2.5 V6 TDI (AKE) vs EA888 Gen 4

Side-by-side reliability comparison

Higher reliability score
EA888 Gen 4 BUY 82/100
+40 points over 2.5 V6 TDI (AKE)
0 / 100
AVOID 2.5 V6 TDI (AKE) Audi
0 / 100
BUY EA888 Gen 4 Audi

Specifications

2.5 V6 TDI (AKE)
EA888 Gen 4
Brand
Audi
Audi
Verdict
AVOID
BUY
Reliability
42
82
Years
1997--2005
2020--present
Displacement
2496 cc
1984 cc
Layout
V6
I4
Type
Diesel
Petrol Turbo
Power
150--180 hp
190--320 hp
Known Issues
1
2
Total Risk Cost
€2,000--€6,000
€300--€1,200

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."

EA888 Gen 4

"Gen 3 refined. Higher compression, better cooling. Strong long-term outlook."

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 4 2

● MODERATE
Oil dilution — cold/short trips €0--€500 0 km--80,000 km
○ MINOR
EGR valve fouling (petrol EGR) €300--€700 80,000 km--160,000 km

Models

2.5 V6 TDI (AKE) 3

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

EA888 Gen 4 9

A1 35 TFSI GB 2018--2024 Hatchback A3 35 TFSI 8Y 2020--2024 Hatchback A4 2.0 TFSI B9 2015--2024 Sedan A4 Avant 2.0 TFSI B9 2015--2024 Wagon A5 2.0 TFSI F5 2016--2024 Coupe A5 Sportback 2.0 TFSI F5 2016--2024 Fastback A6 2.0 TFSI C8 2018--2024 Sedan Q3 35 TFSI F3 2018--2024 SUV Q5 2.0 TFSI FY 2017--2024 SUV
Full 2.5 V6 TDI (AKE) Report Full EA888 Gen 4 Report