Bridgestone Potenzas - any views?

[A3Targa]

After 6 years in a 996TT, today I pulled the trigger on a 997 Carrera GTS (2wd): lovely drive so far and looks great. However to my horror when I got it home I saw the OPC had shod the car in (gulp) Bridgestone Potenzas. In 8 years of Pork ownership I've only had Contis, Pirellis and Michelins. Are Bridgestones any good? Cheers

[boxsey]

My 987 boxster came with them (Bridgestone Potenza RE050A) and have just replaced them with the same. Excellent tyres IMO. I too used contis and michelins on previous Porsches but after having the Bridgestones I didn't feel the need to go back to those brands.

[Fire_2]

Hate bridgestones on my cars, turn in is sharp but they just don't work well on our roads, unless its 30c and dry :/

[doneitnow]

Got them on my Cayman and had no problems with them, when I replaced the fronts went for the same and will be doing the same for the rears very soon.

[williaa68]

Had them as the summer tyres on my C4S - I thought they were good and a reasonable amount of rim protection too.

[FisiP1]

Haven't used them on Porsches but on other cars I have, my personal assessment is that they are pretty good in fair weather but not as supremely talented all-around as Mich PS2s or Goodyear Eagle F1s.

I certainly wouldn't prematurely change them for anything else, put it like that.

[doneitnow]

Is there no reasoning behind Porsche launching different models with different brands of tyres? Is it not down to R & D on handling and performance at all?

[nxi20]

doneitnow said:

Is there no reasoning behind Porsche launching different models with different brands of tyres? Is it not down to R & D on handling and performance at all?

I suspect that by operating a "just in time" type system, it doesn't allow them to be too choosy in regard to tyres so they put on whatever is most available (and therefore usually the most keenly priced).

BICBW

[A3Targa]

Thanks all; my understanding was that Porsche recommended certain tyre brands for certain models, but I'd not heard of any association with Bridgestone. After 60 miles so far they seem OK but some torrential rain and the rear-wheel drive could well be 'interesting'

[FarQue]

Got them on our 997. No complaints in wet or dry but I'm neither powerfully built, a company director or a part time racing driver.

[craigjm]

A3Targa said:

Thanks all; my understanding was that Porsche recommended certain tyre brands for certain models, but I'd not heard of any association with Bridgestone. After 60 miles so far they seem OK but some torrential rain and the rear-wheel drive could well be 'interesting'

They were supplied on my Cayman S when new in 2010 and are N rated. Seem fine to me. I am always dubious about changing from what was specced when new.

[FrankCayman]

I found them lacking grip in the wet compared to Conti's and Michelins.

I would always recommend Michelins first, then Contis....but then, I don't like sliding around in the wet....it seems a lot of people do!

(These were based on a 987 Boxster and Cayman application).

[doneitnow]

I have had no problems with mine in the wet, the ice yes!

[Cheburator mk2]

Bridgestone have been making N-rated tyres for Porsche since the 1980s... You would think that if they were rubbish, Porsche would have stopped buying them... Had a car with Potenza S-02s - amazing grip and turn in on dry tarmac, slightly less so in the wet, but still very good...

[khushy]

no probs here for 19" Bridgestones - I have done half my 50,000 miles (in 2 years) on GoodYears and the rest on Bridgestones = no worries with either!

khushy

[BIRMA]

The Boxster I have came shod with Bridgestone RE 050's and like you was not really aware of the tyre, so far I have no reservations about them on the road but have yet to use them in anger on the track. Having discovered I still have 18 months of an official Porsche warranty in place I was a little annoyed to discover that the new Michelin Pilot Sports are not N rated so if I wish to use these my warranty becomes invalid which is a bit of a pain as I understand the Michelins are very good on track. I suppose ultimately you have to ask yourself if you can honestly take these tyres to their very limit if you are going to use it on the normal roads which I somehow doubt. On track I guess will be a different question in which case I guess a spare set of wheels and tyres may be the answer if space and money permit.

[thegoose]

FarQue said:

Got them on our 997. No complaints in wet or dry but I'm neither powerfully built, a company director or a part time racing driver.

....in which case your opinion is worthless.

[FarQue]

thegoose said:

FarQue said:

Got them on our 997. No complaints in wet or dry but I'm neither powerfully built, a company director or a part time racing driver.

....in which case your opinion is worthless.

Glad someone got the joke ;-)

[Trev450]

My experience of Bridgestones is that whilst that are fine in the dry and warmer weather, albeit noiser than Michelins, they lack the grip of the michelins in the wet and particularly in colder conditions. They do, however, last a bit longer, but I personally am happy to trade longevity for improved grip.

[doneitnow]

Trev450 said:

My experience of Bridgestones is that whilst that are fine in the dry and warmer weather, albeit noiser than Michelins, they lack the grip of the michelins in the wet and particularly in colder conditions. They do, however, last a bit longer, but I personally am happy to trade longevity for improved grip.

And £££££'s lol