So I really like my new 17" wheels, how many others have aftermarket wheels and what kind?

You might need to add the option for aftermarket 16".
I recently got a set of Panther 16" wheels.
I prefer the standard wheel size with a chunkier tire around it.

Sorry Empire, didn't even think about it... Here you go!

:D

It seems odd that 73% (currently) of the respondents seem to be hanging onto their stock alloy rims and figure the size and styling is adequate and certainly doesn't justify the cost of scrapping the original alloy wheels.

Yet a search on that size at most local tire dealerships will come up with one or two options at best. So you have all these people with fast wearing OEM POS Wranglers, which is a model of tire probably 90% will NOT use a second time, and this size is shared with the popular CRV, and the tire manufacturers are not even trying to pick up this easy money.

Sure seems like they are missing the boat. Goodyear is dying and with tires like the Wrangler and Integrity, I can see why. I just gambled with their new "last gasp, last hope" Assurance Triple Tred on our Honda Accord, after reading rave reviews and it does indeed seem they might have a winner. But of course not available in Element size and after contacting them I discovered they don't seem interested in grabbling the market. No wonder they are going under as a company.

Of course this same resistance applies to a number of tires I know of that would be perfect for the versatile element, and I am sure you could name a few.

I currently have about 36,800 miles on my E. In the first 3-5000 miles, my tires looked scuffed and wearing poorly. All of that completely stopped and with my current milage and based upon the current conditions of the OEM Goodyears, I'll probably go 50,000 on the Wranglers easy. I replaced the OEM Michelins with top Goodyear rated tires (matches the speed and heat rating of the original Michelins) on wifey's Accord. After 4 years and 60,000 miles, the Michelin tread looked great but the dry rot was going to cause a fatal blowout sooner then later. The Goodyears offer better traction and performance and look great after 2 years on the Accord.
If my experience is similar to most, as folks put more milage on their E's, the Goodyears will wear pretty well. FWD E's may have front tire wear issues from excessive tire spin that will eat any tire. I also consider myself a pretty assertive drive who drives 80 mph on the hwy. Others may have a different experience but I prefer the Goodyear brand over Michelin, Firestone, Bridgestone, BF Goodrich, etc.... I may try Falken tires next. They got an excellent review from Consumer Reports and my bud has had them on his Wrangler for about 2 years and really likes them. Plus they are relatively inexpensive. At my tires current rate of wear, I won't have to worry about tire replacement for at least another 1-2 years

Nice to finally hear someone say something (anything) less than slanderous about the OEM Goodyears. Compared to other brands I've owned over 40 years of driving, I've had better consistency and "luck" with them than any other brand. I will not touch another Firestone, and now that Bridgestone has seen fit to "buy" the Firestone "brand", I doubt I'd ever have confidence in that brand either. Though I confess my only personal experience with Bridgestone was back when radials were only available in tube-type tires, and I'd find an overnight flat on my brand new '71 VW Bug nearly once a month!

I've had some overwhelmingly mediocre experience with Michelins, especially tires they've classified as "all-season" (yeah, maybe if you live in Monte Carlo!).

In addition to the positive experiences I've had with Goodyear's, I also enthusiastically recommend Pirelli tires. I've had both summer and winter tires from them, and both have performed beyond expectations. Strictly opinions here -- no facts whatsoever, other than my own.

Thanks, Nat for keeping your OEM's and reporting back on their wear and other characteristics after extended mileage. I find this very useful information, since my budget may force me to stick with the OEM's longer than I'd prefer (to eventually be replaced strictly for "looks" and larger wheel size in summer). And I have absolutely nothing negative to report about their handling in all four seasons. I've been concerned about premature tread wear, but your information suggests that "slows" with age.