Continental Extreme Contact Sport First Impressions

[SA Heat]

After not being able to find Toyo R888Rs or Michelin Sport Cup 2s due to either being back ordered or "new" stock often approaching 1-3 years old, it was nice to see a new tire option come out when the Conti Extreme Contact Sports were recently released in Viper sizes (with nice late-2020 manufacture date codes). I was initially skeptical due to the (deceiving) 340 treadwear rating, as I'd prefer an R-comp tire for this car, but the more I read about them in tests and after talking to couple of guys I know who have them on other cars and have driven them on the street and track (and loved them), the more I was willing to give them a try.

The first thing I noticed, which is pretty obvious for a more street focused tire, is how much more bead protection the Contis offer over the Toyos or SCs. With the Toyos especially, you could not stack or lay the rear wheels on the ground without risking damage to the wheel edge. The extra meat on the sidewalls also gives the tires the appearance of being a little wider. Another note is the 295/30-18 888Rs that were on the fronts always looked a little pinched on the 10 inch wheel as the tread measured wider than usual for a 295. The Continentals look just right. So do the 355/30-19 rears, which are minimally taller and wider than 345s. As far as weight specs goes, claimed weight on the 295 Contis are 3-4 pounds lighter than the front Toyos and the 355s are about a pound lighter than the smaller 345 Toyo rears....not a big deal to most people, but it's better than the other way around when considering rotating mass and unspung weight. One last thing on initial observation is something mentioned in another thread....the Continentals took very little weight to balance. No more than 2 ounces, and that was only on 1 wheel. The Toyos that came off took a lot more weight to balance.

I just returned from about a ~50 mile break-in drive in 75ish degree sunny weather and didn't push them hard. I took a Texas Hill Country circuit I often drive that has a mixture of nice technical turns and a mixture of smooth and rough sweepers....my first impression was how much I didn't realize just how harsh and noisy the Toyos and the Sport Cups before those really were. I currently have my coil over rebound settings pretty stiff and the Toyos always transferred any sharp or rough road surface through the cabin, which is to be expected with a stiff-sidewalled R-comp tire. The Continentals on the same pavement?...firm, but not at all harsh....just a nice thump thump brrrrrrump, and that's without being broken in yet. NVH doesn't bother me, in fact I expect and welcome a level of it in a car like this, but the improvement in ride alone makes the car feel much more refined. BTW, tires were at 30 psi cold when I set out.

As far as handling and grip goes, like I wrote before, I didn't push them hard....probably 75 percent on the "fun corner" parts of the drive. I can report, though, they felt really good on turn-in and gripped well. The Contact Sport DWs these tires replaced were known to be squirmy with terrible turn in....not the case here. I'll have to report back when I push them harder as I get them scrubbed in. If they are as progressive and predictable as the tests and testimonials indicate, I'll be happy.

Straight line grip on older/smooth as well as more textured asphalt and concrete felt good, though I didn't do any really hard launches. The 5+ year old Toyos that came off were hard and getting increasingly scary, so the new Continentals are going to be better regardless. Braking felt really good too.

As far as I can tell, no tramlining, but the Toyos and SCs weren't too bad in that area either....tires are perfectly ballanced at all speeds I'm willing to admit to and the car drives perfectly straight on them. For now, I'm very happy with them and recommend them. I'll report back with more later as I get some more miles on them.

[uvbnbit]

Great! Thanks for real world update. I saw a pic of them on FB ( I think) and they seemed very similar to the PSS in appearance, sidewall, etc

[SA Heat]

Great! Thanks for real world update. I saw a pic of them on FB ( I think) and they seemed very similar to the PSS in appearance, sidewall, etc

You're right, they do. From whay I've read, Continental used the Pilot Sport 4 as the benchmark they were going after.

[Mcoop]

...As far as I can tell, no tramlining, but the Toyos and SCs weren't too bad in that area either....tires are perfectly ballanced at all speeds I'm willing to admit to and the car drives perfectly straight on them. For now, I'm very happy with them and recommend them. I'll report back with more later as I get some more miles on them.

Any further impressions on the tires? I am looking to purchase a new set for my '02 RT10.

[usmcfieldmp]

I'm curious, as well. My R888's will need replacing this year. I was eyeballing these or the Pirelli's.

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

Any further impressions on the tires? I am looking to purchase a new set for my '02 RT10.

Several have been posted, including Fla Keys VIper convention feedback.... search "Continental"

PartsRack has sold a bunch...Happy Owners all. But dont wait too long on 18"option

JonB@Partsrack.com

[SA Heat]

Any further impressions on the tires? I am looking to purchase a new set for my '02 RT10.

I still really like them and recommend them....they're not as aggressive as the 888s, but have a lot of advantages over them on the street especially.

[jsnyder84]

To All Whom May Be Interested: I bought a 'new to me' '94 in March - original wheels in like new condition. Tires are Dunlop, tread is acceptable but just cant find date coding. Wanted to get new rubber, and quickly learned that 17" tires are not very easy to find. So perfect excuse to buy some new 18" wheels and tires. JonB hooked me up - recently purchased these new 18" OZ racing wheels.....and fresh new Continentals as noted in this thread. 335 rears just arrived, fronts on the way. Will keep the originals for any future need.

