Same value as the ED30? Blimey. I take it there are far fewer Pirellis than ED30s?
DSG 3 door with some good options (Xenons, Sunroof, cruise, arm rest, folding mirrors etc) will fetch a fair bit more than a 5 door manual, but I'd put it around the £8K mark as well.
I've been toying with the idea of a MK7 R, especially the 2018 facelift model, which is available in 30 optional funky colours. Or the 2018 GTI, which now has all the Performance pack kit as standard. LSD, big brakes, power hike, etc.
But as you say, both are not the leap forward over the MK5 as you would expect. Don't fancy anything Audi or BMW. Same boat really, not much appeals. The MK5 ticks too many boxes......and it's basic. Modern cars are £££££ nightmare ticking time bombs with all the unnecessary electronics frippery.