Welcome to the site mate.
Don't stress over the 'box mate, you'll never enjoy the drive otherwise!
However, initial signs will include a whining or slight grinding sound that can be heard as you move through the gears, particularly when cruising in higher gears, or changing down in the lower ones. If it's the 'box this sound will disapear as soon as you put down the clutch.
Your better off buying the whole rear badge for the red 'i'. Don't think I've seen them for sale on the there own. Dealers is good for this, also eBay. Although check with the dealers first, as I've found often smaller things like badges cost more through the bay.
Seems clutches need replacing every 40k or so on the GTis. They get heavy and you find it hard to engage gears when the engines heated up. Which often gets confused with gearbox issues. give GSF a ring and ask about a SACHS clutch kit. Cheaper newer and nicer than an OEM replacement
.
Hope this helps.
