Thanks for the responses,
some food for thought here. Best way would be to try it, but as others have found the demonstrators at the dealers are of a mixed bag. My test drive was in a 20d M Sport without VDC, and it did drive pretty well, but with nothing to compare it to, can only go on recommendations!
__________________
On Order: WAS: F25 X3 xDrive30d M Sport, Carbon Black, Nevada Black. Prof Media, Visibility, Cold Weather, Climate, VDC, DAB, Storage & Top Down Reverse
NOW:X5 xDrive 40d SE Bronze / Black Media / Sunroof / Seat Heating / Top Down