I know some of you are going to say, why don't you just buy an LX/EX?

I'm in the market in the market to buy another Element and had an opportunity to sit inside (didn't drive) an SC at a dealership. I liked plushier feel of the interior and the 2wd aspect is something I already have and like. And for some reason the SC's don't seem to have the same resale value around my area and just might be a better buy for the money. I think it might have something to do with the market's desire for awd here in NE.

Two thoughts came to mind with the SC however:

Lower profile tires will add to an already stiff Element ride - may even soften, from what I understand, a stiffer SC suspension.

Lower profile contributes to dinged rims while parallel parking - curbs and the greater potential for bent rims - lot's of potholes in NE.

Question for you SC owners, is it practical to put the standard 215/70/16's (overall diameter is exactly the same as the 255/55/18 SC's) on what is really meant to be sport handling Element? I wonder how it would affect handling and if it would help "soften" an SC ride.

...not overly concerned, but I wonder how it will look with let's say 2003-05 EX aluminum wheels.

I appreciate the feedback.

If you think you will like it, do it!!

The more sidewall you have will give you more cushion.
The more cushion, the more it will absorb the bumps, etc.

That being said, the suspension is still going to a little stiffer than a EX or LX.

I would take you E to the dealership that has the SC. I would take the SC
on a test drive and go over some RR tracks or whatever is in your area that
is common. Make note of the speed you are traveling. Then take your E over
the same exact route at the same exact speed. This will give an instant
comparison of the two. If you put smaller rims on the SC with a taller sidewall,
this will probably make the ride a little softer than what you felt on your test
drive, but not as soft as your EX or LX.

I had an 03 EX, sold it and bought an 07 SC, I would of course recommend the SC. The ride I think is better, road noise is cut down (even more with added sound proofing and dampening), handling is better... The only thing I miss is having gone to 20" wheels, running over dips and such at full speed. Of course im in SoCal so its not such an issue with the larger wheels.

In the end, regardless the ride in an SC is not going to be the same as a non SC with smaller wheels and larger side wall tires. The suspension is set up different on the SC. Not to sound rude but if your THAT worried about damaging a rim while parking or over a pothole, shouldnt you get a big wheeled truck and not an E?

Thanks for the feedback! I'll test drive an SC and see how I like it...will try the railroad track test :). Rob, you have a good point - you're not being rude. My "pothole" bent rim concern is one of probability and practicality. A friend of mine drives a Volvo sport something (17" rim low profile tire) and he complains about have to replace/repair his bent rims every few months or so; we both drive @ 30k miles per year. I never had a bent rim with the aluminum EX. Thanks again all.

Im running 245/40/20 on my SC. I would have liked to go with 245/45/20 but the cost offset was unjustifiable. Having run the SC wheels, you can bump up the side wall size if need be. The room is there. Most people that run aftermarket wheels tend to go with rubber band 30 or 35 sized side walls. Of course your going to have wheel damage with no sidewall! My PT Loozer had 225/30/18 on the front when I got it and it was terrible. It always bottomed out, could barely get into my driveway... Bumping that size up to 40 was decent. I would have went up to a 45 but the rear tires were 255/40/20 if memory serves. It had a nice rake profile but larger sidewall would have offset it.

I have the SC but want the 7 spoke ex rims. just waiting to hit the post limit to get into the trading post. I wanna run slightly larger tires than stock to get a little more ground clearance and cushion.

I have the SC but want the 7 spoke ex rims. just waiting to hit the post limit to get into the trading post. I wanna run slightly larger tires than stock to get a little more ground clearance and cushion.

The SC has 18" wheels where the EX has 16" wheels. How much larger do you want to go tire wise? Dont forget the SC and the rest of the E family have different suspension. The SC is more firm and may even be (and I am not certain) lowered. Im just not seeing how putting bigger tires on a vehicle that has firm suspension will help all too much.

I have the SC but want the 7 spoke ex rims. just waiting to hit the post limit to get into the trading post. I wanna run slightly larger tires than stock to get a little more ground clearance and cushion.

U planning to sell SC wheels?

I'm running the EX wheels on my SC, and I'm pretty happy with the choice. I could tell the difference in ride quality with the larger side wall. It's probably a happy medium in ride quality between the SC and EX. Pics are on my profile, if you want to see.