4.0 TDI V8 vs EA888 Gen 3

Side-by-side reliability comparison

Higher reliability score
EA888 Gen 3 BUY 80/100
+28 points over 4.0 TDI V8
0 / 100
CAUTION 4.0 TDI V8 Audi
0 / 100
BUY EA888 Gen 3 Audi

Specifications

4.0 TDI V8
EA888 Gen 3
Brand
Audi
Audi
Verdict
CAUTION
BUY
Reliability
52
80
Years
2003--2012
2012--2020
Displacement
4134 cc
1984 cc
Layout
V8
I4
Type
Diesel
Petrol Turbo
Power
326--385 hp
180--306 hp
Known Issues
2
3
Total Risk Cost
€3,500--€10,000
€1,000--€2,300

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."

EA888 Gen 3

"Game changer. Dual injection solved carbon. Metal tensioner. 200k+ mi. Best VW Group 4-cyl."

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

EA888 Gen 3 3

● MODERATE
Water pump failure €400--€900 60,000 km--120,000 km
○ MINOR
Intake carbon buildup (reduced vs Gen 1/2) €300--€600 60,000 km--120,000 km
○ MINOR
HPFP noise / wear at high mileage €300--€800 120,000 km--200,000 km

Models

4.0 TDI V8 3

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

EA888 Gen 3 13

A4 B8 2008--2015 A3 8V 2014--2020 TT 8S 2014--2024 TT 8S 2015--2024 Q7 4M 2015--present A5 F5 2016--2024 A4 B9 2015--2019 A4 B9 2015--2019 R8 Type 4S 2015--2019 A6 2.0 TFSI C7 2011--2018 Sedan Q3 2.0 TFSI 8U 2011--2018 SUV Q5 2.0 TFSI FY 2017--2024 SUV Q5 2.0 TFSI 8R 2008--2017 SUV
Full 4.0 TDI V8 Report Full EA888 Gen 3 Report