Bridgestones, whats the problem?

[cyclopops]

I have not got a GTD yet but I assume they come with Bridgestones, and I see lots of people commenting on the Bridgestones, can anyone tell me what the issue is?

[GeoBog]

They are cr@p. Noisy, rubbish grip especially in wet conditions, a lot of wheel spin in first, etc hence why most of people have swapped them with Michelin PSS including me. That is a brilliant tyre.

[fredgroves]

Wheels spin up loads from standing/low speeds under hard acceleration. Happens more when its cold (ambient, not engine!) than warm and once they have worn down, can happen all over the shop - you can even feel it 60-70mph if you nail it.

I've had Goodyears and PS3's since the BS's went and both p*ss all over them.

Only thing is, the BS's last forever, my rears are still going from factory fitted after almost 40k!

Doesn't seem to be a problem on the rear, just the fronts.

[Sootchucker]

Lack of sheer outright grip - simple as that. Quick getaways (especially in the wet or damp), usually involves lots of wheelspin and tramping and very little movement.

Dry grip not too bad but not the best, and they are far from the quietest tyre as well.

On the positive side (there had to be one), they are quite a hard tyre so tyre wear is pretty good. I've got over 20,000 miles on my original set still with 4mm left on them, but will be changed for Conti's or Goodyear Asymettrical's when the Christmas expense is paid for.

[GeoBog]

Depends on how you drive as well. I managed to "eat" the fronts in under 14k miles with less than 2mm thread left. Rears were still above 4-5mm but I swapped all 4 of them with PSS -> best mod.

[cyclopops]

thanks for the replies.

surely then they are not fit for purpose as VW should be held accountable and provide tyres that are suitable to the cars performace, has anyone challenged VW about this?

[Booth11]

thanks for the replies.

surely then they are not fit for purpose as VW should be held accountable and provide tyres that are suitable to the cars performace, has anyone challenged VW about this?

Iirc, I believe Monkeyhanger did challenge VW about Bridgestone some time earlier in the year.  Think he wrote to them.  I'm sure he'll confirm this and tell you what their response (if any) was.

[Booth11]

thanks for the replies.

surely then they are not fit for purpose as VW should be held accountable and provide tyres that are suitable to the cars performace, has anyone challenged VW about this?

Iirc, I believe Monkeyhanger did challenge VW about Bridgestones some time earlier in the year.  Think he wrote to them.  I'm sure he'll confirm this and tell you what their response (if any) was.

[Db4193]

If they are potenzas I'd be ditching them as soon as replacement time comes. I ate through a set in my old type r in 5-6k miles. Grip wasn't great and were cr@p in the wet. Fitted Goodyear eagle f1's all round which were in a different league in the dry and wet, they are also cheaper too 

[monkeyhanger]

I did challenge VW on the Bridgestones in a letter, stating that they impeded the GTD with frequent tramping not seen on new GTDs received on different tyres. I stated that they weren't fit for purpose on a car marketed as a performance model.

I got a standard customer services spin response, acknowledging my points without admitting anything. No way in the world that VW would have these fitted to their test fleet which they use to determine official performance figures.