If you want to start with handling I'd definitely recommend good tyres, a better dogbone mount and an upper strut brace. A good quality cotton air filter (Green, Jetex, etc.) sounds excellent and aids breathing, but is made best use of with a remap and uprated diverter valve.
Regarding your question about remaps - not only will peak power increase, but so will overall torque levels (some maps have high torque curves which tail off, others smoother more usable across the rev range - your choice really). Throttle response is greatly improved and makes the car go like stink!
Aero wipers and uprated bulbs are quite a cheap mod too.