you definitely have to stay on top of these cars, my friend had a toyota he drove around for 6 months with terrible valve chatter...you couldn't get away with that with one of these.
every time I ride in someone elses VW or audi, the check engine light is ALWAYS on, granted, these cars do make a lot of BS codes, but I've gotten mine down to one code that doesn't throw a light...its the lower-radiator coolant temp sensor, which I have ordered.
I have the top end gasket kit, timing kit, water pump, new head bolts, an air intake, and enough hose clamps to do a hose clamp conversion. once I get the new head, I'll port it, and swap everything over.