OK - still I have the vibrations through the wheel / floor of the car on cold starting (will recap later) - just wanted to say you guys were right about the AirCon cycling - I noticed it had one pulley being driven by a belt, another that stops and starts periodically as stated... if you pull full right-lock you can see this from under the wheel arch;

http://www.e-bigs.net/BMW/accomp.jpg

(part number 64526917864) - the pulley with the arrow is the one cycling on + off

Anyway, back to my original idea that the problems with the vibration on cold start is from crap in the transmission for a few reasons;

- with the first crank it feels like the engine is pulling a bag of sand round with it
- the first shift when being driven from cold start is late (revs high) and jerky
- it vibrates more when put into reverse versus a little in D, least in P / N

and somehow the symptoms are directly proportional to the oil temperature. I went to the garage first for an ATF flush but I don't think they did it correctly... does this sound like it will correct with an ATF washout, or am I at risk of shredding the Trannie?