I recently picked up a late 2008 mk5 r32 DSG having owned a 2005 mk5 gti and a 2007 mk5 ed30.
It could be that i'm still in the honeymoon period but I live the r32 so far. Yes the tax is ludicrous at £520 a year, especially as its a weekend car for me, and yes it isn't the fastest car in the world but it is so sure footed.
I much preferred my gti compared to my ed30 - both where revo stage 1 but the ed30 just felt far too skittish when trying to get any power down, I never really enjoyed driving it to be honest. The gti with the remap was perfect, I wish I hadn't sold it!
I've also recently put a lucifer resonated cat back on the r32 and the sound is fantastic.