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2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 V6 30v vs Porsche MA1 / 9A1: which engine is more reliable?

The 2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 V6 30v and the Porsche MA1 / 9A1 tie on our risk index: 25/100 (moderate risk). The 2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 V6 30v has no documented serious faults; the Porsche MA1 / 9A1 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Bore scoring in the MA1 of the 997.2 and 987.2: uncommon, but documented».

Risk index

2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 V6 30v

25

Moderate risk · 0 serious faults

Risk index

Porsche MA1 / 9A1

25

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

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

21 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 Porsche MA1 / 9A1 reliable?

Yes, it is noticeably more reliable than the M96/M97: it eliminated the intermediate shaft with its IMS bearing and, according to FCP Euro, the connecting rod bolt failures. What is documented is minor: carbon build-up on the intake valves caused by direct injection, coolant pump leaks on the 991.1 and, rarely, bore scoring on the 997.2.[5][6][7][8]

See the 3 of the Porsche MA1 / 9A1 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 V6 30v and Porsche MA1 / 9A1
2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 V6 30vPorsche MA1 / 9A1
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power136–220 hp255–400 hp
Production1996–2006[9][10][11]2009–2016[5][8][12][13][14][15][16]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)25Moderate risk25Moderate risk
Documented faults43
Of high or critical severity01
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. Critical severity: Bore scoring in the MA1 of the 997.2 and 987.2: uncommon, but documented
  2. Medium severity: Carbon build-up on the intake valves caused by direct injection
  3. Medium severity: Leaks from the electronically controlled coolant pumps of the 991.1 and the plastic water pump
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • 3.6 Carrera 345 hp (MA1.02, 2009-2012)[5][7][8]
  • 3.8 Carrera S 385 hp (MA1.01, 2009-2012)[7][8]
  • 2.9 Boxster/Cayman 255-265 hp (MA1.20, 2009-2012, no direct injection)[6][12]
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][17][18][19]
  • 3.0 V6 30v 220 hp (ASN, AVK; 2000-2005)[3][4]
  • 3.4 Boxster S / Cayman S 310-320 hp (MA1.21/.22, 2009-2012, direct injection)[6][20]
  • 3.4 Carrera 350 hp (MA1.04, 2011-2015)[7]
  • 3.8 Carrera S 400 hp (MA1.03, 2011-2015)[7]
  • 2.7 Boxster/Cayman 265-275 hp (MA1.22, 2012-2016)[20][21]
  • 3.4 Boxster S / Cayman S / GTS 315-340 hp (MA1.23, 2012-2016)[20][21]
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

Porsche MA1 / 9A1

Other comparisons

With the 2.4, 2.8 and 3.0 V6 30v

With the Porsche MA1 / 9A1

Compare other engines

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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. The Definitive Guide To Porsche 997 Engines (M96.05, M97, MA1)FCP Euro · Other source · published 16 January 2024 · consulted 2 November 2026
  6. Porsche 987: The Cayman and Boxster Generation GuideRenn Driver · Other source · published 1 November 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026
  7. Porsche 911: 5 Generationen im Gebrauchtwagen-CheckAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 22 September 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  8. Porsche 997Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  9. List of discontinued Volkswagen Group petrol enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  10. Audi A6 C5Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  11. Audi A6Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  12. Porsche Boxster and Cayman (987)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  13. Porsche 991Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  14. Porsche Boxster and Cayman (981)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  15. Differences between M96 and M97 enginesFlat Six Innovations · Other source · published 25 November 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026
  16. List of Porsche enginesWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  17. Tous les problèmes sur Volkswagen PASSAT 1996-2004 (310 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  18. Tous les problèmes sur Skoda SUPERB 2002 - 2008 (47 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  19. 2.8 V6 30V engine reliabilityMotorsforum · Owners' forum · published April 2006 · consulted 2 November 2026
  20. Porsche Cayman and Boxster Common Problems: A Specialist Field GuideForeign Automotive · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  21. Porsche 981: The Cayman and Boxster Generation GuideRenn Driver · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026