So my dealer has kindly leant me an SDV8 VSE for the weekend...my impressions are as follows. The comparisons are based on my L322 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography....

+ build quality is definitely improved. Feels much more solid and the exterior pillar trims are 'flush' - makes such a big difference to the appearance
+ performance is noticeably better. Even though it is fundamentally the same engine, it is so much faster and smoother and sounds amazing (not diesel like at all)
+ body roll has pretty much gone
+ panoramic roof is amazing
+ massage function is nice but a little noisy
+ ride is good on 21" wheels - better than my 20" wheels on the L322

- touch screen controls are okay - a little fiddly but not as bad as I was expecting
- the TFT screen is still so underused. iPod track information does not display - just 'iPod' - useless IMO
- resolution on the touchscreen is poor
- two rear standalone seats are pointless IMO and a cost you will never recover - in fact you will probably lose out more
- electronics still not as good as German equivalents - surround cameras not all working on a brand new car and of poor resolution
- seats a fair bit firmer than the current car - leather quality is the same
- regulation stickers on the sun visors look awful - I have none on my L322 so must be something new
- ambient lighting is a gimmick and is very dim, even on the brightest setting

Do the positives outweigh the negatives in your opinion?

They do but they are doing many changes for 14MY for a reason. It is a lovely car but when I will probably be spending close to £100k on a car, it needs to be perfect and this one is not in its current form. A model year or so in, and I think it will be great.

what he said above !! + 1