B-Spec took the direction the majority of people that disliked B-Spec "asked" (not directly, but it is understandable): more control over the driver. You can look at gtplanet and here, how constant the complaints were about how the Bob AI was dumb, that directions you gave him barely influenced and so on. But PD instead of developing it from a different angle like improving team building/training, they went and made the player more "in control".
Same with endurances, it's so dumb and funny seeing (the same) people go "where are my true endurances!" when they complained those 4/6/24hrs endurances were pointless, dull.
When PD listens to the "fans", it's mostly for the worse.
I'm happy they kept the Vision project as their thing, the reaction is extremely positive in the circles that matter, car developers (and designers too).
And it's good to hear how they are still playing with the audio, improving virtualization, bodes well for the future.
^ Weird, played a 5 lap race at Midfield in the rain and it didn't stutter or tear, have you tried deleting everything/downloading again?