Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Reviews - Page 7

Given 31% while driving a Mercedes Benz E250 CDI (265/35 R18 R) on a combination of roads for 7,000 easy going miles
Very harsh ide. Noisy. Rear tyre worn through at 7000 miles.
Helpful 9 - tyre reviewed on December 15, 2012
Given 79% while driving a BMW 328i (225/40 R18 W) on a combination of roads for 17,500 spirited miles
I had these tyres under a BMW E46 328i and I've driven all kinds of roads with it and almost all kinds of driving styles. The most unpleasant thing of the tyre was the hard comfort, partly because my car is lowered and is running on 18", but also because of the stiffness of the tyre. That said, that was the most annoying thing that I could find of the tyre. In overall, the tyres weren't much louder than similar Continentals or other tyres. I've taken these tyres to basically all kind of roads, from motorways to enjoyable B-roads but also to the Nürburgring. The tyres gave me a lot of confidence in hot weather and kept gripping very well. However, they don't seem to perform very well in 30-40mph corners in the wet. They do tend to understeer when the road is wet and cold, especially when the surface has a negative camber. I had a few times interference from the stability control program for correcting oversteer on very tight corners when pushing the gas just a little. Also, at hard launch, they will spin when the surface is cold but overall the tyre was pretty good.
Helpful 9 - tyre reviewed on December 2, 2012
Given 97% while driving a Subaru Impreza WRX 2.0l Hatchback (215/45 R17 W) on a combination of roads for 13,000 spirited miles
Best street track tyre,hard shoulder,very well on wet, excellent on dry, good longevity
Helpful 9 - tyre reviewed on November 23, 2012
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Given 53% while driving a Alfa Romeo GTV (225/45 R17 W) on mostly country roads for 1,000 spirited miles
Have these fitted to my Alfa GTV V6 (summer use only) and although dry grip is good and they sit nice on a smooth motorway, they are AWFUL on A/B roads. The wear rate is also AWFUL and so is the ride comfort - being kicked in the back would be mild by comparison.

The previous owner put them on and after 12mths they are down to 2mm (inner) 4mm (middle) and 5mm (outer) and that's 7,000 miles.

The most disconcerting thing about them is that on a spirited A road run, it feels very skitish over rough surfaces and you back off the power somewhat.

They are not cheap either £130.00 per corner (17") and much better options are available.

In short... AVOID this particular Potenza.

Currently considering Dunlop SportMaxxTT and Potenza SO2.
Helpful 9 - tyre reviewed on November 9, 2012
Given 66% while driving a SEAT Ibiza FR 1.4 TSI (215/40 R17 W) on a combination of roads for 14,000 spirited miles
Got these tyres with the car fitted @ factory.
At start they were great. Great grip - and I actually enjoy the stiff sidewalls and stiff ride.

But after around 10k of mild driving - front grip and turning grip is almost horrible. The tyres lose grip on most acceleration from a complete stop or slow rolling - they understeer easily with the slightest pedal input.

Breaking is great even after 22k km.
Wear is insane even after 5 track days. Tyres still have around 5 mm left and shoulderd are not badly worn.

