i've RROD my xbox 6 times, now it's used as my coaster. No idea if the new sets are any better, i hope it is.

1. No, i'd recommend going to a place that offers you decent warranty, seeing as the 360 is known for giving up the ghost at inconvenient moments.
2.The prices for Elite and Arcade are worlds apart - anywhere from 400-600 ringgit depending on the store, i'd recommend buying something that suits your gaming needs, i personally have both the Elite and Premium (for reasons, I myself fail to fathom)
3. Around RM1,400
4. Just ensure that the set you purchase is indeed Jasper, some stores claim it's a Jasper but is actually a Falcon set, or worse, a reconditioned Zephyr.

Hope this helps.

I personally have two p&c kit; my girlfriend has another. Fortunately for me mine has been trouble free for a good couple of years now. My girlfriend's on the other hand, has its good days and more often than not, bad ones too.

1. Really is down to your luck, if you buy it from a reputable place, you should be able to demand for an exchange.
2. Not that i know of, but i should think so since it uses the xbox's usb point to charge it.
3. Unlikely, as even when i'm playing a game on my xbox - with the controller synced to the console - and decide to charge the battery on another xbox, my controller ceases to sync itself. I should think you can only play and charge through your Xbox.
4. The xbox controller itself has a compartment to place AA batteries, and a friend uses - and swears by it - so if you're thinking of rechargable batts, you don't need a play and charge kit in the first place.
5. 60-80 ringgit. A friend bought one last week for RM75.