After reading back a few more pages on this thread I feel like I'm getting to know you all pretty well. I also realize that my oil post above probably came off like an advertisement but I was just excited to find Mobil 1 on promo and TDT available (in qt size, nonetheless).
A little about me and my TDI so far: purchased 02 Golf manual w/ 83k 3 weeks ago and drove it home from Spokane. Learned what I needed to know and the questions to ask from this forum (and a phone call to JasonTDI). Returning home to MN I've now changed all the filters and the oil, the TB (dieselgeek deluxe) with the help of a friend and the instructions/vids on this forum and the Bentley, flushed the coolant and refilled ~1:1 with G12. I've also been trying to get rid of a GP fault code from #4 gp but it's at the point where I think I'm going to switch it out (all GPs read 1.5ohm except the one throwing the fault ~0.5.)
I've got a panzer skid plate sitting in my apt hallway waiting to be installed that I plan on doing in a few weeks as well as waiting to do my EGR/intake cleaning. With the help of said friend's Vag-Com we've upped the EGR value to a little below the max legal emissions limit/specification.
When I was checking out the air filter system I noticed one of the two previous owners had ripped out the snow screen. I was a little surprised to find that, but not too concerned. MANN cold filter should mostly take care of that along with emptying the air box (of dead rodents!??) from time to time.
I had a little chuckle when I saw that it took a few other folks 9 hours to change the A3 TB back in January because for me that little operation took even longer than I'd care to admit on the ALH.
I'm very much looking forward to putting names to faces at the next GTG and showing off my utterly stock TDI.
-Bjorn