MK1 1.8 GTI Running Problem

The car starts, revs to about 3000rpm and then the engine cuts out, will not idle, can do this for up to 10 times and then it will run, the more persistant you are the longer it runs for..... then when eventually started and you can drive it if you boot it, it will cough and splutter and then is normal once you let off the throttle..... anyone got any ideas on this??

When you say it revs to 3k, do you mean you don't touch the throttle and it does that? if so you must have a vacuum leak somewhere, check all your ducting and idle bypass pipework for leaks first, if it is due a service then give it a service and take note of every item you have replaced, especially fuel filter spark plugs, ignition leads, dizzycap and rotor arm, all cheap items and removes a load of major problem starters :-)