expand...
235/40/19 fronts
265/35/19 rears

I have done a lot of research (will they fit.com) and these are the optimum sizes front and rear for the width of rims and rolling radius difference compared to standard. If I went 275 rears, it would be less of a problem for tyre choice but more for RR.

I never knew it would be so complicated TBH.
Click to expand...

So what rim sizes are they?

Before giving you my considered response :tumbleweed: :rofl:
 
B21 said:
Pondrew said:
8.5" front
9.5" rear
Click to expand...

Sports contact 7 235 or 245 front and 275 rear
Click to expand...
Those sizes don't work with the RR. Will put my speedo out by too much, as well as any other 'issues' with TPMS sensing etc. The car has VSS which concerns me with too wide fronts aswell. The ride height also goes up which I am concerned about. I am putting eibach springs on, so the calculations get far too complex for my tiny little noggin!

I know I am overthinking it, but this is a big outlay for me and I don't want to cock it up! :oops:
 
B21 said:
RR?

VSS?

What car is it on?
Click to expand...
RR is my abbreviation for rolling radius or circumference.

VSS is variable sports steering. I can't notice any difference to normal to be honest.
 
Well 235 and 275 are the way to go…those sizes are as far as Continental are concerned are the ‘perfect’ fit for those rims (245 valid as well)

Your car has TPMS so RR is irrelevant

DSC wise the change is well inside tolerances for even the E89 let alone later DSCs

Speedo change is immaterial as the speedos under-read by some way..you can always cross check with GPS..

Your other option is to fit Sports 7 on front and whatever on the rear..although in theory oversteer could happen if you really hoon it..

Ride height wise it’s in the noise..
 
Pondrew said:
My new tyre sizes are seemingly a problem to find matching tyres for the front and rears.

After a long conversation with my local tyre place (a national chain), there are only two makes that do both sizes. One is Michelin PS4S, but they are stupidly expensive; over a grand for 4 wheels.
Click to expand...

Try finding a better national chain :P they are talking balls .
Amongst many others you can get Dunlop Sportmaxx RT in 235 40 19 / 265 35 19 (£750ish) Hankook Evo 3s ( (£650ish ) & Rainsport 5s
(£750ish )
Id avoid the PS4S at all costs , for the 3rd time i have just removed a set from a car & regarding cabin noise its impossible not to notice the improvement + they arent that great on cold , damp tarmac in RWD cars
 
Thanks all for the input.
I have had (yet) another look at sizes, and as Peter suggested I have increased sizes to 275/35/19 and 245/40/19.
These give me much more choice in matching fronts and rears. They are actually generally cheaper too; I'm presuming my 265/35 size is unusual so commands a premium.

I now have a realistic choice of (dearest to cheapest): Conti SC 7, Uniroyal rainsport, or Kumho Ecsta
 
You will find the 235 front steers more easily / quickly with less tendency to tramline compared with the 245..

The 245 gives more grip in corners when pushed very hard but isn’t as ‘sweet’ overall…FWIW

Both are recommended by Conti for the 8.5J
 
B21 said:
You will find the 235 front steers more easily / quickly with less tendency to tramline compared with the 245..

The 245 gives more grip in corners when pushed very hard but isn’t as ‘sweet’ overall…FWIW

Both are recommended by Conti for the 8.5J
Click to expand...

The 245 size is purely to give the closest diameter to the 275 TBH, Peter. The combo of these are only 2.5mm difference in diameter. If I go 235 with 275 it goes out by too much for my liking. I would also be back to square one with finding matching tyres.

Just got to hope there is no rubbing anywhere with 245s! :|
 
0.5% vs 0.7% is effectively irrelevant from a DSC or speed calibration viewpoint..but that’s your choice..on the E89 245s are very tight…obviously your offset vs OE is a more critical factor..both space and steering response..
 
B21 said:
0.5% vs 0.7% is effectively irrelevant from a DSC or speed calibration viewpoint..but that’s your choice..on the E89 245s are very tight…obviously your offset vs OE is a more critical factor..both space and steering response..
Click to expand...
The offset is only 1mm different (35 opposed to 36) and the wheel is 1/2" wider (8.5 opposed to 8 ). Even with an extra 20mm tyre width I think they will be OK TBH.
Thank you for your input and advice Peter. I do appreciate it! :thumbsup:
 
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