Author Topic: 8V or 16V (Read 1083 times)

darrel · « **on:** 22 December 2006, 11:04 »

Sorry Newbie question im afraid. What would I be better off getting. Im after a MK2 so have the choice of the 8v or 16 v. I presume the 16 valve is faster/more powerfull, but is it more fun to drive, reliability etc. Sorry I know its probably been covered loads of times before but after searching I cant really find much about it. Thanks.

gibby · « **Reply #1 on:** 22 December 2006, 11:20 »

Depends what you're after, if you want a steady away daily driver with decent power then get an 8v, but if you want a steady away daily driver with good power then get a 16v.

The 8v runs out of puff at about 5-5.5k revs whereas the 16v picks up at about 4k+

Ignore any b0llocks about 8v having better lower down torque as this has been disproved and there is (or was) a power graph showing a rolling road for both cars.

If insurance is ok then I'd always go for a 16v, but you'll find that these may have been thrashed more than the 8v.

Power graph below

Len · « **Reply #2 on:** 22 December 2006, 11:30 »

And obvisously the 16v is more easily tunable! With exhaust/induction kit and a chip over 170bhp is easily attainable. To get that in an 8v you would have to do cams/head etc.