How is the 3.0 TDI? I would like to hear from some high mileage people
 

@jayhawk
 

In answer to the OP's original question my Audi 3.0 TDI is a great engine but only has 28,000 miles on the odometer so I can't answer questions about high mileage. Before the Audi I had a VW 2.0 TDI with about 120k miles which was perfect.

I'm a fan of diesel power. My Dodge Ram has 208k miles. The previous had 230k on it and before that, I put 325k on an '01. There is no substitute for Cummins power in light trucks.

I had a 2011 Touraeg with 170,000 mile TDI. Never once had an issue with it. Turned it in due to diesel gate. Now I have a 2014 Q7 with 146,000 miles. Couldn't be more happy to have a family hauler which averages 30mpg on road trips loaded up.

2014 Q5 TDI, 137k miles
 

no issues. Just regular oil change and maintenance. Drives like a champ. Lost about 1 mpg after the diesel repair. Still averaging 30 mpg blended driving

Just picked up a CPO with 38k on it. Had no issues in the repair history other than the emission fix.

32-35mpg on my recent highway trip. Still got 33 going 75-80mph for a long stretch. Was seeing 45+ when going 50-55mph on 2 lane roads. When you need power you have it in spades!

2015 Q5 P+ with 92K miles. Not a single problem and no emissions fix yet. Change oil at 5K, fuel filter at 20K, air filter at 30K and use a diesel additive every 600mi for cetane and lubricity.

I have one 80k miles, so far so good.

To the point of SUVs with diesels... 3rd party makers will do some for you. There's one site called duraburb that will repower any Tahoe or suburban for you with a Chevy Duramax diesel, and even tune to your specs, fuel economy or torque or hp, etc. They also upgrade the chassis to support heavier suspensions, axles, etc. I'm sure they aren't the only ones doing it.

I just picked up a 2016 Q5 TDI with 29,129km and runs like a dream, seems to take a bit to warm up in -30c temps.

We are approaching 6k kms on our Q7 TDI, so not able to offer any direct experience with the 3.0 litre. HOWEVER: EVERYONE in Yurp sells a 3.0 litre something diesel in cars, SUVs, vans and trucks. I have heard very few if any negative comments from that side of the pond. But from this thread, stuff under 100k miles in the diesel world is barely run in, never mind nearing run out. We took our last two Jetta MkIIs off of the road at 620k and 650k due to rust, engines still strong. Our MkIV has 360k + on a tuned engine and I will bump power some more and do general tidy up of suspension bushings, steering rack, etc. before setting sail for then next 10 or so years. I am curious about the 3.0 in this market, as new to me, and as I am finding, no where near the enthusiast community that is there for the 1.9 and 2.0 engines to provide feedback. BTW: to put things into perspective: I just rebuilt my DDEC II Detroit - first time ANYTHING was opened up in the entire driveline - it has 1.7 million kms on it. Wish our little engines were built that way.

Regarding the previous comments about the 7.3: Ford did not build it, Navistar (IHC) did. It was the DT444E by them and it had a few small problems (mostly cavitation damage due to not enough SCA in coolant), but it had HUGE problems when Ford installed their version of a fuel system. Fortunately, due to the work a few people in the early 2000s, you can buy retrofit parts to eliminate the cackle and knock issues (essentially, #8 has a different injector installed to try to correct issues from the idiotic Ford fuel system that caused #8 to fire before TDC at certain revs) but when you put things back to ordinary diesel way of doing things, it becomes a reasonable engine - if you don't work it hard. It is a cast block with no liners, and it really doesn't last that well. Of course, if you do get cavitation damage, the block is toast. BTW: dumping the Ford junk in the fuel system also gives it near D-Max and Cummins economy...near, but not quite. Also, they are very limited in how much power you can make without serious structural work.

