My VW Golf GTI Mk3 has 140000 miles on teh clock and she always started first time (i know this wouldnt last forever).

when it snowed last week i started her up in the morning (started first time), scraped off the windows then turned off the engine to quickly go back inside. When i came back out she wouldnt start so i kept trying for ten minutes and had to sit with foot on pedal for a while before she would stay running without cutting out.

since then she wont start first time and cuts out at junctions until she gets warmed up.

Also when i put my foot down it doesnt respond - and then jerks into action.

i changed the sparkplugs at the weekend but the problem still prevails.

what should i be looking for next? HT leads, distributor cap thingy???

pls help im a car maintenance noob and want to learn how to fix my baby!