The new version doesn't sound like much of an improvement. If you have to type the name, then it defeats the purpose. Also, one of my main reasons for asking for an add recepient is because I don't remember most of the names. So having to type one would be difficult.

As far as limiting the amount of people that show up in the "add recepient" link, why should they be limited? It's just like an email address book. When you click the TO link to bring up your contacts, it doesn't limit you to just a few people when you contacts list can contain 100s of email addresses. That's why I'm saying the buddylist should pop up when you click the "add recepient" link. Although the quick links > open buddy list does this sort of thing, I'm just saying, wouldn't it make sense that the PM section have a link to show your buddies in that same page and not have to go to an external one?

When I get around to it, I'll email vBulletin and see if they respond.