With reference to diesel SUVs: Suburbans had 6.2 and 6.5, later 6.5 TDs up to '99. Old tech engines, but actually can be quite reliable and only weak spot is cracking of main bearing webs in some earlier engines. 480LE gearbox totally indestructible. Truck is getting hard to support (transfer case mostly) but cheap and a bit crude. Ford of course did Excursion that started when GM dropped the 6.5. It was 7.3 fronm '99 to mid '03 and finsihed its run '05 with the infamous 6.0. BUT: once more when you turn to the aftermarket to fix Ford and Navistar's screwups, you can actually make a 6.0 a fairly reliable engine - and the trucks are fairly easy to find cheap. Of course, we got Jeeps with 3.0 Mercs (not a great engine) and later 2.8, 3.0 and 3.1 VM engines. The 2.8 was reliable, the 3.0 and 3.1 have not been so good. M-B sold us a couple of their SUVs with their 3.0 - not bad, not perfect, widely available and sadly the long discontinued R class (essentially a stretched Dodge). BMTrouble-you did their excellent engine in the X5. Everywhere else on the planet, you can (or could) get any SUV with a diesel. Let's not forget that GM will sell you a 1.6 diesel Equinox today. So, we are not without choices. Just wish VAG had continued instead of killing the whole market with Dieselgate.

BTW: a possible bright spot: There is a Ford F150 running around with an opposed piston 2.7 litre diesel that will knock everyone out of the ballpark for efficiency. If it goes to production, expect it to show up in an Expedition. If that happens, after year one is done, our Q7 could be history,

Couldn't agree more! These are incredible engines and, furthermore VAG killed the chance for what you can get in ROW : diesel hybrids - best of both worlds. Nothing beats diesel on highway and, electric for zipping around the city. More importantly, hybrids of this type would be practical for families with kids out of town or still with kids playing travel sports. The one-size-fits-all mentality pushed by some [i.e. all electric (just a long tailpipe) when infrastructure lacking] makes me nuts.
'

This stuck out in your post. If the fix has NOT been done, you have some serious money waiting for you. When settlement came out there was not a fix for the 3.0 so owners could get 50% of the settlement and the final 50% once the fix was available and applied. So IF, the fix has not been completed you would have at least 50% coming to you (actual amount varies by car and specifics of that car).

I bought my 2014 A8 3.0TDI and the previous owner never made a claim at all. I got the full amount which was more than 11,000 dollars.

Audi is not giving up the ghost on diesel, I think diesel just needs to get over what was a man made legal issue.

Audis new Euro only for now SQ5 diesel 3.0 is a diesel putting out 342 hp and 516 lb.-ft !!!!!

Link to article

This A8 is my first diesel and it is wonderful. You get small economy car mileage in a luxury sedan. My previous A8 was a 4.2 and love this diesel motor so much more. I could go about 340 miles of combined driving on a tank vs about 600+ miles on the same sized tank of diesel. And with the Malone tune it is actually faster than my 4.2.

Well said. I compltely agree.

The VWAG turbo-diesels were and are excellent engines. The exhaust emission issue was primarily political, greatly exaggerated by the true believers.

I'm pleased to see that VWAG has reintroduced diesel power in the Eureopan model you mentioned.

Agree, however I would be far more pleased if the new turbo diesel hybrids would show up in the US.....this quote from the linked article is very displeasing "Germany’s diesel resurgence continues with the help of emission-reducing mild-hybrid functions. But don't expect to see the SQ5 TDI in U.S. showrooms". ARRRGGGGGHHHHH

I am afraid that the TDi will never return to the US.

The decision to permit import and certification of VWAG vehicles with TDI engines will indirectly depend on us and the elected officials we choose.

I bought a used A6 TDi 3.0 with 148k on it. Currently at 153k after a few months, I'm averaging around 38-40mpg daily. I love my car, it's nicer then my wifes S5.

As for diesel trucks yes the old 7.3 powersmokes are good, but hard on oil. Stay away from the newer stuff from Ferd. Cummins 12v and 24v 5.9 motors are bulletproof for the most part. I've had 3 Gm duramax trucks in the past LB7, LLy, LBZ motors. The early LB7 was my favorite, the LBZ had the better 6 speed allison transmission though. I currently have a 2015 Ram ecodiesel and its fantastic, I've seen up to 27.7 mpg on long family trips along the mississippi. Great little motor that does the job, but lacks the omph the Audi 3.0TDI has when you put your foot down.

