Bridgestone Potenza s001 vs Continental Sport Contact 5 's tyres

[Watts]

Thanks Jim_mk7.5! I also see autoexpress last week? did a really nice summer tyre test, results are partially shown here: http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Article/2017-Auto-Express-Summer-Tyre-Test.htm.  Michelin PS4 wasn't tested but Continental Premium Contact 5 and Dunlop Sport (BluResponse   version) were with similar good results.

In my personal situation its a bit tricky to get rid of the potenza because its only half worn and the 3rd Cont Sp Contact is worn.

I can't imagine it can be a good thing driving with 2 very contrasting tyres especially on the front axle unless you are a very reserved driver and could be potentially dangerous and confusing to the ESP of the car. I might sound a bit paranoid but my experiences were very different once I changed the front set and couldn't imagine driving with 1 of each.

I'd agree with that and think it's best to play captain cautious when it comes to tyres. In that one off event where you really need some predictability for your life I'd be worried that two different tyres on either axle wouldn't cut it. As we all know from the tests, different brands perform very differently in certain circumstances so having two different ones on a single axle can't be a good idea. I've been careful with mine and kept rotating them to keep the wear even so I'll be replacing all four soon. Plus these are performance cars, they deserve quality!

[Jim_mk7.5]

Had some heavy rain this am.. Can confirm that brand new S001's have seemingly zero traction when wet, despite summer temps. Pretty shocking really for a performance tyre on a performance car. Might have to direct an email of complaint in the direction of VW UK.

[mattwilko92]

The bridgestones are hard, but they are actually a good all rounder. My GTI has them (from new), just rotated them at 8k miles and its still like its on rails. I will be replacing with Michelin PS4’s though, ive heard nothing but good things about them.

[fredgroves]

I swapped to PS3 on the front of my last gtd. Like night and day. I also had Goodyear f1's which aren't considered top notch and they were better than the bs but not as good as PS3

[mcmaddy]

I've done nearly 7000 miles on the factory Bridgestones and not once have I thought I need to replace these for something else. If it's damp or raining you can't drive the same as you would in dry conditions so why try and then complain that the tyres aren't up to it. Tyre pressure makes a massive difference so to everyone whining about the Bridgestones have your checked your pressures are correct.

[Daz Auto]

I've done nearly 7000 miles on the factory Bridgestones and not once have I thought I need to replace these for something else.

Lots of people have a different experience of Bridgestone tyres.

When I changed from Bridgestone to Goodyear, it really was like driving a different car. Many people find the same thing.

In my experience, Bridgestone tyres were really poor when it was cold and wet. Where I live in the UK, that is 6 months of the year. So for 6 months I had to be careful not to accelerate too hard out of junctions or the wheels would easily spin. Careful not to brake too hard or the ABS would be on, when meeting another car on a dark country lane. Careful when accelerating out of a roundabout because there was a risk of understeer. Goodyear tyres fixed all that. After changing the tyres it became much more difficult to loose front end grip.

It was when I changed the tyres I realised just how poor the Bridgestone tyres were and how good the car was.

[I wanted a GTi]

I've done nearly 7000 miles on the factory Bridgestones and not once have I thought I need to replace these for something else. If it's damp or raining you can't drive the same as you would in dry conditions so why try and then complain that the tyres aren't up to it. Tyre pressure makes a massive difference so to everyone whining about the Bridgestones have your checked your pressures are correct.

Thing is though is that with a great tyre like PS4's the difference between performance in wet and dry is not that big but with the Bridgestone's it is huge.

[fredgroves]

I think Daz echoes my thoughts exactly. I'm no Lewis Hamilton and don't drive stupidly, yet its obvious to me.

We've kicked this one around so much on here over the years though and the majority agree.

I can't remember, but gut feeling is that the GTD seems to suffer more than the GTI, probably down to massive diesel torque at low revs.

Of course the R is different again and the 4WD fixes the problem.

[scanesare]

Of course the R is different again and the 4WD fixes the problem.

Absolutely. I still remember I couldn't believe Dan Prosser who ran that R long-termer at EVO saying when time came for changing tyres he went with Bridgestones again because although not the best, they worked ok on the car. Having read EVO for years he generally knows his stuff so it goes to show how much the AWD covers up a bad tyre.

Also on a recent racing event with my Clubsport on Bridgestones I could spin the tyres even in 4th gear iirc on the wet it was horrendous. Ok all that extra torque from the JB1 can't have helped much to tone done the behaviour but other Clubsports with Michelins didn't seem to struggle half as much on corner exits so a change is on the menu for next spring to enjoy more of what the car has to offer.

[fredgroves]

At least that was track levels of driving, rather than just on the road.

I could spin my GTD wheels without trying at all - 1st or 2nd or 3rd or even 4th in the wet!