Impression going from SportDesign -> Carrera5 wheels: steering feel?

This doesn't make any sense to me, but I thought I'd throw it out there... My car is an '03 C2, by the way. I just changed from SportDesigns to the "lightweight" Carrera 5-spokes. They are, based on my well calibrated arm scale, at least 5lbs lighter per wheel -- great. Note that the same tires came off of the SDs and went to the C5s. At first, driving home, I could have sworn that the installer got the tire pressures wrong. It felt "squirmy", and softer. I went straight home & checked the tire pressures, and they were perfect. After a bit longer w/the wheels, I've concluded that what I felt was the ride becoming much suppler. Good thing, right? Well, the downside that I'm experiencing is a loss of steering feel. I heard reports of this when the '02+ cars were reviewed, but thought my car from the factory had amazing feel. Well, the new wheels have something to do w/this. My guesses are that: a) the 2mm less offset per wheel in front (50 vs 52) creates slightly more lever arm, thus softening things a bit in front. Or, perhaps, it's enough offset to affect feel through geometry change, or b) it's related to the weight. So, Net: I'd say this is a positive change. Washing the car now takes me 15min, versus 30 w/the SDs. However, the steering feel puzzles & frustrates me. Thoughts, other than "you're nuts"? Thanks, Scott.

Scott... You're nuts... When you say that you checked the tire pressures and they were perfect, they were perfect as per the factory setting? There has been lots of talk about tire pressure settings, and that will drastically effect the ride of the car. What are the pressures set at....most people say the factory setting is too high. P.S. - Have turbo twists and have been debating switching out for Carreras...

The 2mm offset is negligible. The weight, although significant in terms of unsprung weight, is also negligible for street driving. As Cab NYC stated, it could be tire pressure was set to factory specs which are way too high and would result in a more jolting, squirmy ride.

And you can feel a pea under a stack of mattresses, right? I went from 18" turbo twists to the 5-spoke lightweights and I perceived none of the changes you described. Did you swap tires? (right-to-left)

I went from turbo look to Carrera 5 spokes and although I could not put my finger on it the feel seemed different somehow. My upgrade included new tires that were mounted and balanced from the factory. I adjusted the pressure to 34/42 f/r and these are Pirelli's PZero's same make as I had on the Turbos. I think the balance is off and so will get that checked before making final evaluation. I don't think the feel is bad just different. I also percieved a "lighter" feel to the drive, I could be imagining this however Gary

Same tires, I mean the exact same tires (swapped them from the SDs), exactly the same (factory) cold pressure (36psi front). The car definitely feels different. Not different bad, just more supple, with less steering feel. Feels slightly "snappier" from an accel/braking POV too. Oh, and yes, I can feel a pea under my mattress. Funny guy