Ok, i have had the mk since may 04, and i had notiaced that when i first got it when i was idling it was on the hard side, and when it was in park or N then it was quite rough. i didnt think it was a big deal, i thought that because it was a v8 it would be like that because its big...the biggest thing i had driven at that time was a 1.6 escort...but does anyone know what that is, it keeps making me lose sleep every time i think of selling the car.

explain rough, is the idle jumping up and down, does it only happen when cold? Have you tried running the codes on the car?

it doesnt jump, it does it all the time, in the summer in 100 deg, to single didgits, no codes...not a problem like that, its just that it seems that the motor is just trying to jump out of the hood. moreso that it should. i have recently test driven a fiew mk8's and they all seemed to be smooth.

Whats the mileage?

1) Clean the IAC out with some 2+2 Gumcutter.
2) Clean throttle body and blades thoroughly with Gumcutter.
3) New spark plugs.
4) New wires.
5) New fuel filter.
6) Run some Lucas fuel system cleaner for a few tanks.

I'm surprised you first response wasn't the fuel pump!

I would have to say that it would be the spark plugs/wires (depending on the year 97-98 do not have wires). I would start by repalcing them, but as Geno said try some of the Gumcutter (what ever the hell that is...... :bash: ). But it sounds to me that the plugs/wires are bad. They should be changed like every 20K miles, so most likely that is the culprit. Give Max @ 5 Star Ford a call 1-800-866-1520 ext 236 and get ya some plugs/wires. I am running the lightning 2 step colder plugs and 9MM Ford Racing wires, and his deals CAN NOT be beat.......I get the 9MM wires cheaper than you can get the crappy autopart store 8MM wires....so give him a call.

I'm surprised you first response wasn't the fuel pump!
Fuel pump will not rough idle. It will not deliver under high demand conditions and or just plain old die.

Fuel pump is fine, 59800mi, (still had notiaced it when i got the car with 46480), spark plug/wires were replaced when i got the car bbecause of a horrible misfire.