On all of these threads, especially the 18" wheel one, some people state that 255/55/18 will not work...some say it will.

A few have asked; however, noone has answered which offset worked and which did not.

There was one fellow who had a +42 and it only rubbed on u-turns. Anyone else wanna take a shot at this?

It also depends on width of the wheel. I have 18x7.5 +42 and the tire would not fit, it hit the strut. From what I've been able to understand, 18 x 7.5 on a +35/+38 is what has worked, and with toyo proxies. I tried a hankook so the tread pattern may also be why they didn't fit.

255? damn thats a wide tire. It is possible that it will only rub on U-turns, the element has quite a turning radius especially for a conversion SUV. You may want to consider a smaller tread with? with 235/50/R18 on 18x8 rims I haven't had any problems with rubbing including a full passenger load. You could also consider 245/45/R18... *shrug* But 255/55/R18 does seem a little too big IMO. I mean thats just a large tire!

It will rub and the wheel/tire combo I feel is much too heavy and will make your E sluggish.

I have a 18x7 rim +44 with 235/55/18's and they fit perfect. No need for a wider tire. They are not needed for an Element, the 235's are wide enough to fill the wells.

well they may not be needed for YOUR purposes but to each their own. I still wish I had been able to fit the 255/55 though I'm incredibly happy with the 245/55, the width and fill out is perfect in my opinion

Actually my rim is 18 x 7.5 with +44.

Dude, you sound like you have an attitude. I'm just trying to help someone not waste their money with tires that will not fit.

I can't see anyone needing a 255 on an underpowered crossover vehicle. It's overkill for the power and braking capabilities of the Element, waste of money, weight and fuel economy. 245 is the max that will fit w/o rubbing. No debate about that. 225 to 245 is where you need to be.

I wasn't getting an attitude. I just hate seeing this occur time after time on this board. Someone wants to do something and someone else just tells them its a waste of time and money. So its a waste of YOUR time and money, but don't tell some dude you don't know if its right for them. You don't even know them.


Sorry for this thread going in an unproductive direction.

CBR... There are only a handful of people who have managed to fit 255/55's on their element. Most of them reported slight rubs either when making sharp U turns, or when turning hard and suspension articulating. I can't find it right now, but there was one member who reported no issues with 255/55 toyo proxies. I'll be on the lookout for the thread.

If you want a wide tire, many people have gone to the 255/50. The sidewall isn't as high so there is no interference with the strut, and I believe that most if not all have been successful without any rub.

To everyone:

Thanks for your input.

No drama, please. To each his own is right. We're not here to criticize anyone or become self-appointed grammar police. That is just plain worng.

For a great tutorial on how not to act on the public forum, please feel free to visit Miata.Net as that is one direction I would hate to see this forum go. Unfortunately, it looks as if it may be getting there. Long live the darkside!

I have decided to go with the 255/55/18 to test them on a 18x7.5 wheel with a +45 offset as I am only paying shipping. With no definitive answer one way or another, it's a $100 gamble I am willing to make.

Why 255/55/18? It's cheap (for me) and just plain sessy! Yes, Officer Grammar... I just said Sessy. On top of it all, I have nothing better to do.

I measured out the wheelwell prior to pulling the trigger. It looks as if it may work with very little clearance. If there is any rub, I'm sure that some of my drifter fanboy friends could lend me some spacers to test fit this application.

Worst case scenario, I'll spend another $100 and get some 235/55/18 tires,not be as sessy and cool and have a set of 255/55/18 tires take up space in my office.

In parting, before posting some crazy stuff on here, think to yourself, WWFD. You guessed right if you chose Fonzie.

good luck CBR....just so you dont get your hopes up, 255/55 wouldn't fit on mine with a +42 offset,but I probably had different tires as you, so I hope it works out for you! and sorry for the drama man!

"Where there's a will, there's a way."

Keep us updated.

235/55-18 is about the same height/circumference as 255/50-18. However, 255/50-18 is nearly an inch wider than 235/55-18. In other words, much mo' sessy.

Barely fits, no rubbing even in full lock. It's all in the offset.

18x7.5 +45 @ 255/55/18
http://www.teampointless.com/apictures/ballerwheels1.jpg
http://www.teampointless.com/apictures/ballerwheels2.jpg
http://www.teampointless.com/apictures/ballerwheels3.jpg
http://www.teampointless.com/apictures/ballerwheels4.jpg
http://www.teampointless.com/apictures/ballerwheels5.jpg

No rub! http://www.teampointless.com/apictures/gheyweeniewiggle.gif Very Sessy!!!1!

i had 255/55/18 michelins mvx4's or something like that. My wheels were 18x9, so they were pretty wide. The front was a 42 offset and the rear was a 48 w/ a 5mm spacer, so pretty much 43 offset in the rear. just like M1 1I 1K 1E said, it rubbed only during U turns, and if i hit a dip w/ a full load in the car in the rear. Just choose a tire w/ a round shoulder. nothing too square or aggressive . here's a pic of my E when i had wheels.

oh and another thing, during the winter don't even think about putting chains on! there was no way i could. The tires sits crazy close to the shock/spring and the tie rod endlink.

oh and another thing, during the winter don't even think about putting chains on! there was no way i could. The tires sits crazy close to the shock/spring and the tie rod endlink.

Yah, no clearance for chains et al. I can barely put my pinky between the shock and tire.

I guess that there is a big difference between +42 and +45 offsets. I don't rub in a full lock in u-turns; however, I can see where it would rub given a 3mm variance.

I am considering putting a spacer in the back so it matches the front. It appears that the front sticks out a bit more in the front than back.

Rim = 18" x 8" +48mm and P255/50R18 tires. Will that fit??

Rim = 18" x 8" +48mm and P255/50R18 tires. Will that fit??


Dunno, maybe... maybe not.

All I can say is that a 7.5 @ +45 will.