The golf R is a rebadged S3 with a stupid price tag (i thought the mk6 was cheaper to build?)
No way im going for the R, its ont even much of an upgrade over the R32 (not £15k's worth at least!)
You are entitled to your opinion - even if it's wrong. 
I remember exactly the same thread on another forum when the Mk5 R32 came out. Only 10bhp more than the Mk4... £30K+ for a just a Golf... what a rip off... they'll never sell any... blah blah blah...
But, then again, I'm biased. 
Its not the power, its the delivery and feel of a V6 accompanied by the noise the makes it 'better' than the GTI. The R20 is designed to just be quicker.
I highly advise you go and test an S3, possibly the most soulless car ive ever driven!
You buy a car like the R32 with your heart
You buy a car like the R20 with your head