Bridgestone Potenza S-02

Well . I replaced my tires with these a month ago. Unused yet, held somewhere unsold but manufactured some time ago because they don't do these anymore. They are made in Japan. Rubber still soft without cracks. The main reason I bought these tires is because my car came from the factory with these. Even if they are old I wanted to know the feeling of driving my car completely stock and feel it how it was made to be driven. The results ? I shaved more than 1.5 sec off my best time I ever had on local track. I tried before different Potenza ,Yokohama , Firehawk and other street tires. Definitely the best street tires I ever tried. Most race prepared cars on slicks or semi can't beat my stock Ap1 on these. Short technical Supermoto track . Even at the limit the car does what I expect .That snap oversteer, those uncontrollable slides they are all gone ! And I can take any corner faster and brake later than I can do with any other tires I had before. No wonder these tires are on the cover of Gran Turismo original game. The only regret I have is I have no other chances to buy these anymore. I would pay in gold for such street tires. Brilliant tires for track or Touge !

A nice looking tyre, which I know is important to some people...., though really not that relevant! When I bought my car it had these tyres fitted, so I just replaced like for like. They gripped well in the summer, but lost all adhesive properties through last winter! When the temperature dropped as low as it did, the rubber appeared to go pretty hard, which led to a lot of slip, even when on dry surfaces. This was especially noticeable when parking, when, the first time I realised I had a problem, I thought I had a worn track control rod allowing the wheels to jump! It was a really strange sensation. As it was, and after inspecting all joints, it was purely as a result of the extreme cold affecting the tyre. I realise that summer tyres aren't even 50% effective in the winter, and hence why most of Europe switch to a winter tyre to maintain performance and grip. Of course 'N' rated winter tyres are hideously expensive, though can be purchased for £200 each rear tyre, and £160 each front tyre. Non 'N' rated can be obtained cheaper, but the practice of using non 'N' rated tyres, always causes extensive debate. The Bridgestones have only lasted me 8000 miles on the rear, were very poor in the winter, though are cheaper than Continental, and Michelin alternatives. If you are going to be using the car all year round, I would recommend switching to winter tyres in the winter once temperatures fall below 7 deg, until they rise again. A swap to a spare set of 16" wheels would reduce the cost of the winter rubber, or budget for the cost of swapping the rubber twice a year on your existing wheels for £10 - £15 a wheel (valve and balance). I have just fitted a pair of Continental Sport Contact 2 Tyres (N2), as I can't afford unfortunately at this time to put on winter rubber. I will review these tyres in due course, especially with how they fare over the winter. On a side note....., summer tyres also wear much quicker in the winter than in the summer!