An interesting thread chaps..
..another point to bear in mind when you are comparing the sim to the real aircraft is that all aircraft can be built slightly differently for each end user. The sim manufacturers obviously try to cater for these aircraft differences by providing selectable customer options on the simulator but there is a limit to what can be done within the bounds of reasonable cost and sometimes praticality.
Also, Airbus (for example) seem quite prone to upgrading their avionics fairly frequently, so there is an ongoing cost for sim operators to upgrade the simulators to the latest software revision levels. Failure to do so will result in some sim users experiencing perceived incorrect systems behaviour when in reality it is 'out of date' behaviour. These upgrades can often be costed in millions of dollars, particularly if replacement aircraft black boxes are required and the viability of the simulator, if lightly used, can be called into question. On occasions the certifiying aviation authority will mandate these modifications in order for the sim to retain its certification level. If you buy a new A320 aircraft today it is almost certainly not worth you training on an old sim.
As has been said before in this thread, the key is to make sure you write up any defects or percieved problems in the sim tech log and convey the details directly to an engineer. Some of us engineers are pilots too so we also want it to work as it should.
As for malfunctions.. I find the 'reverser unlocked' in flight is quite an enjoyable one.. big bang, big yaw, big buffet, engine spools down.. s..t now what ?