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Bridgestone Potenza RE050A Run Flat Reviews - Page 5

Given 73% while driving a Audi A4 2.0 TDi 170 S Line (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 18,000 average miles
Very variable reviews mainly from BMW drivers but on an Audi A4 with 17 inch rims they seem quite reasonable for a Run Flat. Good grip in the dry, reasonable grip in the wet, a bit noisy but not excessively so for Run Flats. Fronts have lasted just under 18000, backs will probably last about 25000 despite the car being nose heavy and a lot of my driving being on poor A roads in the Peak District.

Have used them in snow without problems but I grew up with cross plys many years ago and think that for many drivers it's lack of practice and unreasonable expectations for what is a summer tire.
December 5, 2014
Given 61% while driving a BMW (225/ R18) on a combination of roads for 67,000 average miles
These are good tires. 2 sets for 67000 miles! That is great I think! But a big but for me was the comfort. Really not good but is fun flats full stop. I have a bmw 330d sport had to look out for any bump in the road. Changed to non run flat tires now I look for bumps in the road. Car on turn in not quite as sharp on turn in. But only done about 30 miles on them. Half the road noise too. If like me was reading and thinking if I should change to non run flat tires. I would for sure change them. Not a cost thing to me. More everyday comfort. Tires I put on by the way are Vredestein Ultrac Vorti. From people's great reviews not tire tests results. Hope these last as long! But sure they won't. Will do and update on them soon.
September 20, 2014
Given 53% while driving a BMW 335D (255/30 R19 W) on a combination of roads for 15,000 average miles
Quite the worst tire I have ever driven on. Probably fine on a track, but for everyday useless. Harsh and noisy are the only two adjectives I could use that could be repeated here. I am a professional driver by occupation and I've never come across a more uncomfortable tire before. Can't wait to change them and will go foe Goodyear Eagle F1s without a second thought. Don't buy these unless you are a committed speed freak! Had an unexplainable blowout last Monday and the tire split halfway around the inner rim. Run flat - Pah!
September 6, 2014
Given 94% while driving a Porsche 996 C4S (225/45 R17 W) on a combination of roads for 7,000 average miles
Ive had my 996 for over four years, its a 3.6 carrera 4s tiptronic... The car is awesome but only as good as the rubber it wears, ive run bridgestone potenza so2a's for a few times and in the re05a' s are like slicks in comparison, ive run pirreli's before and i hated them, the bridgestone re's are brilliant and suit the porsche so well, only fault i can say is they always pop on the inner rims on the rears if u dont change them on the wear limits but they hold well in a 70mph blow out on a bend and that says alot in a safety aspect... Good tires, highly recommended and u will get around 7000 miles out of then with steady family driving...
Happy motoring folks and if anyone says boxsters are crap go and drive one. U want a porsche, any porsche is a fantastic car to own...
May 2, 2014
Given 87% while driving a BMW 320 d (225/45 R17 W) on a combination of roads for 27,000 spirited miles
Use RE050A on BMW 320d e90. The rear tires lasted for 44.000km. Never have a problem with them. Dry grip is amazing.
I am from Spain and we have good weather conditions in general but i ride with them in snow "without" big problems.
At the end of his life i did some drifting sesions and the tires still traction very well.

I want to try now the Hankook ventus s1 k107 RFT and if they arent as good as this RE050A i will go back to this Bridgestone tires.
April 4, 2014
Porsche (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 0 average miles
Bought these tires as I thought that run flats would be a good idea on my wife's car meaning she could probably make it home without calling anyone out. The problem with these tires are they are so unforgiving giving an extremely hard ride. I have just changed them for contis feels so much more responsive straight away. My tire fitter said that they are standard figment to bmw's but they have adapted suspension to cope with them other cars do not
February 13, 2014
Given 43% while driving a BMW Z4 Coupe (225/40 R18 W) on a combination of roads for 8,000 spirited miles
Having covered a good 8k or so spirited miles on these tires in the last 12 months, I can say that these tires have little or no redeeming features. The tramlining is horrific and at times can snap the steering wheel sharply from your hand - and I'm no stranger to much wider, slim profile runflats. Moderate acceleration or bumpy surfaces in the wet cause the traction control to kick in constantly. Slow wet roundabouts are a nightmare of understeer, which gives you no confidence on faster wet corners. Any amount of standing water on a motorway causes aquaplaning from 60mph upwards. All in all, a dreadful and frankly unsafe tire. Buy at your peril. I have just ordered Goodyear Eagle F1 Asy 2 (non-rfs) and will review in due course.
February 3, 2014
Given 44% while driving a BMW 325d M Sport (255/35 R18 W) on a combination of roads for 10,000 spirited miles
Grip and traction in the dry are good, with positive turn-in, fairly progressive break-away and strong resistance to understeer. Initially they were surprisingly good in greasy conditions too, although not when really wet. As they've started to wear, their susceptibility to aquaplaning has become quite scary. As other reviewers have noted they also give a very hard ride, tramline all over the place and make the steering extremely heavy. Given the wet winter we're having, it was a relief to put on my winter tires which give much more confidence in standing water, eliminate the tramlining and lighten the steering. I really wouldn't recommend these tires and will be replacing them with non-runflats as soon as I can bear the cost.
January 31, 2014
Given 59% while driving a BMW 330i M Sport Coupe (255/35 R18 W) on a combination of roads for 3,000 spirited miles
Came standard on my 330i e92. The tire is a great summer tire and dry grip is very impressive. However things change dramatically when the tire is faced with wet weather and standing water. They have poor resistance to aquaplaning and constantly light up the DTC, even in a straight line.
I have replaced the potenza's with sottozero's for the winter. And after looking at reviews for a more versatile summer tire I will be putting on pilot sports when the time comes.
January 27, 2014
Given 64% while driving a BMW 320D Sport Plus (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 22,000 average miles
These tires came fitted as standard to my 2012 3 series. After 15 months and 22000 miles, the rears are almost on the wear indictor.
Cant fault the grip in the dry. Good feedback. Never had the back step out even under "spirited" driving conditions. Always felt in control and secure that the tires were doing their job.
In the wet, they aren't that great. But greasy roads could be partly to blame.
Quite hard on the ride quality (as most run flats are).

Switched to Continental Winter tires for the next 3-4 months which gives me time to research and review what summer tires to buy next. Unlikely to be RE050A's.
January 18, 2014
Given 70% while driving a BMW 135i (225/45 R18 W) on mostly town for 7,500 average miles
Not bad tires, but compared to michelin pilot sport ps2 that I had in my other cars, these tires can't compete on dry grip, nor wet. They also didn't really last that much, although the treadwear index is considerably higher by these.
Still, I'm trying other brands now in my 135i

Conclusion: Not bad tires at all, but for that price you can definitely get better ones.
January 9, 2014
Given 37% while driving a BMW 330i M SPORT SALOON (225/40 R18 W) on a combination of roads for 1,500 average miles
I recently bought a BMW 330i M Sport, it came with these tires fitted as I believe they are OE spec. Having owned many cars and having used tires like Conti's, Goodyear, Pirelli I was quite happy to find the car came with a good premium brand tire.

However driving with them is another story, an extremely harsh ride over even the smallest bump and potholes. Tramlining at high speeds. In the wet you really have to go easy as they feel like your driving on plastic. They seems to have all the characteristics of a budget tire.

I don't think I'll be buying these again, it seems a shame that a company like BMW who are known for quality decide to fit such poor tires to a car.
January 8, 2014

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