EDIT:My apologies to the mods in advance if this is taken the wrong way, it is intended to be a constructive post and I began it before you posted in the thread. I only read your posts after it was submitted. I don't think it is unacceptable but please delete it if you think it is.
Wow this is a crazy thread. So much complaining about an incredible update that has exceeded my expectations, I think PD got this one 100% right.
First off many of us had anticipated and even hoped that this mechanical damage update would only be applied to online at first. This is where it was required most so that online races would be a racing simulation and not bumper car racing. Those of us that thought about it for more than half a second realised that applying mechanical damage to A spec races before the AI had been changed would make the game too frustrating. We also realised that if they implemented the updates in stages they could give us the much needed online damage sooner. Will we get A spec damage? I don't know and personally I don't think it is such a big deal, it would be great if we did get it with improved AI.
I keep reading comments about the G25/G27 not being supported. What exactly isn't supported, are you complaining just because the game doesn't include a crappy picture of your wheel. The wheel works, as has been explained countless times if you want to assign features to the buttons you can do so with the DFGT menu, sure some buttons might not do anything yet but it is a PC wheel and we don't know if those are coming. If I was PD I would focus on the most important/requested updates first. The wheel works so it wouldn't be top priority.
Sure I dreamed that GT5 would include the best features of every other title and be better in every way, it isn't. It turned out to be another driving game that is great but not really better with it's own flaws. If PD keep up the updates it will be better, overall it might even end up the best title but chances are that other titles will still trump it in key areas.
Here is what we know.
iRacing is the most realistic racing simulator but it has limited content and people complain about it's subscription scheme.
rFactor has great content and great physics but doesn't compare graphically and people complain about the online experience.
Forza is the reason we are disappointed in GT5. Turn10 beat PD by a year and implemented improvements that we dream were included in the GT series. The modification system, tuning and telemetry in Forza makes GT5's effort look like a joke, the customisation and storefront features are great additions that make the game more of a community experience, give it more depth and allow you to have a more personal experience but many simulation fans are not convinced by other areas of the game and think that certain physics are superior in GT5.
GT5 disappointed us, we expected the world and it didn't deliver. It created a new genre, the most beautiful disappointing game
(that was a joke, hence the lol). The fact is GT5 focused on certain areas and did those great, unfortunately PD underestimated the competition and neglected other areas many fans wanted. For the purpose of this post I will divide physics into 4 areas, basic handling, force feedback, mods/tuning/realistic component modelling, damage. PD got one out of those great but failed with the others, now it has improved damage online and we know that Kaz has promised continued development based on the requests of the GT community.
The point is there are a number of titles available with different strengths, anyone is free to choose one as their favourite and play that or play as many as they want. There is no perfect driving/racing game yet, we know what we have and we know what our other options are and we know that PD has promised a commitment to improve this game according to our requests and so far they have remained true to that promise. It is going to take time to get most of our requests and there may be some we don't get but I think if there are overwhelming complaints even when PD do something good they might think there is no point in continuing and put all their effort into GT6 sooner. This is something that won't make any GT fans happy.
So in my opinion we should be congratulating PD on listening to us and getting this update right so far, let them know we still hope that they work on improving the AI and implement these damage options in other areas of the game as soon as possible. Continue to give constructive feedback about the areas of the game that are disappointing and let them know what we think should be done to improve it. But if we whinge when they do what we ask, if we complain about updates we have told will be coming later in the month not being included in this update even though we were told this update would be for the damage and got what we were promised when we were promised, if all we seem to do is complain all the time no matter what they do I can only see one outcome and it isn't good. Fact is that if this game is too disappointing and you feel that PD can do nothing right it might be time for you to look towards the alternatives. I'm reassured by this update that PD is trying to give us the game we want, I am certain that PD will not improve certain areas I wish they would and other titles will continue to embarrass GT5 in those areas but I believe if PD keep on the current path they are following they are on the way to making this the ultimate driving simulator, that may or may not be what you are looking for.
or maybe also the fact that they have to modify the AI so they can get damage too and continue to race (hey give them a couple of months, they had only 5 years to do so.....
I agree with all your points here but give it a month or two and hopefully normal service will be resumed. 
