I thought it was a rather weak and disappointing end to the series. The awards was a waste of time that verged on trashy, and the Jeremy v. Jeremy was too thin -- it's as if they went through the actions of comparing the two but couldn't be bothered in making it interesting. The fact he raced at Laguna Seca was more exciting than the actual show.
The R32 boggles me. I love the GTI and would have it over a 120i, but 130i just has that X-factor the R32 doesn't have. And based on our experiences with VW quality, you'd think it's there, right up until the moment the door trim becomes creaky, the door handle becomes loose, and the mirror adjuster pops off.
And their attempts at pretending to know about their profession was, in some ways, lame. They're brilliant entertainers, but somehow, I get the impression their motoring-knowledge skills end at oversteer v. understeer. I like it when Jeremy professes that "I appreciate that most of you don't care, so here are some fluffy kittens for you to watch" (530d review) and underplays the nerdy, German, scientific, Tiff-style approach to cars. He's best at characterizing cars -- BMWs are for those with no imagination, Porsches are dull and sterile, etc..
And the Aston doesn't sound that great... reminds me of a beat-up Citroen.
I don't know... I just feel as if this episode were made to fill a void at the last minute. It lacks the art and beauty of other eps... I'd watch the F430/GT/Zonda one over and over, but this, twice, tops.