More spacey ideas. First of all, astromech droids. Every x-wing has one, and a mere cosmetic role is certaintly below our shiny domish freinds. When I'm flying I need to know r2 something isn't just tagging along for the ride. So why not give them a real purpose (repairing was a bit cheap in GC, and its already been stated the x-wing will be a one player craft), for instance, warning us poor distracted fly guys when danger draws near.
Couldn't it be possible to make r2 an AI controlled position in the x-wing (that people cannot switch to or get in), it's weapon could simply be a verbal warning only the x wing pilot hears (like 'i got a lock on him' from the f-15 in bf2) that plays whenever it shoots at ties (basically, the warning could be like 'Ties on our tail'!, but we get that satisfying panicked beeping as well). It would just sound like teh typical beeps (duh), but perhaps we could see the written translation on our screens (like how it is on the x wing control panel). The r2 'weapon' could have a limited turn radius, so it can only spot units in the pilot's blind spots and not annoy the pilot to death with a billion repeated verbal warnings that aren't pertinent (ties that aren't close enough or in position to warrent a warning). There might also be a 15 second 'reload' time so the warnings aren't rapid fire.
In conjunction with the r2 position spotting ability, perhaps the bf2 lock on sound forthe pilot position could be replaced with a tell tale r2 panicked beep. Perhaps something similar when the x wing is ever hit by ion cannons and disabled.

Another quick idea. That very neat captians chair, like the one Admiral Ackbar used over endor. That thing is awsome. And if your gunna have a bridge full of panicking or excited crew, seeing that chair move around, either on it's own animated and scripted preogitive, or movin like a vehicle turret, would up the intensity. Or at least make boarders weary of being wacked by it.

Futurama: You Can't Prove it Won't Happen