Bridgestone Potenza Sport Reviews - Page 2

Given 10% while driving a Volkswagen Passat B8 Estate 2.0TFSI 280hp (235/40 R19) on a combination of roads for 0 miles
After 3 years the sidewalls are completely cracked to the point questioning the safety of this product. Bridgestone support Czechia was provided with photos and manufacture date and didnt even bother to respond. Never more Bridgestone.
Helpful 3 - tire reviewed on August 5, 2024
Given 63% while driving a Mercedes Benz CLA 250 4 matic (235/35 R19) on a combination of roads for 14,000 average miles
Really love the grip while they lasted. Steering feel and grip is one of the best in my opinion. Am comparing them mainly with PS4S and PZ4. They start to get really noisy after 12,000 km. Comfort isn't their strongest when compared to similar range in other brands.

My only main gripe is they only lasted 24,000 km which makes them really expensive to run. However, their performance degradation was minimal even at end of life but I had to change them as tread was almost bare.
Helpful 2 - tire reviewed on August 5, 2024
Volkswagen TOUAREG V6 TDI (285/40 R21) on mostly town for 200 easy going miles
As I've only had these Potenza Sports fitted for about 4 weeks, I think it's way too soon to provide any kind of feedback as to their performance. I drive a 3 year old VW Touareg 3.0 TDi Black Edition that I've had from new. It came with Bridgestone Alenzas all round. After over 3 years and 31000 miles, the back tires still have 4mm of tread depth left on them - to say I am pleased is an understatement. I've had to obviously replace the front tires, and just recently, due to a slight mix up with my tire supplier, I've ended up with Potenza Sports on the front. My car was due into my local VW retailer last week, and as part of the service, they carried out a vehicle health check. To my horror, their report stated that the front tires only had 6mm tread depth!! Having done some research into this, I have been informed by Bridgestone that new Potenza Sports are supplied as new with only 6mm tread depth. They say that these tires are made using new 'Enlighten Technology' and that they should provide the same wear as my Alenzas. Time will tell, but I just wondered whether the drivers who have already provided reviews know that their new Potenza Sports are supplied with only 6mm tread depth when new. It may be that I am behind the times - if so, I apologise to all who read this for wasting your time.
Helpful 1 - tire reviewed on July 6, 2024
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Given 77% while driving a Toyota RAV4 (235/55 R19) on mostly motorways for 13,000 average miles
Good grip both in dry and wet conditions, pretty comfort, road noise is mild to a bit loud.
Will definitely re-buy again.
Helpful 2 - tire reviewed on April 18, 2024
Given 90% while driving a Audi A3 (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 15,000 spirited miles
I tried Uhp-Max performance tires from all the premium brands. Michelin's strong point is durability and comfort, Dunlop and Goodyear good balance, Continental's driving on wet surfaces. The strong point of these Bridgestones is certainly the grip, stability and driving precision on dry surfaces. On dry surfaces they instil record-breaking safety. The steering is pleasantly direct and requires no corrections.
When it comes to road holding, they never seem to give up.
Even in the wet they are very good, but let's face it, the wet is a condition where few drivers push hard, and today many silica compounds from many tire brands prove to be amply sufficient for almost everyone.
Obviously if you are looking for comfort, silence and low fuel consumption, you can find them in excellent touring tires from many brands,
but we're talking about performance here, so I have nothing else to add.
Helpful 33 - tire reviewed on February 15, 2024
Given 69% while driving a Audi A3 Sportback (225/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 22,000 spirited miles
Before the Potenza, I had two set of Dunlop Sport Maxx, RT as OEM tire and then RT2, both great great tires, the perfect blend of sportiness and endurance, with only wet grip as weaker point. I decided yo give a chance to Bridgestone.
I've made already 35k km (22k miles) on them. The tires are quite worn, I think I could put another 5-6 k km before change.
I'll split the review into two main sections, NEW tire and WORN tire because the feedback has changed during quite two years of ownership.

