Bridgestone Potenza 245 40 R19 RE050A 98W XL

[davhan]

Bridgestone Australia import only one version of the Bridgestone Potenza 245 40 R19 RE050A 98W XL tyre.

Are there more versions you ask?

Yes there are.

Parallel importers bring in a YZ version (RE050AYZ).

There may be more versions I don't know.

Neither Bridgestone Australia nor the tyre shop/parallel importer will tell you about the version. You must check it yourself.

Bridgestone Australia import and sell only one version. This is the FZ version (RE050AFZ).

My Holden has RE050AFZ stamped on the tyres and also the GM TPC approval code. The YZ version has RE050AYZ stamped on the tyre.

Bridgestone Australia will not provide any support for the YZ version. They will not comment on the performance differences nor the differences in safety for Australian roads and weather conditions.

Bridgestone's technician said it is probably not best to drive a 3:1 combination of FZ:YZ tyres. Pairing on the same axle or having all 4 of the same version should be ok. There are no specific facts available to confirm it.

The differences between the FZ and YZ version of the tyre are significant. These include differences in the tyre construction. YZ has very thin water removal grooves, road surface area is more and section width is wider, crown radius is smaller, tread compound is different (it may wear down faster on Australian roads), sidewall material is different. I think it is a "summer tyre" for countries overseas. The FZ tyre is an "all weather tyre" suited to Australian road and weather conditions.

However both versions are only advertised as a Bridgestone Potenza 245 40 R19 RE050A 98W XL tyre. The version is not disclosed in any advertisement by either Bridgestone Australia nor a parallel importer/tyre shop. Caveat emptor.

[dgp]

Interesting info.
I wonder what version is available for import from The Tyre Rack in the States.
Thanks for posting.

[Micks]

Is most likely the reason the Holden original OEM's don't last too long then! Good info mate. ;)

[BLACK 346]

Thanks for sharing that mate, and great first post. I have the S001 on the back of my Calais in 275 at the moment, and whilst they are not a bad tyre I will probably try some Michelin Pilot Sport once they are due for replacement.

[Smitty]

Bridgestone Australia import only one version of the Bridgestone Potenza 245 40 R19 RE050A 98W XL tyre.
.......................

VE SSV sedans out of the factory had 245/40/19 RE50 Bridgies but they were rated at 94W
how did they get into the country?

[BLACK 346]

On a side note, is anyone running the S003 yet? I priced them the other day and nearly fell over lol. Would be good to hear some real world reviews of them.

[Smashfist]

Do you mean RE003? I have a set here waiting to go on my ute in 20". The tread pattern looks like it has heaps of contact and the tyres feel sticky as.

[davhan]

Cool.
Thanks for the thanks... I like Michelin and will likely do the same when current tyres wear out. Btw. The specific FZ tyres were originally from a VF SSV.
Interesting that JustCommodores Forum moderator placed a ban on me "never to be lifted" for "slandering a sponsor". I have no clue how that person came to that conclusion. Hmmm. Very odd.

[BLACK 346]

Do you mean RE003? I have a set here waiting to go on my ute in 20". The tread pattern looks like it has heaps of contact and the tyres feel sticky as.

Yes, that is exactly what I meant :)