Going from stock to 17"x8" wheels-will I loose cornering performance?

[Trader]

I like the tight cornering performance of the MS3 so I would not like to loose that. But I am thinking of going with lighter 17" wheels. Preferably 17"x8" wheels and 235/45/17 tires.

I know I should pick up some straight line performance due to better traction and less wheel weight but don't know if I will lose cornering performance due to the higher profile wheels.

 

[Sport6]

Just make sure to get a tire with a stiff side wall and you shouldn't loose any performance.

 

[mr_mazda329]

Tire's like the Hankook RS2's, Falken Azenis RT-615, RE-01R's, Toyo R1R's have stiff sidewalls. I'm also venturing into the 17x8 wheel setup.

 

[Kurt07]

I have a 17x8 setup with 235/45-17 tires. I like it. I noticed no lost of cornering performance. However, the tires I got (Sumitomo HRTZ III) lost most of their grip after 12000 miles even though I still have more than half the tread left. I will be buying a set of Azenis RT-615 come spring time.

Here is the thread I started about my setup.