I'm going to chime in... I'm working on doing the lift spring install on my Golf TDI.
I've done a mkiv beetle in the past and the rears just took time and profanity.
Did the rears yesterday... took at least 7 hrs. Included in this time.... wrecked a 21mm impact bit trying to remove the lower strut bolt... had to run around and find a better one. upper strut mounts on the passenger side are waay up there and tough to get in without a long extension. with the bigger springs, you need to work the jack around a bit to line the lower control arm back up.... lots of profanity.
I'm now attempting to do the fronts.... 5 hrs in, can't get the damn driver's side strut out. I was trying to do this without pulling the axle, like i've seen some other people have done....but from what I can see, it's the one thing impeding the strut from clearing the last 1/2 inch of strut clamp.
I'm trying to decide if i want to pull the axle bolts (assuming local dealership has the replacements), or if I'm going to reassemble and take it to the shop and let them do the fronts.