But now after grip is lost, all that is left is the stiffness. I hate these tyres.
Gonna replace them very very soon.
Helpful 9 - tyre reviewed on October 12, 2012
Given 64% while driving a Mazda (225/45 R18 W) on mostly country roads for 0 average miles
Running a Mazda RX8 Full Loaded just for fun,, handle's real well but the car is well balanced anyway, The tyres grip well in the dry but you feel every undulation in the surface , i think if i ran over a Fag Paper i'd feel it, they are a little noisy as well. In the wet not so good but Back Wheel drive, (I Know),
Dont think i would buy again,may go back to Toyo...
Andy
Helpful 11 - tyre reviewed on October 5, 2012
Given 47% while driving a Vauxhall Astra (215/45 R17 W) on mostly town for 2,000 spirited miles
without doubt, the worlds hardest and most uncomfortable tyre ever made. certainly unsuitable for british roads. hit a pot hole or bump with these on and you will need airlifting to A&E on a spinal board. sadly for me, this issue overshadows anything good about these tyres.
Helpful 11 - tyre reviewed on October 4, 2012
Given 90% while driving a Subaru Impreza (215/45 R17 W) on a combination of roads for 0 spirited miles
Excellent tyres
Helpful 10 - tyre reviewed on September 24, 2012
Given 87% while driving a Vauxhall Insignia CDTI 160 (245/45 R18 W) on a combination of roads for 25 average miles
Covered 25,000 miles on a variety of roads with Bridgestone. Usually have Michelins fitted as replacements but on advice from a Michelin only garage who said I would not get the same mileage out of the only size and load factor that Michelin manufactured for my car was, Michelin Sport. He said that grip would be excellent both in the dry and wet but the wear rate would be considerably less that that of the Bridgestones.
Replaced Bridgestone with identical Bridgestone.
Helpful 9 - tyre reviewed on September 19, 2012
Given 54% while driving a Nissan 350z (225/45 R17) on mostly town for 500 average miles
I have a 2007 Nissan 350z. These tires are HARSH. So uncomfortable that I have to consistently swerve around drains, cracks in the road etc. Driving in London is back breaking. I am having Michelin Super Sports fitted shortly which I have heard are much more comfortable.
Helpful 10 - tyre reviewed on September 13, 2012
Given 69% while driving a Audi (245/45 R17 W) on a combination of roads for 20,027 average miles
1st off i'm no petrol head or tyre guru, I'll just tell it as it is....

I've managed much to the shock of a car forum to get 20027, miles out of this set of 4, i'm informed it's a *miracle and they must be bald or I drive like a big wus!!, it's neither, it must be the tyres, although I would not rate them overall I would have to give them 10 for wear, how could I not. They even had and even wear 2mm front and 3mm rear.

* advised 10k to 15k is good on a set of tyres in a 4WD TT


If it was not for the brand new Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta Tyres [VUST], bought yesterday from reviews based here I would not have been able to compare rate the Potenza's even after 1 day, and i'm sure they will only get better.

It's safe to say these tyres are German made and German technology so built for purpose and built [I hope] to last.

My garage initially offered me the following

Pirrelli P Zero Rosso
Pirrelli P7 Cinturato [spell?]
Dunlop SP Sport Max

all at £162 a corner, fitted.

Reading views on here agai, there were pro's and con's of all these tyres but looking the % ratings none scored closed to the VUST.

my VUST cost £156 a corner, fitted. I'm not sure how good that is, but the garage I use are very careful with alloys/protection etc. and it's peace of mind to me, even if I have paid a little extra, plus it's 5 mins walk from my work, so it's easy.

I've only got this car for another 18Months and I reckon, they will be good for 3mm and I can have a bit of fun with them too, pushing them more than the Potenza's

My main gripe about the Potenza's was wet weather and the un-nerving feel in wet/aqua planing situations, you could argue any tyres, in a 4wd car, at speed will give this effect, but I had the distinct feeling [or paranoia] they they would not pull up quick enough of slide in the wet....

Let's see what the VUST do,? looking at the tyre tread/pattern I'd like to think the VUST are good at displacing water to minimise the risk of slide/aqua plane?

Hope this review helps others, and thanks to all that reviewed the VUST here, to allow me a better choice, it's a shame these tyres are getting notices, as I'm informed their price has increased as a result, but there is an old saying you get what you pay for....

Hope to come back and review the VUST after a good few k's clocked on and before I change car.






Helpful 10 - tyre reviewed on September 1, 2012
Given 64% while driving a Audi A4 2.0 TFSI (205 bhp) (245/40 R18 W) on a combination of roads for 24,000 average miles
These tyres were standard on my A4 from new. I got about 12K miles on the front and 24K miles on the rear. Grip was fairly good in the dry but tyres spun in the wet when pushed slightly. Have now bought Godyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric2. They definately have more dry and wet grip, but maybe have a softer tyre wall and car would flex more on sharp turns. Only time will tell if they last as long.
Helpful 9 - tyre reviewed on August 24, 2012