I've messed up big time

Manage series links is gone, all you can do is wait for the program to appear in the TV guide and select it to cancel the series link and then set up a new series link with whatever changes you want.

Some of the missing features are as follows; Quickplay (play 10% faster with audio), Wishlists (where you can set the box to record programs on certain subjects or featuring certain people), undelete, series link+, suggestions, setting of series links for programs not in the current TV guide, ethernet control, keyboard support via USB, turning of the mini-preview screen while browsing menus, switching between tuners with constant buffering, skip-back on fast-forward, default recording options, cancelling individual recordings from a series link, multi-channel series links, radio channels allowing recording of radio, separation of recordings between boxes, watching recordings when internet is not available and probably a few others I've forgotten.

Also, extra boxes do not have their own hard disks or tuners (unless converted from a V6 box), so you lose storage space and recording ability and are also reliant on the main box being on to watch and set recordings and also on having a decent wi-fi signal (or ethernet cable) between the two boxes when watching recordings. If the boxes are used by independent family members i.e. older children living at home, then there is also the issue of recordings being pooled across all boxes, so everyone's recordings are mixed up, rather than being separated. This also means that if there is a show that both people watch and one person watches and deletes it then it is gone for the other person as well, and can't be recovered due to the lack of undelete.

Sounds like a Humax or a Manhattan Freeview box might suit you better?

Yes, it's a real shame you can't get a TiVo based Freeview\Freesat box. I believe the Humax and Manhattan boxes are both pretty decent, though obviously also missing the TiVo patented features but still going to be at least on par if not better than the 360.

These days I use a HDHomerun tuner with Plex, which gives 4 Freeview tuners and the all the general PVR functionality you could want (bar of course the patented TiVo stuff), bit more hassle to set up but because it just records to a PC\NAS you have basically unlimited recording space and a nice lot of control over the recordings. Paired with an AppleTV for the playback it also means it integrates with all the streaming apps, if you use them (TBH these days I don't other than for the F1).

If you aren't bothered about the additional pay TV channels available via VM, Sky, BT etc then the latest Manhattan T4R boxes are a great bit of kit.  The recordable boxes have Freeview Play, you can pause live TV, it includes a large number of apps, although youtube isn't currently available it has been promised.  The box firmware is constantly being updated.  The subtitles aren't too large. 

I bought the box for my sister as she's a bit of a luddite and has difficulty with all TV boxes (she loves her iphone but can't work it lol)  and she says it's far easier to use than the 360.  She prefers the T4R remote to the 360's.  It was easy to pair the T4R remote to the TV so only one remote needed. 

She hated having to use catchup/on demand etc and is now happy as she can record to her hearts delight AND use the pause function.

Best bet long term is Freeview. Freesat will continue until 2029, when the current satellites reach their end-of-life, at which point you will either have to switch to Freeview or Freely (the eventual IP successor to Freeview, which is also non-recording).

I will never forgive Virgin for removing My Wishlist. I will be leaving soon if it is not re-instated

I will never forgive Virgin for removing My Wishlist. I will be leaving soon if it is not re-instated

It won't get re-instated as it is a patented feature of TiVO, & cannot be copied to another platform without huge expense. VM has been bought by a company that wants to streamline their operations, so we are stuck with what they impose on us. 

I dumped VM TV a long time ago and don't miss it one bit.  Any streaming I need is done via the usual kit.  I also like the flexibility of stopping and starting different providers on a monthly basis when it suits me.  Best of all it works with no fighting over incorrect bills .......

There's an industry move away from DVB broadcasting to IPTV, just look at VM's Flex, Sky's Glass and Stream and Freely. This will take years but if you don't think it will happen then think VoIP - within a couple of years all landline calls will be made over IP. The future is IP and the move to it is unstoppable.

Update. 1 month in.  I HATE IT.  HUGE MISTAKE.  Definitely ditching VM when contract up.  Freeview here I come.