TSI 1.4 122BHP (2008-2011'ish) problems?

[GT6VRS]

Hi, we're after a second-hand Golf, Petrol, and budget means we're looking in the the 2009 to 2011 range.
We don't want a TDI, or an FSI, so I think that leaves us with TSI engines, and pretty much everyone has something to say about TSI engines of this age.

So I have some questions to try and make a final decision, I'd appreciate your help please. So far from hours and hours of forum reading I get that:

- Some TSI engines are unhappy on 95RON. Higher power 140 or 160 units I think?
- Some TSI engines drink oil, again higher power units I think?
- Twin-charger units should be avoided apparently, but I'm not sure which of the TSI engine capacity and outputs have twin-chargers.
- Timing chain failure, and/or tensioner failure is 'common' on TSI units it would seem.

So besides correcting anything above that's wrong, I think my questions are:
- Are any of the TSI units in this age range actually 'reliable'?
- Do they all have chains instead of belts?
- Which TSI units, if not all, are twin-charged?

I'm hoping that the choice I've almost settled on, a 1.4 122BHP unit, is the least troublesome while maintaining some drivability :/

[catso]

My Son has a 2011, Golf 'Match' 1.4 TSI, the simpler turbo (not twin charged) with the 120ish bhp. Had it for a few years now and it's been a good car. The only problem he's had was a faulty throttle pedal (easy enough to replace) but the engine has been ultra reliable and fine on 95 octane fuel.

Goes well with a decent performance and has a good spec, a nice car overall.

I can't comment on the twin-charge units although I understand they are prone to engine trouble? they are more powerful than 120hp though.

[VWdave1]

I had a 140bhp twin-charge 1.4TSI in a 2010 Touran and it was a lovely engine, and I ran it on 95 RON with no issues. Only engine repair was the water pump leaked, and it is integral to the electromagnetic clutch that engages/disengages the supercharger, so water + electricity didn't end well. It wasn't a cheap part to replace, from memory >£200, and I understand it is quite a common happening. I think there were also higher outputs from the same engine available, but not in the Touran, of 160-170bhp? Then VW dropped the twin-charge and went to just turbo.

So from my experience of one engine, it was fine, but the VW indy who serviced it said it was a case of if you had a good one, they are great, but if you don't.... His first question on seeing it was 'how much oil does it use'? (it didn't).

My dad had a 2009 Golf Plus 1.4TSI DSG (straight turbo so ~120bhp) 2009 Golf that was also very reliable for him, and a nice car to drive (and pretty economical as well). Also ran on 95 RON.

(Neither of us did massive mileages in them though, probably <10k pa between us!)