Tests – · none yet Owners 71 · 3 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 6 in 2013 Auto Bild Track Day Semi Slick Tyre Test (overall ranking)
Head-to-head
Updated
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup vs Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS — Compared
Relative Score (0–100): 60% professional tests, 40% owner reviews.
Potenza RE 71RS leads, 74–70 Narrow edge
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Tests 77 · 2 tests Owners 72 · 452 reviews
Best test result: #1 of 7 in 2025 Tire Rack Extreme Performance Track Tyre Test (overall ranking)
“When I said 'they are more different than I expected,' the best way to describe that with one word is SMOOTH! These tires are smooth in all aspects. They are substantially quieter than the old 71R, maybe a 2 out of 10. After driving on two lane blacktops, I have not noticed any measurable gravel or other debris picked up at this point, definitely less than the 71R, maybe 50% reduction. Handling is the most important aspect for me personally and Bridgestone has hit a home run! Stopping fantastic and according to Bridgestone they are better on wet roads, IDK as I try to avoid driving in the rain. Steering is amazing and more sensitive! There is even a level of comfort that I did not expect for performance tires. Honestly, I am unable to come up with any negative. Five Stars! The post by jst2878 was spot on about them being a 'gift!' After break in greater than 300 miles, they just need to be hammered! After doing so yesterday, I have returned home for Pina Coladas & Pool this weekend!”
Category by category
Relative Score per category, 0–100. Open “Why this score” for the tests and owner ratings behind it.
-
75
Dry
Potenza RE 71RS +681Why this score
Source Pilot Sport Cup Potenza RE 71RS Professional tests (TWG score) – 75 Reviews found online 80 90 -
69
Wet
Potenza RE 71RS +877Why this score
Source Pilot Sport Cup Potenza RE 71RS Professional tests (TWG score) – 84 Reviews found online 69 68 -
66
Comfort
Pilot Sport Cup +165Why this score
Source Pilot Sport Cup Potenza RE 71RS Professional tests (TWG score) – 71 Reviews found online 62 56 -
–
Noise
No comparison66Why this score
Source Pilot Sport Cup Potenza RE 71RS Professional tests (TWG score) – 67 Reviews found online – 64 -
65
Treadwear
Pilot Sport Cup +461Why this score
Source Pilot Sport Cup Potenza RE 71RS Reviews found online 64 59 -
77
Handling
Potenza RE 71RS +784Why this score
Source Pilot Sport Cup Potenza RE 71RS Reviews found online 77 84
Scores at a glance
| Category | Michelin Pilot Sport Cup | Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 70 | 74 |
| Dry | 75 | 81 |
| Wet | 69 | 77 |
| Comfort | 66 | 65 |
| Noise | – | 66 |
| Treadwear | 65 | 61 |
| Handling | 77 | 84 |
Higher is better. The Relative Score follows your weights below; category scores do not change.
Weight the categories that matter to you
Wet grip and treadwear start at “Important” — the two things buyers rank highest. Move the sliders and the scores update instantly.
Important
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Important
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Less important
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Less important
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Neither tire has a score here yet, so this weight changes nothing.
Important
NoneLessNeutralMoreMost
Neutral
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Recomputed
Headline score
70
/ 100
Pilot Sport Cup
74
/ 100
Potenza RE 71RS
Only categories both tires have data for count toward the headline score.
The professional test results behind the scores
Each result is shown as % of the best tire in that test. “Same test” rows are the strictest comparison: both tires were measured side by side.
| Discipline | Category | Pilot Sport Cup | Potenza RE 71RS | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 100% #1/6 · 2013 Auto Bild Track Day Semi Slick Tyre Test | 100% #1/7 · 2025 Tire Rack Extreme Performance Track Tyre Test | 0.0 | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews found online — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
Tire A Pilot Sport Cup
Pros
- Phenomenal dry grip once tires are properly warmed up
- Predictable and progressive handling at the limit rather than snappy
- Better-than-average trackday longevity and overall tread life
Cons
- Difficult to build up adequate heat in cold or wet conditions
- Poor performance and hydroplaning risk in standing water
- High sensitivity to correct tire pressures
Tire B Potenza RE 71RS
Pros
- Outstanding dry grip and rapid warm-up characteristics.