Was looking for a good street tire that would perform on frequent runs thru the North GA / NC mountains - looking forward to getting these mounted and on the tarmac. Check these out from a visual perspective for now, SA Heat gave a great performance review. I'll post some pics once mounted.

Better call JonB ASAP if in need before these are gone - BEST service and prices you'll find anywhere. Thank You JonB!

OZWheelContinentalTire1 5-2021.jpg

OZWheelContinentalTire4 5-2021.jpg

OZWheelContinentalTire5 5-2021.jpg

OZWheelContinentalTire6 5-2021.jpg

BloodMtnRunJMS2 3-13-21.jpg

[SA Heat]

^^^^
I love those OZs....had the silver version on my Gen2. They're light and look fantastic. Nice set up there!

[Bill W]

Any further impressions on the tires? I am looking to purchase a new set for my '02 RT10.

I have them on my '02 RT/10. Like them a lot. Good grip and no road noise like I had with the R888R tires. Here is a post I did when I first got them from JonB: https://driveviper.com/forums/thread...541#post430541
Scroll to the top of the thread if it starts at the bottom.

[GTS Dean]

I made an inquiry to Forgeline about the Continental Contact Force sizes a few weeks ago and just received an authoritative reply regarding 18" track tire Diameters:

Size|Diameter|Tread w. |Section w.| Wheel range
275/35-18 | 25.5” diameter | 10.0”TW | 11.1” SW | (9-11)
295/30-18 | 25.0” diameter | 10.9"TW | 12.1” SW | (10-11)
315/30-18 | 25.4” diameter | 11.7”TW | 12.8” SW | (10.5-11.5)
345/35-18 | 27.5” diameter | 12.8”TW | 13.8” SW | (11.5-13.5)

[d124716]

Hello All, load index question. Looking to install Continental Extreme Contact Sport on my gen 4 six spoke wheels and have to go to a 10mm wider than original spec (345/30/19). When going with the new size tire (355/30/19) the load index on the continentals is 99 while the load index or original Micheline Pilot Sport is 105. I am a bit concerned with placing a lower load index tire than the stock equipment dictates. Any comments would be much appreciated.

[GTS Dean]

As I perceive it, the Index is a percentage rating of actual load rating for a given tire relative to the design optimum of 100. I think as long as you are over 95, you don't have anything to worry about unless you are running at sustained high speeds on a hot day, or driving on really bad roads with a lot of casing stress. I guess we could look up the definition and be sure.

[usmcfieldmp]

I wouldn't worry about it. Load Index is how much weight an individual tire can carry.

A 99 load index is rated for ~1700 lbs and a 105 is ~2000 lbs.

So your rear tires alone are rated to carry 3400 lbs (plus a safety factor). Not planning on doing any sick wheelies, are you?

EDIT: For reference, my 4000+ lbs Audi S5 came stock with Pirelli's that had a 95 load index (~1500 lbs).

[JonB ~ PartsRack]

Just a PS to Dean And MC abofe: , most people who add aero never consider the Load Index, but it can matter!

You should be fine unless you added a wing-spoiler nd are carrying 500lbs of Brake Pads or Rotors in your trunk in an Enduro race

[PkB2014]

I made an inquiry to Forgeline about the Continental Contact Force sizes a few weeks ago and just received an authoritative reply regarding 18" track tire Diameters:

Size|Diameter|Tread w. |Section w.| Wheel range
275/35-18 | 25.5” diameter | 10.0”TW | 11.1” SW | (9-11)
295/30-18 | 25.0” diameter | 10.9"TW | 12.1” SW | (10-11)
315/30-18 | 25.4” diameter | 11.7”TW | 12.8” SW | (10.5-11.5)
345/35-18 | 27.5” diameter | 12.8”TW | 13.8” SW | (11.5-13.5)

good info, thanks. If I can get my set before end of June I'll try to test them against the Kumho's I have already at the Autocross in Beeville, TX. It's a two day event so hopefully we get 2 good weather days and it'll be a decent test. I'm not they greatest and I don't expect them to be as sticky as the Kumhos, but it will be at least some datapoints.

Feel free to come out, the more the merrier.
https://www.motorsportreg.com/events...on-solo-768032

[FrgMstr]

While a bit off topic, I have had Kumho's, Pirelli's, Nitto's, and Michelin's on my previous Vipers with the Michelin's always being my favorite go-to all around street tire.

I recently bought a VW Golf R that came with CONTINENTAL CONTISPORTCONTACT 5P tires all the way around. These have an even lower treadwear rating of 240 than the CONTINENTAL EXTREMECONTACT SPORT at 340 so this may not be totally comparable.

I was already looking to buy Michelin's for this Golf R even though the tires on it were new. These Continental tires are friggin' amazing tires and I will sure buy again for the Golf. They are quiet, they are smooth, they grip better than I thought a tire this narrow could. I have been tremendously impressed. When they decide to give way in a corner, they give you so much feedback, it is a such a smooth process to allow you to correct and get the car back over the tires. My only complaint is they do not "talk" you in the corners, but what they take there, they give back in feel. One of the best tires I have ever driven on. And good in the wet.

When it is time for Viper street tires again (hopefully not soon), I will surely put a set of the Conti Extreme's on to give those a try.