FWIW, my other car is an e90 335i. I have owned it for 5 years and have tatefully modded it. I used a tune via cobb AP and well-known tuner. It has an upgraded fmic and supporting mods. No pipes or exhaust. Its fast, very fast. Just using pump gas.
My GTI is stage 2 pump gas with DP. Thats it. Very quick too. Not in the same stratosphere as the bmw. The N54 is th best BMW Motor ever made, IMO. I had an e46 M3 with the beloved S54 as well.
I can tell you that i have owned a few cars and this GTI is tops. Its truly an awsome, fun bad ass car to drive. I traded in a 2007 911 C2S for my GTI. I like it better than that. We have great cars here, boys. I enjoy every drive!