Do you want to maximize your thrill level every time you get behind the wheel? If so, the Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position might be the tire for you. Bridgestone’s Max Performance Summer tire, the Potenza S-04 Pole Position tire is designed for top-of-the-line, high-performing sports cars, coupes, and sedans. As summer tires, these are well suited for warmer climates, in both dry and wet conditions. If you’re going to be driving in colder temperatures (near freezing) or in snowy or icy conditions, we would recommend going with different tires.
Pros
- Hydroplaning resistance
- Excellent dry traction
- Wet traction that's hard to beat
- Smooth and quiet ride
- Silica enriched tread compound
- Leading tire in terms of comfort
- Affordable (Price ranges from about $100 to $300 depending on the tire size)
- Large stiff outside shoulder blocks
Cons
- Short tread life - not surprising for tires in this class
- Comes without a warranty - also not surprising for such high-class tires
The Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position tire provides a variety of perks thanks to their asymmetric tread design with massive outboard shoulders, interlocking tread blocks and central circumferential ribs enabling impressive steering response, enhanced stability at high speeds, and reliable corner precision. You’ll notice the tires are quite stiff and perform extremely well when cornering due to the tires’ lightweight twin steel belts, spirally wrapped nylon/aramid cord, and rubber inserts in the side walls.
Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position Review
Treadwear and Durability
The Potenza S-04 Pole Position isn’t known to have the best treadwear, however, this is expected among tires in this class. In fact, they lose their tread pretty quickly. Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position tires also don’t come with a warranty (this is expected as well). While these high-quality tires deliver on many levels, treadwear and durability are where these tires fall short. With Potenzas, you may need to replace your tires sooner than you would like to.
Dry Traction
As an ultra-high performance summer tire, you can expect the dry traction to be more than sufficient. These tires have great steering response, acceleration, braking, and handling. Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position tires really grip the road even when driving aggressively. The tread compound is enhanced with silica, boasts an industry leading tread pattern and the interlocked center rib and larger outboard tread blocks enhance dry traction with amazing cornering grip.
Wet Traction
When these tires were tested, they were found to perform well in both wet and dry conditions. Even when driving aggressively in the rain, the tires maintained excellent traction. The tires also proved to have impressive acceleration and braking on the wet road- these tires are the real deal. The reason for such outstanding wet traction is the tire’s additional lateral grooves (pumping water into grooves to prevent hydroplaning) and angled tread blocks in the intermediate ribs (improving straight-line braking).
Snow Traction and Braking Performance
You will find rubber inserts in the sidewalls of the tire vertical sidewall stiffness to blend cornering grip with ride comfort. As a summer tire, it isn’t recommended to use Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position tires if you plan to be driving in snowy or icy conditions. In fact, these tires can’t handle near freezing temperatures, even if the roads are dry. If you will be driving your sporty coupe, sedan or other luxury vehicles in these intense winter conditions, winter tires will be necessary.
Comfort & Noise
With the Potenza S-04 Pole Position, you can expect road noise to be kept at a minimum. The tires deliver an extra quiet and comfortable ride with a separate circumferential rib adjacent to the inside shoulder of the tire and two steel belts inside the tread that are wrapped with a nylon and aramid cord for added strength at higher speeds.
Tire Sizes & Specifications
Tire sizes available
16″
205/55R16 91Y BW
17″
205/45R17XL88Y BW
205/50R17XL 93Y BW
215/45R17XL 91Y BW
225/45R17 91Y BW
235/45R17 94Y BW
235/50R17 96Y BW
245/40R17 91Y BW
245/45R17XL 99Y BW
255/40R17 94Y BW
18″
215/45R18XL 93Y BW
225/40R18XL 92Y BW
225/45R18 91Y BW
225/50R18 95Y BW
235/40R18XL 95Y BW
245/35R18XL 92Y BW
245/40R18XL 97Y BW
245/45R18 96Y BW
255/35R18XL 94Y BW
255/40R18XL 99Y BW
255/45R18 99Y BW
265/35R18XL 97Y BW
265/40R18XL 101Y BW
275/35R18 95Y BW
285/30R18 93Y BW
285/35R18XL 101Y BW
19″
225/40R19XL 93Y BW
225/45R19XL 96Y BW
235/35R19XL 91Y BW
245/35R19XL 93Y BW
245/40R19XL 98Y BW
245/45R19 98Y BW
255/35R19XL 96Y BW
255/40R19XL 100Y BW
265/35R19XL 98Y BW
275/35R19XL 100Y BW
275/40R19 101Y BW
285/30R19XL 98Y BW
285/35R19 99Y BW
295/30R19XL 100Y BW
305/30R19XL 102Y BW
20″
245/40R20XL 99Y BW
255/35R20XL 97Y BW
275/35R20XL 102Y BW
285/30R20XL 99Y BW
What vehicles will the Bridgestone Potenza S-04 pole position fit?
The Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position is made for those who drive sport coupes, sedans and other luxury sports cars.
Some of the vehicles that the Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position will fit include:
- Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado
- Porsche Boxter, 911
- BMW 750Li, Z4, M3, 540
- Nissan 370Z
- Audi TT Coupe
- Pontiac G8, Grand Prix
- Infiniti G37
- Merceds-Benz C350
- Ford Mustang, Thunderbird
- Honda S2000
- Lexus IS300
- Mazda 3
- Subaru Legacy
- And more
Conclusion
All things considered, if you’re looking for a high performing summer tire at a great value, the Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Position is a great choice. Regardless of the road conditions or driving style, these tires perform extremely well and give you a bang for your buck.
Other Bridgestone Tire Reviews