Sorry, but ultimately the RS is still the better drivers car than any k04 vag will be past or present.
However the k04 VAG's are the better overall cars.
As standard maybe, and only if you aren't too concerned about interior quality and feel.
Most of the Stock RS's are touching £27-£28k and for that you can buy a nearly new ED30/Pirelli and give it £8k of mods.
Yes, I know you can modify the RS too, but you'll still be limited by the cylinder liners that limit the power, plus you are adding onto the initial outlay too.
£8k of mods will give you:-
Fully adjustable suspension - £1650
Arb's -£400
Remap - £600
Turbo-back exhaust - £1100
FMIC - £700
Intake - £400
HPFP - £400
Uprated DV - £150
Quaife - £1500
Brake upgrade - £600
WALK - £200
Dogbone insert - £40