[northpole]

3 to 5k???? mate that is you bring it in to a garage that does everything for you and to be fair with 2.5k it should be an engine that has every moving part, sensors, gaskets, bearings, injectors, pistons, piston rings, rods etc replaced... for new items so basically a new engine that needs to be driven in again. spend up to 5 k and that means you have the car completely resprayed and all the light clusters and interior replaced with new ones.

IMHO if you want to spend 5k you can buy an Audi S3 from 2005-2007 or an Audi S4 2005-2007( but the latter will probably need the timing chains replaced, they are located at the back of the engine so gearbox needs to come off and engine needs to come out to replace it very expensive to have it done, and very timing consuming to DIY, not to mention the fat that you have to use an engine hoist as the front is not detachable as with the mk4 golf)

 

[northpole]

i get your way of thinking but it shouldn't cost that much... especially not if there is nothing wrong mechanically.. so just replacing drive train components and getting upgraded parts to get the most out of a remap will set you back 1.5 to 2k incl. the remap

 

[northpole]

Any independent VAG specialist garage would be what I would be looking for as close to home as possible...
Google is ace for finding one.

 

[northpole]

@Karim he's got no engine problems, he was asking about preventative things... so I told him he can go ahead and upgrade parts to get more from a remap...

It just means he'll upgrade clutch, injectors, intercooler, boostpipes and maybe put on a k04 before he gets a remap. Than if he has any smarts about him he also does a big brake conversion and upgrade the suspension. So that the car is able to handle and control all the extra power.

He's got an AUM so he's looking at 200 with the k03 but if he gets a k04 with all the extras, he'll be seeing 230+ bhp.