Honda Element Owners Club banner

HELP me pick tires

6.6K views 22 replies 17 participants last post by  MockSwede  
#1 · (Edited)
Well I am finally convinced I need tires. 41k on the E on original set, I was too lazy to rotate since 13k.

Going thru a 3-way intersection over lunch today with 2" of snow on the ground @ 20mph, braked a lil too late, ABS fought vigorously but with the sidewalls completely bald and only the centers still have tread (ala skis), ABS = foot vibrator.

Luckily it was clear and I was able to turn while still rolling and power out with the rt AWD.

So I'm looking for stock size or slightly wider, ride must be MUCH quieter at highway speeds 60-80mph (as people dont like calling me on the cell on my way home because of the background road noise) and have good snow traction + lifetime of 30K+.

The tire review thread is too long to go through with alot of people more concered about looks over traction + road noise. So help me weed this out guys!!:-D
 
#2 ·
For Highway all season tires the Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza rates pretty well on Tire Rack as does the Goodyear Forterra Silent Armor. Most reviews seem to indicate a quiet ride with excellent all weather traction. Look around TireRack (an EOC sponsor) and punch in the 215/70/16 or 225/70 sizes and look at the comparison charts for certain performance classes. Here's the Highway All Season listing HERE.
 
#3 ·
I bought the Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenzas the 2nd day I owned my E. I don't deal with snow/ice so I can't speak to that but these tires are fab in the wet (even HEAVY rain), wind and are super quiet and smooth. I have been very pleased with them. I went 225/70/16 on the stock wheels - a little more rubber on the road. Got mine at Firestone - buy 3 get one free deal so they had the best price of everyone I shopped. Made an appt for installation and was in and out in one hour on a busy Saturday, OEM tires neatly stowed in the back with plastic on them.TireRack has great reveiws and stats and the Alenzas are highly rated for wear and customer satisfaction.
 
#4 ·
I just got the bridgestone Duellers too. Like 'em a lot, compared to the last set of kelly's, they're way quieter. But by all means, I think you can get another 20k out of the originals. I got 20k out of mine. At the rate you're going, you'll be eligible for that Darwin Award thing too, one day.
 
#5 ·
I went with Pirelli Scorpions m/s last winter and haven't had a problem with 'em yet. A bit of road noise at the speeds you're talking about, but not so much that people have complained. I regularly go to the snow and right now we're getting rain dumped on us (central CA) and the traction hasn't faltered once. I upsized from stock though but I believe they have the same tire in stock size if interested. I got them from America's tire co./Discount tire.
 

Attachments

#6 ·
I was thinking of updating my rims and tires for The Big Event. Maybe go to 18's I was looking at these rims...but I want to look around in town too.
What do you think?? I was thinking since the E has so many straight lines to go with some curves...like my graphics...:grin:
 

Attachments

#7 ·
kissya said:
I was thinking of updating my rims and tires for The Big Event. Maybe go to 18's I was looking at these rims...but I want to look around in town too.
What do you think?? I was thinking since the E has so many straight lines to go with some curves...like my graphics...:grin:
If it had to be between the two, definitely the rims on the right. Chrome is pretty tacky in my opinion plus the design on the right is just a litte more classy.
 
#9 ·
#11 ·
Kissya, You are right, (hate to say that to a lady):D , the one on the right would be my only choice. Besides if ya go with 18's you will luv the improved handling, Tim
 
#12 ·
Ok, I looked around town this morning the prices are crazy. The tires alone , just under 900. So I'm going back on line... I saw these rims...what do you think??
I was thinking of going with Goodrich G- Force or Pirelli Scorpion STR for tires.
Since, my E is MM I was thinking the grey rims would be better..its a hard decision to make.....:roll:
 

Attachments

#13 ·
I'm not really partial to any of those rims, but you are looking at performance rims and I think that "truck" rims are more suited for the E. JMO

I thought this thread was about tires anyway???
Does anyone know if 240/70/16s would fit in in the E's wheel wells
I know some people have 235s I was just curious if anyone went bigger than that
 
#14 ·
ethos said:
thread was about tires anyway???
Does anyone know if 240/70/16s would fit in in the E's wheel wells
I know some people have 235s I was just curious if anyone went bigger than that
I only remember seeing one person sneak on a 245/70/16 and the pics he showed it was REALLY tight.

Some 235/70/16 dont even fit without a little rubbing.

It all depends on a tread pattern...if its rounded enough on the corners they MIGHT fit.
 
#16 · (Edited)
Bridgestone Dueler H/L's got my vote. I had my Wranglers replaced by the dealership with 19K on them and Indy Tire Center recommended the Duelers over all others. I'm satisfied with them on wet or snow covered roads, and most of all they have a nice, smooth quiet ride. I also like the way they tend to fill up the wheel well. Nice beefy looking tread pattern. When I got my '06 TRP Element, the dealership took my Duelers off of my '03, put the Duelers on the newer wheel of the '06 and put the Wranglers from the '06 on my old wheels. I told them I didn't want to have to go through a tire situation again and I personally spoke with Goodyear in the Fall of 2004, and they said they didn't choose the Wrangler for the Element and they consider it more of a replacement tire more so than an OEM tire but Honda wanted it as a cost effective measure. I suggest the Bridgestone Dueler H/L and look on the Tire Racks site and see how it measures up to all the rest. They gave it a good review as well as people who have bought it.
 
#17 ·
lwclancers said:
The TIRES were that much?
WHat kind of rubber was in the tires? wow.

I assume you mean wheels?
No, Continental Touring Contact CH95
235/50HR18----849.99 just the rubber.:x

Pirelli Scorpion STR
235/50HR18----841.62 just the rubber.:x
Those prices included: mounting, balancing and state sales tax which is over 9% in this state.:x
 
#18 · (Edited)
View attachment 15252 Hello,
New to this forum. Just bought a 06 Element EX-P, blue. Only 4 days old and am looking for 22" rims & tires, but don't know what will fit. Have seen other elements on cardomain.com with 22's and need to know where to look. Any help would be great.

Thanks.:)
 
#19 ·
dancetiludrop said:
View attachment 15252 Hello,
New to this forum. Just bought a 06 Element EX-P, blue. Only 4 days old and am looking for 22" rims & tires, but don't know what will fit. Have seen other elements on cardomain.com with 22's and need to know where to look. Any help would be great.

Thanks.:)
Hi -
Welcome and congratulations on your new Blue EX-P! Lots of FUN, huh?!?
About the 22s - that's a LOT of wheel and tire. I don't remember anyone here running those. I think even our Two-tone E was on 20s. Maybe you'd have more success asking specifically of those owners at cardomain? And come back and show us pics of what you do!

Tess
 
#20 ·
Wow Dance nice looking E ! Take a look at Tire Rack, They have some rims that may interest you.

Oh by the way, You are so close to the Big E-vent in St Louis, You may want to come!! It will be cool to see all the E's lined up. Give you a chance to see in person what others have done to there E's.:)

Welcome to the EOC! Glad you joined us !
 
#21 · (Edited)
Kissya, what's wrong with your brand new 18 inch gunmetal wheels?

Also, regarding the original post, I have never had an issue with roadnoise. I talk to my fiancee on the cell while she is driving on the highway to and from work all the time and we have no trouble, hearing each other at all. I also don't have any complaints when I am in the car on the highway. Maybe you guys are all just used to nicer riding cars. I have always had hand me downs, so the ride and noise in the E is like being in a luxury car for me. I guess it just all depends on what you are used to.

Edit: Sorry Kissya, I think that post was made before you got the gunmetals, I wasn't looking at the date on the post.