2.5 years approx since dumping my full time job. Did the PPL last september doing ATPL's modular with oxford just now.
Get them started as soon as possible after you get your 1 class medical.(400 for medical 1700 for the modular at oxford) i didn't find the techs to bad but there were guys there on the 3-4 attempt. You will find once you are contracting it will be hard to study in the evenings so if you do quit your job use the time to get the ATPL theory out of the way while waiting for the first contract
I personaly think its the best way to do it if you can earn the money before you spend it.
The guys who borrow 50k etc will end up paying back 75k at least. So working your nuts off before is the cheapest option.
Yet again my scottish genes have pointed me down the cheapest route.
MJ