2.5 V6 TDI (AKE) vs EA211 1.4 TFSI

Side-by-side reliability comparison

Higher reliability score
EA211 1.4 TFSI BUY 78/100
+36 points over 2.5 V6 TDI (AKE)
0 / 100
AVOID 2.5 V6 TDI (AKE) Audi
0 / 100
BUY EA211 1.4 TFSI Audi

Specifications

2.5 V6 TDI (AKE)
EA211 1.4 TFSI
Brand
Audi
Audi
Verdict
AVOID
BUY
Reliability
42
78
Years
1997--2005
2012--2020
Displacement
2496 cc
1395 cc
Layout
V6
I4
Type
Diesel
Petrol Turbo
Power
150--180 hp
122--150 hp
Known Issues
1
2
Total Risk Cost
€2,000--€6,000
€400--€1,100

Character

2.5 V6 TDI (AKE)

"C5 A6 2.5 TDI. Camshaft wear is catastrophic — soft cam lobes wear flat, destroying engine. Timing belt replacement critical. Turbo failure. EGR clogging. One of Audi's least reliable engines."

EA211 1.4 TFSI

"Timing belt (not chain) = no stretch. Cylinder deactivation. Efficient budget Audi."

Issues Comparison

2.5 V6 TDI (AKE) 1

◆ CRITICAL
Camshaft lobe wear (catastrophic) €2,000--€6,000 80,000 km--150,000 km

EA211 1.4 TFSI 2

▲ HIGH
Timing belt replacement (not chain — mandatory) €400--€800 60,000 km--90,000 km
○ MINOR
Cylinder On Demand (CoD) shudder €0--€300 30,000 km--∞

Models

2.5 V6 TDI (AKE) 3

A6 C5 1997--2005 A4 B5 1998--2001 A4 B6/B7 2001--2006

EA211 1.4 TFSI 26

A4 B9 2015--2019 A3 8V 2012--2018 Leon Mk3 (5F) 2012--2018 Touran 5T 2015--2018 Leon 5F 2014--2020 Ibiza 6J 2015--2017 A3 8V 2014--2018 Leon Mk3 (5F) 2014--2018 Toledo Mk4 (KG) 2015--2019 Golf Mk7 (5G) 2014--2017 Polo 6R/6C 2014--2017 Passat B8 (3G) 2014--2019 Formentor KM 2021--present Superb 3V 2020--2024 Octavia NX 2020--2024 Leon KL 2020--present Leon KL 2020--present Formentor KM 2021--present Tarraco KN 2021--present Tiguan AD 2016--2020 Superb 3V 2015--2019 Kodiaq NS 2017--2020 A1 1.0 TFSI 8X 2014--2018 Hatchback A1 1.4 TFSI 8X 2010--2018 Hatchback Q2 1.4 TFSI GA 2016--2024 SUV Q3 1.4 TFSI 8U 2011--2018 SUV
Full 2.5 V6 TDI (AKE) Report Full EA211 1.4 TFSI Report