POTENZA RE050A

Between 2006 and 2015 I have driven these on highways, cities and mountian roads.
Hundreds of times on the limit and dozens beyond. Very clear linear feedback saved me plenty of times.
The most informative tire I have driven in my life. Worn 2 sets to almost slick.
Drove them in all conditions including snow or ice... never crashed...
20k miles is maximum distance per set of tires if You push on them often when dry
- they can wear before 10k.
Grip was appropriate for the price and the times. Comfort is mediocre as an old jdm car from 90-ties on lowered springs
it lacked the refiniement on bumpy roads at 245/45 sidewall height wasnt enough to smoothen the road cracks.
I can see one can still buy them today since 2010 or so... Interestingly they seem to be still in production.
Thanks to the Bridgestone for making it.

I left a previous review in 2020 and I’ll start this one, how I finished the last. Quite a few of the poor reviews relate to the run-flat version or BMWs, which are probably running run-flats. Those tyres have a separate page on this website and if they were removed from this NON run-flat page, these tyres would score higher.
My first review at 3,000 miles was very positive and I’m pleased to say things carried on in a similar vein. My only two concerns were “wear” and given I’m writing this review over 5 years and another 50,000 miles later, answers that one. In fact, most of the tyre widths still have 2-3mm left (must be my Jim Clark driving style [I wish]), but my performance estate runs some negative camber and the inner shoulders were shot.
The other was cold temperatures, which I understand afflicted the previous RE040, but not these tyres. Sub 5 degrees on damp back roads was not a problem.
In short, dry / wet grip, feedback and handling were all top notch, especially running an extra 2.5psi, which made the car feel even more “planted” and inspired additional confidence. Being 93XL load, compared to the OE 89SL, they needed an extra 0.5psi in any case. Comfort was still reasonable, I didn’t notice any noise and economy was as expected.
Finally, I hardly noticed any deterioration in performance near their end of life, as I was still chasing down faster metal on cold damp back roads with confidence. Perhaps the odd slight twitch through standing water, which is only to be expected, given the loss of tread.
Would I buy again? Without doubt, although Bridgestone no longer make them in my size, so I’ve gone for a set of Kumho Ecsta Sport PS72, as I’m on a budget and these mid-market tyres have reviewed well since their launch.

Factory fit on a Skoda Octavia RS Wagon. Excellent grip when new and for first 6,000km. Wore down quickly after and wet grip deteriorated. Harder sidewall resulted in excellent handling & feedback but a harder ride. Replaced with Michelin Pilot Sport 4 which did most things better.

I inherited these tyres on a 2010 Porsche Boxter S. In the dry from a standing start it sends the traction control off at anything above 1/2 throttle. In the wet they are not much good also. They fare better for handling. There is plenty of tread left and they are not too old 03/22 on the ID mark but they need to be replaced asap to get the best out of the car.

These tyres came on my car from factory when I purchased my 124 Spider brand new. I got 38k kms out of them before I replaced them with the exact same spec of tyre. Dry handling is phenomenal, wet grip is good until the tyre starts to get worn out. Had minimal wet grip and instances of aquaplaning just before I replaced them with a new set of RE050A's. Comfort is not the greatest but that is to be expected with a proper UHP tyre. Tyre cost is very pricey but it does everything you want an UHP tyre to do. I will consider other options next time as i don't believe they live up to their price but they are a good tyre.