Erikjuh
Step 1: make sure you have dry filament.
Step 2: follow this guide: https://ellis3dp.com/Print-Tuning-Guide/
8 mm retraction sounds like waaaay too much, a direct drive printer should print fine with under 1 mm retraction.
I was in the same position, doubting between a mk4 and a p1s. Decided to build a Voron instead, no regrets.
I just got my magicphoenix kit delivered. It has some nice addons that the default voron does not have: nevermore, tap, and canbus (no more cable chains to the toolhead). The packaging is nice, everything is placed in layers in the order that you build it.
I paid a little over €1000, and that includes some extras such as steel Y backers, a CNC tap, extra lights and DHL express shipping.
I had to pay about €230 extra in duties and tax (shipped to the Netherlands).
Oh my, he totally looks like one of our cats, it’s almost uncanny