2.5 V6 TDI (AKE) vs EA837 3.0T SC

Side-by-side reliability comparison

Higher reliability score
EA837 3.0T SC BUY 82/100
+40 points over 2.5 V6 TDI (AKE)
0 / 100
AVOID 2.5 V6 TDI (AKE) Audi
0 / 100
BUY EA837 3.0T SC Audi

Specifications

2.5 V6 TDI (AKE)
EA837 3.0T SC
Brand
Audi
Audi
Verdict
AVOID
BUY
Reliability
42
82
Years
1997--2005
2008--2017
Displacement
2496 cc
2995 cc
Layout
V6
V6
Type
Diesel
Petrol Supercharged
Power
150--180 hp
272--354 hp
Known Issues
1
3
Total Risk Cost
€2,000--€6,000
€1,000--€2,200

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."

EA837 3.0T SC

"Most reliable S-model Audi ever. Supercharged = instant. Known issues cheap. 200k+ km."

Issues Comparison

2.5 V6 TDI (AKE) 1

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

EA837 3.0T SC 3

● MODERATE
PCV (crankcase ventilation) valve failure €200--€500 60,000 km--130,000 km
● MODERATE
Thermostat housing failure €300--€700 60,000 km--130,000 km
● MODERATE
Water pump failure €500--€1,000 80,000 km--150,000 km

Models

2.5 V6 TDI (AKE) 3

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

EA837 3.0T SC 8

A5 8T 2009--2016 A4 B8 2009--2015 Q5 8R 2013--2017 A8 D4 2010--2017 A6 C6 2008--2011 A7 4G 2010--2018 A6 C7 2011--2018 Q5 8R 2012--2017
Full 2.5 V6 TDI (AKE) Report Full EA837 3.0T SC Report