Purchase advice Escort and exhaust gas standard

Tach together. I have to buy an escort (combi). The question arises: Which engine?? Is there any experience that one could say “hey, can all buy, make everyone no worse” or “no, the xy by no means” or something? I once had a (I think) 91er escort with the 1.6er EFI (105 HP) engine, which drank more oil than gasoline…. Valve shaft seals leak. Was that a stupid coincidence, or are such things known? And important is also, from which year of construction or which engines Euro 2. Could this be outlined for a short time? I tried to search here, but somehow nothing came around. Would be very grateful about a few tips. aero