Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Reviews - Page 6

Given 36% while driving a SEAT Exeo ST (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 10 average miles
First off lets start by acknowledging that these are an old model tires. They have been around for 10 years now.
My experience with them - I did a very gentle break in as the car was new too so i had it easy on the engine;).
I have never been more disappointed by a tire in my life. If the tarmac temperature is below 20 degrees they have no grip. The car is sliding around to the point where it is ridiculous. Its extremely easy to overwhelm them. Once you warm'em up the tire their grip improves but I can't afford doing a warm up lap each time I want to go the shops so unless its very hot and sunny where you live -avoid! The sidewalls are very hard and stiff and have no elasticity. If you hit a pothole with a low profile RE50A I guarantee an unreparable cut on the sidewall. The ride quality is unbearable! You feel every single imperfection on the road. I have had a racing slicks that offer greater comfort. These tires have considerable rolling resistance and this means poor fuel economy and you have probably guessed it, they are noisy. They are UHP tire so they wear fast especially if you push them. I called Bridgestone and complained to them. Bridgestone sent someone who even came with me on a test drive to see why did I feel so disappointed. His conclusion was that the tires are performing as expected and that yes they are lacking in performance but they are a very old model and suggested I spend another 400 EUR buying the RE070 or S001. When I pointed out that the RE070 is also a very stiff tire and that the S001 is getting bad reviews and is being beaten by Goodyear and Dunlop in the reviews he simply said "that is correct... ahhh we are bringing a new tire to replace the S001 in the coming year". I wish I could say something positive about Bridgestone but I am extremely disappointed with the RE050A I will try to sell these and get Dunlops MAXX RT or GoodYear Eagle F1 A2
Helpful 10 - tyre reviewed on September 13, 2013
Given 70% while driving a SEAT Altea Freetrack (225/50 R17 V) on a combination of roads for 22,000 spirited miles
they last long,good handling in dry and wet but rather noisy
Helpful 10 - tyre reviewed on July 24, 2013
Given 44% while driving a Citroën DS3 THP 150 (205/45 R17 V) on a combination of roads for 18,000 average miles
150bhp/177lbft FWD car so nothing spectacular but on hard acceleration out of corners they skip and start to run wide when compared to my old thinner width Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2s.

Used on mostly motorways and A roads, they've lasted almost 18k miles which I think is ok but again, the old Michelins had more tread left at roughly the same mileage. They are pretty comfy in comparison though.

I need to replace my fronts now but wouldn't touch another set of these with a bargepole.
Helpful 12 - tyre reviewed on July 14, 2013
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Given 93% while driving a Opel (215/45 R17 W) on mostly motorways for 50,000 easy going miles
a very good tires on all achievements. bought new 4 years ago for opel corsa of my spouse it had before conti 3.The beginning a huge difference in noise was later appeared in the RE050A steering acquired feeling the dry handling from another planet in the wet equally good.To car driven more than my wife but also mena.poly good the duration in time without cracks. changing now after 50 thousand miles with 70% at national speed and leisurely pace. what to put now because the BRIGESTONE is accurate joints and especially to RE050A. Maybe go to something cheaper not because they are good RE050A but why is expensive
Helpful 11 - tyre reviewed on June 28, 2013
Given 51% while driving a Volkswagen Golf Mk6 (215/55 R17) on mostly motorways for 20,000 average miles
During week car driven almost exclusively on motorway at 80-90kph, very easy kms. On weekend, city driving. Pretty good wet and dry grip until last 1/3 of wear. Good road performance and feedback. Wear average considering majority of kilometres are very easy (need replacement about 20000mi).

Major NEGATIVE: from about 15000km (~10000mi), became more and more noisy. At 35000km my car sounds like a 10 year old taxi. Tried aligning wheels twice but was informed problems was tyre. Apparently common problem.

Would not buy again.
Helpful 10 - tyre reviewed on June 10, 2013
Given 70% while driving a Opel astra j 1.6 turbo (235/45 R18 W) on mostly town for 28,000 spirited miles
they lasted 28000 miles.
i'm pleased i could say, by all aspects of this tyre!
Helpful 11 - tyre reviewed on April 30, 2013
Given 87% while driving a Saab Automobile 9 5 Aero Saloon (205/55 R16 W) on a combination of roads for 60,000 spirited miles
60000 miles on about 3,5-4 sets of these tyres all together. In a Volvo C3 they performed very good also.
They are excellent tyres! But I'm not so sure if tey give the same in rear wheel drive cars (i.e. MB or BMW)? That is the question.
Helpful 10 - tyre reviewed on March 26, 2013
Given 81% while driving a Volkswagen Polo GTI (215/40 R17) on a combination of roads for 15,000 spirited miles
Amazing tyre, you can push to the limit anytime anywhere safely, as a race car driver i tend to be mostly demanding with grip in dry conditions. I couldnt ask for much more!
Helpful 11 - tyre reviewed on February 12, 2013
Given 89% while driving a Mazda 6 (215/50 R17) on mostly town for 42,000 average miles
Came new on a Mazda 6, now done 67,000 km. Good tread left in the middle of the tyres but worn on the outsides. No issues with wet/dry/comfort/handling etc. Will buy these again or maybe the re002, depends on the price.
Helpful 11 - tyre reviewed on February 8, 2013
Given 44% while driving a Ford Fiesta mk7 (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 9,500 average miles
Had these as standard on my new 12reg fiesta. Great in the dry, but poor is damp greasy conditions with lots of understeer. I found that you had to work them hard in damp, wet conditions to get them warm then they didn't grip too bad but difficult to maintain tyre temp! Also, rears are fine on my front wheel drive hatchback but fronts are just about worn out already at 9500 miles. Very poor. Won't be buying these
Helpful 10 - tyre reviewed on January 7, 2013
Given 43% while driving a Audi (225/50 R17) on mostly country roads for 11,000 easy going miles
front tyres just on the thread indicator at 16 kilometres from new .Rear tyres about 1mm better than front . this is shocking wear esp. from new on A6 12 reg. By the way only cruise to work 10 km away I find the car shimmy on the roads.took it to my Audi dealer who just told me how much they wanted to replace them . No satisfaction just wanted me out the door. these tyres should do at least 22km front and 25+ on rear. Had Avon and Conti on previous car and milage was well up on bridgestones, no faith in Bstones any more .
Helpful 10 - tyre reviewed on January 7, 2013
Given 80% while driving a Volkswagen EOS (235/45 R17 W) on a combination of roads for 38,000 average miles
Great, strong tyres, suitable for heavy cars! The wear rate is excellent! However, they are noisy and tend to understeer when the road is wet and cold.
Helpful 9 - tyre reviewed on December 20, 2012