Had both, infact still using the 16v, you can see it in me sig

8v i think is a better town car but if you do alot of motorway miles then the 16v is the one to go for.

They are quick cars but don't expect it to be rapid.

As for reliability i have had 3 mk2s in the last year and every one has given me trouble free motoring apart from the head gasket going on the 16v, but it has done 164,000miles and it only cost me £10 to fix it