EA888 Gen 2 vs 3.0 V6 TDI

Side-by-side reliability comparison

Higher reliability score
3.0 V6 TDI BUY 80/100
+42 points over EA888 Gen 2
0 / 100
AVOID EA888 Gen 2 Audi
0 / 100
BUY 3.0 V6 TDI Audi

Specifications

EA888 Gen 2
3.0 V6 TDI
Brand
Audi
Audi
Verdict
AVOID
BUY
Reliability
38
80
Years
2009--2012
2004--2020
Displacement
1984 cc
2967 cc
Layout
I4
V6
Type
Petrol Turbo
Diesel
Power
170--220 hp
204--272 hp
Known Issues
3
3
Total Risk Cost
€1,900--€7,300
€1,800--€4,800

Character

EA888 Gen 2

"Same oil + tensioner flaws as Gen 1. CR: rebuild by 100-150k mi."

3.0 V6 TDI

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

Issues Comparison

EA888 Gen 2 3

◆ CRITICAL
Oil consumption (slightly improved but still bad) €0--€3,000 20,000 km--100,000 km
◆ CRITICAL
Timing chain tensioner (same as Gen 1) €1,500--€3,500 60,000 km--130,000 km
▲ HIGH
Severe carbon buildup €400--€800 40,000 km--80,000 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

EA888 Gen 2 5

A5 8T 2007--2016 A4 B8 2008--2015 Q5 8R 2008--2016 A6 C7 2011--2018 A3 2.0 TFSI 8P 2003--2012 Hatchback

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 EA888 Gen 2 Report Full 3.0 V6 TDI Report