Tests 85 · 12 tests Owners 53 · 676 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 15 in 2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test (noise)
“70k on SC6 ? Mine lasted 17k and now since I have the SC7 they overpassed the 6 without problems. They are better.”
Head-to-head
Updated
Continental SportContact 6 vs Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): the weighted average of the categories below, each 60% road tests and 40% owner reviews (comfort 40/60). Based on 12 + 27 road tests and 676 + 6,667 owner reviews. How we score
Pilot Sport 4 S is ahead, 85–72
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Tests 81 · 27 tests Owners 86 · 6,667 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 15 in 2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test (dry braking)
“A note about the pilot sport 4 S: in cold weather (below 5 degrees) even if it isn't icy, the tyre compound hardens and has dramatically reduced grip. They are excellent summer tyres though, good in the wet too. These days I run Uniroyal rainsport 5 and they're very good.”
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
Key facts
- In 11 tests that measured dry braking for both, SportContact 6 won 3 and Pilot Sport 4 S won 7 (average 98% vs 99% of the best).
- In 11 tests that measured dry handling for both, SportContact 6 won 4 and Pilot Sport 4 S won 5 (average 99% vs 99% of the best).
- In 11 tests that measured straight aquaplaning for both, SportContact 6 won 6 and Pilot Sport 4 S won 4 (average 96% vs 95% of the best).
- In 11 tests that measured wet braking for both, SportContact 6 won 3 and Pilot Sport 4 S won 8 (average 96% vs 98% of the best).
- In 11 tests that measured wet handling for both, SportContact 6 won 7 and Pilot Sport 4 S won 3 (average 97% vs 97% of the best).
-
83
Dry
Pilot Sport 4 S +1093Why this score
Source SportContact 6 Pilot Sport 4 S Professional tests (TWG score) · 12 / 25 tests 90 95 Reviews found online 73 92 Dry Braking (% of best) · 11 shared tests · wins 3–7 98% 99% Dry Handling (% of best) · 11 shared tests · wins 4–5 99% 99% Dry Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 2–2 93% 93% SportContact 6: 60% × 89.6 + 40% × 72.5 = 83
Pilot Sport 4 S: 60% × 94.6 + 40% × 91.6 = 93
-
80
Wet
Pilot Sport 4 S +888Why this score
Source SportContact 6 Pilot Sport 4 S Professional tests (TWG score) · 12 / 26 tests 88 86 Reviews found online 69 91 Curved Aquaplaning (% of best) · 1 shared test · wins 0–1 84% 84% Straight Aquaplaning (% of best) · 11 shared tests · wins 6–4 96% 95% Wet Handling (tester's mark) (% of best) · 5 shared tests · wins 4–1 88% 83% Wet Braking (% of best) · 11 shared tests · wins 3–8 96% 98% Wet Circle (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 1–2 99% 98% Wet Handling (% of best) · 11 shared tests · wins 7–3 97% 97% SportContact 6: 60% × 88 + 40% × 68.8 = 80
Pilot Sport 4 S: 60% × 86 + 40% × 90.5 = 88
-
37
Snow
No comparison–Why this score
Source SportContact 6 Pilot Sport 4 S Professional tests (TWG score) ≈ 53 (est.) – Reviews found online 14 – SportContact 6: 60% × 52.7 (est.) + 40% × 13.9 = 37
No road tests of snow for SportContact 6. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.32).
-
65
Comfort
Pilot Sport 4 S +1378Why this score
Source SportContact 6 Pilot Sport 4 S Professional tests (TWG score) · 3 / 6 tests 72 70 Reviews found online 60 84 Comfort (tester's mark) (% of best) · 3 shared tests · wins 0–2 86% 90% SportContact 6: 40% × 72.2 + 60% × 59.9 = 65
Pilot Sport 4 S: 40% × 70.4 + 60% × 83.5 = 78
-
72
Noise
SportContact 6 +369Why this score
Source SportContact 6 Pilot Sport 4 S Professional tests (TWG score) · 9 / 20 tests 73 70 Reviews found online 70 ≈ 66 (est.) Noise (% of best) · 9 shared tests · wins 4–2 99% 99% SportContact 6: 60% × 73.4 + 40% × 69.9 = 72
Pilot Sport 4 S: 60% × 70.3 + 40% × 66.3 (est.) = 69
No owner ratings of noise for Pilot Sport 4 S. The owner half is the owners’ average (66): owners’ noise ratings barely follow the road tests, so the tests say nothing about how owners would rate it.
