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Bridgestone Potenza S001 vs Falken Azenis FK510 — Compared (September 2026)
Our Relative Score blends 60% objective test data with 40% owner-review signal — so any two tires can be compared even if they were never tested on the same day.
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6 categories, side by side
Each bar is the Relative Score for that category. Expand a tile to see the test results and owner ratings behind it.
Dry
Why this score
| Source | Potenza S001 | Azenis FK510 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 83 | 74 |
| Tire Rack owners | 88 | 89 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 83 | 88 |
| SimpleTire owners | 80 | 97 |
| Dry Braking (% of best) | 93% | 95% |
| Dry Handling (% of best) | 98% | 97% |
Wet
Why this score
| Source | Potenza S001 | Azenis FK510 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 91 | 84 |
| Tire Rack owners | 80 | 86 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 69 | 88 |
| SimpleTire owners | 80 | 91 |
| Wet Braking (% of best) | 100% | 93% |
| Wet Handling (% of best) | 94% | 94% |
Comfort
Why this score
| Source | Potenza S001 | Azenis FK510 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 34 | 49 |
| Tire Rack owners | 80 | 83 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 60 | 77 |
| SimpleTire owners | 80 | 95 |
Noise
Why this score
| Source | Potenza S001 | Azenis FK510 |
|---|---|---|
| Professional tests (TWG score) | 80 | 73 |
| SimpleTire owners | 80 | 88 |
Treadwear
Why this score
| Source | Potenza S001 | Azenis FK510 |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Rack owners | 62 | 77 |
| Tyre Reviews owners | 67 | 71 |
| SimpleTire owners | 80 | 80 |
Handling
Why this score
| Source | Potenza S001 | Azenis FK510 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyre Reviews owners | 74 | 81 |
| DriverReviews owners | 84 | 86 |
Scores at a glance
| Category | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Falken Azenis FK510 |
|---|---|---|
| Relative Score | 72 | 78 |
| Dry | 83 | 80 |
| Wet | 82 | 85 |
| Comfort | 45 | 62 |
| Noise | 80 | 84 |
| Treadwear | 67 | 75 |
| Handling | 74 | 81 |
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.
Tire A
Tire B
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 | Tire A | Tire B | Δ | Both? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Braking | Dry | 93% #7/8 · 2018 Auto Bild 20 inch UHP Tyre Test | 95% #16/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | -2.2 | Different tests |
| Dry Handling | Dry | 98% #6/8 · 2018 Auto Bild 20 inch UHP Tyre Test | 97% #8/10 · 2022 AutoBild 19 Inch Summer UHP Tyre Test | +0.3 | Different tests |
| Rolling Resistance | Efficiency | 73% #20/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | 84% #15/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | -11.8 | Same test |
| Noise | Other | 100% #6/8 · 2018 Auto Bild 20 inch UHP Tyre Test | 99% #8/10 · 2020 Auto Bild UHP 19 inch Tyre Test | +0.9 | Different tests |
| Price | Other | 83% #18/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | 63% #3/9 · 2018 AZ Summer AND All Season Tyre Test | +20 | Different tests |
| Value | Other | 100% #19/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | 71% #5/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | +28.2 | Different tests |
| Wear | Other | 85% #12/16 · 2020 ADAC 18 Inch Summer Tyre Test | 87% #2/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | -1.9 | Different tests |
| Overall Ranking | Overall | 9% #11/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | 33% #3/11 · 2022 AutoBild Sports Cars UHP Summer Tyre Test | -24.2 | Different tests |
| Straight Aqua | Straight | 93% #3/8 · 2018 Auto Bild 20 inch UHP Tyre Test | 95% #6/9 · 2018 Sport Auto 19 inch UHP and Track Day Tyre Test | -1.9 | Different tests |
| Subj. Comfort | Subj | 70% #5/8 · 2019 Sport Auto 20 Inch UHP Tyre Test | 78% #4/20 · 2019 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | -7.8 | Different tests |
| Subj. Dry Handling | Subj | 90% #2/8 · 2019 Sport Auto 20 Inch UHP Tyre Test | 80% #5/16 · 2018 Test World Summer Tyre Test | +10 | Different tests |
| Subj. Wet Handling | Subj | 78% #3/8 · 2019 Sport Auto 20 Inch UHP Tyre Test | 80% #11/16 · 2018 Test World Summer Tyre Test | -2 | Different tests |
| Total Cost of Ownership | Total | 0% #20/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | 0% #6/20 · 2020 Auto Bild Summer Tyre Test | 0 | Same test |
| Wet Braking | Wet | 100% #1/49 · 2020 Tyre Market Overview Braking Test | 93% #8/49 · 2020 Tyre Market Overview Braking Test | +6.5 | Same test |
| Wet Handling | Wet | 94% #6/8 · 2018 Auto Bild 20 inch UHP Tyre Test | 94% #9/10 · 2022 AutoBild 19 Inch Summer UHP Tyre Test | +0.1 | Different tests |
Pros, cons & observations
Themes extracted from owner reviews across retailers and review sites — not the opinion of TireWheelGuide.
