I need to replace my 4 Bridgestone Potenza RE050 215/45 R17 87W tyres, i've been quoted €640 all in (fitted/balanced). As an alternative (non-budget tyre) I've been quoted €415 for Kumho ECSTA HM91W, and told they are an excellent tyre (fitted as standard on new Kia's)... review sites give mixed reviews dependent on the tyre chosen, and I cant see this exact model reviewed - any advice/experience would be appreciated. They are for my 02 Lexus IS200 and have always been happy with the Bridgestone except for wear
I had these tyres on an '07 Hyundai I bought a few years ago, I was very happy with them, good handling, hard wearing (got about 60,000km out of them if I remember correctly). I got the same brand again when it came to changing tyres.
Bridgestones are excellent tyres and I have RE050 205/40 17s on my car, exceptional water dispersal and very grippy in the dry as well.
Unfortunately, you can't have it both ways as something always gets compromised. A long-lasting tyre won't grip as well as a a grippy tyre which will wear out faster. There is just no satisfactory way out of the conundrum that I have found, but I put safety first.
When I owned and drove Imprezas they always came with the older RE040 Potenzas fitted; I never found a satisfactory substitute apart from Goodyear Eagles