Hi All,

I am looking at changing my 07 plate fabia vrs diesel for a newer octavia VRS petrol (mainly because i miss the petrol drama when having fun). I have seen that there are subtle differences in the TSI and TFSI engines such as chain driven and a few other bits and bobs but when was TSI first introduced, was it with the facelift in 2010?

Also out of the two engines I presume the TSI will be better for any potential tuning?

Finally, what shall I look out for when buying an Octavia second hand?

Cheers

P.s. Watch this space for a 07 plate VRS diesel to come up for sale (approx 68k miles)...

The TSI remaps better at Stage 1 where you will see 240-250bhp and 315-325 lbs torque if I remember correctly and makes for a quick car. The TFSI will map to between 230 bhp and 235 bhp. The smaller IHI turbo on the TSI means low down torque is immense. The TSI also has the uprated fuel pump. If it was me I would try try to find a TSI. I loved mine with the Revo stage 1 but other tuners are available!

The engine came in slightly before the facelift, you can find it in the pre-FL limited editions, which also have the FL dash, and there may be a few rare examples of pre-FL cars with it in, but ALL facelift vRSs will defo have the TSI.

Cheers that clears up a lot. Are there any common faults with the FL models which I should be aware of?

Cheers that clears up a lot. Are there any common faults with the FL models which I should be aware of?

Wing mirrors are massive. DRLs. Wheels that look like flowers........

Oh you meant MECHANICAL!

Seriously though I'd get the newer one if for no other reason than it doesn't 'have' to run on super and is less likely to drink fuel and oil in equal quantities :S

There are instancies of cam chain tensioner failure that have been reported elsewhere on this forum which results in an engine rebuild at best. They don't appear to be that many in the grand scheme of things but if it's out of warrenty can be very expensive if it happens to you. It's just something to be wary of and worth checking if it's been done/negotiate if it hasn't. The TSI guys will advise of anything else.

To check for the chain tensioner issue make sure that the engine is cold when starting, preferably left overnight, and listen for a rattle on startup. If you here it, then the tensioner has backed off and the chain will rattle until the tensioner pressurises. The rattle is loud and will only last for a couple of seconds.

Good luck with your search.

TSi is a cracking motor and very tunable; doesnt suffer the coking problems the TFSi engine does as far as I know and given it is chain driven has the potential to be more reliable. The tensioner issue isnt that commonplace really and I think its just bad luck more than anything if you experience such a failure.

It is worth noting that a remapped TSi can make in excess of 300lb/ft torque, so you'll be putting 100lb/ft + more torque through the clutch (assuming manual car here) and sending more power and torque through the front wheels without a proper LSD will likely corrupt the cars ability to put down the power. If you fit a K04 spec turbo and have a suitable remap you'll see remapped S3/Golf R levels of power (300+ hp) as it shares the same high pressure fuel pump.

The 6 speed DSG gearboxes have an electronic 258lb/ft torque limit that should be defeated by a proper remap but they are v solid and can take 300lb/ft torque no problem; if anything probably more hardy than a manual (but alot more expensive to fix).

The FL cars are better, sharing alot of MK6 Golf tech. That said a clean pre FL will offer more or less the same abilities as much less cost.