This is one of those debates about what's best. It all depends what floats your boat. And what you need.
Until quite recently we had a Ed30 and a Gt Sport TDi 170 in the house. Both 07 manual, standard cars.
The Ed30 was a lot quicker through the gears and handled sweeter, less engine mass I suppose.
The GT Sport was pretty quick when wound right up and very frugal on juice.
In my book the GT diesel was a mode of transport, the GTi was a proper drivers car.
However you do pay the price for that in the mpg stakes. 30 odd versus 50 odd mpg is a big difference.
As we needed more space the diesel Golf has now grown into an A4 Avant, with the later 170 common rail TDi lump.
That feels a fair bit slower than the Gt Sport used to, but then it is the size of a small naval warship.
Can be hustled along though once it's wound up..great chassis.
But still glad I own an Ed30 Mk5..