I don't really get why so many people say this... there are plenty of parts for the type 96 rifles. Upgrade parts availability doesn't really matter there.
You can get an AA hopup chamber for both rifles. Inner barrels are the same, really. Then there's buckings.... some argue that VSR style buckings are better, but when you're R-hopping (which you are in a maximum upgrade) then it doesn't matter and AEG buckings have an edge anyway (in my opinion).
As for the entire cylinder assembly, doesn't matter too much. My type 96 STOCK cylinder with an upgraded piston has 100% airseal (WELL cylinder).
You could argue about the durability, but there's steel parts available, for the trigger as well.
It really comes down to aesthetics and personal preference. But I'll say this:
The VSR rifles are lighter. A type 96 is heavy. A VSR or BAR10 is fairly light. They have different exterior so that's really the big difference.
The other difference are the mags. I personally find type 96 mags inconvenient. VSR mags are smaller and can fit in a pistol pouch. Type 96 mags need an M4 style mag pouch, they're just bulkier.
That's the real difference. But the performance is the same. VSR rifles could push a heavier bb (more joule creep even) but I'd say that's marginal.