Tires BRIDGESTONE or GENERAL TIRE

Bridgestone Potenza S01 Pole Positions or RE050A are far superior...

I'll run mine 'till the wheels fall off. It's been relatively trouble free - most all problems were fixed while it was under warranty. Front pads & rotors were replaced twice, latest at 30K. So far, so good, but the rear pads are ready for replacement now - will replace rotors also.

I also have Altimax Arctics on my A3 and it performed really well during last week when we got 6-10 inches of snow in Denver area. I have to tell you though, handling and confidence in dry is non existent compared to summer tires, but no winter tire will do that well. One negative about this tire is that it is louder than the Dunlop Wintersport 3D (the performance winter tires)

I have the altimax on my GTI, drove them all of last winter and put them on for Snowtober this past week. Great in snow/ice and pretty good in the dry as well. Not that noisy at all...

Haven't had the WS70 but had the WS60 last year, and I loved them. Got the Altimax this year and although I haven't had them in snow yet, I like them better already. Definitely quieter and they look better/meatier at the same time. Really excited to get them in some snow I think the new generation Blizzak may be marginally better than the last, but I scoured the internet for months reading up on the Altimax's and couldn't find anything but stellar reviews.

BMW has the studded generals and both Hondas have the Blizzaks. Both are capable and good rubber for colder climates. I live in the interior of AK where owning a set of winter tires is a necessity. Blizzak=more $, general=inexpensive and pretty darn good. I have the generals on my wife's BMW for assurance on icy roads and rwd peace of mind. I had Dunlop m3 which sucked here. I run the bizzaks year round as do many folks for the sake that the weather can change quickly. no significant tire wear to note.

Then two years ago, I went with the Altimax Arctic, and I'm not going back. They're quiet and perform fantastic in ice and snow. They're on all my cars now.

Had a set of these installed on my Focus. So far I'm impressed by their dry handling capabilities. And they're quiet too.

I have the RSe05 (17x8) with Bridgestone Potenza RE-11A 235/45R17 and I noticed I have slight chunking of the blocks on the outer shoulder after one heavy track weekend at Barber Motorsports Park.

I have the same tires and would have to say that they are pretty noisy. I have about 10K on them now and they get louder everyday.