The Bridgestone Potenza S001 is a polarizing performance tire that excels in dry-weather handling and steering precision but frequently disappoints users regarding comfort and wet-weather confidence. While many drivers appreciate its stiff sidewalls and sporty feedback, a significant portion of the user base reports excessive road noise, rapid tread wear, and unpredictable traction in damp or cold conditions.
Pros
- Excellent dry-weather grip and cornering stability.
- Sharp, responsive steering feedback and turn-in precision.
- Strong rim protection due to robust sidewall construction.
- Predictable performance when pushed in warm, dry environments.
Cons
- High levels of road noise and cabin drone, especially as the tire wears.
- Poor wet-weather performance, with many reports of sudden traction loss and hydroplaning.
- Rapid and uneven tread wear, often failing to meet mileage expectations.
- Harsh ride quality, particularly on rough or uneven road surfaces.
Observations
- Owners of lightweight sports cars like the Mazda MX-5 frequently report that the tire feels too stiff and lacks the necessary wet-weather compliance for the chassis.
- Drivers of high-torque vehicles (e.g., VW Golf GTI, BMW 340i) often note significant wheel spin and traction control intervention in the wet.
- Users with 18-inch and 19-inch fitments frequently complain about the harshness and noise, noting that the tire transmits every road imperfection into the cabin.
The Falken Azenis FK510 is widely regarded as a high-value, ultra-high-performance summer tire that frequently outperforms more expensive premium brands in wet and dry traction. While users consistently praise its comfort, quiet ride, and confidence-inspiring grip, the consensus is that these performance benefits come at the cost of accelerated tread wear.
Pros
- Exceptional wet and dry traction
- High value-to-performance ratio compared to premium competitors
- Quiet and comfortable ride quality
- Strong hydroplaning resistance
- Predictable handling characteristics
Cons
- Rapid tread wear and short lifespan
- Soft sidewalls can lead to delayed steering response at high speeds
- Potential for increased road noise on specific rough road surfaces
- Susceptibility to tramlining as the tread wears down
Observations
- Users with high-torque, rear-wheel-drive vehicles and heavy EVs frequently report significantly faster rear tire wear.
- Drivers of performance-oriented vehicles (e.g., BMW, Tesla, Mustang) note that while the tire offers excellent grip, the softer sidewall can feel less precise than dedicated track-focused tires during aggressive cornering.
- Owners of luxury sedans and SUVs often highlight the tire's ability to improve ride comfort and reduce noise compared to factory-fitted run-flat tires.
What real owners are saying
From Reddit, forums and review threads. Not part of our score
Bridgestone Potenza S001
Community opinion on the Bridgestone Potenza S001 is divided, with some users praising their dry grip and stability, while many others criticize their rapid wear, stiffness (especially run-flat variants), noise, and cracking issues. Owners frequently compare them unfavorably to alternatives like Michelin or Pirelli, though budget-friendly deals tend to draw occasional interest.
“Mount all 4 tires Bridgestone Potenza S001 215/45R20 on i3s stock rims 5.5” front 15mm spacers and 6.5” rear After much convincing I have mounted all four tires of the same size purchased on TireRack for $83 each on i3s stock staggered rims. Smooth and stable. Looking gooddddddd!”
“Replacing Bridgestone Potenza s001 RunFlats with Primacy 5 vs. PS5. Suggestions? I drive a VW Jetta which only has 160 Hp. I do occasionally really enjoy some spirited driving or taking aggressive turns. My considerations are that I do really care about Comfort and road noise and so that leads me towards the Primacy 5. At the same time, I don't think the power of my car justifies the PS5. My question is basically, I've online that for runflats to be runflats they have really stiff sidewalls, which might be contributing to the current feel of my car and I wonder if, even though everything else about the Potenza s001 is quite worse compared to the Primacy 5, I wonder if I will miss the stiff sidewall? And just because of that should I consider the PS5?”
“Brand New Bridgestone Potenza S001 Tyres worn after 10k mileage? So I got 4 brand new tyres last June from Costco, 255/35 R19. I only drive locally, occasional trips to another city. 10k mileage later, my front two tyres flagged up on my recent MOT as : Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge CHANGE ASAP (5.2.3 (e)) Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge EDGED (5.2.3 (e)) Seems surprising to me as I don't drive crazy, occasional spirited driving. 2011 Audi s5. is this normal? Thinking of getting another brand this time for the front two tyres. Car is a quattro but same types on same axis should suffice? Any recommendations on tyres? Read more”
“I put the Potenza S001 tires on the rear of my i3s with that Tire Rack deal but I didn't think they would fit on the 5.5 inch rims. I think the rears are 6.0".”