-
43
Treadwear
Pilot Sport 4 S +2972Why this score
Source SportContact 6 Pilot Sport 4 S Professional tests (TWG score) · – / 1 tests ≈ 53 (est.) 70 Reviews found online 28 75 SportContact 6: 60% × 52.8 (est.) + 40% × 28.1 = 43
Pilot Sport 4 S: 60% × 70.2 + 40% × 74.8 = 72
No road tests of treadwear for SportContact 6. The test half is estimated from the owner ratings, as far as owners and testers agree (correlation 0.36).
-
66
Handling (owners)
Pilot Sport 4 S +2490Why this score
Source SportContact 6 Pilot Sport 4 S Reviews found online 66 90 -
69
Efficiency
Pilot Sport 4 S +372Why this score
Source SportContact 6 Pilot Sport 4 S Professional tests (TWG score) · 11 / 23 tests 69 72 Rolling Resistance (% of best) · 11 shared tests · wins 5–5 93% 93%
Scores at a glance
| Category | Continental SportContact 6 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 72 | 85 |
| Dry | 83 | 93 |
| Wet | 80 | 88 |
| Snow | 37 | – |
| Comfort | 65 | 78 |
| Noise | 72 | 69 |
| Treadwear | 43 | 72 |
| Handling (owners) | 66 | 90 |
| Efficiency | 69 | 72 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip starts at “Important”. Treadwear starts at “Neutral” here: road tests measured it for at most one of the two tires, so it rests on owner reviews. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Only one of the two tires has a score here, so this weight changes nothing in the head-to-head.
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Neutral
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Less important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Not important
NotLessNeutralImportantMost
Recomputed
Headline score
72
/ 100
SportContact 6
85
/ 100
Pilot Sport 4 S
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
The professional test results behind the scores
Per discipline: the average % of the best tire over every test both tires were in, and how many of those tests each one won. “Different tests” rows compare results from separate tests.
In the overall rankings of 15 tests that ran both, Continental SportContact 6 finished ahead 7 times and Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S 8 times.
| Discipline | Category | SportContact 6 | Pilot Sport 4 S | Δ | Head-to-head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 98% | 99% | −0.7 | 3–7 in 11 shared tests Newest: 2021 Auto Bild UUHP Summer Tyre Test · 265/35 R20 |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 99% | 99% | −0.3 | 4–5 in 11 shared tests Newest: 2021 Auto Bild UUHP Summer Tyre Test · 265/35 R20 |
| Dry Handling (tester's mark) | Dry | 93% | 93% | 0.0 | 2–2 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2021 Sport Auto UHP Summer Tyre Test · 275/35 R19 |
| Curved Aquaplaning | Wet | 84% | 84% | −0.4 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2021 Auto Bild 19 inch Summer Tyre Test · 235/35 R19 |
| Straight Aquaplaning | Wet | 96% | 95% | +0.3 | 6–4 in 11 shared tests Newest: 2021 Auto Bild UUHP Summer Tyre Test · 265/35 R20 |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 96% | 98% | −2.0 | 3–8 in 11 shared tests Newest: 2021 Auto Bild UUHP Summer Tyre Test · 265/35 R20 |
| Wet Circle | Wet | 99% | 98% | +0.5 | 1–2 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2021 Sport Auto UHP Summer Tyre Test · 275/35 R19 |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 97% | 97% | +0.4 | 7–3 in 11 shared tests Newest: 2021 Auto Bild UUHP Summer Tyre Test · 265/35 R20 |
| Wet Handling (tester's mark) | Wet | 88% | 83% | +4.4 | 4–1 in 5 shared tests Newest: 2021 Sport Auto UHP Summer Tyre Test · 275/35 R19 |
| Comfort (tester's mark) | Comfort | 86% | 90% | −4.0 | 0–2 in 3 shared tests Newest: 2020 UHP, UUHP and Track Day Tyre Test · 245/35 R19 |
| Noise | Noise | 99% | 99% | +0.2 | 4–2 in 9 shared tests Newest: 2021 Auto Bild UUHP Summer Tyre Test · 265/35 R20 |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 93% | 93% | −0.4 | 5–5 in 11 shared tests Newest: 2021 Auto Bild UUHP Summer Tyre Test · 265/35 R20 |
| Also published by the testers (not in the score) | |||||
