I felt the same and was dead set on 17's but after 8 months of searching and waiting I pulled the trigger. I'll let you know how the ride is vs the stock 16" Golf alloys.
Yea I figure for the not so major price difference I'll probably just go with the 18" baring they don't give me any rubbing issues which I highly doubt they will, even after the slight drop. Then I'll just use the stock 16" as winter rims and put them on snow tires for those crappy Toronto winters.