Going down the custom route is significantly more expense as you pay for chip, labour and dyno time. The Squadra chip looks reasonable value and I can always change it for another one later on.

I use my car daily so do need to err towards reliability and as I am also in for the cost of an exhaust I don't really want to start having the additional cost of opening up the engine for head gasket, bolts etc.

As with everything on this car slow and easy may be the best way, besides with a chip releasing close to 40 plus BHP and the a free flowing exhaust without the Cat should release a few more then a 25% increase in power should be more than enought for present.