| Price | Cost | 59% | 52% | +7.0 | 8–0 in 8 shared tests Newest: 2021 Auto Bild UUHP Summer Tyre Test · 265/35 R20 |
| Tyre Weight | Other | 98% | 99% | −1.0 | 0–1 in 1 shared test Newest: 2020 UHP, UUHP and Track Day Tyre Test · 245/35 R19 |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | #4/6 | #1/6 | – | 7–8 in 15 shared tests Newest: 2021 Sportauto Summer Tire Test for Sportcars R19 · 255/35R19 |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A SportContact 6
Pros
- Staggering grip in both dry and wet conditions
- Precise steering feedback and sharp cornering response
- Low road noise and enhanced ride comfort compared to some rivals
Cons
- Rapid tread wear leading to a short lifespan (often requiring replacement under 10,000-15,000 miles)
- Reduced performance and potential snap oversteer in cold or freezing weather conditions
- High cost per mile due to fast wear rates
Tire B Pilot Sport 4 S
Pros
- Exceptional grip and predictable handling in both dry and wet conditions
- Noticeable reduction in road noise and improved ride comfort compared to competitors and run-flats
- Sharper steering response and improved cornering stability
Cons
- High initial purchase price
- Rapid tread wear reported by some aggressive drivers and track users
- Soft sidewalls can cause a slightly vague or laggy initial response during rapid steering transitions
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Tire A
Mixed
Continental SportContact 6
Community members generally praise the Continental Sport Contact 6 for its strong grip, smooth handling, and impressive wet performance. However, high tread wear is a frequent and significant complaint, with many drivers reporting poor longevity compared to successors like the SportContact 7 and competitors like the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S. Additional mixed feedback notes issues such as road noise, ride stiffness, and occasional sidewall flex during aggressive cornering.
f30.bimmerpost.com
“CSC6 is excellent tire indeed and the wear is top notch, too. The only sight negatives I am aware of is poor rim protection, quite high noise and harsh ride.”
mbworld.org
“Do not buy the 6's. I had a set on my '18 Macan Turbo. Bald in 9,000 miles. The Macan is heavier than the C63S. But still... The other thing I noticed was going into a tight corner, the tires gave the impression they were rolling off the tread and folding under the tire. Weird sensation. But the Extreme's. Da BOMB! I'm waiting for the Mich SS's to wear out. Continental has the Extreme's in the 19/20 setup. I ran these tires on a 2009 GT500 rated at 650HP and a set on an 09 BMW 650i coupe. I'd be running them on the Macan but unfortunately they do not have a set that fit my 20" wheels.”
r/TyreReviews
·5 upvotes ·2026-05-12
“70k on SC6 ? Mine lasted 17k and now since I have the SC7 they overpassed the 6 without problems. They are better.”
Top themes
#rapid tread wear#strong wet performance#dry grip and handling#comparison to Michelin PS4S#longevity versus SportContact 7#road noise and comfort#cornering and sidewall stiffness
Based on 27 community posts
Tire B
Positive
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
The community widely regards the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S as a benchmark max-performance summer tire, praising its outstanding dry and wet grip, stability, and daily driving refinement. Common criticisms focus on its premium price, rapid tread wear on high-powered heavy vehicles or hot track sessions, and significantly reduced grip in cold weather. Many enthusiasts consider it an ideal street tire, though some note softer sidewalls compared to predecessors or recommend dedicated track tires for hard circuit driving.
r/RZ34
·1 upvote ·2026-10-08
“I got 30k miles out of the pilot sport 4s and pilot sport all season 4. The cost difference was not too bad and the all season 4 grip almost as well and are rated to 11f vs 40f for the pilot sport 4s. And they all wore evenly. Upsizing definitely made it feel more planted 245 275.”
