hmmmm I wouldn't say it doesn't worth its price tag, because compared to other sport cars you won't find any car that offers what the R offer for the same price (and have the same quality of course)......its more like GTI worth its price tag more than the R does
I think bragging rights also contribute in buying an R rather than a GTI LOL. That look that you get from other Golf-owners makes you forget part of that extra 5 grands you paid. I've experienced that, except I was not the one who paid the extra 5000 hahahaha
Modified R vs modified GTI>>this is where the R will shine! my brother has a Golf R (ABT tune, claimed 300HP) trust me from zero using launch control you can't catch that thing!! but "not from 0 km/h" it is what you said just a bit of extra power & slightly different bodykit.