Shifty

A lot of fun! Much more low down pull, it is a much lighter car though possibly just sub 1000kg. The 5 speed box.....Neither easy or normal, I would say hard. No issues with the box or clutch. The brakes weren't really up to prolonged hard use but I suspect they are smaller than yours. I've replaced the Tsi with a Gti now (same engine but 6 speed) and this is running 147 bhp. I have no concerns at all over reliability. Complaints of failed actuators are generally down to lack of use, slow driving etc.

I ran a VW UP 1.0 Tsi 90 to over 40k miles mapped to 143 bhp and I think I used 1/2 litre of oil in 4 years of hard use. No problems at all, cracking little engine.