Right guys so I've only had my mk2 vrs for about a year in that time I've only had to fix common issues and have fitted a bmc carbon air box, Milltek exhaust turbo back and Eibach springs. It's fun to drive but when trialled the stage 1 Revo software I found that when I push it on a bit it seems to struggle chassis wise with the extra power. Now original plan was to go stage 2 so would be an even bigger issue.

I've had the idea to sell up and but a mk1 20vt octavia 4x4 meaning grip won't be a issue then use the difference in price to fit a k04 (left over from my old golf) and sort brakes, springs etc and have a sleeper car to play with.

The question is will I regret making the step back from a mk2 to a mk1? Anyone made a similar change in the past? Opinions?

Better to invest in some chassis mods surely vs. going back a generation? Lots of mk2 vRS's running stage 2 or k04 power..

From experience of having a highly modded octavia 4x4 turbo mk1 and a mk2 vrs - by far the more capable car was the mk1 and it's the car I regret selling more than any other! You hit the nail on the head with the mk2. For me the drivetrain and chassis just wasnt as capable and no matter what i did - stage 2+ 340lb/ft torque, nearly 290bhp, eibach and koni suspension and ARB's, big brakes... It just never engaged and excited IMO. It lacked ability at putting the power down in anything worse than mildly damp roads too. The mk1 4x4 would have been awesome with a bigger turbo on it.

Better dampers, uprated ARB's ALK will make a massive improvement has for me on stage 2

Thanks guys I think Yeti_Man hit the nail on the head. Think ill go back a generation and actually but a bit more money into a new diesel daily.

From experience of having a highly modded octavia 4x4 turbo mk1 and a mk2 vrs - by far the more capable car was the mk1 and it's the car I regret selling more than any other! You hit the nail on the head with the mk2. For me the drivetrain and chassis just wasnt as capable and no matter what i did - stage 2+ 340lb/ft torque, nearly 290bhp, eibach and koni suspension and ARB's, big brakes... It just never engaged and excited IMO. It lacked ability at putting the power down in anything worse than mildly damp roads too. The mk1 4x4 would have been awesome with a bigger turbo on it.

My old MK 1 was 356 bhp with an IHI Turbo, needed a bit of strengthening inside the engine & had to replace the gearbox with a TT one as the old one suffered a terminal failure. I did run VRS internals in the std box for a while to get a slightly higher gearing (straight swap), I was hitting the limiter to easily with the 4x4 ratios, other mods were KW V3 suspension, AP 4 pots on the front, upgraded ARB's, R32 ones fit with a bit of hammering to the spare wheel well, go for the thicker ones as there are 2. Fully poly bushed everything I could, Leather seats from A Golf GTi, R32 fit as well, bespoke exhaust & Intercooler, custom paint, Cesam Wheels, , etc etc etc

Car was a joy to own & I to really regrert selling it, my present Nissan is 500 bhp but just cant be hurled around the way the Octy could

Don't think I could go back from a mk2 to a mk1 tbh, mine is a k04 mk2, love it, I admit the handling can be a bit of a problem in some case's, but with the right bits added, you will have a far superior car than a mk1, this is all my opinion, but if it was me, there's no way I'd even consider going back from a mk2.....

I find the Scout with a remap & some decent tyres extreemly "chuckable" & sure footed so I guess the compromise may be to get a non scout Mk 2 4x4 in the summer when the seasonal prices fall away & mod that.

The Mk 2 however feels a lot bigger than the Mk 1's weve had so it may never be as nimble as the Mk 1 although saying that ours is the Scout so the extra height may be giving that sensation