my little brother used to have a '00 vw gti. it had a 2.0 four banger and it had every bolt on they made for it(intake w/ heatsheild, racing wires/plugs, custom exhaust w/header, a neuspeed racing chip, port/polished head, suspension, etc...). his car couldn't even beat my '92 passat which had about 1000 lbs. on him and a bone stock 2.0 16v-i4. i used to laugh at him because he spent all this money and he still couldn't beat my old slug passat with 130,000 miles(168,00 when i sold it for the down on my '99 csvt). i would have to say from my stand point the vw don't stand a chance. but if you do go at it the only thing they'll be bragging about is the better gas mileage they got.