Well, you either spend £1.5-2k, and get on with flying with the IMCR which may or may not be defunct in a couple of years, or you spend £6-10k to get the IR.
If you're going commercial there's probably not a lot of point getting the IMCR.
If you're not, and adding this to a PPL, £6-10k is a hell of a lot of money to spend opposed to £2k, and even for a few years, it lets you get on with it (unless you need the full IR for class A/airways access. But if you do you can likely afford it).
However, if you're a PPL and money and time is no object, then by all means, do the IR - for the rest of us flying on a budget, the IMCR gives 2 years (at least, hopefully) instrument flying at a very reasonable price.
Also -
Originally Posted by 5150
Bear in mind also, that a single engine IR is not transferable across to a Multi engine IR, so you'd have to go thru it all again, all at an extra and unnecessary cost.
No - From LASORS:
SE IR(A) to ME IR(A)*
a. 5 hours instrument time under instruction in ME aeroplanes, which may include (b);
b. 3 hours in FNPT II or Flight Simulator if approved by CAA;
c. Pass a ME IR(A) Skill Test with a UK CAA Staff Flight Examiner.
* The holder of a SE IR(A) wishing to upgrade to ME IR(A) shall either hold a multi-engine type/class rating, or have at least completed an approved course of training for the ME class rating.