Leaon Cupra ST / Bridgestone Potenza RA050A with rain

[mrlynch]

How many of you guys have just upgraded the fronts only? And have you had any trouble with the rear?

I'm considering just doing the fronts as its hard to justify doing the rears as they are barely worn. My main concern is the back having less grip, I've already had a few 4 wheel slides and don't fancy my chances if the back lets go a lot more than the front.

 

[kmanmx]

How many of you guys have just upgraded the fronts only? And have you had any trouble with the rear?

I'm considering just doing the fronts as its hard to justify doing the rears as they are barely worn. My main concern is the back having less grip, I've already had a few 4 wheel slides and don't fancy my chances if the back lets go a lot more than the front.

I know several people have done the fronts only, but they advise against it from a safety point of view for the reason you specified. Also, if you are driving fast down a wet road and your rear tyres have less grip (which they would), the rear will be the first to lose grip and hydroplane. Which is a bad thing, as you are far more likely to spin out.

My Potenzas were 4.5mm on the front and roughly 6mm on the rear, but I took the plunge and did all four tyres. I definitely don't regret it. I can just sell the used ones, especially as they have a fair amount of tread.

 

[Deleted member 100924]

Interesting chaps - see my other post I got my Cupra 280 last week had a big understeer moment first drive in the damp. Guess what it's on Bridgestones. Will consider upgrade to PSS. My other lesson was not to use the Cupra setting - overagressive throttle map and tight diff - using individual profile have settled on less aggressive "sport" throttle map and looser "normal" diff setting. Seems every bit as quick, better ride for the bumpy roads here too.

Potenzas seem to be crap in other ways too - my old car a Leon FR 184 has Potenzas standard fit, when I put my winter wheels with Contis on I get 5 more mpg ! Maybe I should run the all year round.

 

[kmanmx]

Interesting chaps - see my other post I got my Cupra 280 last week had a big understeer moment first drive in the damp. Guess what it's on Bridgestones. Will consider upgrade to PSS. My other lesson was not to use the Cupra setting - overagressive throttle map and tight diff - using individual profile have settled on less aggressive "sport" throttle map and looser "normal" diff setting. Seems every bit as quick, better ride for the bumpy roads here too.

Potenzas seem to be crap in other ways too - my old car a Leon FR 184 has Potenzas standard fit, when I put my winter wheels with Contis on I get 5 more mpg ! Maybe I should run the all year round.

Honestly, I can't come up with anything that the potenzas are even nearly as good at. I've not checked fuel economy really, but other than that, they are better all round. They even seem quieter on the road.

The Potenzas are okay in the dry and bad in the wet. You really will find the PSS a good upgrade. It's made me love my Cupra again, as I was starting to fall out with it due to traction issues. PSS has really helped alleviate them issues. It's not perfect, I can still induce wheel hop, but I basically have to put floor it from a standing start. Massive improvement. I'll probably buy them straight away on any new car I get from now on..

 

[twitchynik]

Interesting chaps - see my other post I got my Cupra 280 last week had a big understeer moment first drive in the damp. Guess what it's on Bridgestones. Will consider upgrade to PSS. My other lesson was not to use the Cupra setting - overagressive throttle map and tight diff - using individual profile have settled on less aggressive "sport" throttle map and looser "normal" diff setting. Seems every bit as quick, better ride for the bumpy roads here too.

Potenzas seem to be crap in other ways too - my old car a Leon FR 184 has Potenzas standard fit, when I put my winter wheels with Contis on I get 5 more mpg ! Maybe I should run the all year round.

Watch Dean's (dalomas on here) video of his wet line at the 'ring. I think it is in the what your Leon did today thread.

He talks about his wet setup and Cupra isn't used for the diff and poss the suspension as well.

Maybe he could chip in with his thoughts about tyres and if he has any experience of the Bridgestones...

 

[Deleted member 100924]

Watched Dale's vid the Potenzas seem to work fine in the dry. Never been there due to concerns about accidents but it looks like a hoot. Dale ran the diff tight, suspension in sport and steering in normal for better feel. Will give try those settings but the issue is how poor the Potenzas are in the wet and best settings for wet.

So

 

[milnei]

Please post a link for the video, or at least what to search for on youtube. Thanks.

 

[Raven]

I'll try Nokian Hakka Black on my Cupra, decent price and pretty god test results.. Can't be worse than the Potenza..

