The quarter lights hark back to the Mk1, but in the Mk7's case, is because the windscreen is at a shallower angle and the doors would look odd if they followed the line of the A pillars. Having what is essentially an extra pillar can create a massive blind spot when looking right at roundabouts in other cars. My Dad (for his sins) has a Kia Venga, and that is downright dangerous. I can't comment about the Golf tho', as I haven't driven one.
The Monzas are a lovely wheel, but the design is something like 8 years old now. They need to be changed at some point, otherwise we would still have GTI's with BBS RA's or P Slots on them. You could always order a Mk7 with the cheapest wheels on it and fit a set of Monza Shadows if you really like them that much.
The electronic handbrake is very good in practice, especially with Auto-hold. My Passat has one, and after just 2 weeks of getting used to it, I'm finding the good old fashioned one in my Golf a bit of a faff to have to use. It's not as if I've every used it for a handbrake turn.
