Bridgestone Potenza RE003?

sport_billy, Jun 7, 9:35pm
Hi all,
Anyone have any experience with Bridgestone Potenza RE003?

I need some new tyres on my '95 Impreza - is just a fun toy, odd track day once a year, but mainly sunny day spirited drives - a blast round the hills etc.
Prefer grip/handling over lifespan etc.
Can get the Potenza's for a great price (set of 4 in 215/45/17 circa $700)
clark20, Jun 7, 10:03pm
Yes, they are good for what you want
s_nz, Jun 7, 10:23pm
Yip, they are one of the more common performance tires to see on road cars.

Good performance tire, without giving up wet grip, or ending up with super short tire life. Do give a harsher ride, and give up some economy compared to non performance tires.

Obviously some kind of semi slick would be a lot better for track days (in the dry), but you are giving up a lot of wet grip & tread life going that route.

In the same class as the RE003 is the Michelin Pilot Sport 4. The latter would be my pick, but you will be paying in excess of $1000 for a set of them.
stevo2, Jun 8, 5:43am
I had them on an older MX5. Great grip in all weather. I found they had a great lifespan as well but the MX5 is way lighter than your Impreza.
absolute_detail, Jun 8, 7:42am
The re003 are better than the ps4 unless you want to fork out for the ps4s
saxman99, Jun 8, 9:43am
Yes as above I’ve found them to be very good.
bwg11, Jun 8, 10:43am
Can't comment on the Potenza RE003, but would highly recommend the Potenza RE050A. My wife has had 4 sets on various Swift Sports (195/45 17r) which have been excellent and superior to the Continentals the first Swift was delivered on. They are expensive, but Patterson Bros gave the best price in Christchurch.
nesta129, Jun 8, 7:03pm
damn where do you get such a great price? I could only get them for $740. same size as yours.And yes I love the Potenza RE003,I use them on my daily turbo wagon and it.Had the RE-11 once and that was superb,even in the wet!
s_nz, Jun 8, 9:45pm
Should note that the RE003 (along with most tires in it's class) are performance summer tires.

This means they start to harden below about 6 deg C, and are poor in snow and ice conditions. Unless you like in tekapo or something, this is unlikely to be an issue - Most of NZ doesn't spend at lot of time below 6 C. (note that performance summer tires are fine in the Wet)



For the extra money you get substantially better wear life from the PS4's.

I think they are regarded as fairly similar for grip, but with the RE003's having coming out on top in that regard.
clark20, Jun 9, 7:37am
Absolutely incorrect, the PS4 is ranked one of the best street tyres around, I can attest to that.
likit, Jun 9, 8:04am
A set of 4 for $700? . I’m looking at over $2000 for a set of 19”
s_nz, Jun 9, 12:01pm
Small diameter, fairly narrow tires are a lot cheaper than larger tires, but still, $700 is a sharp price for four performance tire, especially if that is fitted & Balanced.
clark20, Jun 9, 2:39pm
Sorry re-reading I am comparing the PS4s which are different from the plain PS4, as you were. The RE003 are good, I have seen them on track days performing OK, and for $700 just go for it.
s_nz, Jun 9, 7:40pm
Confusing when discussing plural tires that Michelin make both a Pilot Sport and a Pilot Sport 4 S. (The latter isn't available to suit rums smaller than 18", so isn't an option on this case).
sport_billy, Jun 11, 1:41pm
Thanks for feedback guys, yes is fitted and balanced so at that price I will go for it.

Whilst Michelins are nice as I have used (different models on other vehicles) before, considering that car currently has GT Radials on it I am confident that the RE003's will be a great step up!

Cheers!
sport_billy, Jun 11, 2:04pm
Nice. It's a factory lightweight model (circa 1100kg) so maybe 100-120kgs more than your MX5?
dlin9, Jul 27, 12:02pm
I have them on the front of a EP82 GT Starlet. Handles like it's on rails with them fitted. Will put some on the back soon to match