But at nearly £37,000 (with options)
That's just ridiculous. I remember my father paying £1700 for his brand new MkI Golf back in 1975 
I have no real problem with the £37,000+ cost of a high spec one....
Nor the £30,000 cost of a high spec GTI...
What I'm struggling with is the fact that spec a Golf R and S3 to as close as it's possible to get...and the Golf remains £3500 more expensive.
Same platform, engine, brakes, gearbox, transmission, performance etc (accepted the golf will probably have a better 'chassis')...very similar spec...how on earth do the maths work there?
I'm no Audi fanboy...I don't particularly like the S3...but I'm just bafflerd at the difference in cost over the brand that VAG tell you is the 'more premium' product. I don't get it.
Personally, I'd rather pay for the Golf R...
But that doesn't make the equation balance any easier!