ABS unit replacement on VRS - any advice? Cost?

Looks like my ABS unit is shot thanks to be dowsed in rear washer water all winter! Rapidly loosing faith in VW/Skoda at the mo seeing as the missus' golf had a similar prob with rear washer and that has wrecked boot central locking!!

VAGcom is not even communicating with the ABS unit to show what the fault is, so either the unit is completely knacked or the harness has a major problem. Either way i have no speedo and disco lights on the instrument cluster at the mo!!

Local independent is quoting approx £600 min to fit with a recon unit, dealer will be £1000+ so going nowhere near them.

Anyone got any experience of ABS unit change and what good price is? Or any wise words of advice, tips or comments?

One of the local independents mentioned needing to do some sort of coding/familiarisation between the vehicle ECU and ABS unit when fitting, has anyone heard of this before?? I would have thought this would have been automatic at first key-on when the car does its ABS checks.

Thanks as always

Andy