Pirelli Snowcontrol Serie 3 W210
Not quite at the level of rivals. Aquaplaning performance could be improved, too.
Not quite at the level of rivals. Aquaplaning performance could be improved, too.
Poor aquaplaning results are behind Pirelli’s seventh- place finish. While no means as bad as the Linglong, it came seventh in both our tests.
Elsewhere, it was a match for the leading group, and felt nowhere near as bad on the wet handling circuit as those aquaplaning results suggest.
Initial grip was good and it turned well on a steady throttle. Add a bit more power, and the front slides wide progressively. It felt stable throughout with no rear end movement.
The Pirelli also took second spot in the wet braking, as you’d expect from a B-rated tyre. However, it was less assured on snow, lacking the final bit of grip its premium brand rivals found.
Behind the wheel, you could feel its lack of bite, with the front easily washing out, making it hard to turn in. This did mean the rear end was stable, though.
It was a similar story in the dry, with the Snowcontrol a step behind its rivals in braking, although it was right in the middle of the pack on the handling track.
Cabin noise was well controlled, with the Pirelli just behind the leading pair.
| Rating | Position | |
| Snow braking | 94.5% | 7th |
| Snow traction | 96.4% | 6th |
| Snow slalom | 94.1% | 5th |
| Snow handling | 96.9% | 8th |
| Straight aquaplaning | 83.8% | 7th |
| Curved aquaplaning | 70.6% | 7th |
| Wet braking | 98.8% | 2nd |
| Wet handling | 99.4% | 2nd |
| Dry braking | 96.9% | 6th |
| Dry handling | 99.5% | =4th |
| Cabin noise | 99.3% | 3rd |
| Rolling resistance | 91.5% | 4th |
| Price | £77.47 | 3rd |
| Overall | 95.9% | 7th |
