personally i dont care if the diesel box is stronger or not.... this is one of the age old arguments.... same as the whole whats less likely to break lsd and non lsd.... sorry dont want to start that one again!!!
my main reason for the change is the ratios, the mk3 xr3 boxes rev the nuts off the engine.... which is really good for drag racing and a thrash down the b roads! Unfortunately i feel I am breaking them by holding them too far up the range for extended periods of time.... plus i doubt its any good for the engine either! hence the diesel box.

cheers for the comments though, always nice when people show an interest!