TDI
 

I came here looking for information on buying a Q7 TDI after the whole scandal thing happened, there now seems to be some great deals out there in these fantastic cars!

For starters, I currently have a 2002 Ford Excursion limited w/ 7.3L and I love it, probably never get rid of it, well I can’t say never but... bought it 5 years ago just over 100k miles, I looked for over a year and had many purchased from under neath me before I could even get out to look at it. Been a great truck, tows everything I have and is a fairly rare unit, now has 160k trouble free miles.

I currently daily drive my A6 Avant Quattro 3.0 gasser and also been a great car, has 223k miles and I told myself I should just drive the wheels off it but I really like these Q7 TDI units and have seen a lot local to me, thinking I would like to take the leap. Been reading through the forums to gather as much info I can before I do so, wealth of knowledge here.

Just bought an 2014 A6 TDI with 192,000 miles. Added another 5000 with no problems. Planning to pass the 300k.
Let's see if I can make it. No major issues on record.

177000 and counting. I had the recall performed for the revised dog,o2 sensor and tuning over winter. I’ve been averaging around 42mpg now in the warmer months. Seems to be slowly getting better yet. Outside of my transmission being herky jerky when it’s cold I have zero complaints.

Exactly.
 

I have 81k miles on my from new '14 Q5 TDI and the fixes are complete. I had one issue at about 41K when the inline fuel pump made allot of noise and was replaced warranty. About 20K miles ago, I drove from the east coast to Sparks, NV, 6,300+ miles and back home, a truly memorable trip with the Q5 performing flawlessly and 40 mpg. Someday I want a new car before my time runs out and at 75+ the actuarials say the clocks ticking BUT....I love this car and even with some insane dealer offers, it will stay in my possession with the "other" machine if I get it. The 440 lb-ft of the Q5 TDI torque is intoxicating and is not replaceable when you press on the go-fast pedal. ;)

Привет и России. Катаю 5 лет А6С7 3.0 дизель. 147 000 км. тяга отлично. работает от -40 до +48 градусов без проблем.
нужно следить за чистотой радиаторов охлаждения двигателя и коробкой это важно. !!! тогда не будет проблемм.
в топливо всегда добавляю присадку ликви молли дизель и все чисто в системе топлива.
делал ремонт коробкиDSG7 замена электронных плат управления клапанами
купил шнурок VCDS и сам теперь смотрю ошибки или делаю настройки в машине так как мне нужно
вот мой профиль https://www.drive2.ru/users/korablew45/
удачи на дорогах);)

I have a 2014 Audi A6 3.0 TDI with over 117,000. It has been pretty much bullet proof and runs great. I get 42 mpg on the flat hwys here in Florida and run a plug and play software that increased my HP from 240 to 283 and trq from 428 to 515.
I also have an 05 3.2 A6 Gas with 244,000 miles. Runs great also. Leaks a little oil but doesn't burn any.

A climate scientist friend sent me a bunch of information about both National Academy of Sciences and a US Senate committee that took testimony ONLY from actual scientists with appropriate credentials.
https://www.nationalacademies.org/ne...uction-and-use

Their conclusion adds up to revealing the MOST environmentally damaging prime mover available at that time (2009) was...wait for it... Battery Electric vehicles - due to the tremendous ecological damage from battery manufacturing (for of course Li ion)
The LEAST damaging was 100% bio diesel, followed by B10 ULSD as we almost all use today.

With such simple and obvious information clearly available and in hands of US legislators, it is time we as citizens of Europe and North America challenge the morons within government who wish to bankrupt our grandchildren by raiding their debt obligations to hand out billion$$ in subsidy money to promote EVs.

That study was published about 12 years ago with data going further back than that. Much has changed since then and continues to evolve. My point being that what was once assumed based on the known technology of that time is evolving not static. If you are truly interested in the subject look for newer studies and more than just one source before deciding to bet everything on it.

Which plug & play software that generates those kind of numbers? I never heard of a plug & play software that can make that significant changes, unless you're talking about a tuner.