EA888 Gen 2 vs EA888 Gen 3

Side-by-side reliability comparison

Higher reliability score
EA888 Gen 3 BUY 80/100
+42 points over EA888 Gen 2
0 / 100
AVOID EA888 Gen 2 Audi
0 / 100
BUY EA888 Gen 3 Audi

Specifications

EA888 Gen 2
EA888 Gen 3
Brand
Audi
Audi
Verdict
AVOID
BUY
Reliability
38
80
Years
2009--2012
2012--2020
Displacement
1984 cc
1984 cc
Layout
I4
I4
Type
Petrol Turbo
Petrol Turbo
Power
170--220 hp
180--306 hp
Known Issues
3
3
Total Risk Cost
€1,900--€7,300
€1,000--€2,300

Character

EA888 Gen 2

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

EA888 Gen 3

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

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

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

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

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 EA888 Gen 2 Report Full EA888 Gen 3 Report