Not trying to get anything! I have an IMCR and might decide or be forced into an IR at some stage (see other thread!) but I am assuming the hours won't count for that unless they've formed part of a course of training, even if the requirements for the ground exams are made more sensible.
The current JAA IR gives no credit for any previous instrument training.
The FAA IR gives you full credit for previous instrument training, done anywhere.
IFR is sufficient and just shows future employers you have experience in this environment so should know what's what.
Well, OK, but that is outside the private GA context. I am not aware of any license or a rating which a private pilot can collect, where logged "IFR time" would be useful.
Typically, in European IFR/airways flight, one spends 99% of the time in clear VMC - at least that is the continuous objective. I certainly would not log that as "instrument flight".