I think that the main reasons that threads like this start off is that the ED30 and the R32 are so close together in the VW heirachy and blur the lines as to what people consider to be the halo model and the ultimate version of the golf. For so long the GTI had the party to itself until the MKIV R32 came along. In the MKIV R32 there was such a clear chasm in terms of performance and handling over the 1.8T that the performance choice was obvious. Similarly when the MKVR32 came along the difference was still there and it was still clear that the R32 was the ultimate version of the golf performance-wise, although in the handling stakes the lines began to blur due to the superb chassis and suspension of the GTI.
Then the ED30 came along, faster and more powerful than the standard GTI, yet on paper still wanting in power against the R32. The fact that VW in their own inimitable way saw fit to endow the ED30 with what we now know is at least 240bhp and with a clear weight advantage over the R32 seems pretty much nonsense from a marketing perspective and yet they did it. What should we think about this?
1) They knew what they were doing and were originally intending on bringing out a more powerful version of the R32 to compensate until their economy drive decided to kick in and spoil the party?
2) They didn't realise that the ED30 would have such an impact to the Heirachy of the Golf range?
All I can say is that I believe that VW honestly were going to bring out a 290+BHP R32/R36 as a run out for the Golf MKV and that the bean counters got to them before it became a reality. This then left VW with two models of similar power, speed, handling and desirability that forums like ours debate it until the cows come home
Tell me if you think I am wrong