rennlist.com
“Quote: Originally Posted by gcurnew I got the Goodyear F1s on my car when delivered and found them surprisingly nice: good grip, quiet, compliant ride. Put PS4Ss on last year and while I'm happy with them, they are a tad noisier than the F1s with a slightly stiffer ride and no apparent difference in grip or handling. I know the Michelins are the "go to" tire and pretty much everyone raves about them...but I'm in the camp that thinks the F1s are an equivalent tire. Having had both, I would have just bought a set of F1 rears (my fronts were only partially worn) rather than a full set of Michelins. I've used Michelin exclusively for the past two decades. My car came with the F1s and was pleasantly surprised. Dare I say better than 4S? Excellent in the wet and dry and they don't seem to get greasy like the 4Ss can when pushed. Still don't know how they wear but unless performance drops off or noise suddenly goes up like with Pirellis, I might buy them again.”
camaro6.com
“Quote: Originally Posted by D_H I hated the Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires. Was not happy with the wear. I wanted a drivable tire, and that's why I got them. They were pricy. Didn't last anywhere near the 30,000 mile range. Lasted just over 15,000 miles. Tire wear was not even, and the performance is a joke. But again, that's not why I got them. Tires always want to slip traction. I'm just going to stick with the stock tires from now on. I was wanting to know what everyone thought about these Atturo AZ850 front and rear tires though. I just put a very lightly used (from a friend) set of Atturo AZ850's in 1LE size on my 2020 2SS (I mounted them on MRR017 1LE Replica Wheels (285/30ZR20 Fronts and 305/30ZR20 Rears)), so far VERY happy with them especially considering the cost... They definitely hook better than my old 275 run flats...”
Top themes
#Wet and dry grip#Track day durability#High price vs alternatives#Tread life and wear#Cold weather performance#Sidewall stiffness and comfort
Based on 208 community posts
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Continental SportContact 6 | B · Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer | Summer |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 97 | 110 |
| Rim diameters | 18″ – 24″ | 17″ – 22″ |
| Tread depth | 8/32″ | — |
| UTQG | 240 A A | 300 A - AA A |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | — |
| Max pressure | 50 psi | — |
| Sizes in common | 65 | 65 |
Which one should you actually buy?
72
/ 100
Continental SportContact 6
85
/ 100
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
Winner: Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S — better treadwear, handling and comfort. Pick the Continental SportContact 6 if noise matters most to you.
Pick tire B
You want the longest tread life
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scores 72 vs 43 on treadwear.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scores 90 vs 66 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want the most comfortable ride
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scores 78 vs 65 on comfort.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S scores 93 vs 83 on dry.
Pick tire A
Your priority is wet handling
Continental SportContact 6 won 7 of 11 shared wet handling tests.
Tire A · Continental SportContact 6
Tire B · Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S
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SportContact 6 or Pilot Sport 4 S?
Which is better in the wet, SportContact 6 or Pilot Sport 4 S?
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S, 88 vs 80 on our wet score.
Which grips better on dry roads, SportContact 6 or Pilot Sport 4 S?
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S, 93 vs 83 on our dry score.
Which is quieter, SportContact 6 or Pilot Sport 4 S?
Continental SportContact 6, 72 vs 69 on our noise score.
Which is more comfortable, SportContact 6 or Pilot Sport 4 S?
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S, 78 vs 65 on our comfort score.
Which lasts longer, SportContact 6 or Pilot Sport 4 S?
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S, 72 vs 43 on our treadwear score.
Which rolls more easily, SportContact 6 or Pilot Sport 4 S?
Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S, 72 vs 69 on our efficiency score.
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements), each result compared with every other tire in the same test and newer tests counting more. 40% comes from owner reviews found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates. Both use one scale: the average tested tire gets 70, the best 100. When a tire has only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from the other and the score stays closer to average; with no road test and fewer than five owner reviews it gets no score yet.
Handling is the exception: road tests measure it inside the dry and wet scores, so its own row comes from owner ratings only and starts as less important.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score. Full methodology