So before I install my VWR springs: replace anything? I'm keeping the stock struts. The whole "replace it because VW owner" thing drives me crazy, for some reason everyone seems to circle jerk over spending money.
I have 42k on the car and no fucks given.
As long as the struts aren't leaking you're fine. As far as the wear items go, mounts, bearings, and endlinks. You'll only need boots and bump stops if yours are torn.
It's not that people love spending money, it's that it makes more sense to replace this stuff while you have it apart, since it's the same amount of labor to replace collapsed mounts or grinding bearings as it is to replace the springs. There's no reason to do the job twice.