As does the 3 litre v6 diesel lump found in a4-8 mate. I think my one is in the clear but ill definitely be delving when it runs out of warrsnty. Due to engine position to fix it's an engine out job and circa 3k I believe. Put my off getting an a8 5 odd years ago. I couldn't believe how much car you got for the money then read into it and was totally put off.
I don't know numbers but the 3 litre straight 6 out of the e46 330 is a he'll of an engine and probably the best engine I've had. That was bulletproof!!! The 330d lunp however had plastic flaps on intake manifold which the odd engine injested! A lot of vag stuff also uses plastic water pump impellors! Reliability wise it's got to be late 90s jap stuff surely. Almost over engineered. Are 300tdi non interference?
- s/h injun possibly the best way forward 
