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2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 V6 30v vs M50 and M52: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 V6 30v carries less risk than the M50 and M52: 25/100 (moderate risk) versus 52/100 (high risk). The 2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 V6 30v has no documented serious faults; the M50 and M52 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Cooling system failure (expansion tank, thermostat, pump and radiator)».

Risk index

2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 V6 30v

25

Moderate risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

M50 and M52

52

High risk · 2 serious faults

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

20 sourcesHow we work

Is the 2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 V6 30v reliable?

The 30-valve V6 engines of the Volkswagen Group (2.4, 2.8 and 3.0) have few documented faults: there are few owner reviews, and they mention coils, the thermostat and oil leaks. The most sensitive item is the timing belt, which on the 2.8 also drives the water pump: Audi and VW ask for it to be changed every 120,000 km, and the job takes 2.9 to 3.5 hours.[1][2][3][4]

See the 4 of the 2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 V6 30v faults

Is the M50 and M52 reliable?

The M52 and its predecessor the M50 are six-cylinder petrol engines that the sources describe as durable: Enginescope considers 300,000 km routine with the cooling circuit looked after. Watch the plastic cooling parts, VANOS, crankcase ventilation and oil leaks and, in the aluminium-block M52s built from 1995 to March 1998, cylinder wear caused by sulphur (Nikasil).[5][6][7]

See the 5 of the M50 and M52 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 V6 30v and M50 and M52
2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 V6 30vM50 and M52
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power136–220 hp150–193 hp
Production1996–2006[8][9][10]1990–2001[11][12][13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)25Moderate risk52High risk
Documented faults45
Of high or critical severity02
Worst severityMedium severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Medium severity: Timing belt, tensioner and water pump on the 30v V6
  2. Medium severity: Faulty ignition coils
  3. Medium severity: Thermostat and water pump leaking or seized
  1. High severity: Cooling system failure (expansion tank, thermostat, pump and radiator)
  2. Critical severity: Premature cylinder wear (Nikasil coating)
  3. Medium severity: Worn VANOS seals
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 2.4 V6 30v 136-170 hp (ALW, ARN, ASM, APZ, AMM, AJG, AGA, AML, ALF, APS, ARJ, BDV; 1997-2005)[2][3]
  • 2.8 V6 30v 190-193 hp (ACK, APR, AMX, AQD, ALG, ATQ, BBG; 1996-2006)[1][3][15][16][17]
  • 3.0 V6 30v 220 hp (ASN, AVK; 2000-2005)[3][4]
  • M50B20, 2.0 litre (150 hp; 1990-1995)[18][19]
  • M50B25, 2.5 litre (192 hp; 1990-1995)[18][19]
  • M52B20, 2.0 litre (150 hp; 1994-1999)[12][18]
  • M52B25, 2.5 litre (170 hp; 1995-1999)[12][18]
  • M52B28, 2.8 litre (193 hp; 1995-1999)[12][18][20]
  • M52TUB20, 2.0 litre (150 hp; 1998-2001)[11][18]
  • M52TUB25, 2.5 litre (170 hp; 1998-2000)[11][18]
  • M52TUB28, 2.8 litre (193 hp; 1998-2001)[7][11][18]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 V6 30v

M50 and M52

Other comparisons

With the 2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 V6 30v

With the M50 and M52

Compare other engines

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Installation tips: changing timing belts. Detailed instructions for the 2.8L 30V engine in the Audi A4, A6, A8 and VW PassatContiTech (Power Transmission Group) · Technical documentation · published December 2010 · consulted 2 November 2026
  2. Zahnriemenwechsel Audi » Intervalle • Kosten • WerkstättenFairGarage · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  3. Tous les problèmes sur Audi A6 1997 - 2004 (186 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  4. Tous les problèmes sur Audi A4 2001-2007 (446 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  5. BMW 3 Series E36 320i (M52B20): reliabilityEnginescope · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  6. BMW M52 reliabilityAutoscore · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  7. BMW M52 Engine: Performance, Reliability, and TuningBMWBlog · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026
  8. List of discontinued Volkswagen Group petrol enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  9. Audi A6 C5Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  10. Audi A6Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  11. BMW M52Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  12. BMW M52Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  13. BMW M50Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  14. BMW M50Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  15. Tous les problèmes sur Volkswagen PASSAT 1996-2004 (310 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  16. Tous les problèmes sur Skoda SUPERB 2002 - 2008 (47 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  17. 2.8 V6 30V engine reliabilityMotorsforum · Owners' forum · published April 2006 · consulted 2 November 2026
  18. BMW M50 / M52: problemas conocidosEnginescope · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  19. Der BMW M50 Motor: Technische Daten, Probleme, Haltbarkeit & FahrzeuglisteCarWiki.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  20. BMW Z3 Reliability Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before BuyingEuro Premium Parts · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026