Based on 16 community posts
Falken Azenis FK510
Community opinions on the Falken Azenis FK510 are generally mixed, balancing praise for their value pricing and strong wet-weather grip against complaints regarding soft sidewalls, rapid tread wear on heavy or track-driven vehicles, and handling that some drivers describe as "boaty." While many view them as a cost-effective alternative to premium tires like the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, others note that recent price hikes and mixed performance in testing make them a secondary choice compared to dedicated track or alternative ultra-high-performance tires.
“Upgrading tires from Falken Azenis FK510, looking for recommendations Hey all, I drive a V6 1LE camaro, i've been doing a lot of open practice sessions at a small track (the driveway in austin, tx), long story short I bought brand new Azenis FK510 two months ago, only about 4k street miles, and after about 3 hours of track time they're pretty much done....mostly from noob mistakes like overcooking the entry and destroying the front shoulders, and having the rear tires way too overinflated so the shoulders are fine but the center are down to the wear bars. Even under ideal conditions and purposely driving slower and smoother I can't see these lasting much more than 4-5 hours of track time, I'm just surprised to see these tires wear down very very quickly under hard driving and overheat somewhat quickly, these are awesome daily driving tires but I'm looking for more track performance. I'm currently debating between pilot sport 4s, bridgestone re-71r, firehawk indy 500. This is more of a philosophical question, I'm looking at a wide variety of treadwear tires, I'm curious how you guys decide on what treadwear tires to run and how you decide between wear, price, and grip. I'm leaning towards the RE-71r right now, I figure if I'm burning through my tires in a few months anyways might as well do it with sticky tires since my falkens didn't last long anyways... Read more”
“Anyone running Falken Azenis FK510? I bought a lightly used 2022 Model S from Tesla directly back in March of 2025. It came with the 21" Archnids on brand new FK510s. I immediately had the camber shims + an alignment to prevent the inner tear wear. Since then I've driven 11,500 miles on it. I noticed today my front tires look brand new, but the rear tires are completely bald all the way across. I drive in medium ride height and rarely accelerate aggressively. Now I'm wondering if this short lifespan is due to the tires Tesla put on there and if it would make more sense to buy a used set of 19" tempest wheels or replace these tires. Read more”
“Falken Azenis SUV (FK510) Replaced my Goodyear tires after 2 years. Was using Continental prior to that. Read some good reviews regarding the Falken FK510 SUV, some even mentioned it as the poor man's Michelin tires. Goodyear's tires were a bit rough, every time we drove through a bump or potholes felt really bumpy. Conti was soft, but it's lifespan is a bit short, usually lasts me a year or so. After driving around a day with FK510, it feels nice, somewhat like Conti. Here's hoping that it'll last me 2 years. Read more”
“I put the fk510 on my 2014 535d msport and the rears only lasted 10-11k or one year. Trying something different. They are a good performance summer tire but not worth replacing every year.”
Based on 25 community posts
Specs side by side
| Attribute | A · Bridgestone Potenza S001 | B · Falken Azenis FK510 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Summer Max Performance tires | Summer Ultra High Performance tires |
| Vehicle type | Passenger Car / Crossover | Passenger Car / Crossover |
| Sizes available | 15 | 68 |
| Rim diameters | 17″ – 21″ | 17″ – 22″ |
| Tread depth | 8/32″ | 10/32″ |
| UTQG | 280 A A | 300 A A |
| Sidewall | Blackwall | Blackwall |
| Max pressure | 50 psi | 50 psi |
Which one should you actually buy?
Bridgestone
Falken
Winner: Falken Azenis FK510 — better comfort, treadwear and handling. Pick the Bridgestone Potenza S001 if dry matters most to you.
Falken Azenis FK510 scores 62 vs 45 on comfort.
Falken Azenis FK510 scores 75 vs 67 on treadwear.
Falken Azenis FK510 scores 81 vs 74 on handling.
Falken Azenis FK510 scores 84 vs 80 on noise.
How do we compare tires?
Every category score blends two independent signals. 60% comes from professional tire tests (braking distances, lap times, noise measurements) normalized against the best tire in each test and weighted toward recent tests. 40% comes from thousands of owner reviews collected from retailers and review sites. When a tire has only one of the two, we use what exists and say so.
Community buzz from Reddit and forums is shown for context only — it never changes the score.