As you can see from my footer I went from a 230bhp Edition 30 GTi to a Golf R32 in 2008 so a little similar

I reckon with straight-line performance there is probably little difference, the R32 would initially be a bit faster but run out of "puff" at the top of the rev range. Whereas once the turbo kicks in on the GTi from around 3000rpm (lower on the Mk 7 ?) that would have the edge up to the redline.
What I can say is that they would be completely different cars to drive, and they would feel like it too.
The GTi is much lighter, more nimble, chuckable and probably more suited to roads with slow tight bends.
The R32 would feel heavier and with a much more planted feel, and very rarely is traction a problem ... it will just catapult out of bends, even with steering lock on.
The R32 had a lot of character with the glorious soundtrack of its V6, but at the end of the day it was a big heavy lump of an engine, difficult to tune, and costing over £400 in tax alone every year

Gone but not forgotten

