EA888 Gen 1 vs EA888 Gen 4

Side-by-side reliability comparison

Higher reliability score
EA888 Gen 4 BUY 82/100
+47 points over EA888 Gen 1
0 / 100
AVOID EA888 Gen 1 Audi
0 / 100
BUY EA888 Gen 4 Audi

Specifications

EA888 Gen 1
EA888 Gen 4
Brand
Audi
Audi
Verdict
AVOID
BUY
Reliability
35
82
Years
2006--2009
2020--present
Displacement
1984 cc
1984 cc
Layout
I4
I4
Type
Petrol Turbo
Petrol Turbo
Power
170--211 hp
190--320 hp
Known Issues
2
2
Total Risk Cost
€1,500--€6,500
€300--€1,200

Character

EA888 Gen 1

"Notorious oil burning + plastic tensioner failure. Class-action. Avoid."

EA888 Gen 4

"Gen 3 refined. Higher compression, better cooling. Strong long-term outlook."

Issues Comparison

EA888 Gen 1 2

◆ CRITICAL
Excessive oil consumption — design flaw €0--€3,000 20,000 km--100,000 km
◆ CRITICAL
Plastic timing chain tensioner failure €1,500--€3,500 60,000 km--130,000 km

EA888 Gen 4 2

● MODERATE
Oil dilution — cold/short trips €0--€500 0 km--80,000 km
○ MINOR
EGR valve fouling (petrol EGR) €300--€700 80,000 km--160,000 km

Models

EA888 Gen 1 17

A3 8P 2003--2008 Golf Mk5 (1K) 2003--2008 Ibiza Mk3 (6L) 2003--2008 Ibiza 6L 2004--2008 A6 C6 2005--2008 Passat B7 (3C) 2010--2014 Alhambra 710/711 2010--2020 Superb 3T 2008--2015 A3 8P 2008--2012 Golf Mk6 (5K) 2009--2012 Q3 8U 2011--2018 TT 8J 2008--2014 A3 8P 2006--2012 GR Yaris GXPA16 2020--present GR Yaris GXPA16 2024--present A4 2.0 TFSI B8 2008--2015 Sedan Q5 2.0 TFSI 8R 2008--2017 SUV

EA888 Gen 4 9

A1 35 TFSI GB 2018--2024 Hatchback A3 35 TFSI 8Y 2020--2024 Hatchback A4 2.0 TFSI B9 2015--2024 Sedan A4 Avant 2.0 TFSI B9 2015--2024 Wagon A5 2.0 TFSI F5 2016--2024 Coupe A5 Sportback 2.0 TFSI F5 2016--2024 Fastback A6 2.0 TFSI C8 2018--2024 Sedan Q3 35 TFSI F3 2018--2024 SUV Q5 2.0 TFSI FY 2017--2024 SUV
Full EA888 Gen 1 Report Full EA888 Gen 4 Report