It's been a good driving experience, lovely car to look at, sounds wonderful all the time (I'll never tire of that straight six throb) and I arrive at my destination feeling a lot fresher and cosseted than I ever did in a Mk5 GTi
BUT
It's just not very exciting!! I miss the razor sharp responses (comparatively speaking) of having the power at the steered wheels. I miss the turbo shove on boost and instant acceleration. I miss the torque, and the handling is much better in the Golf than the Bimmer. Rear wheel drive just isn't very exciting unless you can hang the back out and when can you do that safely?
I can't wait to get back in a Mk5 GTi, and I'm a third of the way towards my ED30 budget. Can't come quick enough.