[Dubla]

This week I put the stock wheels (with new Bridgestone Ecopia HL422 215/70R16) back on my Element. For the past few years I have had 18" wheels (18x8) with Toyo Proxes ST 255/50R18 tires.

The Toyos were loud but I didn't realize how much so until putting these new tires on. The Bridgestones are super quiet and provide a smooth ride. The original wheel and tire is much lighter in weight, and makes the car feel a touch more responsive and quicker. It feels great on local streets - I also just swapped in new strut assemblies all around.

However, I got on the highway for the first time today, and the wind was pushing me around so easily. I'd forgotten how much the E sways in the wind. With the large wheels and tires my Element was straight and steady and gripped the road tightly. I do miss how my Element looked and the handling of the large wheels, but not the road noise and feel.

I don't have a question or anything, just making an observation. I may be selling the 18s in the near future.

 

[Dubla]

I changed the struts about a week before changing the wheels and tires. There was already a noticeable difference with new struts, but after putting on the old wheels and new tires, the difference was like night and day. I live in New Orleans, and our streets bumpy, to say the least. The car takes the poor roads in a much more comfortable way. I can tell the extra weight of the large wheels/tires made the ride slightly harsher, but not too bad. Now, it rolls so much smoother over bumpy streets and on smooth roads, it seems I coast for blocks (my Element is a manual and I shift to neutral sometimes when I see red lights ahead).

The trade off is in handling though. As I mentioned in my earlier post, the Element handled very well with the big wide wheels and tires. It hugged the road tightly and did not sway much.

 

[Dubla]

And I have not yet used a full tank of gas yet. I'm looking forward to see what kind of improvement on gas mileage the change makes. I'll report back.

 

[Dubla]

Squirrelly indeed. If I can find a quiet and comfortable tire for my 18" wheels, I would consider going back.