NEW tire. Coming from Dunlop, the first thing I've noticed was a slightly better initial turn-in, not a huge difference however. The feedback at the steering wheel is more or less the same. But with Bridgestone the car feels more nervous; if you push hard on a curvy road you can feel the rear weaving too much. I think that's because the overall balance for the tires is front-oriented. And, for me, this is not confident inspiring.
As for the grip, on summer's hot tarmacs the dry grip was not so good. The tires feels "soapy" and too much sensitive on inflate pressure. At the OEM pressure, the tires offered very poor dry grip; reducing it of 0.2-0.3 bar, the overall feeling improved a little, but with an increase in fuel consumption. Bridgestone doesn't like hot temperatures and they need to work with low pressure. Copy-paste with Battlax S22 OEM tires I found on my bike.

WORN tire. Ageing seems to be great for Bridgestone. But I think that it's not wizardry, but just wear who has improved the tire surface in contact. With quite 40k kms and two years old, now the car is less nervous, it feels more planted. Dry grip is improved and the pressure-sensibility is reduced. Only cabin noise is getting worse, but it's directly related to wear (less rubber = noise increment).

As for wet grip, in this scenario the Potenza are phenomenal. Even now that there're worn, they've loosed nothing about grip, feedback, precision and safety. They are really a wet UHP tire!

Will I buy them again? Balancing dry and wet grip, fuel consumption (increased), road feedback, feeling, and wear the answer is NO. They are good tires, but I think that there's something better on the market. The think I really disliked was the road behaviour on dry surfaces, too nervous from new. For me there’re not a sporty tire; struggling at the wheel could be funny for someone, not for me.
Next tires will be Michelin PS 5
Helpful 11 - tire reviewed on February 11, 2024
Given 77% while driving a MINI Cooper S Works (205/40 R18) on a combination of roads for 2,000 spirited miles
Bridgestone potenza sport , when I purchased my car mini cooper Jcw it had Michelin ps4 front and rear , was very happy with the way they performed, through the summer , as winter was coming and as the frt tires got go 4mm I found the car was aquaplaning even as 50 mph , time for new front tires , I have never been a Bridgestone fan ; looking at the reviews I thought I give them I try , as the mini is not a big heavy car, was not worried about wear , the differences between the ps4 and Bridgestone on my car is that the Bridgestone are better feedback, less noise, more comfort, less aquaplaning (new tire) great feel on the road, good grip wet and dry
But ! I only have had these tires on in the winter so far , I think from other reviews , I what am finding there temperature sensitive more than most other tires , I can not pull off quickly without spinning the wheels ( expected in the wet ) but in the dry spins up easy from standing compared to the ps4 . “Hope this improves in the summer” , these tires don’t like the cold as other reviews point out ,
You lose confidence in the tire when it’s cold : Would not buy again because they spin up so easy even in the dry , and lose
Confidence in the tires when it’s cold weather , will see what there like in the summer and do a review
Helpful 11 - tire reviewed on January 27, 2024
Given 93% while driving a Suzuki swift sport (205/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 7,000 spirited miles
I used tires for road and occasional track use. The best tire I’ve ever had on the swift sport. I simply love them. Also the rim protection is very good.
Helpful 22 - tire reviewed on January 17, 2024
Given 93% while driving a Audi 1.8T Quattro (255/35 R19) on mostly country roads for 5,000 spirited miles
After 2 sets of s001 runflat and s001 normal, I was undecided whether to choose Power Sport, Sport Contact 7 or F1 Super Sport. I wanted to put my trust in Bridgestone again because its tires have never let me down in difficult situations and the hard sidewall has always protected the rims from potholes and impacts. As soon as I mounted the Potenza Sport I tested them very, very much to the limit, almost like on the track. I confirm that they have a tendency to tear and crumble, but only if you overdo it by making them skate on very grainy asphalt. Driving hard, really hard but without skidding, the consumption remains excellent in relation to the performance which compared to the S001 is incredible. The leap forward in grip and steering speed is unbelievable. On dry surfaces they feel like sticky wheels at any speed up to the limit which is progressive. In the wet they are like the previous generation in the dry, unbelievable. Third factor, the steering speed and stability are unrivaled. Riding them made me overcome my curiosity about what the f1ss and sc7 could be like. Having a spirited driving style I love the Bridgestone Potenza Sport, I would never choose the Michelin PS4S, they have softer sidewall's and slower steering, they are made for mass, for the sporty driver but with little steering sensitivity, sensitivity that compensates them with excessive progressiveness in reactions. Power sports, on the other hand, are made for those who drive with maximum sensitivity throughout the body, using minimal steering wheel movements, more direct and precise, giving you fantastic sensations.
Helpful 34 - tire reviewed on October 27, 2023
Given 83% while driving a Fiat Abarth 124 Spider (205/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 18,000 spirited miles
Fitted these tires myself, noticed a hard feeling sidewall straight away. While mounting to wheels.

