Tire Rack has a deal on Bridgestone Blizzak DM-Z3 tire/wheel packages going. The 15 inch steel wheels with 215/75 R15 Blizzak tires go for $508 plus shipping. They're $620 for the 216/70 R16 Blizzak on steel Rims. Both of these tires are nearly the same OD but I cannot find another source that says that 15 inch rims will fit on the Element. Tire Rack seems to think they will but no one else does. Has anyone else run 15 inch wheels on there Element or do you have a source saying it will work?

Thank
mcb

Tire Rack has a deal on Bridgestone Blizzak DM-Z3 tire/wheel packages going. The 15 inch steel wheels with 215/75 R15 Blizzak tires go for $508 plus shipping. They're $620 for the 216/70 R16 Blizzak on steel Rims. Both of these tires are nearly the same OD but I cannot find another source that says that 15 inch rims will fit on the Element. Tire Rack seems to think they will but no one else does. Has anyone else run 15 inch wheels on there Element or do you have a source saying it will work?

Thank
mcb



They are not the preferred size...but yes they will fit....other members here have used 15" wheels.

They are not the preferred size...but yes they will fit....other members here have used 15" wheels.


Why are they not the preferred size? The wide and OD should be very similar to the OEM tires. Are there other factors that make them a poor choice?

Thanks
mcb

i should have said it was my preference.....even when i worked at the tire store we never put on anything smaller than the OE size.

215/75/R15 is as close as it gets to 205/70/R16. The 15" rims clear the brakes by approx 1/4". I have been running 15x7s for a while now with no problems. Make sure they have the correct back space and offset before you order or the tires can rub on the control arms and struts or project past the fender flares. Tire Rack.com has the 15x7 steelies for $44 each. You can see more of my setup here.http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39062