Bridgestones or Michelins?

[Kendahl]

At 45k miles, it's time to replace the original tires on my 2008 G37S coupe. I don't want to get the same ones that came on the car which are Bridgestone Potenza RE050A. They are no longer that highly rated even though they are the most expensive choice at TireRack. After considerable reading of their road tests and customer reviews, I have two candidates: Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position and Michelin Pilot Super Sport. According to the tests, the Michelins are a bit better at 10/10ths but the Bridgestones are easier to drive. Owner reviews are mixed. Since the Michelins are $300 more expensive than the Bridgestones but not clearly better, I am leaning toward the Bridgestones. Does anyone have experience with either tire?

[Warpkor]

I have run both tires, though I have the coupe with the sport suspension. Hands down the Michellin Super Sports are quieter, less hoppy and last longer than the RE050s. I'm on my second set of Super Sports. The Michellins are so much better for what I'm looking for (read quieter) that I won't even consider the Bridgestones.

[kmckis1029]

I like Nitto..

[arrow23]

Nitto Invo's are great

[Tim30250]

In my 20 years of driving sports coupes/sedans, muscle cars, etc. I've used a lot of sets of performance tires. The Michelin Pilot Super Sports I'm currently running on both my cars are far superior to any other tires I've had. That list would include Bridgestone S03 and 04, RE050, Goodyear F1, Conti Pro, Yokohama S Drive, Pirelli P Zero, et al. All premium performance tires, none of which can hold a candle to the Michelin PSS in any important performance category - acceleration and braking grip, lateral traction wet and dry, noise, and wear. I've never tried any of the second tier performance stuff - Nitto, Kuhmo, and the like, but based on user and tester reviews, I don't think they could compete either. If price is a factor you may want to consider a tire other than the Michelin PSS, but if it isn't, there's no reason to look any further as this tire is superior to all of its peers in every measurable aspect.

[audtatious]

Michelin Super Sports hands down. I went from the Potenza to Hankook's to Conti DWS and now the SS's. SS's are awesome!

[Kendahl]

Bridgestone Super Sports hands

Bridgestone or Michelin? On TireRack's web site, the Super Sports are Michelin Pilot SS. The Bridgestones are the RE050, which I don't want, or the Potenza S-04 Pole Position.

Tim, your comments about the Michelins versus everything else have switched me to them. Audatious, if you meant Michelins, too, that settles it. Considering how long the RE050s lasted, I figure the extra cost for the Michelins works out to a dollar a week.

[audtatious]

Damn, did I screw that up. Yes, they are Michelin SS. Granted, the RE050a Bridgestone's did OK when I was stock but still not as good as the Super Sports.

[djimakplon]

Another vote for Michelin Pilot Super Sports. I recently traded my 2008 in for a 2012. I made them transfer my tires from the 2008.

[Kendahl]

Early this week, I swallowed hard and sprung for the Michelins. $1,300 installed at a trustworthy local dealer. No complaints so far. Compared to the Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires at the end of their life, the Michelins are quieter and ride better.

[audtatious]

The only negative I have is that they follow truckers ruts a bit and lines on the road....but every tire I have owned with that style tread pattern have done the same thing so It's not the tire itself.

Wait until you deal with heavy rain compared to the Potenza's.

[Kendahl]

I haven't noticed any tendency to follow ruts. It was a significant annoyance with the RE050s. Wherever there is a difference between the Michelins and the RE050s, the Michelins are better.

[LuckyLuke]

I like hankook tires for comfort and less road noise, but it doesn't last as long as Nitto tires...