I find there is not a great choice of tire at this size. I love how Potenza Sport has performed. But would love to be able to try Goodyear Eagle F1 SS, Continental EC2 etc but most of these higher performance sizes are either North America exclusive or 18 inch and above.

I’ve had a look around and considered going to a cup 2 type tire but live in Scotland and don’t feel it’s worth the flight maybe gain in performance for the lack of in the rain.

I will likely buy Potenza Sport again as I cannot fault them and they are still the best option for my needs in this size. Superb feel, and unbelievable in the rain. Gives unbelievable confidence in bad conditions and for a tire that handles so well in the dry it’s fantastic.
Helpful 25 - tire reviewed on October 24, 2023
Given 81% while driving a Peugeot 207 GT (205/45 R17) on a combination of roads for 16 spirited miles
Very good dry and excellent wet grip and with very predictable behaviour. tread depth is down to 4.5mm from the initial 6.5mm in 16k miles, so wear is not a issue at least in a lightweight hatchback. Coming from pirelli p zero nerogt and Dunlop sportmax sp, the Bridgestones provide higher grip levels and more comfort in exchange for some steering feel. From my experience i would recommend them.
Helpful 32 - tire reviewed on October 13, 2023
Given 83% while driving a Mazda 3 MPS (225/40 R18) on mostly country roads for 0 spirited miles
Coming from Michelin PS3 following things really impressed me:

- Steering Feel. It is super direct and feels amazing.
- Wet Grip. It's kinda insane I have to admit I was able to push it during rainstorms.
- 1. and 2. Gear pull no wheelspin with 260hp and 380nm. No matter if dry or wet.
- Tire warms up in 3 min of normal driving

I was able to compare the performance to my friend, who was driving a Ford Focus RS MK2 with Michelin Cup2.
In the dry, cornering speed are the same at the beginning. But as soon, as the Bridgestone get to hot, they loose grip.
In the Rain it goes crazy, without any compromise you can hammer around the corners, as long, as there isn't any deep water.

If you want to use them for track, I recommend it for rainy days. In the dry, it will melt.

On the German Autobahn above 200km/h, I kinda had the feeling the tires loose a lot of precision, because they get to hot, or can't deal with high speeds for more than 5 min.
It felt like driving balloon winter tires.
This only happened on hot summer days (30°C).

Comfort is not it's strength. It feels rather harsh and is a bit noisy.

Now, I am able to test Cup2 against it.
Most difference is temperature tolerance, obviously.
Cup 2 are better above 20°C, need lots of heat to work. If it's under 20°C, it has less grip, in the cold wet it's really low.

They are surprisingly comfortable and quiet compared to the Potenza Sport.

Potenza have better wear on the streets, TW300.
Cup2 better wear on track, TW180.
Helpful 35 - tire reviewed on August 15, 2023