Bridgestones, whats the problem?

[Sootchucker]

Of course you are right Jackie but even from new the Bridgestone's were always noisy and straight off the bat, the new Tyres are much quieter. Also I do remember less than in a week into ownership of the car when the Bridgestones were very new thinking there was something wrong with the car when pulling away at just a medium throttle from a set of traffic lights seeing the traction control light come on and the wheels just spin, (which they have done on countless occasions since).

Obviously very early doors for the Goodyears at the moment,  but they certainly feel like a much better suited product for the car.

[JBirchy]

Interesting to read your review Sootchucker. I have my Michelin Pilot Alpin 4 Winters on at the moment, and even those are miles better than the Bridgestones.

I'm due a full set of summer tyres in March/April time and I'm considering my options. Given how impressed I've been with the Michelin Winters, I was just going to stick with the brand and go for a set of Pilot Sport 3's but might consider the Goodyears too.

The Continental won the EVO summer tyre test (in which they used a MK7 GTI as a test car, so I'll be hard pushed to make the decision.

I still can't quite believe that VW chose the Bridgestone for the MK7 performance Golf range, it's bloody awful in all but the driest of conditions from my 23,000. Even when new, I experienced the same as you in terms of the wheelspin when pulling away.

[titchy]

Just a thought, has anyone ever tried to get the tyres changed under warranty? If they're as bad as people are making out then surely it can't be any less important than an abnormally large panel gap or scratch or noise etc.

I've already made my dealer aware of my concerns about the Bridgestone's based on what I've read so when I pick it up, if I drive out of the showroom and spin the wheels up I'll be taking it straight back.

[fredgroves]

Its not that you CAN'T spin the wheels up with something else (with all of the torque a GTD delivers its not unreasonable to expect some cases) its just that the better choices do it far less and across a broader range of ambient temperature and wetness...

I tried out my latest PS3's and from a cold start a spirited getaway still lights up the traction control.

They are however a load better than the BS's ever were, as were my previously Goodyears.

Both the PS3 and Goodyears once warm won't spin up a speed (30-50mph, full throttle).

I'd echo the comment that the BS's aren't "lethal" but they are sub-standard for a premium vehicle and a premium tyre brand.

[Sootchucker]

Yeah pretty much agree with what Fred just said. The Bridgestones were far from lethal, just not very well suited to the GTD's torque. My wife has Bridgestones on her similar age Polo Blue GT (140ps Petrol), although they are not S001's but RE050A, and they are great, good traction, pretty quiet and wearing well. Just not on the Golf 7 it would seem unless you are lucky enough to own an R, where the 4WD flatters them 

Jbirchy : In answer to you, those three you mention were my short-list - The Goodyear F1 Asymmetrical, The Conti 5's or the Michelin's either PS3 or PSS. The reason I went with the Goodyear's were a) Cost - for a set of 4, the AS3's were about £40.00 cheaper than the next (Conti 5's) with the PS3 over £75 more and the PSS £150 more for 4. and b) I've had Eagle F1 AS2 on a MK5 Golf and they were stunning, so that sort of made my decision for me.

I'm not saying of course any of these 4 mentioned tyres above are better than the other, but all will be a big improvement on the standard fit Bridgestone's (in fact the PSS may well be the best).

[jv]

I'm due a full set of summer tyres in March/April time and I'm considering my options. Given how impressed I've been with the Michelin Winters, I was just going to stick with the brand and go for a set of Pilot Sport 3's but might consider the Goodyears too.

The Continental won the EVO summer tyre test (in which they used a MK7 GTI as a test car, so I'll be hard pushed to make the decision.

The same expert source you quote has the Sport 3's you are thinking of in 8th place, Bridgestone in 9th. Why believe them for one and not the other?

The Mrs mighty 89bhp Kia came with Sport Contact 5's. Not really sure what that says about manufacturer tyre sourcing 

[monkeyhanger]

Sootchucker: I had no doubt you'd see a marked difference, all of your shortlist would've been a big upgrade. I personally chose PSS because taking into account the Costco rebate, there were coppers between them and the Conti 5s and Eagle Asys in 19".

It's the low temps and perpetual winter dew dampness on a morning commute that really show the BSs up.

Looking back through my old posts I was calling the BSs  for tramping from day 1 with my GTD, so in agreement with you that you'require not comparing old with new.

With the unseasonably warm winter until a few weeks ago the Bridgestones weren't completely atrocious on the R with the Haldex undoubtedly saving tramping that I would have had on another GTD. Definitely seems worse for GTDs than GTIs going off the for and against votes here.

[Exonian]

possibly because a lot of GTI's came with Conti 2's, (at least in the early days). The GTI has a smoother torque build up than the GTD too despite what the power graphs would tell you. The only time I ever suffered any major wheelspin in my GTI was on a salted road in very low temps running Conti 3's being a bit brutal with the right pedal. The GTD torque hits in a nice big wallop!

A few years ago the mk6 section was full of people slating the cold weather grip on Goodyear F1's.

Forums and tyres eh?

Personally I'm going for Rainsports next time as a) I cover a piddly mileage and b) aside from about three days it's done nothing but rain in the South West for at least nine months.

[fredgroves]

There are lots of different technical reasons different tyres suit different cars... maybe the Mk6 was heavier or less torquey...

However you would expect that the OEM fit took this into account and that the factory choice was the most suitable....

But no, its all down to price point on a negotiated bulk deal, which doesn't necessarily play out when you or I try to buy them ourselves... my lease company say the BS's are too expensive compared to Goodyears or PS3's... figure that out!

[seabrook132]

Good to hear your enjoying the Goodyears! I have a set of Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3s stored in my garage ready to be fitted to my car on Friday 29th. Have the F1 A2s at the min and they've been a superb tyre, grippy in all conditions and have lasted almost 35k on my car with rotation front to back now and then.