Interestingly though, Jimbo, I'd imagine that you might be in a better position to buy this car than almost anyone else on here.
I wasn't arguing for a moment that anyone spending £40k on a car would end up driving a "low spec nasty shit box"; but conversely, my amazement is that it is possible to buy a VW Golf for that much money at all, regardless of a couple of grand in servicing and warranty (which presumably would be largely void if you did modify it). I think it's quite ironic that the Scirocco of similar spec should be cheaper, as lower down the range I've always seen it as a slightly premium product over its 4-door brother.
I am quite sure that everything about the "R" is splendid - it bloody well ought to be! However, it is a Golf and when you specified your replacement for the Scirocco (how did that get resolved by the way?), I'm guessing you saw it as a step up?
Great debate!