Congratulations on getting your 8R estate/wagon. Nice to hear of a good experience with a dealership too, and glad you’re finding the change a positive so far.
The pared back cabin and controls take a little bit of getting used to but after a few days, it starts to become second nature, and I think you’ll soon avoid hitting the wrong bits (handbrake) and quickly adapt to their placement. It took me a couple days to get used to the DSG lever but then it’s was as if it had always been that way.
I’m a big fan of the haptic controls and got along with them from the very start, and would be very disappointed to see them replaced with traditional buttons if that happens on the 8.5 as rumoured. It’s an oversight that they didn’t provide illumination on the temp controls but I’ve never had any issue locating them during night driving. I’ve used the reading lights quite a few times and so far no issues with them, so sorry to hear that you’re having some problems with yours and your pano roof - sounds like a trip to the dealer is needed to see if there’s a resolution.
Be lovely to see your new R so post some photos up if you get the chance.