Hmmm... the Mk 5 Ed30 and R32 were quite different cars. The Ed30 was both faster and (arguably) better looking than the R32. The R32 offered that creamy V6, delicious burbling exhaust note and 4WD over the Ed30.
However, the dynamics are different now for the Mk 6 Ed35 and R.
The Mk 6 R is faster and (arguably) better looking than the Ed35. It also has 4WD. The Ed35 is really just a tuned GTI with a few sparkly additions inside (nice seats) and out (new wheels, front bumper, door sills, etc). I can't see any real benefits over an R apart from maybe exclusivity? Though, the R is hardly common even after being on sale for over a year.
I can't really see why you'd go for one over an R. All comes down to price I suppose. Then again, I am biased.
