Maybe my sample isn't representative to everybody. Where i live, tyres can be legaly sold as new tyres if they are up to 3 years old. (not used, but stored for that time)
And my sample was slightly over 3 years when i got them. The tyreshop then reduced the price when i noticed it.
So mine were already 3 years and a few months old when they were mounted. (due to aging the rubber might have gotten a little harder.
Positive: -low noise in dry weather, -nice to drive in the dry, almost sporty feel, -comfortable, -ok in the snow,- cost free tyre warranty from the manufacturer (for flats ect.)- low wear (but i had low wear with all tyres on that car).
Negative: -noisy on wet roads (very noticable whisteling above 60 kph), -wet grip was nowhere near to what my previous set of Dunlop winter tyres had.
-ice grip very far from my previous set of Dunlops.
The car had lot's of grip, and only on ice or snow with a lot of effort was i able to get the stability control to flash before i had these Bridgestones. But with these even when driving rather carefully on ice the stability flashed and the tyres slipped.
And i managed a 4wheel power slide on a wet slimy road. Turning from a standstill and flooring it made the car do that. Despite only having a 4cyl Diesel and permanend awd in a 2000kg car. Easy to control, but my previous winter tyres did not let go of the grip in the same situation.
Used the tyres for 2 winters and one summer, where i changed the car.
