The OE pedal effort thing can make a difference between a pleasure to drive or a chore.
Several years back I needed a new clutch on a Golf PD150 and replaced it with an uprated Sachs one so it could handle more power. Due to the increased clutch pedal weight, it soon became a pain.
If you can test drive a car with the uprated clutch you are looking at first, it could save you from the same pain.