Skickat från min D6603 via Tapatalk

 

[Seastormer]

I'll try Nokian Hakka Black on my Cupra, decent price and pretty god test results.. Can't be worse than the Potenza..

Skickat från min D6603 via Tapatalk

Well the best of luck with them as they are crap, and that's comparing them to the original Bridgestones that have been replaced by the S001, Pilot SS's are the tyres to buy. See tests below, just put in the Bridgestones and PSS's to compare.

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Nokian/Hakka-Black.htm

 

[Deleted member 100924]

milnei...
Dale's 'Ring Cupra ST video is on "bridgetogantry.com". It looks loot. Not many going past - goes to show just how quick a new Cupra is.

I'd love to have a go at the 'ring or Spa myself but bottle at the risk - I'm sure I could get round unscathed but you can't stop other eejits running into you and trashing your nice car through no fault of your own and a day's track insurance was going to cost a grand. If anyone knows way to do it without costing a fortune and taking a big risk I'd love to hear, but that's for another thread.

Al

 

[Deleted member 100924]

Oops .... er, I mean a hoot !

 

[Raven]

Well the best of luck with them as they are crap, and that's comparing them to the original Bridgestones that have been replaced by the S001, Pss's are the tyres to buy. See tests below, just put in the Bridgestones and PSS's to compare.

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Nokian/Hakka-Black.htm

My bad, Nokian Z-line it is, the Black is for the northern europe market. But more or less the same according to Nokia.

http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk/Tyre/Nokian/zLine.htm

 

[milnei]

milnei...
Dale's 'Ring Cupra ST video is on "bridgetogantry.com". It looks loot. Not many going past - goes to show just how quick a new Cupra is.

I'd love to have a go at the 'ring or Spa myself but bottle at the risk - I'm sure I could get round unscathed but you can't stop other eejits running into you and trashing your nice car through no fault of your own and a day's track insurance was going to cost a grand. If anyone knows way to do it without costing a fortune and taking a big risk I'd love to hear, but that's for another thread.

Al

Enjoyed it at lunchtime! He's quite a driver!

 

[AndrewJB]

My front's have finally given up so have decided on 4x Michelin Super Sports. Will be selling the rear tyres (if anybody fancies any spare Bridgestone Potenza's).

 

[james berkeley]

You should try the cup2 in the wet... that can be "interesting"

I second that!! Still awesome in the dry though - more than makes up for the poor wet weather performance.

 

[pulpmelon_280]

For those that want to eradicate wheel hop, you must upgrade the engine mounts.

Every high power FWD I've ever had wheel hopped until you replace the soft factory mounts.

Hell even the IRS on the new mustang wheel hops until you replace the diff and subframe mounts mounts.

 

[Snah]

Tomorrow, finally, my 4 Bridgestones are swapped with 4 brandnew PSS.
Hope now finally the frontwheel hopping has vanished and the grip and traction on wet get improved.

 

[P0LKR]

Tomorrow, finally, my 4 Bridgestones are swapped with 4 brandnew PSS.
Hope now finally the frontwheel hopping has vanished and the grip and traction on wet get improved.

Not eliminated but vastly improved. The pss tyres are worth every penny

 

[Snah]

Have them fitted yesterday and did some acceleration test from stand still.
I was amazed how much grip they have and no front axle hopping anymore.
But some seeking in the steering on roads with track formation is there but not very disturbing.

 

[adriaticman]

Have them fitted yesterday and did some acceleration test from stand still.
I was amazed how much grip they have and no front axle hopping anymore.
But some seeking in the steering on roads with track formation is there but not very disturbing.

Drove a Cupra 280 3dr manual demo today (Bridgestones). On a local dual carriageway 40 limit, set in sport mode engine dcc comfort, pulled away from lights briskly and traction control light flashed (21C sunny) , as went over road undulations. Current car Octavia Mk2 CR dsg hatch (Goodyear F1 assy 2 at 9k) has never done that, not even in the wet.

Took Cupra on an urban route / traffic to test dcc, as local roads so bad. Much smoother than Octavia. Showed 31.9 mpg average with a/con on. Most impressed with test drive. Really is a Jekyll & Hyde car, without a doubt.

Waiting for Seat to confirm release of 290 + trying to find out when facelift due / idea of 2017 models year changes from week 22? Don`t expect much feedback, but have to ask. More info could come to light at the Frankfurt show next month. Don`t really want to order a car now and possibly miss out on positive improvements

Now I understand why Cupra owners are so p...d off with Bridgestones.