- Highly predictable and communicative at the limit, allowing for easy recovery.
- Improved on-road refinement, noise levels, and comfort compared to its predecessor.
Cons
- Rapid tread wear, especially when used aggressively on track or heavy vehicles.
- Tendency to become 'greasy' or lose peak grip during extended track sessions.
- Stiff sidewalls can make mounting the tires onto rims difficult.
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Tire A
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup
We haven't collected enough community discussion about this tire yet.
Tire B
Positive
Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS
Community sentiment toward the Bridgestone Potenza RE-71RS is overwhelmingly positive, with drivers praising its high grip levels, responsive turn-in, and improved refinement over the older RE-71R. Discussions frequently center around track and autocross setups, optimal hot tire pressures, clearance pricing, and its streetability regarding road noise and gravel pickup. Minor caveats noted include fast wear characteristic of 200tw competition tires and rotation limits stemming from an asymmetrical tread design.
r/GR86
·256 upvotes ·2026-09-23
“Drove my GR86 coast to coast on pre-thrashed 200tw tires in 3.5 days AMA 2024 GR86 Premium performance package mt Bridgestone Potenza RE-71rs tires Car had 24,000ish miles and now has 27,000ish”
civicx.com
·2025-02-25
“They are an amazing tire, both for autocross and track days. I'm currently running Falkens but my next track set will be RE71s for sure. Should be able to get a half second off my laps from what I've seen so far.”
r/ElantraN
·5 upvotes ·2025-09-06
“Track tire fitment Just got some new Bridgestone Potenza RE-71rs in 245/40r18. I did my research on this subreddit and it seems like that will fit without rubbing/camber bolts. Does anyone know if the RE-71rs’ run wide cause they measure a full inch wider than the stock PS4s’, I’m just wondering now if I’ll need camber bolts. I’d prefer not, just want to throw them on and go. For reference they are being mounted onto a 18x8.5 +45 Enkei TS-V wheel. If anyone could offer insight cause I just can’t understand how they would fit but maybe I’m just over thinking it. Stock suspension by the way. I searched the sub and didn’t see anything with exact matching specs, only bigger and different tires. Tl;dr Will 245/40r18 Bridgestone Potenza RE-71rs’ fit on an 18x8.5 +45 wheel without clearance issues/adding other modifications (camber bolts) on our car? Thanks for any help! Read more”
Top themes
#track and autocross performance#tire pressure tuning#road noise and refinement#clearance pricing and availability#fitment and sizing#tread wear and longevity#comparison to previous RE-71R
Based on 33 community posts
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Michelin Pilot Sport Cup | B · Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Trackday and Competition tires | Summer |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | — |
| Sizes available | — | 10 |
| Rim diameters | — | 15″ – 19″ |
| Tread depth | — | 7/32″ |
| UTQG | — | 200 A A |
| Sidewall | — | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | — | 51 psi |
Which one should you actually buy?
70
/ 100
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup
74
/ 100
Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS
Winner: Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS — better wet, handling and dry. Pick the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup if treadwear matters most to you.
Pick tire B
Your priority is wet-weather safety
Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS scores 77 vs 69 on wet.
Pick tire B
You enjoy sharp, responsive handling
Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS scores 84 vs 77 on handling.
Pick tire B
You want the most grip on dry roads
Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS scores 81 vs 75 on dry.
Pick tire A
You want the longest tread life
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup scores 65 vs 61 on treadwear.
Tire A · Michelin Pilot Sport Cup
Tire B · Bridgestone Potenza RE 71RS
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How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements), each result compared with every other tire in the same test and newer tests counting more. 40% comes from owner reviews found online, adjusted for how generously each site rates. Both use one scale: the average tested tire gets 70, the best 100. When a tire has only one of the two, the missing half is estimated from the other and the score stays closer to average; with no road test and fewer than five owner reviews it gets no score yet.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.