I own a 2000 Audi S4 with original equipment tires: Pirelli P6000, size 225/45-17. At 3,000 miles, the first two tires developed severe bubbling in the sidewalls and both tires were replaced free of charge by the Audi dealer because they said they were aware there were problems with these tires. By 15,000 miles 2 more tires had severe bubbling in the sidewalls and I had a flat tire when the tire pulled away from the rims. There is something terribly wrong with this brand of tire. I have now replaced all 4 tires in under 15,000 miles. One of the tires that was replaced at the 3,000 mark was the same tire that had the flat in it at 15,000 miles. If the Audi dealer in latham, New York knew there was something wrong with the sidewalls on these tires and replaced them without a fight, then you know there is a valid complaint here. Please, if you have not already, look into these tires as I believe they have serious defects. I have the paperwork on the above replacements should you need verification.

- Fairfax, VA, USA

This is the third tire I have had to replace since getting the car, one had a bubble and the other two had a sidewall blowout will driving the car. Audi has sent their customers a letter stating that if certain condition are met they will pay for the replacement. (tiresize: 225/45yr17)

- West Islip, NY, USA

The tire bubbled up on the sidewall. A very hazardous condition at any speed especially at 55+mph. Could have caused a high speed blowout. (tiresize: 225 45 17)( dot number: Tire size: 225 45 17 )

- Cambridge, MA, USA

Large bubble appeared on sidewall of tire. No potholes or curbs etc.. were hit. It appeared through course of normal driving. I have difgital pictures and the tire if you would like to see either. (tiresize: 225/45yr17)( dot number: Tire size: 225/45yr17 )

- Greenwich, CT, USA

Bubble in outer sidewall, about the size of a nickel( dot number: Ejh8 tire size: 225/45R17 )

- Maynard, MA, USA

The tire bubbled up on the sidewall. A very hazardous condition at any speed especially at 55+mph. Could have caused a high speed blowout.( dot number: Tire size: 225 45 17 )

- Cambridge, MA, USA

Large bubble appeared on sidewall of tire. No potholes or curbs etc.. were hit. It appeared through course of normal driving. I have difgital pictures and the tire if you would like to see either.( dot number: Tire size: 225/45yr17 )

- Greenwich, CT, USA

Bubble in outer sidewall, about the size of a nickel (dot number: Ejh8 tiresize: 225/45R17)

- Maynard, MA, USA

Car was delivered on June 4th 2000. From the time I drove off the lot the vehicle slightly steered towards the right. I was told by different dealer service departments it was either the tire pressure or the crowning in the roads. I asked ogner motors in woodland hills to rotate the tires and perform further evaluation. They found one of my tires to be defective. Apparently the sidewall of the tire in question failed. They are awaiting a replacement tire form the manufacturer...I am concerned about the other three tires on the vehicle considering I have heard numerous report via audiworld.com that these tires are extremely sucseptible to sidewall (bubbles) failure. (tiresize: 225/45/17)( dot number: Tire size: 225/45/17 )

- Santa Monica, CA, USA

Sidewall is bubbled, dealer would not replace tire. No damage or unusual wear on tire.( dot number: )

- Mclean, VA, USA

Vibration while driving due to soft sidewall after just less than 800 miles. Replaced all tires at that time, March 24, 2000, kept the 3 remaing tires, scraped the defective tire. I still have the three tires with the 800 miles on them in storage. You can have them for your investagation.( dot number: Tire size: 225/45zr17 )

- Danville, CA, USA

Sidewall belt failure @ 200 miles. Second oem tire failure (same, sidewall) @ 5000 miles. Tires replaced with 5 (4 corners + spare) yokohamas @ 6000 mles( dot number: N/a tire size: 225/45R-17 )

- Hoffman Estates, IL, USA

Large bubbles on sidewall of L front tire (2 bubbles, one larger than 5 inches in diameter) and L rear tire (1 bubble); no obvious injury to outside of tire (eg nail or cut); no known trauma to tire (eg hitting curb); I took picture with digital camera and can email them to you!!!( dot number: Tire size: 225/45R17 )

- Burlingame, CA, USA

Sidewall bubble with no correlating impact that would cause such a bubble( dot number: Tire size: 225/45-17 )

