Hello guys, I am looking to buy a second hand Octavia this year and recently found myself debating that which model should I get, especially looking at the prices of mk1 vRS's they are pretty close to the mk2 models with the 1.8tsi engine(I am not sure if TSI or TFSI because i have read that it's pretty much the same engine). Basically what I am looking for is preferably a saloon (I would accept a mk2 wagon but the mk1 really isn't to my taste), petrol, manual, and preferably DIY friendly, so I could fix minor issues. If I would get a mk1 then I would go for the "simple" 1.8t engine from which I heard that is an amazing engine (has a few common issues, but mechanically it's sound), or the vRS which is basically almost the same engine just with 180PS instead of 150. Any common problems I should look for in these cars? Is the vRS version worth it's extra over the simple trim?

Now onto the mk2: One of the major turn off at this car, particularly it's engine and timing chain failures which I have read about in the last few days which scare me the most, otherwise I would totally go for it because it would be newer, more powerful, more fuel efficient, 6 gear manual transmission, but it would be harder to work on, and also from the money side I would have to spend more on getting the car(which I could put away if I get the mk1).

So, what are your thoughts? Particularly with the 1.8 TSI engine and it's fault, after some research it's the EA888 engine which has 3 gens, 2nd the worse(due to oil consumption and the timing problems combined), the cars that are equipped with the 3rd are out of my price range so I am left with the 1st. How to identify the 1st one? What engine codes should I look for? BZB? 

That would be my questions for now, hope that you can help me to see a clear image, thanks.

 

Yeah, I saw that topic, that's where I know about the problems of the timing. But my question is, is there a new part that fixes the tensioner failure? 

2.0 FSI thoughts anyone?