I used noah's guide, read it several times first and made sure that I had most of the tools available before I started and got most of the rest as I went along!
I did the rears over a short weekend to get my hand in and then did the fronts over a VERY long weekend as I was taking my time to make sure that I did everything correctly. Also, I was doing it in the confines of a garage and that probably made it take longer.
If you douse all the bolts with penetration fluid before you start, possibly the week before and again the day before you should have not too many problems. I was fortunate in that the car is reasonably new and low miles - the only bolt that was a bit tricky was one of the lower ones that clamps the base of the front strut. Needed to use the other bolt and a hammer to knock it through.
Personally I think the ride is acceptable. It can get a little 'choppy' on rapid undulations on faster roads, but the cornering and backlaning is fantastic and considering the price...well recommended.
I got nearly all the tools from scratch apart fromt the socket set and it was still cheaper than paying to get it fitted! I even got the 2.5tonne floor jack to ensure good lifting, so spent £50 extra than if I had got the 2tonne with free axle stands in Halfords, but hey..
I did find that I neededspring compressors all round and the 16 and 18mm sockets and spanners were not included in my set so had to get those as well.
I am by no means mechanically competent, but just followed the guide. At the end of the day, there are only about 3 bolts plus the strut tops each side on the front and 3 on the rear so you cant forget to do too much in the way of tightenning back up.
I dunno what the ride will be like when I get 18's on though...
'53 V5 20V 3dr 170bhp Indigo Blue
DNA remap
Janspeed Coilovers
R32 DSG Intake
S3 Upper Front Strut Brace
Beatle RSi Lower Front Strut Brace