Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Reviews - Page 8

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 95 - 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 68 - tyre reviewed on August 24, 2012
Given 61% while driving a SEAT Leon FR Plus (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 0 average miles
The honest truth about these tyres are there good in hot weather but usless in wet or snow weather. There something i wouldnt pay for if they wasnt fitted to the car from the factory good tyres but just not any good in britain with our weather.
Helpful 60 - tyre reviewed on August 3, 2012
There's a new all season tire, can it be best?!
Given 73% while driving a Vauxhall Astra SRi CDTi 1.9 150 (225/40 R18 W) on mostly town for 0 average miles
Like this tyre, but my only concern is the wear factor, only got
about 12,000 out of front tyres from new. As said in prev posts the
inside edge wears out quick.But on the other hand the tyre is down
to the wear bar ! I do not drive the car like i stole it, but dont
drive it like a granny. I have just put another set on so will wait and
see
Helpful 53 - tyre reviewed on August 3, 2012
Given 87% while driving a Jaguar XJR (255/40 R18) on mostly motorways for 0 average miles
Previously had the stock P zeros but wasn't impressed by the performance generally especially in the wet. Changed to the RE050A and the wet performance is much improved (which is the most important criteria for me with such a big/heavy car). Turn in and feedback really good too; need to tailor the pressures though. Usually just me in the car so I set at 32psi for the rear and 40psi for the fronts. Should manage >20k for the rears and >25k for the fronts. 70% motorway, 30% normal roads, average driving style 80% spirited 20%.
Helpful 50 - tyre reviewed on August 1, 2012
Given 84% while driving a BMW 3 (225/45 R17 W) on a combination of roads for 15,000 average miles
In the rear traction, the progressiveness is all and this tire make you and your car one thing. Comfort and dry grip complete the positive opinion.
Helpful 55 - tyre reviewed on June 21, 2012
Given 77% while driving a Subaru Legacy (215/45 R17 W) on mostly motorways for 52,000 average miles
2008 2L Subaru legacy diesel,
Coming to the end of second set at 83k km, corners (inside and outside) wear quick probably because they are not as deep cut as the rest of tyre (5mm?)Put BF Goodrich on when replacing the first set, but the car would not stop vibrating, had wheels balanced 5 times, no one could give me a proper answer to why, from re-enforced wall,truck tyre and buckle in tyre, (would it balance then) to dealer saying my wheels were off, paid the extra and exchanged them for RE050A's, perfect, Any idea's? and what would i replace them with now? thanks
Helpful 51 - tyre reviewed on May 21, 2012
Given 79% while driving a Volkswagen Golf GT TDI 140 (225/45 R17 W) on mostly country roads for 0 spirited miles
MK4 Golf on coilovers. Brilliant tyres. Great wet grip, I had budgets on the back and go a little over gentle into roundabouts in the wet and you've got a very controllable slide. Definitely buy again. Just hope to get more than 5000 out of them.
Helpful 60 - tyre reviewed on May 5, 2012
Given 33% while driving a Volkswagen Golf mk6 GTD (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 10,000 average miles
Sawtoothing big wear on inside edge ,awful tyres
Helpful 60 - tyre reviewed on May 3, 2012
Given 71% while driving a Honda S2000 (225/45 R17) on mostly country roads for 25,000 spirited miles
Wear is excellent and still 5mm after 25k miles. Dry grip is very good in cool weather but in hot summer weather traction and grip is hopeless for a very spirited drive with an S2000.
Helpful 67 - tyre reviewed on April 27, 2012
Given 73% while driving a Volkswagen Golf GTI (225/45 R17 W) on a combination of roads for 20,000 average miles
Had those on Golf 5 GTI and dissapointed, now switched on Hankook Ventus S1 evo and it feels like other car. The bigest minus is comfort, tires are very hard and it is usefuly on the track but we mostly drive on normal roads so...
Helpful 58 - tyre reviewed on April 19, 2012
Given 89% while driving a Mazda MX5 (205/45 R17 W) on mostly country roads for 20,000 spirited miles
I've tried to find the limit of these tyres and have not lost them except in a particularly wet and oily concrete road corner. They have lasted well despite the TERRIBLE roads in the central west of NSW (Aus) including dirt roads.
Tyres are a little noisy on the coarse gravel (sealed) roads.
I would probably buy these tyres again if the RE002 was not available.
When price is taken into account, these tyres are exceptionally good value.
Dry grip on sealed roads is nothing short of amazing, and predictable in the wet just for fun!
Tyres started wearing from the outside edge and the tyre dealer said its because we have so many cambered roundabouts in our area - I don't know whether I believe this or not, having read the other reviews.
Tyre has been used from moderate summer conditions to snow as they have been on the car from new for 14 months.
Helpful 70 - tyre reviewed on April 18, 2012