Was in Hurdys car today, honestly if you've got the cash to get the golf R, then do it and stick a loba 400 on it... wow seriously quick car and a lot of fun, I was laughing my arse off the whole time!!!
the loba turbo made much difference over your 2+ then?
The L0400 definitely makes a difference. Although mine will be having another turbo fitted in the new year.
To the OP. The R is a solid car and as such there will still be a fair few knocking around in the coming years. I found that my ED30 was amazingly quick once up and running, traction at low speeds in the dry and anything up to 70mph
in the wet and you struggle at stage2+ or beyond. The R is no featherweight, mine weighed in at 1489kg earlier this year, and that is with lighter wheels and no spare. A similar ED30 would weigh in at 120kg lighter due to the lack of a 4wd system. Driving wise I find the R at its current stage of tune (371awhp) handles beautifully and can easily handle more. A fwd ED30 with similar power....even with a diff, would still struggle to put down the power cleanly.
Summary is basically, anything up to 2 and the ED30 is a good option.
Anything over ( stage 2+ and beyond) and the edge goes in the R's favour.
The R will always be much quicker over a 1/4 mile than an ED30 with same mods and driver
The R will always be quicker around track with same mods and driver
The ED30 will be quicker once grip is established in the midrange at up to stage 2.
The R has a slightly better balance than the ED30 with same mods.
I loved my tuned ED30 and it was great on track, so whatever your decision is it will be the right one for you.