Drivers describe the Bridgestone Potenza RE050A as a sharp, sporty UHP tire with strong steering feel and confident dry grip, and many high-scoring reviews also praise its stable handling and braking in the wet when temperatures are moderate. However, a substantial share of owners report a firm/harsh ride and rising road noise as the tire ages, alongside notable performance drop-offs in cold conditions (and very poor snow/ice ability). Wear rate and value are polarising: some achieve long life with correct pressures/rotation, while many others see rapid wear-especially on driven axles/inner shoulders-making cost a frequent complaint.
What owners mention most counted across 178 reviews
Oke.. i came from 225/45/17 alloys with hankook evo 2 tires (was very satisfied with them) . When they worned out, i replaced them with new 18"alloys and a pare of bridgestone's. My first impression was.. wow are these tires made of rocks or what? I lost all comfort, fellt literally every imperfection in the road. BUT.. after i got used to them i found out they give excellent feedback and grip(if not the best of all tires i've had in the past) in warm condititons. You've got to love it.
So if you prefer comfort, these tires are not for you.
Came with Mazda 6, worked 7!!! years (have also winter Continental winterresponse 850), made just with them 72000 km!,!, were fantastic in dry and wet, always feel safe with them. Best tires I eveh had.. Justi ordered a new set of the same tires :)
Check out how the BEST all seasons tires perform against premium summer and winter tires!
Compared to my Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 tires these Bridgestone are FAR FAR away from the standard of the Goodyears. In the wet the Bridgestones are appalling and you can barely accelerate.
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Researching the Bridgestone Potenza RE050A? Rate the tires you actually drive - and help the next buyer choose.
Superb tire! Can't believe these tires have done in excess of 32000 miles and still 3mm on the front, and 4mm on the back. Driven through all four seasons and never once felt unsafe in the car, excellent steering feel, grip is incredible on both wet and dry roads and gives you the confidence to have bit of fun around the country B roads.
The only negative is that the ride is a bit firm, however, that won't be helped with the firm suspension of my VRS. Thinking of getting a new set of tires in a couple of thousand miles, would definitely get another set of these tires.
after 46000km with these tires i definetely say that i would not buy these tires again. why? the answer is simple. very noisy,comfort level is low. dry and wet grip is almost perfect, wear is avarage thanks to stone feeling. these tires would be more comfortable on the size 205 45 17. however, not an first choise such a car like ibiza cupra. coz cupra isolation is low, road noise and comfort are only avarage. i will replace them with hankook ventus v12 evo2 in few days.
First factory tires, lasted 42.000 miles or 68.000km and still in the legal limit in the middle of the tire and just on the limit on the outside got replaced with hankook noble 2 only because I got a good deal.
Potenza is very strong durable are reliable tire in that class, 220aud, no wow effect but good quality tire that wont let you down, dry or wet.
245/40 R18 fitted to a Volvo v70 D5 185 BHP, driven for the last 7000 miles of their life.
White line like a cocaine addict.
Noisy, torque steer under heavy acceleration, poor traction off the line, excessive wheel spin under hard acceleration.
Grip in corners OK, prone to aquaplaning on any puddle ride is harsh.
Replaced with Dunlop Sportmaxx RT2 and the addition has gone, traction of the line is much better (no more traction control killing acceleration), noticeably quieter, still on rear for now but not so important.
For a premium tire I think they should be better. In wet, particularly, of course you don't have the same feedback in dry. But It is very discrepant, that should not be like that. And in the dry they worm out very easily in a sporty drive. You have to reduce the speed and wait... then you continue with the fun. These are a confuse tires. If you have a relaxed driving, they are enough. But if you have a sporty drive forget this tire. Honestly I hate them. For now I bought a set (of two) Dunlop Sport Maxx RT2.
I've had these across two mag wheel sizes on my VE SS Holden Commodore and I must say that they are brilliant. The two BIGGEST problems with this tire which is why most people switch from them is COST vs WEAR. They wear fairly quickly and cost a bucket load.
That said, these tires 'in my opinion' of using various sizes over 5 years drive the same in the wet and the dry virtually. The 18's are slightly more grippy then the 19's I found in the wet but other then that DAMN BRILLIANT.
I just decided to try a different tire and went cheap. Through on some Maximus M1's and they are HORRIBLE compared to the Bridgestone RE50's.
Round a round about, slide out from under me......... no warning, not predictable. Never EVER have I had that happen with a Bridgestone RE50.
Stick with whats great even if it costs a bucket load of money, it will save your life.
PS. Depending on the car and the setup, I would say if you have a V8 you could get anywhere from 1-3 years on average with these tires depending on your driving style and tune etc.
Not impressed at all. Same opinion as most other people it seems - they are very noisy and rough riding in comparison to the Kumhos which I have replaced them with. Audis tend to be quite hard riding cars anyway, but they fit these Bridgestone tires as OEM equipment and make it even worse. Overpriced - admittedly I was shafted royally by main dealer who failed it on the MOT and left me in no position to buy them from there. Even so, the life of the tires is not commensurate with the price - pretty much knackered after 12,000 miles. On the plus side they do give good handling and grip - fine if you are the type of driver that presses on a bit as a habit and can afford to blow £400 every year on a new set of tires. But I am neither of these two categories.
