Bridgestones - what's actually wrong with them?

[kalimon]

I've defended them in the past, and accused people who hate them, of being arseholes who drive like fools

I've recently had to eat my words and that really sticks in my craw.

On 2 occasions I've attempted to make, how should I say, a spirited start from the lights and on both occasions I've simply spun my wheels uselessly whilst edging forward at about 3 mph

The road was a bit greasy on both occasions and there was just no traction whatsoever.

They aren't very good for sharp acceleration on anything but dry roads imo.

They will last forever, which is why I'm keeping them 'cos I'm canny

Unfortunately my PP with Conti 2s then 3s also spun the same way. If the front wheels are pointing dead straight ahead the diff does nowt and I managed to embarrass myself by being greased by a 4wd Diesel Audi barge 

I seem to make a dick of myself on a regular basis since I passed 50 

[kalimon]

I'm on my second R, nothing wrong at all with Bridgestones for sensible road use, I find they stick like glue whilst I've put my car through its paces on tight roundabouts, no slip, no squeal, no under steer. Many drivers who have had no instruction since taking the driving test complain and it is their driving style and lack of knowledge that is to blame.

Have you driven a FWD GTI or GTD fitted with them?

[fredgroves]

In theory XDS (common on all Mk7's) should fix the problem, but it doesn't.

My experience with other tyre makes is that its definitely better, but depending on the tyre make some are better than others - it can still spin up but you are talking about GTI/GTD's having a lot of torque for a light FWD car. Best I've had were Pilot Sports.

Re the sunroof and 19's - yes I'd say that this is too eliminate another set of CO2 figures that need testing. Sun roofs add drag because of the seals disrupting air flow and are heavier than the steel roof. 19's are heavier which is why they add to the figures.

 I'd guess that the official figures are probably harmonised for different optional extras, but some combinations just add too much to be allowed.

Eg adding a tow bar, leather seats, a dog guard etc will increase the weight over basic spec. Maybe its just sunroofs and wheels that are particularly noted by the test parameters.

[I wanted a GTi]

I'm on my second R, nothing wrong at all with Bridgestones for sensible road use, I find they stick like glue whilst I've put my car through its paces on tight roundabouts, no slip, no squeal, no under steer. Many drivers who have had no instruction since taking the driving test complain and it is their driving style and lack of knowledge that is to blame.

Or it could be you driving like an oap maybe?

[GeoBog]

Problem with Bridgestones is that their grip is sh!te and they wear off too quick. Also wheel spin especially when trying a spirited start and road noise. With Michelins PSS all these issues go away. They last longer as well.

Bridgestone make good tyres but unfortunately not the S100 model that comes from factory on Golfs.

[mcmaddy]

I've got them on my pp gti and up till now they've been a good tyre. Yes a bit noisy but I've managed to pull out into traffic safely without killing myself or others and they also have good grip too. This might be controversial but people complaining about spinning wheels when trying to nip into gaps etc and pulling away from lights aren't driving sensibly or safely. Do you honestly think if these tyres were dangerous they would be sold??

[falconmick]

I'm on my second R, nothing wrong at all with Bridgestones for sensible road use, I find they stick like glue whilst I've put my car through its paces on tight roundabouts, no slip, no squeal, no under steer. Many drivers who have had no instruction since taking the driving test complain and it is their driving style and lack of knowledge that is to blame.

Or it could be you driving like an oap maybe?

What driver training have you taken since passing your test?

[Bungleaio]

I managed 23.5k miles from my original fit bridgestones, I rotated them ever 5k so they wore down pretty evenly and they were replaced at about 2mm of tread.

They have been replaced with michelin pilot sport 4 a couple of weeks ago and they are better in every way, wheelspin is minimal, noise is reduced and it's a lot better in the corners. They probably won't last as long but I'm happy with them so far.

[I wanted a GTi]

I'm on my second R, nothing wrong at all with Bridgestones for sensible road use, I find they stick like glue whilst I've put my car through its paces on tight roundabouts, no slip, no squeal, no under steer. Many drivers who have had no instruction since taking the driving test complain and it is their driving style and lack of knowledge that is to blame.

Or it could be you driving like an oap maybe?

What driver training have you taken since passing your test?

Driver training on a road, none.

Driver training on a track, a fair bit combined with appropriately 3-4k of track driving. What training have you had? I bow down to your superior driving.

[p3asa]

I've got them on my pp gti and up till now they've been a good tyre. Yes a bit noisy but I've managed to pull out into traffic safely without killing myself or others and they also have good grip too. This might be controversial but people complaining about spinning wheels when trying to nip into gaps etc and pulling away from lights aren't driving sensibly or safely. Do you honestly think if these tyres were dangerous they would be sold??

I kind of agree with you but  when I had the GTD, certain large roundabouts would produce understeer if there was the slightest bit of damp. I'm not talking about going at ridiculous speeds but certainly in a brisk manner.
In the exact same conditions driving my daughters Clio or sons Swift I wouldn't get any understeer. Now that could just be different cars but why would the performance Golf be so poor compared to them?
I persevered with the tyres and only swapped them to Michelin PS3's when they had worn out. It was then night and day. I still got the odd understeer and tramping but nowhere near to the same extent.

To answer your question "Do you honestly think if these tyres were dangerous they would be sold" If you are just driving a family hatchback in a family hatchback type of way then they are absolutely fine.
However on one of the performance Golfs they aren't up to the job.

I always remember when I first got the GTD and there was loads of comments on here about Bridgestones tramping and understeer and at that point I hadn't experienced any so said as much. One of the replies was "I wasn't driving it correctly" and they were right enough