Autoexpress tyre test.

[p3asa]

David: I was discussing this with another member and it seems that these Bridgestones are a headache to order due to so many sub varieties for the same tyre and possibly part number. If mine ever wear out, I'll get something else from recommendations from the lads on the forum.
The Bridgestones are too noisy for me.
The non A tyre is not reinforced as you will see from the links.

Link for Blackcircles for the Bridgestones:

http://www.blackcircles.com/order/tyres/filter - Fully fitted

http://www.blackcircles.com/order/tyres/filter - Tyres only

AM1W are the links meant to go to specific tyres?
I totally agree though they are a headache to find.
After kerbing mine in the 1st week of ownership I was going to replace it as there was a chunk out of the sidewall. I couldn't find any in the country and even approached Bridgestone direct. Turns out there were none in the country so I eventually gave up  after lengthy emails back and forth to Bridgestone.

However I found out the RE050A had a few derivatives depending on what kind of car you have. The end letter refers to the tread type.
The proper one for the Golf ends in EZ and the Bridgestone code number is 2686
Here they are here for £124

[am1w]

Thanks p3asa. Most helpful and I will put it in my favourites!
The Blackcircles link just proved your point that it is a nightmare to find the correct Bridgestone.

[Ess_Three]

Glen: Which tyres would you recommend for 18" wheels, please?

I took Neil's suggestion of the Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics and the best praise for them is that you notice that they don't do anything nasty- if that makes sense?
They don't lock up easily...
They aren't noisy...
They don't break traction readily...
They don't understeer...
They just work, and work well. You can throw the car about with utter confidence, wet or dry and it does as it should.

Overall, I'm pleased...my father has just fitted a full set to his Mk5 GT 170PD and can't fault them either. (225/45/17)
He had the Bridgestones and hated them. The Goodyears make a better job of putting 170TDI torque down than the Bridgestones aever did (same driver, same car).

Neither of us have done enough miles to comment on the lack of life issues some complain of...although, personally, if I get 6000-8000 miles out of a front set I'll be happy, bearing in mind the grip available...rather that than 15000 miles on something that appears to be made of ebony.

To each their own...

But backroads, lots of power and torque and a heavy right foot isn't going to set any low wear records!

[Steve30]

Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics , I found these very poor in winter but great summer tyre , once it gets down to low tempetures struggle (crap in snow!!)

[Ess_Three]

Goodyear F1 Asymmetrics , I found these very poor in winter but great summer tyre , once it gets down to low tempetures struggle (crap in snow!!)

Hence I took Neil's other suggestion of Vredestein Wintrac Extremes for winter:



No tyre that's great in summer can be good in winter...it's not possible.
You either get average performance all year round, or superb performance in summer, with awful winter manners...and you fit winter tyres in winter which are sublime when the temperature is below 7 degrees C...and lethal when it's much above!

[Steve30]

Vredestein Sessanta Ultracs  are they summer tyres Es3?

[Ess_Three]

Vredestein Sessanta Ultracs  are they summer tyres Es3?

Summer to all year round. More summer than cold/winter though.
I was tempted myself....heard many good things about them, but chose to go with Neil's views on the same car/wheels.

[R32UK]

i have run the bridgstones, dunlops, and goodyears.

The goodyears by far the best by a mile. Admittedly not so so great in winter conditions but then how many tyres are. the only other I would fit myself are the ps3's.

Have been following all the tyre threads since the mk5 gti... con :nerd:sistently the top 3 are ps3, goodyear f1's and the vred's.