Continental Premium Contact 6
 

Thinking of getting a set of these, wondered if anyone has used them?

I'm guessing I should go for XL?

XL rating does mean a different sidewall construction, not a stiffer sidewall.
XL for heavier vehicles, that need higher inflation pressures.

Not sure that's always the case? My Renaultsport Megane came new on XL tyres and 'normal' pressure so they aren't just for heavier cars. I do agree the Sidewall info though, most people assume a stiffer sidewall but that's not always the way

XL stands for extra load and always did.

Meaning what?

An XL tyre, running at a lower pressure, has a lower load rating than a non-XL tyre, at the same pressure

In answer to OP question though, yes you should get XL or there will be unwanted sidewall movement.

Meaning why disagree with people that have expertise in such matters i.e. 2pot.

So you're saying that 'experts' are never wrong? I still don't entirely agree as there are plenty of mid-sized cars and some lightweight car requiring XL tyres

I`ve had them before, but not on a Subaru. They have soft sidewalls, which give great rain performance as contact area is increased, but they don`t aid handling at all, and wear fast

Thanks HC. The AutoExpress review said virtually the opposite and that handling and agility was sharper than any of the competition could dream of. Also personal opinion I guess but I think they should be pretty good

I used them on a Skoda superb 4x4 so handling was always going to be piss poor, but the Falkens that replaced them feel just as good; Probably not the same on an Impreza though. They were xl, and the car ate them. I take xl to be primarily that, for heavier loads, roof boxes, towing, and will be a bit stiffer, but that`s no substitute for stiff sidewalls. European premium tyres get their high ratings largely because of the flex and comfort of the construction, I reckon.

Load rating is independent of sidewall stiffness.
Run-flats have a stiffened sidewall and heavy duty sidewall construction - would you use run-flats?

The engineers will have a specified the tyre load index - 83, 88, 91 etc
What tyre that manufacturer then fitted to the car would be:
The minimum specified load index + what they could get a the best price + what gave the defined performance parameters + what was available.