Cheers guys, thanks for the warm welcome. I won't be sad to see that back of my previous club - no names, but you might be able to work it out for yourselves based on my current car. Suffice to say that the car has become very cheap and the general conduct/attitude of the forum a taken a nose dive i recent months having been pretty decent of the last 5 years or so. IMHO, the ST is doing nothing to help the image either. I don't want to be a badge snob, but even with the power deficit the GTi is a far better all-rounder.
I'm all too familiar with the slippery slope that is modifying too, although I appreciate the advice. My new 0% card is burning a hole in my pocket already! I'm a firm fan of the OEM route so I think making the move a VW is long over due. I currently have a Focus TDCi Sport [Ltd Ed.] with ST170 brakes, suspension, induction system, black headlights and clear repeaters, Eibach Pro Springs (list Ford part) and a remap pushing power up to 146bhp from 113bhp, Ferodo DS2500 pads, Goodyear Eagle F1 215/40 (ST170 is 215/45/17). It's my second Mk1 Focus and will run rings around a lot of hotter/pricier stuff. The Sport was to be a PD130/150 TDi MkIV (part of me regrets not jumping ship to VAG sooner) but the MkIV chassis just didn't cut it compared to the Mk1 Focus and I did get much lower mileage for my money. I was planning on some more hardcore suspension mods - ARBs and better shocks (there is nothing more to be wrung from the ancient and asthmatic 1.8 TDCi - generally very disappointed in what is a rubbish engine all round) but a knackered Turbo and EGR has put pay to that. Once fixed, it's hopefully gone.
I have a lot of experience driving VW/Audi's as I temp'ed at a courtesy car driver for a few months post-graduation before disappearing to NZ or Oz for several months. I've always liked the MkV chassis and particularly the DSG - it's very well suited to 2.0 TDi is particular, it's just a shame that you can't get 3dr TDi DSG cars in the UK. If my fiancee get's her way, it'll be 2.0TDi GT but my thinking is that if I'm going to spend loads on a 'standard' car I might as well make the starting point something a bit more special in the first place. I can't go with out the torque, but economy isn't as much of an issue for me any more as my daily commute is a 22 mile round trip. My TDCi barely gets up to temperature and is delivering crap economy as a result, I can't see a T FSi being any worse.
The wait, and impending hunt, continues... Thanks again for the warm welcome.
