I driven R32 and I was not impressed with R32. I drove the GTI just after the R32 and I would pick Golf GTI over R32 in a heartbeat. GTI is cheaper and offer just as good driving experience as the R32. Only advantage I noticed for the R32 was the engine sound. Other than that, I left the R32 unimpressed.
In case 128i Coupe and R32 I pick 128i over R32 but I would add the M-package to my babybimmer.