If it's roughly the same price then the R is an easy win - but then I've seen pay well into the 50s for optioned up GTIs which never made much sense to me over a base R.

Different story if you can do deals now for a GTI PP for $46.5k - if I was on a tighter budget that is good value.

I cannot see there being any extra resale on a 40th, I am not seeing much difference on the 35th bar the original higher price being factored in and the fact these cars are generally bought by enthusiasts so tend to be better condition cars.

I also could not live with the wheels or the front bar on the 40th, but each to their own.