- Sugar Land, TX, USA

2 inch bubble in exterior sidewall of front driver's side tire noticed while cleaning wheels. Bridgestone dealer said bubble was due to "road hazzard damage" but none had occurred. Researched problem on "Audi world" website and found numerous similar low( dot number: Tire size: 225/45R17 )

- Royal Oak, MI, USA

I have had two tire blowouts, and now have a bubble on the sidewall of another. This is brand new orginal equipment on a 2000 vehicle. Many other S4 Audi owners have reported the same problems.( dot number: Tire size: 225/45 R17 )

- Chicago, IL, USA

This is the third tire failure since I received my S4. A fellow motorist noticed a large bubble in the sidewall of the right front tire. This tire is a replacement tire that was installed after the original failed. There is obviously some problem or defect with these tires. I have been in touch with other S4 owners and many of them complain about these sidewall bulges. The fact that Bridgestone denies any problem and will not replace the tires free of charge is ridiculous. I do not feel safe driving this car with these tires. Pressure needs to be put on Audi and Bridgestone to either reimburse us for the tires and replace them free of charge, or to supply us with a new improved or different tire. These tires should be recalled immediately because they are unreliable and unsafe. A blowout in the sidewall of a tire at highway speed can cause a serious accident after which a serious lawsuit would follow.( dot number: Ejh8cfe279 tire size: P225/45R17 )

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

This is the second tire failure in less than 4000 miles. Once again while washing my car, I discovered a bulge in the sidewall. This problem seems to occur approximately every 1900 miles. I contacted Bridgestone and the representative said that since these tires have a low profile sidewall, they are prone to damage from driving on "rough" roads. I told him that I understand that I live in New York city where the roads may be "rough" but that low profile tires are supposed to be engineered with a stronger sidewall to absorb any "roughness" in the road. This is why they cost significantly more than tires with a larger sidewall. As an engineer, I know that the sidewall should be strengthened on a low profile tire to prevent damage and reduce the risk of a failure or an accident. I believe that these tires are unsafe unless they are used only on perfectly smooth roads. I still had to pay $125, half price for a new tire, and I am not satisfied with the answers I received at all. I am very disappointed in the quality of these tires as well as concerened for my safety while driving with these tires. It is ridiculous that normal everyday driving would cause two identical tire failures in less than 4000 miles on a brand new car. The manufacturer insists that there is no defect and that there is no problem with the tires. How can this be? my family and I have been driving on the same roads for years with various different cars equipped with various types of tires and have never encountered tire problems before. One more point of interest is that on the Bridgestone website, the potenza re-040 tires are not even listed in the catalog. This seems strange to me. Perhaps there is a problem or a recall and the manufacturer just does not want to stay. I will be keeping my fingers crossed and will regularly check the condition of these tires, though it may be in my best interest to change all the tires to another brand altogether.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

After washing my car and detailing the tires (there were no abnormalities at this time), I made a trip on the highway for approximately 20 miles. When I reached my destination, I noticed a golf ball-sized bulge in the sidewall of my right front tire. Upon inspection, it appeared to be a defect of some sort since there were no marks on the tire and I had not hit any significant pot holes on my trip. I replaced the rim and tire with the spare. The next day, I went to the Audi dealer and they said that they do not cover warranties or service on tires. They directed me to the Bridgestone dealer (king bear, 3907 4th avenue, brooklyn, New York, (718)836-6501). The tire dealer said that I had "impact damage. You must have hit something." I informed the dealer that I did not hit anything and he said that there was nothing I could do and that I would have to buy a new tire. I told him that this was ridiculous that a $250 tire on a $42,000+ new car would fail at less than 2000 miles. He said that there was nothing he could do. Upon further arguing, he called Bridgestone and they agreed to let me pay half the price of the tire. I reluctantly agreed to pay. They had to order the tire and I am now waiting for it to come in. I am very disturbed that a brand new $250 tire would fail from normal driving at less than 2000 miles. I am worried about the safety of these tires. Does this mean that I will have to replace tires on a regular basis? I wish to let you and other S4 owners know that there may be a problem with these tires, though the dealer said that there is no problem and that this is a common occurrence.( dot number: Tire size: P225/45R17 )

- Brooklyn, NY, USA