2.5 V6 TDI (AKE) vs EA888 Gen 3

Side-by-side reliability comparison

Higher reliability score
EA888 Gen 3 BUY 80/100
+38 points over 2.5 V6 TDI (AKE)
0 / 100
AVOID 2.5 V6 TDI (AKE) Audi
0 / 100
BUY EA888 Gen 3 Audi

Specifications

2.5 V6 TDI (AKE)
EA888 Gen 3
Brand
Audi
Audi
Verdict
AVOID
BUY
Reliability
42
80
Years
1997--2005
2012--2020
Displacement
2496 cc
1984 cc
Layout
V6
I4
Type
Diesel
Petrol Turbo
Power
150--180 hp
180--306 hp
Known Issues
1
3
Total Risk Cost
€2,000--€6,000
€1,000--€2,300

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."

EA888 Gen 3

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

Issues Comparison

2.5 V6 TDI (AKE) 1

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

2.5 V6 TDI (AKE) 3

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

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 2.5 V6 TDI (AKE) Report Full EA888 Gen 3 Report