Reconditioned Audi A3 2.0 TDI Gearbox

The A3 2.0 TDI: 6-speed manual, S tronic 6 or S tronic 7 — three transmissions across eleven engine codes that share nothing?

Not quite: the 6-speed manual and the two generations of S tronic are not distributed randomly across engine codes, but the dividing line does not follow power output. It is the year and the engine code that determine the gearbox family, and any confusion at this stage makes every part incompatible.

BKD, AZV, BMM, BMN: the 8P generation with manual or DSG 6

On the A3 8P from 2003 to around 2008, the 2.0 TDI uses engine codes BKD, AZV, BMM and BMN. These units pair with either the 6-speed manual gearbox or the DSG 6 (also referenced as S tronic 6). The DSG 6 of this period is well known for mechatronic unit failures and juddering in urban driving — the mechanical gearbox itself (casings, differential, synchromesh rings) is, however, rarely at fault at lower power outputs. Sold without the mechatronic unit, with a new dual-clutch.

CBAB, CFFB, CFGB, CBBB, CRBC, CRFC, CLHA: the 8V generation and the S tronic 7

From 2012 on the A3 8V, engine codes CBAB, CFFB, CFGB, CBBB, CRBC, CRFC and CLHA introduce the wet dual-clutch S tronic 7, which is mechanically distinct from the DSG 6 of the previous generation — casings, shafts and gear ratios are all different. The 6-speed manual remains available on certain configurations. With eleven engine codes spanning 2003 to 2020, checking the code stamped on the block before placing any order is the only way to avoid a misidentification.