While the Mk2 Golf is a dry weather car, my main drive is a 2001 Golf V6 4Motion, the 2nd one I have owned. Had it for about 9 years and is on 155k miles. In that time, it's had a Revo stg2 remap which, with a more aggressive throttle transforms the engine. With various other mods, claimed to be good for 224bhp. Suspension replaced with Bilstein B12 and the front and rear roll bars replaced with R32 ones and poly bushes. Exhaust is a Milltek non-resonant cat back item. Still have to put the black leather Recaro interior in. Although it has needed a few big items renewed in my ownership, it has only let me down twice with a flat battery and sticking starter motor, both were sorted at the roadside. No oil or fluids needed between services.
I own one the same colour as yours but a later 52 plater mentioned here. Does you have the earlier AUE 24v engine?