4.0 TDI V8 vs 3.0 V6 TDI

Side-by-side reliability comparison

Higher reliability score
3.0 V6 TDI BUY 80/100
+28 points over 4.0 TDI V8
0 / 100
CAUTION 4.0 TDI V8 Audi
0 / 100
BUY 3.0 V6 TDI Audi

Specifications

4.0 TDI V8
3.0 V6 TDI
Brand
Audi
Audi
Verdict
CAUTION
BUY
Reliability
52
80
Years
2003--2012
2004--2020
Displacement
4134 cc
2967 cc
Layout
V8
V6
Type
Diesel
Diesel
Power
326--385 hp
204--272 hp
Known Issues
2
3
Total Risk Cost
€3,500--€10,000
€1,800--€4,800

Character

4.0 TDI V8

"D3 A8, Q7. V8 diesel — enormous torque. Complex. Timing chain. 8 injectors = expensive. DPF. Linked to Dieselgate (CDSB). Specialist only. Parts costs astronomical."

3.0 V6 TDI

"Torque monster. Amazing highway economy. BiTDI = 313hp. Avoid city-only."

Issues Comparison

4.0 TDI V8 2

◆ CRITICAL
Timing chain complexity €2,000--€6,000 80,000 km--150,000 km
▲ HIGH
Injector failure (8 injectors) €1,500--€4,000 100,000 km--200,000 km

3.0 V6 TDI 3

▲ HIGH
DPF blockage — city driving €600--€1,800 60,000 km--120,000 km
● MODERATE
EGR valve + cooler fouling €400--€1,000 80,000 km--150,000 km
○ MINOR
Timing chain stretch at very high mileage €800--€2,000 150,000 km--∞

Models

4.0 TDI V8 3

Q7 4L 2007--2012 A8 D3 2005--2010 A8 D4 2010--2017

3.0 V6 TDI 24

A4 B6/B7 2004--2008 Touareg 7L 2004--2010 A8 D3 2003--2010 A6 C6 2004--2011 Q7 4L 2006--2010 A5 8T 2008--2016 A4 B8 2008--2015 Q5 8R 2008--2017 A8 D4 2010--2017 A6 C7 2011--2018 A7 4G 2010--2018 A6 C7 2011--2018 Q5 8R 2013--2017 A6 C7 2011--2018 Q7 4L 2010--2015 Touareg 7P 2010--2018 A5 F5 2017--2024 A4 B9 2015--2019 A4 B9 2015--2019 Q5 FY 2019--present A7 4K 2019--present A4 B9 2019--2023 A6 C8 2019--present Q7 3.0 TDI 4M 2015--2024 SUV
Full 4.0 TDI V8 Report Full 3.0 V6 TDI Report