TonyCD

A year ago, deterred by the apparently finicky alignment issues of the Conti competitor, I slapped a set of the highly touted Bridgestone Serenity Plus tires on my car.

At first they were OK (once I straightened out their rather sloppy Costco installation). When last year's brutal Midwestern winter arrived, however, it was quite another story. In the near-zero and subzero temps we had so often, the ride quality was just brutal.

I studied the 2012 thread on this topic at length, and a lot of Tire Rack reviews, and I haven't seen anybody comment on this here or elsewhere. But in my car, impacts over even the smallest bumps and frost heaves were transmitted with such force that I felt they ruined the entire luxury experience of the car (full disclosure: I have the toxic combination of a sensitive tushy and A-Spec suspension to begin with).

My brother, a performance car fanatic with a far less sensitive backside than mine, remarked that Low Rolling Resistance high-mileage tires like these are noted generally for their Stone Age ride quality, to the point where he and his friends have collectively nicknamed them "Flintstone tires." My strong suspicion is that when they said "Low Rolling Resistance rubber technology" doesn't mean they made the rubber OEM-stiff, they lied.

This bothers me so much that it destroys my enjoyment of not only the tires, but the entire car. I rode last winter on about 30 or 31 PSI all around, which I gather is at or just below recommended pressure. This winter is tentatively forecast to be nearly as cold as last year, and I cringe at the thought of getting pounded for yet another 4 months on these tires. Would lower inflation pressures help? Would Primacy tires help more?

pcloadletter

What's the size and load rating of the tires? The load rating needs to be 96 or higher.

There's a reason why OEMs usually don't spec LLR tires. They compromise ride quality for minimal, if any gains for government mileage tests. They should be good for 1 to 2 MPG gain in normal driving.

TonyCD

Not the problem, PC. The tires are appropriately rated for the car. But thanks for replying.

xc1097

I run on 18" Enkei EKM3 with Potenza RE970AS PP with 36 front and 34 back.
Also I'm running slightly wider/bigger size at 255/45/18 and also on A-spec and ride isn't too bad.
I was debating between Potenza and Turanza when I was replacing my tires too.
Originally I was going to go with summer tires but winter here at New England also sucks.
Even tho I have dedicated winter Blizzaks LM-25 (235/55/17) I'd rather not take chance with light snow or sudden temp. drop in spring & fall.
Sorry to hear your flintstone tires but lowering your psi will only wear your tires faster, decrease mpg, increase stopping distance, not to mention higher tire temp.
From safety point of speaking, I'd junk the tire and replace them asap.

If I remember correctly, Bridgestone was running promotion last year where if you weren't happy with your tire, they'll refund full amount.

xc1097

My bad, it's LM-60 that I use for winter.
I've have my RL for over 6 years and I recently finally decide to join here after just poking around.
Currently over 152k and still running looking like new.

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

I read the review and this statement would turn me away instantly.

"the tire offers longer wear, greater snow traction and lower rolling resistance, which contributes to better vehicle fuel economy"

that all screams a shitty ride.

Sell em on craigslist and move on...

TampaRLX-SH

Interesting information on the Serenity Plus. I have the original Serenity design now with 22K miles on them, roughly the half life. They behave nearly as new, quiet and smooth with just a slight uptick on impact harshness (such as road deflectors and small bumps) since I hit the half life mileage. The wear is surprisingly minimal for the time and mileage of these tires. And yes I did note a 1-2 mpg hit on the mileage.

I agree that the low rolling resistance and long tread wear will translate to harsher rides. The RL's suspension can be a quandary for tire design. It can be amazingly smooth and quiet to unexpected impact harshness on some road conditions. They tires selected can certainly affect the behavior of the two extremes I speak of above.

I will certainly keep this in mind should I need to replace tires again. I personally will accept the 1-2mpg hit on mileage for the comfort factor.

TonyCD

Heavy, does anybody really offer you squat for tires on Craiglist?

That's tempting, but it'd be a hard financial hit for me to take at this particular moment. That's why I buy my sumptuous luxury sedans lightly used… :.)

xc1097

Original Serenity is only available on 255/45/18 size.
Serenity Plus is available on both 245/45/18 & 255/45/18.
If you compare two on same size, Serenity is 5lb heavier per tire than S+.
However, when I was getting my Potenza(MX made) Bridgestone reginonal manager was there and told me even tho they are supposed to be same, tire from one country is superior than the other.
Potenza 970AS PP is made in both JP(Japan) & MX(Mexico) and one from japan has higher built quality over the other.
So I requested them to look for JP made and no one had it.

For the size mentioned above,
Serenity was made in both JP & ID and I suspect JP model is better as well.
Serenity Plus is only made in ID.

Tempa,
I'm curious which size you are running and where it's made.
I might buy set of serenity before it's completely discontinued to replace my RE970

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

yeah, I get it... and we all know you wont get much for them, plus you will end up paying for it in the long run after dealing with all the ashholes.

I guess it depends on how much you really hate em.

Thanks for posting the info none the less.

xc1097

nvm, tirerack has less than 3 left.

HEAVY_RL

iTrader: (1)

The re970as and the AS3's are both on my radar.

swake457

I've been running the Gmax AS-03's for the past three years now. Overall they've been good and I'll get them again. One thing I noticed was, in cold weather, they tend to flat-spot over night. It's very slight and after about a 1/4-1/2 mile of driving it's gone. Doesn't happen in the warmer months.

TampaRLX-SH

My 2006 RL has OEM wheels and the BS Serenities are 245/50-17 made in Thailand.