Noisy Bridgestone RE050A's... wasn't tyres after all...

[deucer]

Anyone else rolling on the factory 18's with the OEM Bridgestone RE050A's (215x45x18) find they get pretty noisy as they wear down?

I've got the original tyres on the 3.0-RB's 18" wheels. They've done 34,000km and are pretty noisy with a repetitive whirr, whirr, whirr noise coming from at least one of them as they rotate. It's definitely the tyres as I've experimented with swapping the spare around and it diminishes the noise depending on the corner.

I know that Bridgstones have a bad rep in 4WD circles for excesive tyre noise after 50% tread wear, and have anecdotal confirmation of tyre noise from a couple of tyre shops re: Bridgestones generally.

Has anyone else with these tyres on their Lib had the same problem?

I'm thinking of running the tyres down a bit before changing. They've probably got another 10,000 - 15,000km in them (which is pretty good really). If others have had similar problems, then it'll help me decide whether to stick with the Bridgestones or ditch 'em for something else.

Cheers,
Deucer.

[Spec B Wgn]

35,000 kms and you reckon you will get another 10-15 out of them and your complaining...

they do get noisy as they get older, harder, out of shape..

all you can do is vary the psi and continue rotating, but ive think youve done well to get so far and have that much left.

[adam]

you haven't heard a noisy premium tyre until you've tried short tread pattern(old tread) goodyear eagle f1's no matter what the wear.

[Ric]

My fronts have done 30,000 and tha backs 45,000. No unusual noises.

If you run your fingers around the tread, is it even or is there some "feathering" on the noisy tyre?

[deucer]

Well I had the car in to Subaru today for fitment of a tow bar. Had them check out the 'road' noise.... they reckon it's a wheel bearing. We'll have to investigate this avenue now.

Deucer.

[deucer]

Well it turned out to be two front wheel bearings at fault. Subaru replaced them both under warranty. The car was almost 2 months out of warranty so I'm pretty impressed with that level of service... exceptional

Now the car's blissfully quite and I can hear the engine note a lot better when the throttle gets a kick in the guts! NICE!

Cheers,
Deucer.

[MY07GT]

Good to hear!

I was going to say my Bridgestones were very quiet and comfy. Prefer them over the pirelli's i think!

Phil.

[Arith]

That's because the equivalent Pirelli's would be the PZero Rosso, which are quieter and more comfortable. You currently have the PZero Nero which is more performance orientated.

[MY07GT]

Ahhhh i see! I know nothing about tyres!

So these are more performance orientated? Nice.

I think the profiles different too right? Seems thinner!

Phil.

[Arith]

I think the profiles different too right? Seems thinner!

That it is. Stock is 215/45-18. You're running 225/40-18. They are about half an inch lower in overall height compared to stock. I think the lower 40 series gives a more sporty and aggressive look. Too often people mistake 45 series for 17's.

[deucer]

That's because the equivalent Pirelli's would be the PZero Rosso, which are quieter and more comfortable....

A littel off-topic here, but Arith, would you mind giving a short comparison of the PZero Rosso to the Bridgestone RE050A's? Performance, ride comfort, durability, longevity.

I'm up for new tyres in about 6,000kms. Looking into my options, it's those two or a change to profile size, which I don't want to do.

Cheers,
Deucer.

[Arith]

Yikes. It's been a while since I drove on the RE050's. Unfortunately I'm not really comparing fairly because the RE050's were on a MY05 GT while the Rosso's were on a MY07 GT Spec B TB STi. But comparing the two, I liked the RE050's more.

Price-wise the Rosso's are a bit cheaper and they ride a bit more comfortable. Perhaps too comfortable if that makes sense. The RE050's felt a bit more planted and more settled. I don't know whether it was the Spec B suspension that the Rosso's were on, but just never felt settled on the road. Distant almost.

The RE050's had the comfort and performance. Definitely worthy of being Bridgestone's flagship tire.

As for longevity or durability, I'm ashamed to say I've never driven on either brand for more than 2 months. Perhaps Phil (MY07GT) could enlighten us with his experience with the RE050's because he ran those into the ground before switching.

[adam]

Price-wise the Rosso's are a bit cheaper and they ride a bit more comfortable. Perhaps too comfortable if that makes sense. The RE050's felt a bit more planted and more settled. I don't know whether it was the Spec B suspension that the Rosso's were on, but just never felt settled on the road. Distant almost.

I agree with jim in the fact that(apples'n'oranges.. i know) my re050's feel much more sure than my zero nero's. I actually think that pirellis feel as if they have a softer side wall. This is also made a bit more obvious to me when i corner. the pirelli's seem to run a little wider than the re030's i had on my 2.0L previously. They stop quite nicely though....from 100k's to 0 in approx 38m.

[deucer]

Thanks guys. That makes a lot of sense to me. I've heard on many occassions that teh Pirelli's are "more comfortable" on the road. Thast says to me 'softer sidewall'! Wider running tyres also suggest that. I prefer a more crisp response in handling so it sonds like the RE050A's are still the go.

Shame 'bout the price though eh?

[Ric]

what price have you found the RE050A's for?