What do you, the general reader here, and the techie types, think of the Bridgestone Potenza tires for the C6 Base coupe?

Are they quiet? How about traction? I know they have reasonable tread life, through a friend who has them on his C5. He loves them.

I ahd considred the Michelin Siuper Sport PS2, but HOLY MOLY! $1600 smackers, vs, $900 for the Potenzas'. Big difference!

Thanks in advance for any comments, good or bad. I won't be offended, really! Heh.

MC

 

Generally, Bridge. makes a good tire. But which one? There are four for your car. It depends on what you want and what you're willing to pay. Just be careful since comparing one car to another is not a good comparison any more than one driver's pattern is to another. If it were me, I'd read the tirerack reviews to gain insight and also look at the surveys. Then, if you need more info, talk to Luke at tirerack.

 

I just put a set on my Vette a few months ago, the Potenza RE960A RFT (run-flat) UHP (ultrahigh performance) All-season

Not as good on dry pavement as the stock tires, about the same as Michelin Pilot UHP All-season

On wet pavement seem to be even better than the Michelin pilots, and so much better than stock tires on wet. Personally I thought the stock tires were scary in the rain and should have come with a warning to never drive in the rain, or if the temperature is below 50.

 

I bought a set of these tires for my Z28 and after a few thousand miles I took the car to the dealer because of a grinding type sound, they told me it was the tires. I replaced them and the noise disappeared. I set them on the side of the road, money well wasted. I use Michelin now.

 

Ran the Potenza summer tires on a Mustang Cobra with good results. Non-RFT. Good traction, relatively quiet, decent for track days with good wear characteristics. No problem with balancing. Overall, I was pleased. Good value.

 

Here's what tirerack lists for the Goodyears: "Eagle F1 Supercar EMT(Max Performance Summer)

Fortunately or otherwise, most places define summer as being over 50 degrees. I have felt the tires get less traction as the temps go down. Knowing that the tires were designed for maximum performance in summer-like conditions tells me not to expect the same in cooler/colder weather. Just as, if I had snow tires on for the winter in a regular sedan, I wouldn't expect the sedan to handle well in summer, 85-degree weather (or to last very long in those conditions).

I can't say my tires thru 22K miles of driving were ever scary in the rain because they weren't. But that's just what I experienced.

 

I put on S-04's 8K miles ago after using up the OEM GY, 2 sets of Invos, and about 10K on Mich A/S ZP.

My experience with a C6 is limited to only 119K miles, but here's what I've found out so far.

All the brands, RF or not, seem pretty comparable for the first 1/3 of their expected lifespan. That means the forward and lateral traction on dry or wet pavement and the road noise had not enough difference to be so significant as to make a permanent impression on my aging memory.

Now I can only comment on the remaining life of the GY's and Invos. They both retained dry traction for the middle 1/3, but the GY's started getting loose in the wet. Noise was about the same.
On the final 1/3, the GY's dry traction was going away and I needed to be far more careful in rain. The Invos had much better wet and dry traction. Even though they were fading, it was not a radical change when I put on the second set of Invos. The noise on the GY's was quite pronounced when making the switch to Invos, but somewhat less difference between the 1st and 2nd Invos.

I decided to do more research this last time, rather than simply sticking with the known Invos again. The S-04's were relative new on the market and all the reviews placed them right after the Michelins in every category other than price. Since I'm still in the 1st 1/3 of their lifetime, the jury is still deliberating. So far, they've performed well up to 160 mph, good lateral dry traction, excellent wet control, and average expected noise. My power level has increased quite a bit from new, so I really can't do a fair straight line traction comparison.

Anytime you put on new tires, they will always be better than the used ones you took off, regardless of the brands. It's what happens later that really makes the difference.

 

Never have I heard something stated better. OP, the Bridgestones are rated highly on Tire Rack, and I was close to buying a set. From the reviews I don't think you could go wrong with the S-04's. But, the tire shop I've used forever had a great sale on the Firestone Firehawk Wide Oval 500's so I thought WTH. I'm still in the above stated part of my love affair with the 500's.

 

Uh, you found the Michelin Pilot Super Sports PS2 for $1600?? Are you sure they are the PS2??
I am talking with Discount Tire as we speak and the cost of the tire in question out the door with their cert of warranty (free replacement) comes out to
**** $2433**** yowsur
in the same model Michelin tire non run flat the cost OTD with certs is
****$1775**** a little less pain but still OUCH!!!!!!!!
I am going to start a thread concerning to run flat or not, lots of opinions on this pro and con
NSF

 

I have them and love them.