My head was saying stay with the ED35. It is an exceptional high spec ED35 and while i still own it, one of the best cars i have ever owned straight out a garage. Better in many ways than my previous Audis and silly daft fast cars.
However i was curious about the R, i wouldnt have chopped in the ED35 for a Mk7 GTI, the change just isnt enough. I took the R for a test drive and just knew after about 1/2 hour test drive that i would let the ED35 go. The R is a totally different car to the Mk6 and i guess it is quite a different car over the Mk7 GTI.
Power, handling, response and of course VW quality as a package it had to be.

I dont really know the BM as ive said but assume its direct competition in this market. Im just not a fan but as i said each to their own....